Penguins’ kicking game takes step forward in scrimmage

Junior kicker Brian Palmer was perfect in eight kicks including a 52-yarder.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State’s kicking game took a big step in the right direction Wednesday night when the Penguins held their annual kick scrimmage at Stambaugh Stadium.

Now head coach Jon Heacock has another problem, but it’s a good one: deciding who his kicker and punter will be this season.

Junior Brian Palmer has been the team’s placekicker for the past two season, but has been getting a good challenge this camp from redshirt freshman Stephen Blose.

Palmer, who didn’t have a good day when the Penguins held their jersey scrimmage last Saturday, more than made up for it Wednesday.

He didn’t miss a kick the entire session and briefly gave his White team a 21-19 lead when he boomed a 48-yard field goal on its final possession.

Blose also has good night

Blose, from Erie, Pa., also had a good night. He answered that kick with a 45-yarder on his team’s final possession to give the Red team a 22-21 victory.

Palmer was 7-for-7 during the kick scrimmage. He did himself one better during the two-minute drill by booting a 52-yarder that had room to spare.

Blose wasn’t perfect, going 6-for-7 in the scrimmage. He also missed twice during the final drills, but from 45 and 52 yards out.

“I owed it to myself and my teammates to get my head together after Saturday,” Palmer said. “I really was into it tonight and really felt good.

“Coach was right when he said that when we take an opening drive and get down there we have to make those kicks,” said the former Mineral Ridge High standout.

The punting game also seems to be in pretty good hands this year with the work of junior college transfer Ben Nowicki and Boardman freshman Erik Johnson.

Transfer leads punters

Both were impressive in the scrimmage. Nowicki averaged 46 yards on five punts and Johnson was right with him until he shanked one for 14 yards that killed his average.

Johnson had the longest kick of the night, a 52-yard boot out of his own end zone.

“They are all really working hard this camp,” said Heacock. “They are all very talented kickers and the main thing we have to work on it consistency.”

Heacock said Nowicki might have the edge over Johnson, but added “both are doing a great job.”

The placekickers have Heacock thinking a little more.

“Right now I’d say they are probably tied,” Heacock added. “Brian [Palmer] has the experience, but Steve [Blose] has really come on this camp.

Tough decision

“I don’t know if I’m ready to say that one or the other is the starter.”

The Penguins will hold a rehearsal scrimmage tonight at 7:30 p.m., but Heacock said that it wouldn’t be more than a run-through of everything that will go on game day.

“For the most part our hitting is over for camp; we’re too banged up right now to do any more,” he said.

The Penguins wind up camp Friday and then have Saturday off before beginning Ohio State week on Sunday.