YSU NOTEBOOK More from The Ice Castle

Halftime honors: YSU Athletic Director Ron Strollo presented Jennifer Coin, wife of the Penguins late video coordinator Shawn Coin, the 2008 Big Ten Video Coordinator of the Year Award. Coin passed away last August. At halftime, the Penguins honored three football teams from the past — the 1949, 1979 and 1999 teams. Four members of the 1949 team were present. That team created the winning tradition at YSU winning 15 of 128 games upon the program’s rebirth. The 1979 teams was the first YSU team to win 11 games and reached the Division II national championship game. The 1999 team closed out the great decade at the University by reaching the national championship game for the sixth time during the 1990s.

Out of action: The Penguins played without two starters on Saturday. Junior starting center Tyler Figueroa was out with the flu while junior starting offensive tackle Chris Gammon was on crutches with a knee injury. Reserve free safety Gary Pezzuolo sustained a broken collar bone last week in practice and could not play.

Offensive differences: Senior tailback Kevin Smith was one of the few offensive players with good stats in both halves. Smith finished with 113 yards on 28 carries and had 62 yards on 11 tries in the first half. Senior quarterback Brandon Summers, who completed the first 10 passes he threw, was 10-of-13 in the first half for 104 yards and finished 12 of 18 for 134 yards and an interception. He was sacked twice. Senior wide receiver Donald Jones finished with eight receptions for 94 yards, but six of them for 64 yards came in the first half along with his one touchdown.

Defensive leaders: YSU’s sophomore safety Sir Demarco Bledsoe led the Penguins in tackles with 10 and also had a fumble recovery. Senior Lenny Wicks had seven tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Junior linebacker Na’eem Outler had five tackles, two for losses and a forced fumble, while sophomore Dave Rach of Canfield had a forced fumble and an interception.

Up next: The Penguins have an open date on Saturday and will return to action on Oct. 24 when they travel to meet Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill. That kickoff is set for 4 p.m. The Salukis (4-1, 3-0 Missouri Valley Football Conference) crushed Illinois State 43-23 on Saturday and have a big game coming up this weekend when they travel to take on Northern Iowa.

Pete Mollica