Penguins rehearsal winds up fall camp

Youngstown State will hold one more workout Sunday before school begins.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State's fall football camp officially ended Friday with a rehearsal scrimmage that lasted about an hour.
The Penguins were given time off until reporting for their final workout Sunday at 7 p.m. before classes begin on Monday.
Friday's scrimmage was a more grind-it-out type with a lot of goal line situations.
Both the offense and defense had their share of high notes.
Gibson sparkles
Transfer tailback Monquantae Gibson, a 6-foot, 205-pound sophomore, from Kentucky had one of his best showings in the session.
Gibson only rushed the ball twice, but one of them was a 50-yard run. He also caught a 47-yard screen pass for a touchdown that was called back by a penalty.
Junior tailback Josh Cayson of Warren JFK, led the ballcarriers with 74 yards on 10 carries, including runs of 24 and 14 yards.
Sophomore fullback Demetrius Ison continued to impress the coaching staff with his blocking and ball carrying ability.
The 6-0, 226-pounder from Jackson Center, Pa., had eight carries for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Freshman redshirt quarterback Tom Zetts of Boardman struggled somewhat in the scrimmage, hitting just 3-of-13 passes for 14 yards.
Junior Aaron Marshall was 1-of-3, but ran 10 yards on three carries, including a 4-yard touchdown run.
Getting better
"We've progressed," YSU coach Jon Heacock said. "We've gotten better and we are a better football team.
"But everybody is right there at this time," Heacock said. "We've given ourselves a chance to reach our potential, we ground it out pretty good today.
"We are a little leg weary right now, but this group has to learn that it's going to be tough in [the Gateway Conference] and there are going to be times when they have to respond when they are tired.
"It's going to be tough down at Western Kentucky and it's going to be tough at McNeese and in the season opener and we have to be ready," Heacock said.
"Somewhere along the line we have to learn that we've trained harder and better than everyone else," Heacock said.
Early scare
The Penguins got a scare early in the practice session during kicking drills when senior placekicker Nick Terracina was hit while kicking by senior defensive back Herb Jones. Terracina came up holding his leg, but minutes later he was back kicking.
He only attempted two field goals during the scrimmage and was short on a 55-yarder, while his 47-yard attempt was blocked by freshman defensive lineman Jose Galloza.
Heacock said that the team will vote on this year's captains following practice Sunday night. The captains will be announced to the team before Monday's practice at 2:10 p.m.
mollica@vindy.com