Tailback shares credit with line

Their blocks triggered another big day for junior Marcus Mason.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Marcus Mason is no dummy. He knows where his bread is buttered and told everyone about it Saturday.
Mason, the junior tailback for Youngstown State, recorded his third straight 100-yard rushing game to help YSU to a 23-21 victory over Western Illinois.
"Give all the credit to my offensive line," Mason said. "I'm nothing without them, they were superb again today."
Mason scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 28-yard run that went off tackle and the 5-foot-9, 197-pounder was never touched on the play.
"It was a great call and again my line just blocked it perfectly," he said. "I couldn't believe the hole that was there. It was the easiest run I had all night."
Practice runs
YSU coach Jon Heacock said that it was a good play call by YSU offensive coordinator Brian Wright, but it wasn't the first time they had run the play in the game.
"We ran it a couple of times earlier in the game and it really didn't do much, but we got some help from the Western Illinois defense on the last one and we also executed it perfectly," Heacock said.
Mason, who transferred this summer from Illinois, was injured early in the year and didn't get his first playing time until the Pitt game, where he came off the bench and led the Penguins with 64 yards on 16 carries.
He got his first start against Illinois State in the Gateway opener and finished with 126 yards on 27 carries and one touchdown, then and followed with a 152-yard performance at Indiana State with two touchdowns.
In the lead
Mason has taken over the team lead in rushing yardage with 485, passing junior Monquantae Gibson (430).
Mason said that the Penguins were never really worried trailing 21-17 going into the final minutes of the game.
"We just knew that we had to get it done," Mason said. "Whether it was going to be by pass or by run, we knew we were going to do it."
Heacock praised his tailback.
"He's an athlete and a competitor and he wants the football in clutch situations," Heacock said. "He has played very well these last three games and we're going to need him to continue that way the rest of the season."
mollica@vindy.com