YSU FOOTBALL Foster, Bartos claim two player of week awards
LB Marty Hutchinson had his second straight award-winning performance.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Here's an indication that Youngstown State's offensive line is improving: for the second straight week a lineman was named the team's offensive player of the game.
Sophomore center John Foster earned the Hill, Barth and King award for his play in the Penguins' 27-17 victory over Liberty University on Saturday.
Foster, the team's back-up center, was called into action when starting center Ryan Jewell was injured on the Penguins' first offensive series and did not return.
Moved to offense
Foster (6-1, 304), from South Euclid and St. Peter Chanel High, helped the YSU offense to 352 total yards, including 194 on the ground.
For Foster the turnaround has been a pleasant surprise for the Penguins since a year ago he was a backup on the defensive line and was only moved to offense during this year's fall camp.
Foster's line teammate, John Bartos III, a former Ursuline High standout, earned the Jim Zdelar Offensive Lineman of the Game honors.
Bartos (6-3, 295 junior) is one of just three Penguins with experience on the offensive line, having started most of the team's games a year ago.
The Hill, Barth and King Defensive Player of the Game was defensive lineman Justin Martin.
Martin (6-3, 260 senior) had four tackles from his defensive end position, but two of them were for losses against the Flames.
Perry leads special teams
The game's special teams player was sophomore defensive back Jason Perry (5-8, 160) from Warrensville Heights.
Perry blocked one of two field goals the Penguins had against Liberty. He also had a 25-yard kickoff return.
Sophomore linebacker Marty Hutchinson (6-4, 210) had his second straight award winning performance for the Penguins.
Last week's defensive player of the game, Hutchinson earned the Jermaine Hopkins Defensive Lineman award against the Flames with three solo tackles. Hutchinson is a Newton Falls High graduate.
The Haines Family Player of the Game award went to sophomore tailback Monquantae Gibson (6-1, 205), a first-year transfer from the University of Kentucky.
Gibson had his third straight 100-plus yard rushing game against Liberty as he finished with 160 yards on 30 carries and scored twice, one on a 53-yard run and the other on a 27-yard pass from quarterback Tom Zetts.
The Wash-On-Wheels Derrick Pixley Hit of the Week was recorded by senior defensive back Steve Reynolds (6-1, 203) from Akron Buchtel High.
The Penguins will begin play in the Gateway Conference Saturday when they travel to Bowling Green, Ky., to take on Western Kentucky at 7:30 p.m.
The contest will be televised live in Youngstown on WFMJ-TV (21).