Perry pumped about 'D'

The senior cornerback can't wait for Saturday's jersey scrimmage.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Senior Jason Perry is excited for Saturday's jersey scrimmage between Youngstown State's offensive and defensive units.
Perry, who has played in every YSU game since 2003, is excited to show how much the defense has improved since the beginning of spring football practice.
The 5-foot-8, 165-pound cornerback from Warrensville Heights and St. Peter Chanel High, is one of the leaders on the defensive unit this season.
"The defense always starts out slow at the beginning of spring because we have so much to learn, but we've just been getting better and better and we can't wait to show our stuff on Saturday," Perry said.
Perry said the confidence level is running very high on the defense this spring.
"We've got a lot of experience back and our defensive front is learning the three-man system and picking it up very well," Perry said. "Stopping the run is our main objective because we got hurt by it last year.
"The enthusiasm is very high on defense right now," he added.
History lesson
Perry, who redshirted his freshman season in 2002, played in all 12 games in 2003 as a redshirt and started four games.
He became a full-time starter as a sophomore in 2004 and earned All-Gateway Conference honorable mention that season while recording 59 tackles. He also had three interceptions and five pass breakups.
Last season he earned All-Gateway honors once again and comes into the season as a threat not only on defense, but as a punt and kickoff returner.
Just before spring practice started Perry indicated he wanted every player on the team to have fun this spring while preparing for the season.
"We'll get down to some serious stuff these last two weeks, but you still have to have some fun while you are doing it," he said.
Perry said the secondary is shaping up well.
"Our safeties, Dorian Chenault and Bob Perez, both played a lot last year, while sophomore Jarvis Richards has stepped up to fill the hole while Codara Jackson is recuperating from an early injury," he said.
"I've been around here for four years now and I feel that I can be a big help to some of the younger players," Perry said. " Being a senior now I have to be more of a leader on this team."
Roster update
The Penguins said junior defensive tackle Ben Suran from Mequon, Wis., left the team for personal reasons.
Junior Blake Halverson, who had started the spring at tight end, has been moved back to defense to fill the gap.
The Penguins will probably also be without junior defensive end Jose Galloza, who was involved in an off-campus incident this spring and is no longer in school, although he is appealing his penalty to the university and could regain his status.
YSU coach Jon Heacock announced a schedule change. He canceled last Saturday's session and was going to make it up April 24, but instead the Penguins will hold a non-contact session April 27.
mollica@vindy.com