Dellarose eager to rebound

Coach Heacock will make a decision later this week on his starting QB.
& lt;a href=mailto:mollica@vindy.com & gt;By PETE MOLLICA & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Justin Dellarose came back to the Youngstown State football team because he wasn't satisfied with the Penguins' finish in 2002.
Thus far, Dellarose hasn't been too pleased with the team's outcome this year, either.
That's why Dellarose and the rest of the YSU football team feel they have something to prove this week and for the remainder of the 2003 season.
The Penguins are coming off their worst loss at home since 1968, as they were soundly defeated, 54-20, last Saturday by Western Illinois.
Records
The loss dropped the Penguins to 4-3 and 1-1 in the Gateway Conference. Saturday, YSU is on the road for another Gateway clash when it travels to Terre Haute, Ind., to meet Indiana State University (3-4, 0-2 Gateway).
Dellarose, a fifth-year senior, worked hard last offseason so he could graduate with his freshman class and earn a fifth year. He sat out his freshman year meeting NCAA academic requirements.
"Last week was a big disappointment, even embarrassing, and we all feel that this week we have to come back and make a statement against Indiana State," Dellarose said.
Dellarose felt the Penguins' defense held up despite the early turnovers in last week's game.
"We had three turnovers all inside the 20 and the defense gave up only 10 points, which was outstanding," he said.
"However, when you watch the films of the game and you see them coming back and scoring five touchdowns and you see the missed tackles and the breakdowns, you know that we could have done much better," he added.
Testing time
The 6-2, 235-pound senior captain and linebacker said "our character will be tested this week."
YSU coach Jon Heacock said there were some good things that came out of Saturday's loss.
"The defense was impressive in the first quarter and I thought Matt Rycraft was impressive with his play," Heacock said.
When asked about the fans and their reaction to the loss, Heacock added, "Nobody is more discouraged than our players and our coaches.
"This team hasn't backed up a step all season and there is no group that I'd rather have facing this challenge than the one we have now."
Heacock indicated that the Penguins suffered some more injuries Saturday, two of which will cause players to miss this week's contest.
Senior defensive back and one of the team's four captains, Sherod Holmes, is out along with redshirt freshman Pat Walker, a starting offensive tackle, who went out on the game's third play Saturday.
Senior tailback Josiah Doby is questionable for this week's game.
"I think that part of our problem is the fact that we haven't been able to start the same offensive line in any game this season because of injuries," Heacock said.
Quarterback
Heacock also indicated that he plans on working both sophomore Aaron Marshall and the junior Rycraft at quarterback all this week in practice. "We're going to get both of them ready to play and we'll make our decision later in the week as to who will be the starter," he said.
Rycraft, a West Branch High product, set a school rushing record for a quarterback last week when he ran for 152 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns. The 6-0, 180-pounder also completed 6-of-10 passes for 85 yards and another touchdown.
& lt;a href=mailto:mollica@vindy.com & gt;mollica@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;