Salukiswill give YSU big road test

The Penguins will hit the
road for their first league away contest.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — It’s only the sixth game of the season and the second Gateway Conference contest, but Saturday’s Youngstown State-Southern Illinois matchup will be one of the biggest for both teams this year.

The Salukis (5-0, 1-0 Gateway) and the Penguins (4-1, 1-0 Gateway) square off in Carbondale, Ill., in a 3:36 p.m. kickoff. The game will be televised by CSTV.

YSU head coach Jon Heacock knows the importance of this contest and he knows that it will be a tough one in a hostile environment for his team.

“Without question, this will be our biggest test to date,” Heacock said. “This is the best team we’ve faced since Ohio State.

“Southern Illinois has some outstanding individual players including a quarterback [Nick Hill] who has thrown over 100 passes without an interception this year,” Heacock said.

“They have a great offensive line and to date not many teams have been able to get to the quarterback,” Heacock said.

“They move the ball with a lot of variations, one-back, two-back sets,” he said. “I see a lot of similarities between us and them.”

First big road challenge

Heacock knows that this will be the first “real” road test for his Penguins. The only other game YSU played on the road this year was the opener at Ohio State, a three-hour bus trip.

“The key is planning ahead, being prepared for it and knowing what to expect, “ he said.

Offensively, the Penguins are going to have to rely on the leadership of senior quarterback Tom Zetts.

The Boardman native eclipsed two more career passing records last week, He now owns the school marks for completions (545) and yards (6,506).

He is also just two TD passes and 16 attempts shy of two more records. And when he starts the game on Saturday, he will tie Jeff Ryan for the school record of 42 career starts.

Zetts has welcomed the return of senior wide receiver Rory Berry, who has been his main target and has caught six passes in each of the last three games.

He’s also got junior Ferlando Williams, who has caught two touchdown passes and also has run for four more.

Behind Zetts, the YSU tailbacks have been getting better each game.

Junior Kevin Smith, who got his first start last week, rushed for 102 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Sophomore Jabari Scott, who missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury, is expected to return this week and leads the Penguins with 302 rushing yards and three TDs.

Bush welcome addition

Junior tight end Derrick Bush returned to action a week ago and was a welcome addition since the Penguins other regular tight end, senior Louis Irizarry, is still out with a broken bone in his hand.

Defensively, senior linebacker Jeremiah Wright continues to lead the way with a team-high 46 tackles and the YSU secondary has seven interceptions.

The Penguins are plus-4 in turnover margin this season, but their opposition, the Salukis, are plus-11.

Heacock also praised the play of his special teams, especially the kickoff and kickoff return teams.

“We are going to need great special teams on the road this Saturday,” he said. “They are 5-0 and we’re 4-1 and we’re going to go play a football game. That’s pretty neat. It will be a great environment and I expect a great game on Saturday.”

mollica@vindy.com