Kicker, Peters get top honors

Nick Terracina's record-breaking field goal earned him Gateway Conference honors.
& lt;a href=mailto:mollica@vindy.com & gt;By PETE MOLLICA & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- In the season opener, Youngstown State placekicker Nick Terracina converted what he thought was his career longest field goal of 50 yards against Edinboro.
The junior from Lake Charles, La., had that field goal taken away seconds later when the Penguins accepted a penalty.
Terracina knew he'd get another shot.
Saturday night in Lynchburg, Va., the 5-foot-9, 165-pound transfer from Jones (Miss.) Junior College not only got his career longest field goal, he also set a YSU record in the process with a 56-yarder against as time ran out in the first half.
Terracina had plenty of room to spare on the kick, which was held by senior Luis Gonzalez and snapped by sophomore Tanner Dunlap.
Terracina also kicked a 47-yard field goal and four extra points in the Penguins' 34-3 win.
Peters also honored
Terracina and senior defensive back Waymann Peters were the first Penguins to be named Gateway Conference players of the week this season.
Terracina shared the special teams award with Northern Iowa's Tyler Johnson, and Peters was named the Gateway defensive player of the week. He returned an interception for a touchdown against Liberty and finished the game with three tackles.
Both Terracina and Peters were also named MVR players of the week. It was the second straight award for Terracina, who was also named the Haines Family player of the game award by the YSU radio broadcasters.
Sophomore tailback Josh Cayson of Warren was the MVR offensive player of the game.
The 5-10, 175 tailback had a team-high 69 yards on 10 carries, including a 34-yard scamper which was the Penguins' longest run from scrimmage against Liberty.
Linemen of the week
The Jim Zdelar Big Mac offensive lineman of the game was senior Will Sanders.
The 6-1, 280 guard from Weaver, Ala., helped the offense to 327 total yards, including 222 yards rushing.
The Jermaine Hopkins Big Mac defensive lineman of the game was junior transfer Ron John-Finn of Apopka, Fla. The 6-4, 289 tackle had just one tackle, but it was behind the line of scrimmage, and he also had a quarterback hurry.
The Wash-on-Wheels Derrick Pixley hit of the week was recorded by junior linebacker Justin Martin (6-3, 242) from Downers Grove, Ill.