Bring on Season 4: Penguins prepare for Gateway's best

A roughing-the-kicker penalty cost YSU a win last year against UNI.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Before the 2005 football season began, Youngstown State football coach Jon Heacock broke the year down into four seasons.
The Penguins have made it through the first three seasons with a 7-1 record, but the fourth begins Saturday in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with a meeting with the University of Northern Iowa.
YSU glided through season No. 1 with wins over Slippery Rock (44-14), Northeastern (35-16) and Liberty (42-0).
Season No. 2 didn't go very well, the 41-0 loss to Pittsburgh.
But the Penguins battled back in season No. 3, with four straight wins in the Gateway against Illinois State (20-17), Indiana State (45-0), Western Illinois (23-20) and against Missouri State (31-7).
Now comes season No. 4 with the 22nd-ranked Panthers (4-3), followed by another road test at No. 9 Southern Illinois (5-2).
YSU, ranked No. 11 this week, finishes the regular season at home against No. 1 Western Kentucky (6-1).
Main concern
Heacock's only concern right now is Northern Iowa and playing indoors in the UNI-Dome where the Penguins are 3-6 , with their last win coming in 1999.
"The biggest challenge that we have going into this game is to understand that it is just another football game," Heacock said.
"It's going to be very loud in the dome if we allow it to be loud," he said. "If we don't allow it to be loud it will be just another game and we'll be OK.
"It's a different atmosphere there and fortunately we have some players who were there before and they know what to expect," Heacock said.
Last year
The Penguins were embarrassed there two years ago by the Panthers (47-9) and last year dropped a heartbreaker, 22-20, on a field goal with no time remaining.
The Penguins thought they had won the game by blocking a field goal attempt. But the officials called a roughing-the-kicker penalty, giving the Panthers another shot and, eventually, the win.
Heacock said that revenge is not a factor.
"What's ahead of us is much more motivating factor than last year's game," he said.
"Northern Iowa has great personnel," Heacock said. "Last week, a couple of turnovers turned that game around against Illinois State. It's still going to be a great challenge for our football team."
Northern Iowa lost to Southern Illinois, 38-3.
Heacock is going to need another outstanding performance from his junior tailback Marcus Mason, who last week against Missouri State rushed for 203 yards on 32 carries and one touchdown.
The 5-foot-9, 197-pound transfer from Illinois has had four straight 100-plus yard rushing games and the Penguins have won all four games.
"Marcus is pretty banged up as are a lot of our players, but you can expect most of them to be ready on Saturday," Heacock said.
Heacock held a practice indoors at the Stambaugh Stadium gymnasium with loud noise to help get his team ready for Saturday.
Sophomore quarterback Tom Zetts will again get the starting nod, but Heacock won't hesitate to bring in backup sophomore Vince Gliatta, who scored two touchdowns in the final quarter against Missouri State.
The YSU offensive line, which has been outstanding this season, might not have the services of sophomore guard Josh Tanner, who injured a shoulder last week.
"He's going to the doctor this week and we'll know more by the end of the week," Heacock said.
Senior wide receiver Kyle Smith, who has missed the past two games, practiced this week and is listed as possible for the contest.
"This is the start of a new season, season 4," said Heacock, "and these next three games will depend on whether we make it to season 5."
Which, of course, would be the Division I-AA playoffs.
mollica@vindy.com