Penguins have struggled at Northeastern’s stadium

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YSU head coach Jon Heacock

A 28-23 loss in 1992 was YSU’s third in four games at Parsons Field.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State football coach Jon Heacock knows that Parsons Field in Brookline, Mass., site of Saturday’s YSU-Northeastern game at 1 p.m., is a very tough place to play.

The last time the Penguins were at Parsons Field was back in 1992. Heacock was the defensive coordinator for Jim Tressel and the Penguins came away on the short end of a 28-23 contest.

Saturday is the 10th meeting between the Penguins and Huskies and although YSU holds a 6-3 advantage in the overall series the Penguins are just 1-3 in games played at Parsons Field.

“It’s a tough place to play,” said Heacock. “Don’t ask me why, but we just have a whole lot of trouble every time we go there.”

It’s certainly not because the Penguins are in awe of the playing facilities at the field. The stadium holds only 7,000 fans and the playing surface doubles as the outfield grass for the Huskies’ baseball field.

“I can still remember in 1992 that we had to sit outside the press box with our field phones,” Heacock said.

Heacock isn’t concerned with the playing field this week, but is concerned with the Huskies.

“They are a very tough football team,” he said. “I don’t care about their record [0-2], I only know that they played Maine last week, the No. 20 ranked team in the country, and they took them right to the wire.

“Their offense is different from anything we’ve seen this year, but it is very similar to what we run with a spread and no huddle,” he added. “So working against our offense will be a big help to the defense this week.

“They are a pressure defense and both sides of the ball they like to set a fast tempo,” he said.

“I know they lost their starting quarterback in the season opener at Boston College and last week’s game with Maine was played in some terrible weather conditions, but I don’t think there was one fumble in the game,” said Heacock.

The Penguins (1-1) are coming off a 38-21 victory last Saturday in their home opener against Austin Peay, a game that they found themselves in a early hole, but battled back to take control and win easily.

“You always feel good about a win,” Heacock said.

“We spend a lot of time on our punting game, but when you get one blocked like we did early and then have it recovered for a touchdown, that really sets you back a step,” he said. “But you just have to keep playing. Our veterans understand that.”

Heacock said he was a little disappointed in the defense late in the game when they allowed Austin Peay to drive for a final touchdown.

“You have to realize it is never over,” he said.

Heacock said the Penguins came out of Saturday’s game without any serious injuries.

“We had the normal bumps and bruises,” he said.

Heacock did say that several players who missed last week’s contest should be ready.

Senior defensive tackle Crispin Fernandez, who was sick with the flu last week, was back at practice this week, while senior cornerback Lenny Wicks, who hasn’t seen the field since the Red and White spring game after suffering a knee injury and having surgery, is back practicing and could be ready for the Huskies.

Senior co-captain Mychal Savage took it easy at practice early this week with some minor bumps and bruises, but is expected to be ready on Saturday.

Fullback has been a problem for the Penguins this season because of injuries. Last week Heacock moved senior tailback Dana Brown to fullback and he responded with 31 yards on seven carries and did a good job blocking for senior tailback Kevin Smith, who went over 100 yards rushing and scored once.

Junior Kyle Banna of Canfield and redshirt freshman Gary Thornton of East, who were expected to carry the fullback load this year have both been injured, although Banna is expected to be back in action next week when the Penguins travel to Indiana State.

mollica@vindy.com