GATEWAY CONFERENCE FOOTBALL Heacock hasn't reached his goals at YSU
He wants his players to experience the excitement of the playoffs.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jon Heacock was involved in four national championship games as an Youngstown State assistant coach.
When he took over as the Penguins' head coach three years ago his goal was to get back to the title game.
But, for the third straight year Heacock will not reach that goal and has yet to get the Penguins into the playoffs.
Saturday, the Penguins (5-6, 2-4 Gateway Conference) close their season against Western Kentucky (7-3, 4-2) at 1 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.
"When I took over here I knew what it felt like to win a championship and I wanted my players to feel the experience of winning a championship," Heacock said.
"I road through town on the bus in the parade after winning the title and I wanted them to get a chance to ride that bus."
The Penguins' records have steadily declined in Heacock's three years. They were 8-3 in 2001, 7-4 last year and need a victory Saturday to avert the first losing season since 1995.
Injuries have hurt
Injuries have been one of the reasons for the Penguins' problems this season. Twenty-two players have missed at least one game.
Only one offensive lineman, senior tackle Josh Davis of Lisbon, has started all 11 games. Senior Steve Durbin of McDonald is the only defensive lineman who has played in every game.
They are among 14 seniors who will make their final appearance at Stambaugh Stadium. Two -- tailback Mike Burns and fullback Keland Logan -- are still nursing injuries and aren't expected to play.
Heacock remains optimistic, though, after the way the Penguins played in their 24-17 loss to undefeated and No. 2-ranked Southern Illinois last weekend.
"Last week gave our guys some confidence," Heacock said.
But there is still the fact that two linebackers, Joe Juby and Marty Hutichison, will have to play on the defensive line.
The offensive line could be intact for the third straight week, providing sophomore tackle John Bartos has recovered from the ankle sprain he suffered in the first half last week.
Marshall leads offense
The offense will once again be in the hands of sophomore quarterback Aaron Marshall, who in the past two weeks has passed for 396 yards. Marshall has thrown 12 touchdown passes and hasn't been intercepted since the Liberty game.
Senior Josiah Doby will get the start at tailback, but sophomore Josh Cayson is expected to see plenty of action. Cayson leads the team in rushing with 697 yards and also in all-purpose yardage with 1,105, including 376 yards on kickoff returns.
Sophomore Kyle Smith and junior Mike Roberts lead the pass receivers with 29 and 25 catches, respectively. Smith is also second to Cayson in all-purpose yards with 672, including 142 yards on punt returns.
Defensively, junior linebacker Yancey Marcum has been the tackles leader from game one. He has 106, while defensive backs junior Mike Bracken and senior Scott Thiessen are second and third with 79 and 73.
Thiessen and senior Waymann Peters each have three interceptions. Bracken leads the team in tackles for losses with eight, while freshman Jeremiah Wright has three sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Saturday's game will be televised live nationally over The Football Network and replayed at 1 a.m. by WYFX (17/62).
mollica@vindy.com