Heacock buoyed by YSU's record

The coach had a hunch the Penguins would be 5-1 at this point of the year.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jon Heacock believes the Youngstown State football team is right where it should be at this point of the season.
The Penguins (5-1, 2-0 Gateway Conference) play host to Western Illinois at 4 p.m. Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium.
"We felt all along that we should be sitting here at 5-1," said Heacock. "You always figure things out way ahead, but then you have to still go and play the games.
"I was excited about the way our guys prepared for last week's game [a 45-0 rout of Indiana State]," he added. "It was a great fundamental game. We played extremely hard and we took care of the football.
"It is exciting to be sitting here where we are, but I know that the players and coaches still don't feel that we've accomplished all that much because they know that we still have a long way to go before this season is over."
Advance in polls
The Penguins moved up a few more notches in the I-AA polls this week. They were ranked 15th in the ESPN/USA Today poll and 17th by The Sports Network.
"It's nice to get your name out there in the rankings, but at the same time you have everybody else taking aim at you," Heacock said.
Heacock said he sees a lot of talent on Western Illinois on film.
"Reggie Gray is one of the best receivers we'll face this year and he's also a great kick returner," he said. "Their quarterback [Steve LaFalce] has greatly improved over the first six games.
"They run a gambling type defense and they've gotten burned a few times because of that.
"Hopefully we can do some of the things that we do best against them and then take whatever they give us," he said.
Linemen give team lift
The Penguins received a big lift last week when two starting offensive linemen from a year ago returned to action.
Sophomore guard Josh Tanner and junior tackle Pat Walker, had missed the team's first five games recuperating from injuries suffered last season.
"To have those two guys back will do nothing but make us better," said Heacock.
However, Penguins' senior wide receiver Kyle Smith re-injured his shoulder and is questionable for Saturday's contest.
Smith, who has caught a pass in the last 27 straight games he has played, is just one game away from the Penguins' consecutive game record of 28 held by Jeff Patterson from 1980-82.
Hope Mason delivers
The Penguins are also looking for another strong effort from junior tailback Marcus Mason, who has had two straight 100-plus yard rushing games, including 152 yards and two touchdowns last week.
Mason still trails junior tailback Monquantae Gibson for the team's overall rushing lead. Gibson, who ran for 99 yards and a touchdown against Indiana State, has 416 yards this year, while Mason, who has played only four games, has 360 yards.
Defensively, the Penguins will again look to sophomore linebacker James Terry to lead the way.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder has led the team in tackles the past two games.
"James Terry is an outstanding athlete and he just keeps getting better every week," Heacock said. "Out entire defense just keeps getting better every week."
mollica@vindy.com