AWARDS Smith leader of offense for YSU

The sophomore wide receiver caught seven passes for 142 yards and a TD.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORT STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State completed 18 passes Saturday in their 47-9 loss to Northern Iowa and seven of them were caught by wide receiver Kyle Smith.
Smith, a sophomore, had a career high game with the seven catches for 142 yards and scored the Penguins only touchdown on a 47-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Aaron Marshall in the third quarter.
The 6-foot, 163-pound Smith, from San Diego, Calif., increased his team leading reception total to 26 for 463 yards and three touchdowns.
A year ago the team caught 88 passes for 1,280 yards and eight TDs with Jerold Burley leading the way with 20.
This year both Smith and junior tight end Mike Roberts have topped Burley's total. Roberts (6-0, 235) has 22 catches for 217 yards and two TDs.
Surpassed last season
As a team the Penguins have surpassed last year's total in receptions and yards gained with 111 catches for 1,348 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Smith was named the MVR Club's offensive player of the game for his efforts, while Roberts, who made four catches for 44 yards Saturday, was named the Jim Zdelar Offensive Lineman of the game. Smith was also named the Haines Family Player of the game, selected by the YSU radio broadcasters.
The MVR Club's defensive player of the game for the second straight week was junior tackle Nate Baston of Bethel Park, Pa.
The 6-1, 257-pounder had 3.5 tackles against Northern Iowa and had one of the two YSU tackles for losses in the game.
The MVR special team player of the game was redshirt freshman punter Joe Bishop of Canton.
Bishop averaged 40.7 on nine kicks against the Panthers and had four of them inside the UNI 20 yard line.
Kickers lone bright spot
Bishop and junior transfer kicker Nick Terracina, who added his 10th field goal on Saturday, have given the 5-5 Penguins one of the few bright spots on this disappointing season.
The Jermaine Hopkins defensive lineman of the game was sophomore transfer Ron John-Finn of Apopka, Fla. The 6-4, 289-pound John-Finn finished Saturday's game with 2.5 tackles and blocked one of the Panthers' extra point in the second quarter.
For the third straight week the YSU coaches did not select a Wash-on-Wheels Derrick Pixley Hit of the Week.
This Saturday the Penguins are on the road again and will be trying to snap a two-game losing streak in the Gateway (2-3) when they visit undefeated and No. 3-ranked Southern Illinois (9-0) in Carbondale, Ill. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.