YSU FOOTBALL Heacock expects a close contest

The Penguins will try to win their first conference game on Saturday.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Despite his team's 2-6 record, Youngstown State football coach Jon Heacock feels that the Penguins have improved over the course of the season.
Saturday, the Penguins will play their final home game when they entertain Indiana State in a Gateway Conference matchup at 4 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.
While in previous years the Penguins were usually battling for the top spot in the conference standings, Saturday they will be battling to get out of the league's basement, or at least share it.
YSU is 0-4 in the conference for the first time since joining the Gateway in 1997.
Indiana State (4-4) is 1-3 with three straight losses.
Saturday also marks the final home game for 13 YSU seniors.
"It's senior weekend, their parents are coming in and we try to make it special for them," Heacock said.
Heacock said his offense and defense played well enough to win last week. "They gave us a chance," he said.
Unfortunately, it was the special teams that let down, allowing both a kickoff and a punt to be returned for touchdowns.
"Oddly enough, our punt coverage team went into that game allowing just over a 1-yard average on returns this season," Heacock said.
On two returns Illinois State averaged 26.5 yards, including a 52-yard return for the touchdown.
Nothing extra
Even though it's senior weekend, Heacock doesn't feel that the team is in need of any extra motivation to get ready for the Sycamores, whom they've beat in 12 of their 13 meetings.
"I'm hoping that the want to win is motivation enough," he said.
"If you had a team that didn't care then it would be tough to motivate them.
"It's been frustrating, but all of my frustrations are for my kids," Heacock added.
Heacock expects another close game with the Sycamores.
Last year's contest, won by the Penguins 30-24, went to overtime in Terra Haute, Ind.
"This game is always a good one and we expect Saturday's to be just the same. They've [Indiana State] brought in a lot of transfers this year and most of them are playing on defense," he said.
Strong running
The Penguins' sophomore tailback, Monquante Gibson, the team's rushing leader despite playing sparingly the last three weeks, is still doubtful for Saturday.
Junior tailback Josh Cayson took over and had a career-high 146 yards on 25 carries last week against Illinois State.
"Josh is a very talented football player and he's continued to improve ever since he's been here," Heacock said. "He also had a lot of help from his offensive line last week."
Freshman guard Josh Tanner, who has started every game but went down with a shoulder injury last week, is expected to be ready for Saturday, although senior Norris Kennedy has been listed as the starter.
The only other questionable starter is redshirt freshman defensive back Dorian Chenault, who missed last week's game with a knee injury.
Chenault is listed as backup to junior Aaron Scales.
mollica@vindy.com