YSU seniors end careers at Stambaugh in blaze of glory against Illinois State

QB Brandon Summers came within one yard of his career-best performance, and tailback Kevin Smith had his third 100-yard rushing game.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Everything has been for the seniors this week for the Youngstown State football team and those 12 seniors took it upon themselves to finish their careers at Stambaugh Stadium in a blaze of glory.

They were the reason the Penguins (5-5, 3-4 Missouri Valley Football Conference) closed out their home schedule Saturday with a 30-18 victory over Illinois State before a crowd announced at 12,493.

Senior quarterback Brandon Summers came within one yard of his career-best performance, passing for 346 yards and two touchdowns, while senior tailback Kevin Smith had his third 100-yard rushing game with 121 yards on 27 carries and one touchdown.

Senior wide receiver Donald Jones finished with seven receptions for 105 yards and one score, while defensively senior linebacker Draye Ersery had a career high 11 tackles as did senior cornerback Lenny Wicks.

“It’s been senior week, senior practices and senior day and it was really exciting to see them go out in a winning style here today,” said YSU coach Jon Heacock.

“And I think that every one of our seniors gave a pretty good account of themselves today.”

The Penguins, who snapped a three-game losing streak, seemed more relaxed against the Redbirds and pulled out several unusual plays including a fake punt, two onside kickoffs and several end-around running plays.

They also had a punt blocked for the third time this season and a field goal blocked, but were able to overcome those problems.

“We tried to take what they gave us,” said Heacock. “When they blocked the punt, they overloaded on both sides of the ball and when they tried it again later in the game we told our kids to fake it and run up the middle.”

That’s exactly what junior linebacker Jordan Edwards did to get a first down.”

The game was a strange one with all the things that happened, including five lead changes, but that didn’t surprise Heacock.

“Just about all our games with Illinois State have been strange games,” he added.

Summers, who didn’t throw an interception for the first time since the second game of the season, said the game was a lot of fun.

“Today we just let loose,” he said. “We felt good out there. I know that I was a lot more comfortable out there today in making the right decisions.

Summers was 25-of-38 passing. The Penguins’ 472 yards of total offense was the best they’ve had this year and the defense allowed just 65 rushing yards.

The Penguins got on the scoreboard the first time they had the ball, but had to settle for a 45-yard field goal by junior kicker Stephen Blose, who then perfectly executed the onside kickoff. Brandian Ross recovered, but the Penguins didn’t take advantage.

On their next series, Blose booted a 35-yard field goal before the Redbirds (5-5, 4-3) finally got on the board with a 41-yard field goal from Zach Kutch.

Then came the blocked punt. Senior punter Ben Nowicki did a great job of recovering the ball in the end zone, which resulted in a safety for the Redbirds and a 6-5 YSU lead.

Nowicki was hurt on the play and did not return.

“That was a big play by Ben”, said Heacock. “If he doesn’t recover that ball it could have changed the whole game around.”

Illinois State took its first lead on the next series as Gordon Clifton ran four yards for the touchdown, but the Penguins came right back as Summers connected with Jones for 39 yards and then Smith took it over from the one and a 13-12 lead.

Just before halftime, Kutch put the Redbirds back on top with a 49-yard field goal. On the last play of the half, Blose had a 42-yard field goal attempt blocked.

After the defenses took the stage for most of the third quarter, the Penguins finally got back in the lead for keeps as Summers found a wide-open Dominique Barnes across the middle and the junior hauled it in and raced 55 yards for the touchdown.

Kutch kicked his third field goal early in the final quarter, a 39-yard boot, but Blose countered with a 37-yarder of his own.

Then the Penguins put the game away with a 56-yard drive, with Summers hitting Jones on an 8-yard scoring toss.

mollica@vindy.com