Salukis next; Hilltoppers are on the horizon

The Gateway opponents are formidable, but beatable.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State football coach Jon Heacock is enjoying the excitement around campus this week, but he knows it could have even been more exciting.
The Penguins had their four-game winning streak snapped last Saturday and lost their first Gateway Conference game, 21-7, to Northern Iowa.
Heacock knows the Penguins didn't play well and they need to put it all together Saturday when they go on the road again to play at Southern Illinois at 4 p.m.
"It's been a while since we've had this kind of excitement around here," said Heacock. "It was a little disheartening last week because we couldn't capitalize on the opportunities we got."
Still the Penguins (7-2, 4-1) remain tied for first place in the Gateway Conference with the Salukis and Western Kentucky.
If they win their final two games against the Salukis and Hilltoppers they will be outright Gateway champions.
Readiness no problem
Heacock isn't worried about his team being ready for Southern Illinois.
"I feel our guys will play this game like it's the last game they're going to play," he said.
Southern Illinois (6-2) leads I-AA in scoring offense, averaging over 42 points a game.
"We're definitely going to have to play the best offensive and defensive game we've played all year on Saturday," Heacock said.
"We are playing them on their field and they've had a few extra days to get ready for us," he added. "It's like we're down 10-0 before we even get there."
The Penguins are banged up in the backfield. Starting tailback Marcus Mason, who went into the game with four straight 100-plus yards rushing games, suffered a slight concussion and didn't play much in the second half, getting just 12 carries for 41 yards.
Junior tailback Monquantae Gibson didn't even make the trip to Northern Iowa with a leg injury.
Early this week junior tailback Justin Reams was listed as the starter for Saturday with senior Josh Cayson listed as backup, but both Mason and Gibson have been practicing this week and are expected to play.
Sophomore quarterback Tom Zetts injured his left hand in the second half against the Panthers, but he also is expected to play Saturday.
"We need everybody," said Heacock. "Everybody that contributes will be critical to our team at this time of the year."
Defense has challenge
The YSU defense also needs to regroup this week after Northern Iowa rushed for 280 yards.
They'll have their hands full trying to stop Salukis' tailback Arkee Whitlock, who rushed for over 200 yards a week ago against No. 1-ranked Western Kentucky.
Senior linebacker Mike Andrews and sophomore linebacker James Terry lead the Penguins in tackles this year with 57 each, while junior linebacker Jeremiah Wright has 54 stops.
The key Saturday could be both the defensive line, led by senior Brandon Brown, sophomore Greg Jacobs, freshman Mychal Savage and senior Justin Scholes, and the secondary.
The Salukis have the best quarterback in the conference in fifth-year starter Joel Sambursky, who has passed for over 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns this year.
The Penguins are going to need good pressure on Sambursky and good coverage in the secondary or it could be a long afternoon.
mollica@vindy.com