YSU winding down camp

Monday, August 21, 2006 The Penguins are pretty banged-up after 20 practices. By PETE MOLLICA VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown State football team is beginning to wind down its fall practice session and it probably couldn't come at a better time. The Penguins, who open the season on Aug. 31 at home against Slippery Rock University, are pretty banged up following their 20th practice session Sunday at Stambaugh Stadium. The team will work out again today and Tuesday morning, then take a couple of days off before heading into game week beginning Friday night. "We've really worked them pretty hard and we have so many bumps and bruises and it's been tough for us to even get a first group all together at one time," YSU head coach Jon Heacock said. Heacock is pleased with the progress the team has made. "When we've all been together we've looked pretty good at times," Heacock said. Injuries not serious Although not serious, the injuries have slowed down the team's progress. "We've got four or five players on defense out right now and several key offensive players banged up," Heacock said. "Although it is great for the younger players to be getting more reps out there, you still need to get these regulars some time also." Banged up on defense are linebacker Jeff Koval (knee), defensive lineman Jim Phelan and defensive end Greg Jacobs along with free safety Dorian Chenault. With the exception of Koval, who had some minor surgery on his knee, most of those players are expected back in action today. Offensively, All-Gateway center Ryan Jewell has been out of action with a sore shoulder, but is expected back today. Cayson most serious Senior wide receiver Josh Cayson probably has the most serious injury, an ankle problem that may keep him out a couple more weeks. Sophomore transfer wide receiver Miles Williams also is slightly banged up as is sophomore placekicker Brian Palmer. One of the veteran players not injured and ready to go is senior cornerback Cordera Jackson, a first-team All-Gateway selection last season and a second-team All-American pick. High expectations The 5-foot-10, 182-pounder who transferred last season from Alfred State Community College has high expectations for his defensive unit. "We've got everybody back in the secondary and at linebacker, only the defensive line has some holes," Jackson said. "But we definitely have the people to fill those holes and we are excited about what's ahead of us." Jackson and the Penguins' other cornerback, Jason Perry, have received all kinds of honors and are considered two of the top defensive backs in the Gateway. "It puts a little more pressure on you, because of what everybody expects, but we like it that way," Jackson said. "What we're really looking for is to have our defensive front take care of the running game and then we can have a field day in the secondary," Jackson said. Led Gateway in interceptions Last season, Jackson led the Gateway in pass interceptions with six and ranked fifth in all of I-AA football. He also returned one interception 72 yards for a touchdown against Liberty. Jackson, like all of the 27 seniors on this year's team, has really been thinking of nothing but the Gateway championship and the I-AA postseason ever since the team was overlooked by the NCAA selection committee last year. "We've been thinking about nothing else since that day," Jackson said. "That's all I have to say about it." The Penguins are scheduled to workout today at 2:30 p.m. today. Heacock says Tuesday's practice will be in the morning. The Penguins will hold their first weekly press conference luncheon on Aug. 29 at noon at the DeBartolo Stadium Club. The press conference is open to the public. mollica@vindy.com