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Lane tops YSU award winners
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HEISMAN HOPEFUL HURT: Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells (28) gets pulled down by Youngstown State defender Ben Lane during the first quarter of the Buckeyes' romp in Columbus. Wells injured his leg in the third quarter.
By Pete Mollica
The senior fullback from Hubbard had a career day against Indiana State.
YOUNGSTOWN — After four years on the Youngstown State football — three of them as the starting fullback — senior Ben Lane would have really been looking forward to a game like he had last Saturday in the Penguins’ 35-21 victory over Indiana State.
In the first three years and 10 games the 5-foot-10, 260-pound Hubbard native had carried the football just seven times for 37 yards. His only career touchdown came on a pass.
Last Saturday, with most of the YSU running backs either injured or on the bench for not taking care of the football, Lane was called into action.
He rushed 10 times for 38 yards and a touchdown and was named the Hill, Barth and King offensive player of the game.
“I really love to block,” said Lane. “Nothing gives me more satisfaction then to lead a back through the hole and see him making a big gain.
“Now I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, and I was happy to be carrying the ball, but it isn’t something that I’ve craved for over the years,” he added.
YSU coach Jon Heacock was pleased with the efforts of Lane.
“Ben knows what’s expected of him and for the most part it’s blocking or being a receiver out of the backfield and he’s accepted that position,” Heacock said.
Two of the Penguins’ defensive backs took the other two awards. Sophomore free safety Brandian Ross was named defensive player of the game and senior cornerback De’Angelo Wilson was the special teams award winner.
Ross, a 6-0, 185-pounder from Richmond, Va., finished with six tackles, including one for a loss, and had one quarterback hurry.
The 5-10, 190-pound Wilson, from Sacramento, Calif., returned two punts for 39 yards, including one for 25, and returned a kickoff for 36 yards. He also had three tackles and broke up two passes.
A couple of seniors took the top linemen awards as tight end Derrick Bush, who caught two passes for 14 yards, won the offensive honors and tackle Bobby Lykes-Knight, with three tackles, led the defense.
Senior lineman Brad Samsa, who has moved over to the guard position, after starting the team’s first 10 games at center, was the Haines Family player of the game, selected by the YSU radio broadcast team.
The Penguins are idle this week, but will return to action Nov. 22 when they close out the season on the road at Western Illinois in a 2 p.m. kickoff in Macomb, Ill.
mollica@vindy.com