Dellarose gets an extra season to help Penguins

The three-year startinglinebacker was determined to come back after graduation.
& lt;a href=mailto:mollica@vindy.com & gt;By PETE MOLLICA & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- A year ago, Justin Dellarose was playing in what he thought might be his final season at Youngstown State.
Dellarose was a senior, but had used only three years of eligibility after sitting out his freshman season for not meeting the NCAA initial eligibility requirements.
After the Penguins struggled through a 7-4 year and missed the playoffs for a second straight season, Dellarose was determined to come back for his fifth year.
He did that by meeting all of his academic requirements and graduating with his original freshman class.
The 6-foot-2, 227-pound linebacker has been a regular since the 2000 season, when he started nine games. He has earned three letters.
A lot of tackles
In those three seasons, Dellarose had 171 total tackles, including 17 for losses, four sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.
He is the only returning starting linebacker on a defense that lost seven of its 11 starters through graduation.
"I just didn't like the way last season ended," Dellarose said. "I knew I wanted to come back and I was determined to do so."
The Penguins went into spring practice with a lot of new faces on defense, but it didn't take long for them to jell.
"I think that last spring was the most enjoyable spring practice I've ever been involved with," Dellarose said. "Just to be able to watch that unit grow in just 15 practice sessions was unbelievable.
"We went into spring with a lot of untested players and we came out of spring as a solid team," he said.
Impressed
Dellarose said that he's been impressed with the younger players this season.
"We've got 11 or 12 linebackers in camp this year, and they are all excited and willing to learn," he said. "We've never had that much depth since I've been here.
"A year ago I didn't even know if I'd be here again," he added. "But now that I am, I want to take full advantage of it. This has got to be my best year because it's my last."
Dellarose, from Labelle, Pa., was an honorable mention selection on the Gateway Conference's pre-season all-star team.
As a red-shirt freshman in 2000, he was named to the Gateway's all-newcomer team; and last season was honorable mention on the academic all-conference team.
He said that he excited about this year's 12-game schedule.
"It's exciting, playing 12 straight weeks," he said. "Then we take a week off and come back for the playoffs. I can't wait."
Put on pads
Wednesday, the Penguins put on shoulder pads for the first time and will work out in shoulder pads and helmets again today at 3:15 p.m. Friday will be the first day in full equipment and Saturday will be the team's first two-a-day session and also the first full contact practice.
The hoot 'n holler drill will be Saturday at 8:40 a.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.
& lt;a href=mailto:mollica@vindy.com & gt;mollica@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;