YSU notebook \ More news from Boston

Late arriving: When Youngstown State and Northeastern began Saturday’s game, there were just about as many Penguins fans in the stands as there were Huskies fans. About 200 YSU fans made the trip to the Boston area and there weren’t that many more Northeastern fans at kickoff. One reason was that a student bus from the Huskies’ campus broke down and the students had to find their own way to the game. Parsons Field is not located on campus for the Huskies. The students started straggling in just before halftime. The final attendance figure was 2,180.

One back, one not: Senior defensive cornerback Lenny Wicks got to see his first action of the season against the Huskies. Wicks, who injured his knee this past spring and required surgery, has been rehabbing all summer. He was in the Penguins’ starting lineup Saturday for the first time since last season. On the other hand, senior tailback Jabari Scott made the trip to Boston but did not dress for Saturday’s contest.

Big week: One YSU fan made a complete sports week out of his Boston trip. Bob Camardo, a big Penguins fan in all sports, flew to Boston last Monday and took in the Patriots’ NFL opener, then saw Red Sox games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. After resting Friday, he saw the Penguins-Northeastern contest, then went right to the Bruins’ exhibition contest later that afternoon before flying home. “It was a week to remember,” Camardo said.

First time: Youngstown State’s defense came up with two pass interceptions Saturday and both were career firsts for the players. Junior Andre Elliott made his first pick a big one as he returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. Sophomore Sir Demarco Bledsoe, a transfer from TCU this summer, had the other pick. It was the first time in three games Bledsoe didn’t lead the Penguins in tackles. He had six, while sophomore linebacker Deonta Tate led the way with nine. Junior linebacker Na’eem Outler had four tackles, but two were for losses and another for a sack.

Two-level locker room: The Penguins had to dress in a locker room that was on two different levels. After the game, players were dressing in hallways and a lot of them outside the back door because of the heat inside.

Up next: The Penguins will remain on the road this Saturday when they open Missouri Valley Football Conference play at Indiana State in Terra Haute, Ind. Kickoff is set for 12:05 p.m. The Penguins return home on Oct. 3 to meet Missouri State in a 6 p.m. kickoff. It’s also a Mahoning Valley Football Conference contest.

Pete Mollica