Road trip should be good test

The undefeated Penguins have looked sharp, especially defensively, in their first two games.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State has been the picture of consistency the first two weeks of the season.
Now the Penguins must make their first road trip and in the process keep up that consistency.
YSU leaves today for Lynchburg, Va., where the Penguins will take on Liberty University Saturday in a 7 p.m. kickoff at A.L. Williams Stadium.
The Penguins (2-0) are averaging 442.5 yards per game on offense, while the defense has allowed just 280 yards per game, including 76.5 on the ground.
The offense is averaging 277 yards a game on the ground and 165.5 through the air.
Happy with effort
Not surprisingly, YSU coach Jon Heacock is happy with the team's effort.
"There is always room for improvement," said Heacock. "But when you are running the football like we have been and you are stopping the run, then you give yourself a good opportunity to win.
"This week will be a real challenge for this team because it is the first road game and a lot of our kids will be experiencing their first trips," he added.
"Liberty is a good football team, probably more athletic than either team we have played to date, and they will even appear quicker on their Astro turf surface," he said.
Same status
Heacock said the Penguins' physical status is unchanged from a week ago.
Three regulars who have not played this season -- offensive guard Josh Tanner, offensive tackle Pat Walker and tailback Josh Cayson -- will all still be out, but almost everyone else should be available.
Heacock also indicated junior tailback Monquantae Gibson probably won't carry the football 32 times again any time soon.
"That was too many carries this early in the season," Heacock said. "He was getting tired in the second half. We've got to be smarter about how we do that this week."
Gibson ran for 198 yards and three touchdowns as the Penguins rushed for 267 yards as a team after gaining 287 yards in the season opener.
Heacock still has some questions with the placekicking duties. The Penguins missed another field goal against Northeastern last week as redshirt freshman Brian Palmer is just 1-for-3 this year with one blocked. He also had an extra point blocked in the opener.
"I don't question the ability of either of our kickers, but we still have some work to do in that area," Heacock said.
Strong defense
Heacock has been especially pleased with the efforts of the defensive unit, which has held both opponents to under 100 yards rushing.
The unit has also come up with seven tackles for losses, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries, but they've only recorded two quarterback sacks.
Sophomore quarterback Tom Zetts of Boardman has completed 69.6 percent of his passes (32-of-46) with one interception and two touchdowns. His longest completion has been 23 yards, but he is averaging 154 yards per game.
Senior wide receiver Kyle Smith is the team leader with 11 catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
The Penguins have beaten Liberty (1-1) the last three times and lead the series 5-2. YSU stopped the Flames 27-17 a year ago at Stambaugh Stadium and beat them at Lynchburg in 2003, 34-3.
mollica@vindy.com