YSU FOOTBALL N. Iowa game 1st in tough stretch

The combined record of the Penguins' next four opponents is 15-10.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State has a three-game winning streak, but the combined record of those opponents is 6-14.
Saturday, the Penguins play host to defending Gateway Conference champion Northern Iowa, which begins a four-week period in which they play opposition that is a combined 15-10.
Northern Iowa (3-3, 0-2 Gateway Conference) is ranked No. 21 in I-AA despite losing its last two games. The Panthers, ranked as high as No. 2 this season, have been outscored 73-25 in those losses, to Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois.
"Obviously, turnovers have played a key role in those last two games for Northern Iowa," said YSU coach Jon Heacock. "We know all about that from our first three games this season."
The Penguins (4-2, 2-1) were minus-six in turnover margin the first three games, forcing just two.
In its three-game winning streak, YSU has forced 13 turnovers and given up just four. The Penguins are plus-three in turnover margin for the year.
Upcoming slate
Next week YSU travels to Western Illinois (5-1), plays host to Southern Illinois (4-3) and then travels to Illinois State (3-3).
"It doesn't matter who we play," said Heacock. "We have to play four straight weeks and we have to play our best football those four weeks to have a chance to win."
Heacock he was disappointed that the Penguins failed to put away winless Florida Atlantic last week. YSU built a 24-3 halftime lead, but struggled in the second half before winning 24-17.
"When you get somebody where we had them last week, you have to be able to finish them off and we didn't do that," he said. "So far this season we have handled adversity well, but we didn't handle success well last week."
Heacock is glad to be playing at home Saturday.
Advantage
"When we play at home, with a great fan base like we have, it is a huge advantage for us," he said.
Two years ago, the Penguins set a stadium and conference record with an attendance of 21,119 against Northern Iowa.
"We definitely need another showing like that on Saturday," Heacock said.
Both teams like to run the ball. YSU senior P.J. Mays holds a slight advantage over Northern Iowa's Adam Benge in the league rushing statistics.
Mays has rushed for 748 yards and seven touchdowns, including 130 yards and two scores last Saturday. Junior Josiah Doby is No. 2 on the team with 289 yards, and freshman red-shirt quarterback Aaron Marshall is third with 110 yards.
Marshall 3-for-3
Marshall, who has won all three of his starts, is 8-for-19 passing for 80 yards and one interception and one touchdown.
"We're still very confident in our passing game," said sophomore wide receiver Phillip Larmon.
The defense has been the driving force behind YSU's winning streak. The 13 turnovers are only part of the success.
Last Saturday for instance, the defense held Florida Atlantic out of the end zone after the offense committed two second-half turnovers.
Linebackers John Tekac, Justin Dellarose and Russell Stuvaints, and linemen Guy Mazard, Martin Stachowicz and Matt Mechling -- all of them are seniors -- have led the way.
mollica@vindy.com