COLLEGE FOOTBALL Cayson getting special at YSU

The former Warren JFK star has returned from injuries to play special teams.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State senior tailback Josh Cayson rushed for 1,381 yards on 277 carries his first two seasons with the Penguins.
Saturday, when the Penguins travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa to play Northern Iowa in the ninth game of the season, Cayson will still be looking for his first carry of the season.
The former Warren JFK High standout suffered a severe shoulder injury just before the season began and missed the first seven weeks of the season.
When he went down with the injury he was the No. 2 tailback behind starter Monquantae Gibson, and when he came back he was No. 4 on the depth chart.
Now fourth tailback
Now playing behind starter Marcus Mason, Gibson and Justin Reams, Cayson has been relegated to special teams play and he's trying to make the most of the situation.
"When Josh came back after the injury the tailback spot was in pretty good hands, but he wanted to help in any way he could," said YSU coach Jon Heacock.
"Josh was on the kickoff team and making tackles and he was on the kickoff return team and running back kicks and doing just anything to help this football team," Heacock said.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Cayson would love to be carrying the ball once again, but until that time comes he's settled into his special teams role.
"If that's what it takes then that's what I'll do," Cayson said. "As long as we're winning football games I'm happy doing what I'm doing."
Cayson had to sit out his freshman season because he didn't meet NCAA academic requirements.
Led team as sophomore
As a sophomore in 2003 he led the Penguins in rushing with 707 yards and four touchdowns. Last year he added 674 yards and four more touchdowns.
But this year he hasn't been in a game yet at tailback and has not carried the football.
"These guys have to get ready each and every week just in case they are needed and they have all accepted their roles," said YSU running backs coach Sam Eddy.
Mason has emerged as the team leader. The 5-9, 197-pound transfer from the University of Illinois has had four consecutive 100-yard rushing games and rushed for 203 yards on 32 carries in last week's 31-7 win over Missouri State.
"Marcus is a powerful individual with very strong legs and has good work ethics," Eddy added. "He the type of individual who can take a program and make it exciting."
One of the reasons that Mason and the rest of the backs have been so successful is the Penguins' veteran offensive line.
Limongi leads O-line
Senior guard Tony Limongi of Niles is in his second season as a starter and excited about the YSU offense.
"The only way we get any glory is if our backs are making a lot of yardage," Limongi said.
"We've been playing together long enough that we know each other very well and that's been a key to our success," Limongi said.
The Penguins are ranked No. 11 in both the ESPN/USA Today and the Sports Network I-AA polls, the highest they've been ranked since September 2002 when they were also No. 11.
The Penguins are 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the Gateway. A win over Northern Iowa on Saturday would give the Penguins their first 5-0 start ever in the Gateway.
mollica@vindy.com