Offense still seeing red as Penguins wrap camp

By Pete Mollica

YSU’s offense led from start to finish to keep the red practice jerseys in the team’s jersey scrimmage.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — The offense retained the red practice jerseys, YSU coach Jon Heacock saw definite improvement and the Penguin football team wrapped up fall camp here Saturday morning.

The Penguins, who begin classes on Monday, have another week of practice before getting into game week for their season opener at the University of Pittsburgh on Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. at Heinz Field.

Last week the offense had to come from behind with a trick play on the last play of the scrimmage to pull out a win. Saturday, it led from start to finish (although it was a close contest) for a 28-20 win to keep the red practice jerseys for the remainder of the season.

“It was a good scrimmage and it was so realistic to a game situation — very close and both sides battling,” said Heacock. “I definitely saw improvement on both sides of the football today.”

“This was practice 20 and I think we did improve,” he added. “The offense didn’t turn the ball over and in a tight game that makes the difference.”

Turnovers are crucial in jersey scrimmages, Heacock said.

“In a jersey scrimmage if the defense doesn’t create a turnover it is very difficult for them to win, while the offense has a much better chance of winning if it doesn’t turn the ball over,” Heacock said.

Once again, a couple of freshmen put the spark in the offense. Saturday, it was running backs Jermaine Cook and Torrian Pace.

Cook, the 5-9, 190 pound freshman tailback from Cleveland, led all rushers with 107 yards on 13 carries, including runs of 35 and 16 yards, while Pace, the 5-10 225 pound freshman tailback from Chantilly, Va., had 16 carries for 57 yards and scored both touchdowns for the offense.

“I was very happy with the way those two youngsters ran the football today,” Heacock said. “Jermaine held onto the ball and didn’t have a turnover which was a big improvement over last week when he fumbled twice.”

“They are both youngsters, but have very physically and mature bodies, and the run the football very well,” he added.

Freshman quarterback Kurt Hess, who last week led the offense to its game-winning rally, looked more like a true-freshman on Saturday, although he didn’t see a lot of action and was just 1-of-5 passing for five yards.

Sophomore quarterback Marc Kanetsky, the 6-0, 190 pounder from Hubbard, directed the first scoring drive for the offense. Kanetsky was 3-of-5 for 25 yards and used Cook and Pace well for the first touchdown, which came on a 12-yard run by Pace, who bulled his way into the end zone.

Freshman quarterback Gannon Hulea led the second scoring drive. Hulea, a Poland High standout, almost scored himself getting stopped at the 1-yard line before Pace took it over on the next play. Hulea was 2-of-3 passing for 22 yards.

Senior starter Brandon Summers showed improvement. He connected on 5-of-10 passes for 34 yards and moved the offense consistently, but didn’t get into the end zone.

“It was better this week and we moved the ball better,” Summers said. “I’m getting more and more comfortable with the offense.”

The session’s top receiver was freshman fullback Rob Stupar with three catches for 26 yards, while senior Donald Jones finished with three catches for 18 yards. Jones and senior defensive tackle Mychal Savage were named team captains on Friday,

Savage, sophomore safety Scott Sentner of McDonald and redshirt freshman linebacker Noah Taylor all finished with seven tackles. Savage had three for losses including one sack.

“I was impressed with the offense’s play selections,” Savage said. “They were much improved and the backs really ran hard. I thought the defense made some improvement, but we really won’t know until after we watch the films. It’s usually not as bad as you think, but it’s never as good as you think.”

The Penguins will have today and Monday off and then return to workouts Tuesday. The sessions this week will all be in afternoon at 3:30 p.m. since classes are in session.