Passing is a must or run not fun

A successful passing game can only help the run phase of the offense.
& lt;a href=mailto:mollica@vindy.com & gt;By PETE MOLLICA & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Josh Cayson would like to average 10 yards a carry for the Youngstown State football team next season.
The junior tailback from Warren John F. Kennedy High led the Penguins in rushing last season, his first in college football.
But Cayson will be the first one to tell you that in order for him to rush for 10 yards a carry next season the Penguins have to become a much better team than it was last season.
"There is no way I can run the football successfully if we don't have a solid passing game to go with it," Cayson said. "If we don't develop a passing game this year then it's going to be right back to the situation we were in last season and it won't be pretty."
Full tilt
Cayson was impressive Wednesday, when the team held its first full contract drills and scrimmage. He had several nice runs, including a 60-yard TD jaunt.
"It felt good out there," he said. "We have a lot of good young players this season and the enthusiasm around here has been at it's highest right now."
Cayson feels that just that enthusiasm will help to turn the program around.
Cayson sat out his freshman year while meeting NCAA academic requirements, so last year was his first as a college player.
"I had to learn to run for college football and I feel that I learned a lot last season," he said.
But Cayson knows that the Penguins need to stay healthy on the offensive line and get the passing game going if there is going to be any chance of making the postseason next fall.
"We have some good offensive linemen when they're healthy, but too many times last year we had to go with second team linemen because of injuries," he said.
"I know that we brought in a lot of help on the line this recruiting season and hopefully they'll help, but the key is to stay healthy," he added.
Senior-season role
Last season Cayson had a lot of competition at tailback, as the Penguins had three seniors there. He still finished the year as the team's leading rusher with 707 yards on 135 carries and scored four touchdowns, including a 73-yard run in the season opener against Edinboro.
"This year I'm the oldest guy back there," Cayson said. "I expect to be taking most of the snaps.
Cayson who is 5-foot-10 but only tips the scales at 165 pounds, isn't concerned about his playing weight.
"If they can't tackle me at 165 pounds, what difference does it make if I'm 200 pounds?" he said. "I'm not going to try and run anybody over, it fact I try not to allow anybody the opportunity to get a good shot at me.
"I'm comfortable at the size I am and I've gotten stronger," he said.
QB situation
Cayson says that he feels the Penguins have three good quarterback candidates, but they all still have something to prove.
"Aaron [Marshall] has been the starter, but he still has to prove he's a winner, while [Tom] Zetts and [Vince] Gliatta are still newcomers that have to prove themselves," he said.
"Hopefully one of them will step up and take over the leadership on this team," Cayson added.
"The quarterback has to be the leader of the offense," he added. "I run the ball and I expect to be the leader of the rushers, but the quarterback has to put it all together."
& lt;a href=mailto:mollica@vindy.com & gt;mollica@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;