Lackluster Zetts gets call again

YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State freshman red-shirt quarterback Tom Zetts may have taken his first backward step last Saturday in the Penguins' 24-20 loss at McNeese State.
The 6-0, 200-pound performer from Boardman completed just 4-for-11 passes for 25 yards and one interception in a little more than two quarters of action against the Cowboys.
Zetts was replaced by junior Aaron Marshall after he threw the interception on the first series of the third quarter.
Marshall, who had been the starter for most of the past two seasons, led the Penguins on two touchdown drives and a third that ended with a Nick Terracina field goal that put the Penguins ahead 20-17 midway in the final quarter.
Zetts will be the starter Saturday when the Penguins return home to meet Liberty University in a 6 p.m. kickoff at Stambaugh Stadium.
"It certainly wasn't his best effort Saturday, but nobody takes that performance any harder that he does," said Coach Jon Heacock of Zetts.
Only third gameas college starter
It was only Zetts' third game as a starting quarterback in college, since he missed all but two quarters of his first season with a broken collarbone.
"We weren't happy with his performance Saturday, it was definitely a step backward for him," quarterback coach Brian Wright said. "It was only his third game and he had a lot more things thrown at him.
"The one thing about Tom Zetts is that once he has something happen to him he very rarely makes that same mistake twice," Wright said. "Tom is an extremely intelligent guy and there are times when we try to get him not to think too much out there.
"I've watched him come on since spring when he completed 80 percent of his passes and then completed 14 of 16 in the opener," Wright said. "It's tough to keep up that pace an entire season."
Wright said that he and the staff were very pleased with the performance by Marshall, who came off the bench and completed 7-for-13 passes for 45 yards and a touchdown, although we was intercepted twice late in the contest.
"Aaron did a great job in relief," Wright said. "Aaron knows and accepts his role this season and he is very supportive of Tom Zetts."
Regardless of who is playing quarterback, the Penguins must learn to hang onto the football. Seven turnovers isn't going to win any games no matter the opposition.
"We have to concentrate much better," Heacock said. "We have to take better care of the football. That's the only answer I have.
Scoreboard completedfor Saturday's game
The installation of a Mitsubishi Diamond Vision state-of-the art LED Videoboard at Stambaugh Stadium has been completed and will be operating for Saturday's game against Liberty University.
The board, which was purchased by the university through a pouring rights contract with Coca Cola, was installed with help from Diamond Steel, Dickey Electric , the White Way Sign Co. and Mitsubishi.
The new board consists of 126,464 LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, which will provide football fans with an incredibly clear picture.
Manufactured in Nagasaki, Japan, the board was flown to Chicago before being delivered to Youngstown State on Monday.
The board is 17 feet wide and 12.5 feet tall and is comprised of 16 modules that were pieced together by the on-site Mitsubishi crew with the help of Diamond Steel.
The Athletic Department is planning on showing replays, in-game statistics, score updates from around the Gateway and nation, interactive fan displays and sponsorship information.
Youngstown State and Northern Iowa are the only two schools in the Gateway Football Conference who will offer fans a video replay board at home games.
XPete Mollica covers YSU athletics for The Vindicator. Write him at mollica@vindy.com.