'Intelligent loss' is Penguins' goal

Florida International's overtime victory could teach a valuable lesson.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Yes, the Youngstown State football team blew a 13-point lead and then blew a last-ditch chance to win in overtime before losing to Florida International last Saturday, 22-16, at Stambaugh Stadium.
But the Penguins are hoping it will be an "intelligent loss," meaning that they will learn and grow from their mistakes and build on their successes.
Those objectives were part of a determined and optimistic mood displayed by coach Jon Heacock and players Ryan Jewell and Joe Bishop during YSU's weekly press conference Tuesday at the DeBartolo Club.
Saturday at 8 p.m., the Penguins will try to bounce back into the win column at McNeese State.
Last Saturday, the Penguins built a 16-3 lead, went into overtime tied at 16-16 and had a chance to win before fumbling away the opportunity after Florida International scored but missed the extra point for a 22-16 lead.
"We have confidence and that is why we will do better this week," Heacock said.
He said his team, which opened the season with a 35-13 win over Division II Slippery Rock, gained confidence from the loss to Florida International because the Division I-AA Penguins proved they can play and lead.
Must avoid mistakes
Now they have to learn how to avoid mistakes.
"It [the loss] kind of motivates you," Heacock said. "And the kids were in [practicing] on Sunday and the day off [Monday]."
But, he conceded, the Penguins ran into a "hot" quarterback, backup David Tabor, whose aerial bombardment spearheaded the Golden Panthers' comeback.
"Their quarterback got hot," Heacock said ."They were running the same routes and we changed coverages.
"A team is never out of it when the offense is based on throwing the ball," Heacock said. "They were playing a two-minute offense. When you play a passing team, [an opponent] can never have enough points."
Heacock said quarterback Tom Zetts' fumble on a third-and-three situation after FIU took the lead was something that just happened.
"[The FIU defender] just happened to step in the pocket and knock the ball out," Heacock said.
YSU almost lost the ball on its first overtime offensive play when Josh Cayson fumbled, but the ball bounced back to him.
Jewell, Bishop cited
Jewell, sophomore center from Warren who won the Jim Zdelar Offensive Lineman and Haines Family Player of the Game (Radio) awards, said the team played well in defeat, which is a good sign.
"After a game like that, it is pretty easy to move on because we played really well. Everyone is ready to bounce back," said Jewell. "It feels good. It gives you a toughness mentality."
But he admitted, "There is a lot of frustration."
Bishop, a sophomore punter from Canton who was named the Hill Barth & amp; King Special Teams Player of the Game, said the team can't dwell on losing but must focus on rebounding and making progress.
"To be a successful team, you have to put a lot of things behind you," said Bishop, who tied his career high of nine total punts in a game while averaging 43.6 yards a kick, with four of his boots placed inside the 20-yard line.
"We prepared [by punting] all week with good returners and we tried to kick the ball away from them," said Bishop, who is averaging 40.8 yards in 15 punts this year.
Heacock said Bishop's placed his punts accurately.
"Bishop is talented," Heacock said. "He did a good job of directional kicking or placing the ball where he wanted it to go."
kovach@vindy.com