Penguins need quick start with lots of help

Senior quarterback Tom Zetts knows what it will take against the Buckeyes.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SP0RTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State senior quarterback Tom Zetts has never gone into a football game when he didn’t feel his team had a chance of winning.

That goes for Saturday afternoon’s contest when the Penguins invade No. 10 ranked Ohio State in a noon kickoff at Ohio Stadium.

Zetts knows that it is going to take an outstanding effort from his team against the Buckeyes, but he is in no way conceding anything at this point.

“We’re not going down there to scrimmage. This is a game, the season opener and we expect to give them our best effort,” Zetts said.

He also knows the Penguins are probably going to need a little bit of help.

“We need for them to turn the ball over a couple of times, especially early in the game,” he added.

“And we need to be consistent on offense, we can’t go out there and go three-and-out the first couple of series, we’ve got to be able to move the football early on.”

To do that Zetts and the offense will have to be at their best early.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound quarterback out of Boardman knows that his teammates can’t get caught up in everything that’s going on around the stadium.

“We’ve [the seniors] been through this before at Pitt and at Penn State and we know what to expect,” he said.

Offense geared around Zetts

The offense is geared around Zetts, probably more so this year than in the past three seasons that he’s been the starting quarterback.

The Penguins have a revamped offensive line, one that will probably be missing one of its key parts in 6-6, 300 tackle senior Tyler Booth, who could play if needed.

Senior Josh Tanner and junior Brad Samsa are returners at the guard spots, while senior Matt Kishman and junior Nhemie Theodore will be the tackles. Sophomore Brian Mellott, a Fitch High grad, will be the center.

Zetts has confidence in his line and he has some outstanding receivers, although his top receiver, senior Rory Berry, the second leading receiver on the team a year ago, is still banged up and questionable for the game.

He’s got a pair of outstanding tight ends to throw to in senior Louis Irizarry and junior Derrick Bush.

His backfield will probably include sophomore Jabari Scott at tailback and junior Ben Lane at fullback. Redshirt freshman Jordan Edwards and junior Brandon Nicholson are also expected to see plenty of action at tailback.

Savage leads defense

The YSU defense is led by junior defensive tackle Mychal Savage, an All-Gateway Conference selection and a pre-season All-American pick.

The front line will also be missing one of its regulars in senior defensive ends Miles Banford, who is hampered with a “turf toe” injury.

Senior James Terry, also an All-Gateway Conference first-teamer, leads a trio of talented linebackers. Senior Jeremiah Wright, who missed almost all of last season with a injury, is back at another spot. Returning starter Rashod Cotton may not play against the Buckeyes because of a hand injury.

The secondary has experience, but one of the returnees, senior captain Bob Perez at safety, is questionable for the game.

The Penguins still have seniors Vince Gliatta and Dorian Chenault back at safety along with junior transfer De’Angelo Wilson and sophomore Lenny Wicks at the corners.

Junior kicker Brian Palmer will get the job of handling the placekicking duties. The Mineral Ridge High grad, has been the team’s kicker for the past two seasons, while junior transfer Ben Nowicki will be handling the punting duties.

“We expect to play this game with everything we’ve got,” said coach Jon Heacock.

mollica@vindy.com