By PETE MOLLICA

By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown State football team's kicking game, one of the best parts of the Penguins' attack returning this season, received an additional shot in the arm Friday.
Jeff Wilkins, probably the most prolific field goal kicker in YSU history and an All-Pro kicker with the St. Louis Rams, paid a visit to the Penguins' spring practice at Stambaugh Stadium.
Wilkins has had a sensational 10-year career in the NFL, first with Philadelphia and San Francisco. He's coming off one of his best seasons that ended with him kicking for the NFC team in the Pro-Bowl in Hawaii.
Teaming up
Wilkins was joined at practice by his long-time friend, Paul McFadden, another former YSU kicker who works with the YSU alumni office.
McFadden initially set all the kicking records at YSU that Wilkins, an Austintown Fitch High standout, broke.
Wilkins, who still makes his offseason home in the Austintown area, has spent considerable time the past two seasons with current YSU kicker Nick Terracina, who last year snapped one of the records that Wilkins and McFadden held jointly.
Terracina booted a 56-yard field goal against Liberty University that broke the mark for the longest field goal in YSU history -- 54 yards by both Wilkins and McFadden.
Wilkins spent most of the afternoon working with the YSU kickers. At one time the YSU kicking game -- past, present and future -- was involved in the talks.
While Wilkins and Terracina were visiting, YSU recruit Brian Palmer of Mineral Ridge joined the talks.
Palmer, who was both an outstanding kicker and punter for the Rams, will join the Penguins when fall camp begins in August. He has become a close friend with Terracina.
Scouting report
McFadden and Wilkins have been impressed with the kicking talent of Terracina.
"I definitely feel somebody will take a good look at him when this season is over," McFadden said in reference to the NFL.
McFadden should know, since he spent a half dozen seasons in the league.
"Anybody that has a 56-yard kick on his r & eacute;sum & eacute; is definitely going to get a look," McFadden said. "Plus, he's just a great kid."
Wilkins still holds no less than a dozen YSU kicking records, including career points (373), field goals made (66) and attempts (98).
He once made 10 consecutive field goals, including five in one game. He also kicked 173-of-177 extra points attempted.
Practice
The Penguins held their final workout before Easter break, working in full pads and scrimmaging some, but not as much as Wednesday.
The Penguins will take today and Sunday off before returning to action Monday at 3 p.m. at Stambaugh. They haven't had their annual "hoot 'n holler" drill, which could be on Monday.
YSU coach Jon Heacock said the drill would be held during the third week of practice before the first jersey scrimmage, which is slated for Friday at 3:30 p.m.
Of YSU's 15 official practices, three of them must be in helmets and shorts only.
The Penguins have one more helmet session slated for next Saturday morning following the jersey scrimmage.
mollica@vindy.com