Heacock's message gets through

Senior Kyle Smith became the 11th YSU player with 100 career receptions.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Finish.
That's what Youngstown State coach Jon Heacock emphasized to his Penguins via psychology leading up to and during Saturday's game against Western Kentucky.
Last week, YSU came out strong in the first half, then died in the end in a 31-17 loss to Southern Illinois.
Heacock didn't want such a letdown against Western.
"He emphasized that we had to finish," said James Terry, an outside linebacker. "Even though we were up by lot at halftime, he let us know it's not over."
In the players' presence on Friday, Heacock held up a T-shirt that had the letters F-I-N-I-S-H across the front.
"Coach told us to keep our heads straight and then he showed us the T-shirt and we fought for it," said Terry, a sophomore who was also exceptional on kickoff coverage.
The message
"He told us to sleep with [the shirt]," Terry said. "We had to finish this game no matter what. That's what we showed out there today. He told us to sleep with it under our pillow. he made it known that it was important to finish this game."
James said he was going to wear it when he celebrated Saturday's 42-10 win over WKU. "It was my little partner next to the pillow," he said.
Terry was pumped up on kickoff coverage, making several tackles that kept the Hilltoppers in poor field position early.
"Coach emphasized before the game that special teams would be huge in a game like this," he said. "He emphasized that, if we got down field fast, their blocking wouldn't be as good. So we got down there fast and Joe Bishop had good hang time that helped us get down there to make the tackle."
Terry also tackled WKU running back Lerron Moore for a 3-yard loss early in the third quarter after Youngstown took a 35-10 lead.
Like all of the current Penguins, wide receiver Kyle Smith's college days were playoff-less. That's why Saturday was special, but not only because he had two touchdown catches.
The 6-0, 170 senior became the 11th player in school history to have more than 100 career receptions.
Smith finished with six catches to give him 101 for his career. It also represented the 30th consecutive game in which he had a pass reception. The Buffalo native by way of San Diego finished with a game-high 111 yards.
Upon coming to YSU, Smith wasn't sure how he'd fit into the offense.
Run was reputation
"From the reputation, I didn't think that the 30/100 combination was going to happen," he said. "But good things ended up happening for me. It's a nice mark to have and I'm very proud of it, but it's something I'll look at later."
Free safety Dorian Chenault had two firsts against Western -- a fumble recovery and interception, both leading to TDs.
"I've had a lot of pass break-ups, but I could never get ahold of one. The guys were making fun of me and making a big deal about it, so I was happy it was in a big game."
The 6-1, 190 product of Canton McKinley started seven games last year as a redshirt freshman. Then he tore a miniscus. He started again this season but missed a few games due to appendicitis.
"I was a little rusty when I came back, but I got back in the groove when I needed to."
The 6-1, 190 sophomore was on the opposite side of the field when he got the fumble.
"I saw [cornerback] Jason Perry go up and smack the dude [Chris Jackson]," he said. "The dude try to run him over, but Jason went low on him. Then I saw the ball pop out and I ran over saying, 'Gotta go get this ball, gotta go get this ball.'"
On Chenault's pickoff, James Terry first tipped the pass, then Western's intended receiver touched it.
"That's when it came right into my hands, so I had to get it," he said. "It was a Christmas gift."