Penguins set for spring

On Wednesday afternoon spring football practice begins at Youngstown State University and it should be a very interesting one to say the least.

For the first time in four years, the Penguins come into the spring without a veteran starting quarterback as four-year starter Tom Zetts has finished his career. Although the Penguins have a couple of prospects who have been around for a while, there is very little experience returning.

The Penguins will spend the first three days of spring practice in shorts and helmets (weather permitting); more than likely it will be helmets and sweats. They will put on full equipment and begin contact work on Sunday afternoon.

Head coach Jon Heacock, who begins his eighth season with a career mark of 50-31, expects one of the school’s largest turnout for spring drills, numbering close to 90 players with walk-ons.

YSU finished the 2007 season at 7-4, but failed to receive a bid to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

In Heacock’s first seven seasons the Penguins have reached the playoffs only once, in 2006 when they advanced to the semifinal round before bowing to eventual national champion Appalachian State.

Quarterback is main issue

Obviously quarterback will be one of the major issues during spring practice, which is set to culminate on April 18 with the annual Red and White Spring Game at 7:30 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.

Zetts had started every game at quarterback since his red-shirt freshman season. Todd Rowan, who will be a junior this fall, has been with the system three seasons, but last year threw his first varsity passes (just two) and played very sparingly behind Zetts.

Ferlando Williams, the transfer from Georgia Military, actually saw more action at quarterback than Rowan last year. But Williams is still the team’s top receiving threat. Although he’ll see some action at quarterback, he probably won’t be in contention for a starting role there.

Rowan’s big problems the past two seasons have been injuries. He suffered a stress fracture in his leg his redshirt freshman season and was able to only hold for placement kicks. Last year, he suffered a stress fracture in the other leg and missed almost half the year, again holding for placement kicks was his main role.

If Rowan doesn’t stay healthy this year, Heacock will probably be forced to go with either junior transfer Brandon Summers from Toledo or redshirt freshman Paul Corsaro of Indianapolis, who spent last season as the No. 3 quarterback although he never got into a game.

Other problems facing Penguins

But quarterback isn’t the only problem facing the Penguins this spring.

Defensively, the team was hit hard by graduation.

They lost three starting linebackers, two of them four-year starters in Jeremiah Wright and James Terry.

They also lost their top three defensive safeties, Vince Gliatta, Dorian Chenault and Bob Perez and three defensive line players who all started at some time last season.

Offensively, except at quarterback, the Penguins are much better off.

The top three running backs from a year ago, senior Kevin Smith, junior Jabari Scott and Williams, all return, along with senior fullback Ben Lane.

Williams will be triple-threat

Williams, who is considered a triple-threat, is the top wide receiver back, but will be joined by senior Da’Michael Horn and senior tight end Derrick Bush, who is considered one of the top tight ends in all of NCAA FCS.

The offensive line should be sound if it stays healthy led by the return of fifth-year senior Tyler Booth at one tackle. Senior Brad Samsa will move back to his regular guard position and junior Brian Mellott will move over to guard.

Special teams should be strong as the Penguins return standout kicker Brian Palmer, who was 14-of-15 in field goals last year, including his last 11 straight, and junior punter Ben Nowicki, who averaged 37.1 yards a kick.

The Penguins also will have their top punt and kickoff returner back in senior De’Angelo Wilson, who will also hold down one of the defensive cornerback spots.

The Penguins also will have a new head athletic trainer leading the staff this spring although it is a familiar face. John Doneyko, a 22-year veteran of the YSU athletic training staff, was named recently to replace veteran Dan Wathen, who retired.

XPete Mollica covers YSU athletics for The Vindicator. Write him at mollica@vindy.com.