YSU must give better effort

Someone once said the only statistics that count are the ones on the scoreboard at the end of the game.
Such was the case in Youngstown State's 20-17 victory over Illinois State Saturday night. It wasn't a great victory by the way the Penguins played, but it was still a victory and one the Penguins needed very badly.
At times the Penguins played like they are capable of, offensively and defensively.
The defense gave up entirely too many yards -- over 400 -- against a good, but not great Illinois State team. They will face much better offenses down the road this season in the Gateway Conference.
Palmer puts hisfoot into victory
Still the Penguins' defense came through when it was needed in the fourth quarter, coming up with three interceptions, setting up the two field goals by Brian Palmer that eventually won the game.
It was great to see the big smile on Palmer's face as he walked into the media room following the game.
The redshirt freshman from Mineral Ridge had been having some problems this fall, but seems to have worked them out and is now kicking like he was expected.
His two field goals weren't from far out, but both came in pressure packed situations, with the game on the line and he came through like a real trooper -- no pun included since his dad is a Youngstown City police officer.
But the offense is a concern after coming up with just six points in three trips inside the red zone in the final eight minutes.
It shouldn't be long before the offensive line gets some needed help from sophomore Josh Tanner and junior Pat Walker, who have missed all five games this.
Both were dressed for the first time Saturday and are close to being ready for this week's road contest at Indiana State.
Protection forZetts was suspect
For the first time, other than the Pitt game, sophomore quarterback Tom Zetts didn't get all the protection he needed while passing. He was running for his life on several occasions and hurried into a couple of pass interceptions.
Given time Zetts will pick apart most defenses, but you can be sure that he's going to see a lot of heat in the upcoming games. That's why the Penguins need Tanner and Walker back in the lineup.
The YSU defense got a superb effort from its linebackers against the Redbirds, led by sophomore James Terry and senior Jeremiah Wright.
But the secondary still gave up too many big plays through the air, especially on third and long situations where it seems the opposing receivers are just too wide open under those circumstances.
The Penguins shouldn't have a lot of trouble at Indiana State this week, although the Sycamores did score points against Western Kentucky Saturday in a 38-28 loss.
But Missouri State took defending Gateway Conference champion Southern Illinois into double overtime before dropping a 30-23 contest.
All that means is that it doesn't get any easier from here on out for the Penguins.
Standing is whatteam expected
At 4-1 on the season and 1-0 in the Gateway the Penguins are right where they were expected to be at this point. For the Penguins to be a factor in the Gateway they need to be 7-1 going into the season's final three games.
Everyone knows that the final three games this year are against Northern Iowa (3-1), Southern Illinois (3-1) and Western Kentucky (3-1).
For sure an effort like the one the Penguins put forth Saturday against the Redbirds will not be good enough to beat any of those three teams. But again the Penguins have three more games to get things together and then those final three games might just get a little more interesting.
If not, while there is always basketball, which by the way gets underway Oct. 15 and the season opener is set for Nov. 19. That's also about the time that the NCAA I-AA committee will be announcing its 16-team playoff brackets.
XPete Mollica covers YSU athletics for The Vindicator. Write to him at mollica@vindy.com