YSU FOOTBALL Heacock: Offensive line needs a total team effort

Center Nick Roberts was named the offensive player of the game.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State's offensive line has taken a lot of the blame for the Penguins' sluggish offensive attack this season.
In Saturday's 22-7 Gateway Conference loss to Northern Iowa, YSU had just 104 yards rushing and only 241 total yards.
Junior Nick Roberts is a two-year starter on the line, and following a solid year in 2001, the 6-foot, 303-pound guard and center from Newton Falls High earned pre-season All-American status.
He started the season as the starting right guard, where he finished as a starter a year ago. Four weeks ago he was moved to center, where he had started once last season and earned player of the week honors.
Roberts duplicated that effort this week, being named the MVR Club's offensive player of the game.
Finding cohesiveness
YSU coach Jon Heacock said the offensive line needs to be a team effort.
"If five men are doing their job and just one isn't, the play probably won't work," Heacock said, "and this has been our problem most of the season. We have just one or two breakdowns on the line and the play is stopped for a loss or a quarterback is sacked."
The MVR Club's defensive award went to senior linebacker Russell Stuvaints (6-0, 215) of McKeesport, Pa. He finished with 51/2 total tackles, including one for a loss, and a forced fumble.
Sophomore wide receiver Phillip Larmon (6-0, 180) was the special teams player of the week. Larmon, from Worthington, missed the first two games of the season with injuries and has come back to regain his starting position. He also performed well on special teams on kickoffs and punts. His tackle on one of those plays earned him the Wash-on-Wheels Derrick Pixley Hit of the Week.
More honors
The Jim Zdelar Offensive Lineman of the game was senior tight end Dennis Dlugosz, and the Jermaine Hopkins Defensive Lineman of the game was sophomore defensive tackle Nate Baston.
Dlugosz (6-3, 240), from Avon Lake, is one of the better blocking tight ends in the conference. He also caught one pass for 5 yards on Saturday. Baston (6-1, 255), from Bethel Park, Pa., had 41/2 tackles and seven assists.
The Haines Family player of the game, selected by the radio broadcasters, was senior defensive tackle Guy Mazard, who had only 11/2 tackles, including one for a loss, and a recovered fumble.
The Penguins (4-3, 2-2 Gateway) travel to Macomb, Ill., to meet Western Illinois (6-1, 3-1) at 2:05 p.m. Saturday.
mollica@vindy.com