Northeastern's potent offense presents challenge

The Huskies' defense gave up a lot of yards, though, and points.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- After one game, Youngstown State football coach Jon Heacock feels a lot more comfortable with his football team.
The Penguins posted a 44-14 victory over Division II Slippery Rock on Sept. 1, but Heacock knows the real work is just beginning.
Saturday at 4 p.m., the Penguins entertain Northeastern at Stambaugh Stadium.
In their opener last Saturday, the Huskies, from the powerful Atlantic 10 Conference, suffered a 41-38 overtime loss to Georgia Southern.
"Northeastern is a good football team," Heacock said. "They went right after Georgia Southern last week and had every opportunity to win that football game."
Heacock said it's difficult to get a good read on the Huskies' defense because they were playing against Georgia Southern's triple-option offense.
"They get a lot of guys to the football on every play, but it was hard for us to get a good read because of what they were defending against," Heacock said.
Struggled against rush
Georgia Southern had 520 total yards against the Huskies and 474 of them were on the ground.
"[The Huskies] have a big, strong, physical quarterback, who throws the ball well and can run also," Heacock said.
"We're going to have to play very well to be in this one."
Heacock seemed pleased with the opening win, especially with the offense, and said he's very comfortable with the quarterback situation.
"Tom Zetts is our starting quarterback, but we have no concern if we have to bring in Vince Gliatta," Heacock said. "We always like to get our backup quarterback into the game early so he can get a feel for the game under regular pressure. Last week, we had a chance to give Vince a little extra work."
Heacock also was pleased with the running game and especially the tailbacks "If they keep running like they did last week, we'll keep using all of them," Heacock said.
Defensive progress
Heacock also said his defensive unit has made tremendous progress since the start of fall camp.
"We do need some work on our kicking game," Heacock said.
Redshirt freshman kicker Brian Palmer had one field goal attempt and an extra point blocked against Slippery Rock.
At Tuesday's press conference, offensive line coach Chris Bache said he was pleased with the way the line has progressed despite losing two starters before practice began.
"We still have some work to do on our pass protection, but they are all working very hard," Bache said.
The Penguins had 15 players who made their YSU debut against Slippery Rock, including transfers Mychal Savage (a defensive tackle) and Codera Jackson (defensive back), who were both in the starting lineup. Six true freshmen and two redshirt freshmen played against The Rock.
Several players who missed last week's game are expected to be ready Saturday, including defensive lineman Greg Jacobs, tailback Marcus Mason, wide receiver Jameson Evans and tight end Chris Kenney.
YSU has never lost to Northeastern at Stambaugh Stadium in four games, with the most recent meeting in 1991(a 59-7 Penguins victory).
The teams last met in 1992 in Brookline, Mass., and the Huskies came away with a 28-23 win.
mollica@vindy.com