FOOTBALL Morton can run, to YSU's benefit

The sophomore is ranked No. 10 in the nation in kickoff return average.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Speed always has been an asset for Youngstown State's Tyler Morton.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound sophomore was a track standout in the hurdles as well as being an all-league football player at East Lake High in Palm Harbor, Fla.
He played wide receiver and defensive back in high school and was recruited by the Penguins for defense.
He also ran with the YSU men's indoor track and field team and helped it to the 2003 Horizon Championship with a third-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles.
After his red-shirt season in 2002, Morton saw action in nine of the Penguins' 12 football games last year in the secondary, registering nine tackles and earning his first varsity letter.
In the spring, Morton was moved to offense and joined a long list of receivers.
Through the Penguins' first five games, Morton has not caught a pass but has become a valuable asset to the team on the kickoff-return unit.
Ranked 10th in nation
Morton has returned six kickoffs in the Penguins' last two games, and is averaging 30 yards per return, good for 10th-best in the nation and No. 2 in the Gateway Conference.
Saturday night, in the Penguins' 44-19 loss to Western Kentucky, Morton returned three kicks for an average of 33 yards, including one of 39 yards.
For his efforts, he was named the Hill, Barth and King Special Teams Player of the Game.
Another player who hasn't touched the football much this season is tight end Shawn Carlson from Boardman High.
The 6-7, 250-pound junior is a big target with good hands and speed. He spent his first season as a wide receiver before being moved to tight end.
Going into Saturday's game, Carlson had caught only one pass, but against the Hilltoppers he had a team-high six receptions for 43 yards, the longest being 18 yards.
He earned Offensive Player of the Game honors.
Briggs tops defense
The team's Defensive Player of the week was senior defensive tackle Matt Briggs (6-4, 257) of Cleveland. The two-year starter had some key stops in Saturday's loss.
The Jim Zdelar Offensive Lineman of the game was sophomore tackle Pat Walker (6-5, 300) of Bedford, who helped the offense to its best production of the year with 437 total yards.
Junior tackle Ron John-Finn received the Jermaine Hopkins defensive lineman of the week award, with five tackles. The 6-4, 290-pound Hopkins, from Apopka, Fla., also forced a fumble.
There was no Wash-On-Wheels Derrick Pixley Hit of the week selection, while the Haines Family Player of the Game, selected by the YSU radio broadcast team, was senior strong safety Mike Bracken (6-0, 210) from Imperial, Pa.
The Penguins (2-3, 0-1 Gateway) will play host to No. 1-ranked Southern Illinois at 6 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium on Saturday.
mollica@vindy.com