YSU FOOTBALL Hutchinson comes long way in short time for Penguins

The linebacker from Newton Falls won YSU's weekly defensive award.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- A year ago, when Marty Hutchinson first joined the Youngstown State football program as an all-state tailback and defensive back from Newton Falls High, he quickly found he had a lot to learn.
Hutchinson, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound redshirt freshman linebacker, has learned well over the past year, and with the rash of injuries that has hit the team, he has moved into a starting position.
Hutchinson spent last season on the scout squad, then moved into the defensive rotation in the spring. During the summer, he became a backup linebacker.
When the Penguins' front line became battered by injuries, Hutchinson stepped up and filled the gap, starting last Saturday's game against Southern Illinois.
Scored a TD
Hutchinson wasted little time in making his presence known to the Salukis. In the first quarter, he rushed in, batted a pass by SIU quarterback Joel Sambursky into the air, caught it and raced 15 yards for the game's first touchdown. It was Hutchinson's first interception and first touchdown of his YSU career.
Hutchinson and the Penguins (5-6, 2-4 Gateway Conference) played well, but still lost, 24-17, to the No-2 ranked Salukis.
The Penguins close out the season Saturday at 1 p.m. against Western Illinois (7-3, 4-2) at Stambaugh Stadium.
Hutchinson was named the Jermaine Hopkins defensive lineman of the game.
The MVR Club's offensive player of the game was sophomore quarterback Aaron Marshall, who completed 14-for-32 passes for 183 yards and no interceptions. The 6-3, 217-pound signal caller from Detroit has thrown for nearly 400 yards in the last two games.
The MVR defensive player of the game was senior cornerback Sherod Holmes (5-8, 150) of Stockton, Calif., who had had four tackles and three pass breakups.
Bishop repeats
For the second week in a row, the MVR special teams player of the game was redshirt freshman punter Joe Bishop of Canton. Bishop punted five times for a 35.6 yard average and none of them was returned.
The Jim Zdelar offensive lineman of the game was senior tackle Josh Davis of Lisbon. With his help, the offense rushed for 121 yards and had 304 total yards.
The Wash-on-Wheels Derrick Pixley hit of the week was made by junior defensive back Mike Bracken of Imperial, Pa.
The Haines Family player of the game, selected by the YSU broadcasters, was senior guard Will Sanders (6-1, 280) of Weaver, Ala., who played both guard and tackle.