Backup Reams keys Penguins

Former defensive back Justin Reams gained all of his 122 yards in the second half.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- A week ago, Justin Reams was a backup defensive back in the Youngstown State secondary.
Thursday night, the 5-11, 195-pound junior rushed for 122 yards on 14 carries, including a 65-yard touchdown run, as the Penguins' tailback, and led YSU to a 44-14 season-opening victory over Division II Slippery Rock University before 14,506 at Stambaugh Stadium.
Reams was moved to tailback just a week ago after senior Josh Cayson suffered a serious shoulder injury that will sideline him for seven or eight weeks.
Reams came on in the second half Thursday for all his yardage, after junior Monquantae Gibson and freshman Jabari Scott carried the load in the first half.
"We've got some pretty good talent at tailback," said YSU head coach Jon Heacock, who won his opener for the fifth straight season.
"Tonight was my turn to step up," said Reams. "I've bounced back and forth from offense to defense back to offense, but I'm ready to play wherever they need me."
YSU offense, defense jells
The YSU offense was on the mark with 417 total yards, including 287 rushing, while the defense was holding The Rock to 236 total yards, just 83 rushing.
"Part of our problems the last couple of years was that we couldn't stop the run, and tonight we did that," said junior cornerback Jason Perry.
The defense also came up with four turnovers, two pass interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
"That's always the key," added Perry. "Whoever usually wins the turnover margin usually wins the game."
Heacock praised his players, especially for their hard work this fall.
"They've all worked so hard and I'm so proud of every one of them," he said. "Tonight's effort was a product of their hard work."
But the Penguins started off slowly.
They allowed Slippery Rock (0-2) to drive to field goal range on the opening series, but Ryan Daniels was wide right from 45 yards out.
Then sophomore quarterback Tom Zetts led the Penguins down to field goal range of their own, but red-shirt freshman kicker Brian Palmer's 37- yard attempt was blocked.
The tide turns
But then the game turned around.
On the first play after the block, Slippery Rock quarterback Nate Crookshank fumbled and Ray Taumaiolo recovered for the Penguins at the Rock 13-yard line.
Three plays later, Zetts hit his favorite target, senior wide receiver Kyle Smith from nine yards out for the score.
YSU scored on two of its next three possessions, the first on a 47-yard drive that was climaxed by Gibson scoring from 12 yards out, and the second when backup quarterback Vince Gliatta passed three yards to senior Damian Wright.
The Penguins got the ball right back on the kickoff when Palmer's high short on-side kick was caught by Greg Jackson.
Zetts led the Penguins back down to the end zone, but on second down from the two it appeared that his pass was intercepted in the end zone. But Slippery Rock was caught for defensive holding and Gibson scored on the next play for a 27-0 lead.
Slippery Rock scored just before halftime when former United High standout Corey Manfull tallied on a one-yard run.
Scott keys drive
Scott gave the Penguins their first score of the second half, when he carried seven of eight plays in a 50-yard drive to score on a 3-yard run.
After Slippery Rock got its second touchdown, a 7-yard pass from Crookshank to Colin Golden, the Penguins scored again, this time on Reams' 65-yard run during which he just ran away from the Slippery Rock secondary.
"They just don't have one good tailback, they have three or four good ones," said Slippery Rock head coach George Mihalik.
The Penguins closed out the scoring when Palmer kicked a 37-yard field goal with just over seven minutes remaining.
mollica@vindy.com