Improved Limongi gets award

The Niles High graduate made his first start last Thursday.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Tony Limongi came to Youngstown State as an All-Ohio tackle from nearby Niles McKinley High School.
The 6-0, 300 pounder was redshirted his freshman season in 2001 and the Penguins were looking forward to him coming back and having a long career.
In 2002, he was down to 240 pounds and the Division I-AA Penguins really didn't know what to do with him. He was moved around from offense to defense, but was too small at any line position. He did get into one game.
Last year, Limongi beefed up a little to around 275 pounds and saw action in 10 of the team's games.
This year, he came to camp at just around the 300 pounds that he was as a freshman, but a lot stronger and quicker.
Last Thursday, the junior made his first start as a Penguin at offensive guard and helped the offense to more than 300 yards in offense in the 35-13 win over Div. II Slippery Rock and earned the Jim Zdelar offensive lineman of the week honors.
Other awards
Junior wide receiver Kyle Smith of San Diego, was named the Hill, Barth and King offensive player of the game while defensive honors went to sophomore cornerback Jason Perry of Warrensville Heights.
Smith (6-0, 166) finished with three catches for 66 yards including a 32-yard receptions from freshman redshirt quarterback Tom Zetts.
Perry (5-8, 160) in his first starting role, ignited the YSU comeback against The Rock with a pair of clutch interceptions and also had five tackles. YSU scored after both of his interceptions.
The Hill, Barth and King special teams player of the game was redshirt freshman transfer James Terry.
The 6-2, 225 pounder from Stafford, Va., led the Penguins with eight tackles and had a pass breakup in his first game with the team. He also earned the Wash-On-Wheels Derrick Pixley Hit of the Week, for a hit while on special teams. The Jermaine Hopkins defensive lineman of the game was senior Matt Briggs of Cleveland. The 6-4, 257 pounder had five tackles, three of them solo and one for a loss of seven yards.
Perry was also selected by the YSU radio broadcast team as the Player of the Game and earned the Haines Family Award.
mollica@vindy.com