YSU FOOTBALL Gateway will take mind off of Pitt

The Penguins haven't defeated the Redbirds since the 2002 season.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- As Youngstown State gets ready to open play in the Gateway Conference on Saturday, head coach Jon Heacock is still trying to figure out what happened to the Penguins against Pitt.
The Penguins play host to Illinois State at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium in the first of seven straight conference battles.
But last Saturday YSU took a 3-0 record to Pittsburgh and suffered a 41-0 whipping at Heinz Field.
"I still can't figure out what went wrong," said Heacock. "Since that game was booked six months ago that is all that this group has talked about, but yet when we walked out onto the field Saturday we just looked like we were tired and nowhere near ready to play.
"We had a good week of practice also," Heacock said. "I was worried about that, but we did have a good week, but I don't know what our problems were on Saturday."
Mental readiness
Now Heacock must try to get the Penguins back into the state of mind they had over the first three weeks of the season in wins against Slippery Rock, Northeastern and Liberty.
"I know this group and it's not going to be hard to get them ready," he said. "They know what they have to do and they'll be ready."
The Penguins will face a Redbirds team that also is 3-1, but has reeled off three straight victories after dropping their opener to Iowa State.
"Now we see how well we handle adversity," Heacock said. "It's something that we talk about every day. I have tremendous faith in this team, I believe in them.
"This week will present a great challenge for us, but it will also be a great challenge for them [Illinois State]."
The Penguins came out of the Pitt game with only one major injury, to sophomore strong safety Bob Perez.
Perez sustained a knee injury and had arthroscopic surgery this week.
"The prognosis is that he'll be out two to four weeks," said Heacock. "Knowing Bob Perez and his work habits, it will more than likely be two weeks than four."
Smith's status
Heacock also still wasn't sure on the status of senior wide receiver Kyle Smith, the team's leading receiver. Smith sustained a concussion against Liberty and did not play last week against Pitt.
"It's still day-to-day, but he is practicing this week," Heacock added.
Sophomore offensive guard Josh Tanner, who has missed all of the season recovering from a shoulder injury and off-season surgery, is also practicing this week.
But according to Heacock, Tanner is still another week away from getting back into game action.
Senior tight end Aaron Marshall, who was injured slightly against Pitt, is expected to play this week, as is sophomore defensive end Jose Galloza, who missed last week's game.
YSU hasn't defeated the Redbirds since the 2002 season, losing last year in Normal, Ill., 30-24 and in 2003 at Stambaugh Stadium, 35-25.
This will be the 14th meeting between the schools with the Redbirds holding a 7-6 advantage.
mollica@vindy.com