COLLEGE FOOTBALL YSU set for long trip to Macomb

The Penguins will meet Western Illinois Saturday in a big Gateway Conference game.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State, still battling for the Gateway Conference title and a berth in the I-AA playoffs, must win on the road Saturday.
The Penguins (4-3, 2-2 Gateway) take on 9th-ranked Western Illinois (6-1, 3-1) at 2:05 p.m. in Macomb, Ill.
The Penguins embarked on a long and difficult trip today, beginning with a two-hour plane ride from Cleveland to St. Louis and then a 31/2-hour bus ride to Macomb.
"It is just another obstacle that we have to overcome," said YSU coach Jon Heacock.
The Penguins are coming off a 22-7 loss at home to Northern Iowa and another loss would be disastrous for their conference title hopes and would eliminate any chance of making the playoffs.
"Last week we didn't rush the ball very well and we didn't stop the run on defense," Heacock said. "The coverage part of our kicking game was poor and we turned the ball over twice."
Penguins banged up
Heacock knows that he has a difficult task this week against the Leathernecks and his team is not in the best physical shape.
"We're pretty banged up, especially in the backfield where P.J. [Mays], Mike Burns and Chris DiMauro are all banged up."
Freshman redshirt quarterback Aaron Marshall suffered his first defeat as a starter last week, but Heacock believes the young quarterback is improving each week.
"He's getting better every single game," he said. "Now we've got to find some ways to help him out. We've got to get him a little more protection."
Heacock said that the team was disappointed in their performance last week.
"But there is a lot of resolve in this group," he added.
YSU only rushed the football for 104 yards, while the defense allowed 220 yards on the ground.
"The best defense is the one that's not on the field very long," he said. "That's the one that goes three plays and out. Last week we punted the ball nine times and they punted only four.
"For us to win we have to be able to run the football and we have to be able to stop the run on defense," Heacock said. "Right now we have to go out and handle the real things, like taking care of the football, blocking and tackling.
"We're going up against a team this week that is very talented," he added. "They have a great quarterback, an excellent running back and are very good on both the offensive and defensive lines."
Mays needs big game
YSU will need a big game from Mays, who was held to just 47 yards on 17 carries against Northern Iowa. He also caught two passes, one a 37-yard touchdown, from Marshall.
The YSU defense was tough in the red zone as it allowed just one touchdown, but the Panthers kicked five field goals. But still the Penguins gave up too many yards on the ground.
"That was very un-Youngstown-like," said Heacock.
The Penguins don't have any changes in their starting lineup, but they did make some switches among the backups.
Senior Colby Street, who started the first two games at quarterback, is now the backup Bandit linebacker to Russell Stuvaints.
On offense, junior Keland Logan, who has played both offense and defense this year, is the backup fullback to Chris DiMauro. Logan (6-foot-1, 290 pounds) is a former Ursuline High standout who transferred to YSU from Ohio University.
"We've been working very hard and we're trying to get better," Heacock said. "I haven't lost faith in my kids or my staff."
mollica@vindy.com