Penguins weather the wetter weather

Senior kicker Nick Terracina made a field goal from 52 yards.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State's final two-a-day practice session of preseason camp was pelted by heavy rains.
"You never know when you are going to have to play in these conditions, so it is always good to get a practice in under similar conditions," said coach Jon Heacock.
The morning session, which had the heaviest rain, was with full pads. The afternoon practice was in shells, helmets and shoulder pads.
"I thought we handled the conditions pretty good today," said Heacock. "I liked what I saw out there."
The Penguins worked hard on special teams drills and senior place kicker Nick Terracina, who has been erratic in recent practices, was on the money Thursday.
He converted one from 52 yards out and he just missed on a 55-yard attempt, but he was perfect on all his other shorter kicks.
Sophomore punter Joe Bishop was also booming kicks high and deep.
Good attitude
Heacock continues to be excited over the team's attitude and enthusiasm, which has never dimmed since preseason practice began. Thursday was the team's 18th and 19th sessions.
A couple of minor injuries popped up, one to junior defensive back Aaron Scales, who banged up his shoulder making a hit on junior wide receiver Kyle Smith in a scrimmage.
Junior defensive back Ryan Wisecarver suffered a leg injury when he was kicked during one of the drills. Neither were considered serious injuries.
Freshman redshirt linebacker James Terry, who transferred from the University of Virginia, missed the morning session as he was going though his freshman orientation.
In the scrimmage session, the three quarterbacks -- redshirt freshman and starter Tom Zetts, redshirt freshman Vince Gliatta and junior Aaron Marshall -- all looked sharp.
The team's three running backs, junior Josh Cayson, sophomore Monquantae Gibson and sophomore Regis Edgerson, also ran the ball well.
"We still have a long way to go to become a good football team, but we are continuing to improve each day and that's about all we can ask of these kids," said Heacock.
Classes begin Monday so all of the practices will be in the afternoon working up to the season opener on Sept. 2 against Slippery Rock.
The Penguins were scheduled to hold a rehearsal scrimmage today at 8:20 a.m. They were taking Saturday off and the final practice before classes begin will be Sunday night at 7.
mollica@vindy.com