Hutchinson spearheads YSU's veteran linebackers

The fifth-year senior is one of four standout linebackers back for 2006.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State's defense improved by leaps and bounds during the 2005 season, and one of the big reasons was the play of its outstanding group of linebackers.
The Penguins were five and six deep at linebacker a year ago and four of those standouts return this season.
Senior Marty Hutchinson is in his fifth season with the Penguins and excited about the upcoming year.
The former Newton Falls High standout is a three-year letter-winner and a two-year starter at linebacker.
Hutchinson, along with fellow seniors Jeremiah Wright and Jeff Koval and junior James Terry, produced the bulk of the playing time last year for the Penguins.
Will key charge again
They'll be expected to carry the load again this season.
Hutchinson, at 6-4, 205 pounds, is the tallest of the four linebackers. Terry is the next tallest at 6-1.
"If there's any pressure on us this season it will be the pressure we put on ourselves," Hutchison said. "Three of us are seniors and it will be our duty to lead this team out on the field."
Hutchinson says he feels the defense is even better this year because of the veterans returning at most positions.
"We've improved already and we've definitely taken a step forward toward our goals," he added.
Although he doesn't work with him individually, Hutchinson says that he thinks new defensive line coach, Antoine Smith, is a great addition to the program.
"He really adds some intensity to the defense and he challenges you to get better and he has really added some fire to the team," he said.
Players were disappointed
Hutchinson said that there was a lot of disappointment among the players when the Penguins didn't make the I-AA playoffs last season.
"It's something that has been on our minds ever since that day we sat watching the selections that left us out," said Hutchinson."It's something that we've talked about all winter long and that we just had to go out this year and make sure that it doesn't happen again and that we don't let it happen again."
Now that he's a senior Hutchinson knows that his role on the team has changed.
"It's a much more vocal role and a lot more leadership involved," he said. "I try to help out some of the younger kids and told them that they can learn from watching the older guys, which is what we did when we were starting out.
The Penguins worked out in 30 degree temperatures Saturday morning and basically went through the same session that they had on Friday, but without the contact.
Defense more of a factor
The defense, which was dominated by the offense on Friday, appeared to be much more a factor in Saturday's light scrimmage.
Terry, who missed Friday's session, was back and impressive against the offense, as were Hutchinson, Koval and Wright.
The Penguins suffered another hamstring pull, this time to junior tight end Louis Irizarry, but the injury probably was more from the cold weather and didn't seem to be serious.
YSU will return to practice on Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with another full contact session at Stambaugh Stadium.