YSU Injured Marshall should get start

The Penguins must win out -- and get help -- to have a chance at the Gateway title.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State has had more than its share of injuries this season. It didn't need one more.
Earlier this week coach Jon Heacock reported that sophomore quarterback Aaron Marshall was suffering from a slight concussion. He didn't practice Monday or Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the 6-foot-3, 217-pounder from Detroit was given clearance to resume practice. He's expected to be ready for Saturday's Gateway Conference game at Northern Iowa (7-1, 4-0).
YSU's (5-4, 2-2) slim hopes for a conference championship mean the Penguins must win all of their remaining games.
Strong opponents
The Penguins still have games remaining with unbeaten Southern Illinois -- tied with Northern Iowa for the conference lead -- and with Western Kentucky, which is a game behind the leaders.
For the Penguins to have any chance at a title they would need a lot of help from other teams in the final three weeks.
The Penguins have had to work with a makeshift offensive line throughout most of the season, they've been without starters at linebacker, defensive secondary, defensive line and running back for much of the season.
Heacock said he has to prepare the team for the environment of the UNI-Dome.
"The UNI-Dome is a tough place to play, but we are going to do everything we can to prepare them for that atmosphere," he said.
Offensive outlook
Marshall is expected to start at quarterback with junior Matt Rycraft as his backup. Rycraft has started each of the last two games despite nursing an injured leg, but Marshall has performed the best in each contest. Marshall started the first seven games.
Sophomore tailback Josh Cayson has been getting most of the playing time in the backfield. The former Warren Kennedy High standout leads the Penguins with 590 rushing yards, while senior Mike Burns, who leads the team with six touchdowns (four rushing and two receiving) and senior Josiah Doby are also expected to see work in the backfield.
For the first time this season the Penguins will have the same starting offensive line two weeks in a row. The defense is almost intact for the second straight week.
Special teams
The Penguins will also need a big game from kicker Nick Terracina, who will get his first look at the UNI-Dome.
Terracina leads the Penguins in scoring with 53 points, going 9-of-12 in field goals and 26-of-27 in extra points.
He's already set a school record for the longest field goal with a 56-yard effort against Liberty. Of his three misses, two have been from 47 yards and one from 50.
The Penguins will also need another sound performance from special teams, which last week was outstanding on kickoff returns, led by Cayson, who returned five for 184 yards, including one for 78 yards.
Saturday's contest will be broadcast on WBBG-FM (106.1) beginning at 4:35 p.m.
mollica@vindy.com