YSU FOOTBALL Peterson leads way at receiver

The senior is the only starting wide receiver returning for the Penguins.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Senior T. J. Peterson is the only returning starter at wide receiver this spring for the Youngstown State football team.
But that doesn't mean that Peterson thinks the wide receiver position will be one of the team's weak spots come August.
"We lost three good receivers through graduation and I'm the only starter returning from last year, but we're going to be a lot better than anyone expects us to be," Peterson said.
Kyle Smith was the team's top pass catcher a year ago and Jamison Evans was second, while Peterson was third on the team with 21 receptions for 352 yards and two touchdowns.
The Penguins threw the ball a little more last season, but Peterson said he's not expecting that to happen again this year.
"We have so many good running backs, I just don't know how much we'll have to throw the football, especially with our veteran offensive line," he added.
New faces at position
Besides Peterson, the Penguins have a couple of new faces at wide receiver in senior Josh Cayson, who moved from tailback, and transfer Miles Williams from Austintown and Michigan State, who walked on to YSU last season.
Senior Tyler Morton had knee surgery a year ago and missed the entire year, but is back hoping to help the Penguins this year.
Williams has been hampered by a hamstring pull this spring and hasn't really practiced yet.
Peterson also expects big things from junior tight end transfer Louis Irizarry, a former Ursuline High product.
When asked if he felt Irizarry could help the Penguins this season, he smiled.
"You don't know how much he's going to help this team. He's unbelievable, I can't wait to see him action this year," Peterson said.
The Penguins scrimmaged again Monday, but only for about a half hour.
Defense shows improvement
The defense showed major improvement over last Friday's first effort and even put up a goal line stand, holding the offense three times inside the 5-yard line before sophomore tailback Brandon Nicholson bulled over from the 2 on fourth down.
Sophomore tailback Jabari Scott has a couple big runs in the scrimmage, including a 60 yard scamper and another of 25 yards.
"I thought things were even better today than they were Friday," coach Jon Heacock said after the session. "We've definitely improved. We still have a long way to go, but as long as we keep improving we'll get better."
One of the highlights of the scrimmage was the placekicking of sophomore kicker Brian Palmer of Mineral Ridge.
Palmer kicks 55-yard FG
Without the help of any wind, Palmer boomed some field goals, including a 55-yarder and twice from 52 yards and had the whole team cheering him on as he tried from 60 yards, but it just fell short.
"I should have made that 60-yarder. It felt good," said Palmer, now in his second season as the Penguins' kicker.
The Penguins will hold another full contact practice Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. and then have a non-contact session slated for Friday afternoon.
They canceled Saturday morning's practice so that the players can have the weekend off for Easter.
"I don't know why we even scheduled that practice," said Heacock.
The Penguins will make up that practice April 24 during the final week of spring drills.
mollica@vindy.com