YSU FOOTBALL Schumacher shows faith in quarterback Marshall

The veteran tight end believes the freshman quarterback can ignite the Penguins' offense.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- John Schumacher has been part of the Youngstown State football offense for four years, but this is the first time the senior tight end has had to go through a growing period with the unit.
The Penguins came into the 2002 season with a big hole at the quarterback position, and it's taken most of these first five games to finally settle in on that position.
The Penguins (3-2), ranked No. 22 in this week's Sports Network I-AA poll, have won two straight since freshman red-shirt quarterback Aaron Marshall took over.
"Aaron is an outstanding athlete and he has the ability and the confidence to make this offense really go," Schumacher said. "The coaching staff is taking it easy on him right now, but each week we see more and more stuff being put into the game plans."
The Penguins travel to Miami this Saturday to take on Florida Atlantic (0-5) in a non-conference contest in Pro Player Stadium.
Gradually
"You don't want to put him [Marshall] into a position that's going to cause him to make mistakes," Schumacher said. "That's why the staff is just easing him along and getting him comfortable in the position.
"We know that soon we're going to have to start opening up the offense, and when we do he'll be ready to handle things. He's a great athlete and he has all the confidence in the world in his abilities."
Schumacher (6-3, 240) has been one of the main cogs in the YSU offense the past three years.
He's caught a total of 40 passes in his career, including five this season -- tying him for the team lead. He also has seven career touchdowns, one this season.
But in the past two games the YSU offense has thrown just 12 passes.
Ground attack
"The running game has been working real well and when the time comes we know that we can make the passing game work to compliment the running game," he said.
Schumacher is the second in his family to play at YSU. His older brother, Luke, was a three-year starter at linebacker from 1997-2000. They were teammates for two seasons, reaching the national championship game in 1999 and made the playoffs again in 2000.
Schumacher enjoys blocking, but hopes he'll get more passes in the near future.
"You just know that there are plays in our offense that will work, but at the same time when the offense is moving the ball so well on the ground, you hate to take that chance of putting it in the air," he said.
"This offense has improved so much since the beginning of the year. With Aaron back there, we are only going to get better."
Besides his offensive duties, Schumacher also performs on special teams for the Penguins and is the short snapper for field goals and extra points. He also has a tackle on special teams.
"From what we've seen on film, Florida Atlantic is a very talented football team, and we will need another sound effort to keep our winning streak alive."