Penguins get ready for full contact

The hoot 'n holler drill will be held this morning while another practice is tonight.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown State University football team was in full gear Friday for the first time this season, and got warmed up for today's first full contact sessions at Stambaugh Stadium.
The Penguins also will hold their first two-a-day workout today beginning with a morning session that begins at 8:40 a.m., and includes the team's annual first contact drill, the hoot 'n holler drill at 9 a.m.
Third-season head coach Jon Heacock feels the team is ready and anxious to begin hitting.
New NCAA rules
The Penguins have held five one-a-day practices according to the new NCAA rules. Those new rules also include holding a once-a-day practice session the day after the team has a two-a-day workout.
"It's really not a whole lot different than what we're used to," Heacock said. They gave us five addition practice days to make up for what we lost on two-a-days.
"The kids have been working really hard so far and their enthusiasm has just been tremendous," Heacock said.
The team will practice twice today, the second session at 7 p.m.
"Every time we go two-a-day, one will be in the morning and the second in the evening," Heacock said.
Walker overcome by heat
Summer heat is always a concern for the coaching staff, and Friday they got a slight scare when red-shirt freshman tackle Pat Walker of Bedford was overcome by the heat.
YSU trainer Dan Wathen quickly hosed down the 6-5, 280-pound Walker to get his body temperature down quickly. After several minutes, Walker was up an walking around.
"The heat is always a concern out here and it changed around so quickly today," Heacock said.
The Penguins had a couple of other injuries Friday, neither considered to be serious.
Sophomore offensive tackle Jamel Lee, who sat out last season as a non-qualifier, suffered a hamstring pull while starting linebacker, junior Yancey Marcum, suffered a bruised calf when he was kicked during a drill.
Dewberry injured
Probably the most serious injury on the team this week was that of freshman defensive back Tim Dewberry of Canfield. Dewberry re-injured his shoulder and could have some cartilage damage.
The Penguins worked on all facets of the game on Friday, including a lot of time spent on special teams play, an area that was very weak a year ago.
The team's kicking game appears much stronger with the addition of junior college transfer Nick Terracina of Lake Charles, La., and red-shirt freshman Joe Bishop of Canton.
Terracina will handle the place-kicking duties while Bishop will do the punting.
Under scrimmage-like conditions, the Penguins worked for a while on its passing game led by sophomore quarterback Aaron Marshall.
Three share work
Marshall shared the work with freshman Tom Zetts of Boardman and junior Matt Rycraft of West Branch.
All three quarterbacks like the prospects of throwing to the Penguins 6-7 tight end, sophomore Shawn Carlson of Boardman, who has made a big impression on the coaching staff in camp.
The Penguins has several outstanding receivers on the roster including junior Phil Larmon, sophomore Kyle Smith, sophomore Damian Wright, sophomore T.J. Peterson and sophomore Chris Goffer of Chicago, who was a teammate of Marshall at Mt. Carmel High School.
"We've had five good practices and you know its going to get even better once we start hitting tomorrow," Heacock said.
Following today's two sessions, the Penguins will hold one practice on Sunday at 3 p.m. and then come back Monday for their second two-a-day workout.