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DEUCE ON THE LOOSE
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Youngstown State's Andre Elliot (2) sacks Austin Peay's Trent Caffee (7) during the fourth quarter on Sept. 12 at Stambaugh Stadium.
Elliott likes passion of the YSU defense
By Pete Mollica
Andre Elliott, No. 2 in the program, is making plays for the Penguins.
YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State junior free safety Andre Elliott has seen definite improvement in the Penguins defense this season and feels they are only going to get better.
Elliott, now in his second season as a starter in the secondary, can see definite improvement in his own play as well.
Last Saturday in the Penguins’ 38-21 victory at Northeastern University, the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder from Maple Heights came up with his first career pass interception and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter that helped break open a close contest.
Elliott, who finished with seven tackles in the game and also had another pass breakup, was named the Hill, Barth and King defensive player of the game by the YSU coaching staff.
The Penguins (2-1) had to rally in each of their two victories and Elliott said the reason is the passion the team plays with.
“We just never give up,” Elliott said. “When the ball is in play everybody just flies to the football. I can see overall improvement every week.
“This team plays with a lot more passion on the field,” he added. “It’s a big difference from last season.”
This Saturday, the Penguins will be on the road again, their third road game in their first four contests, when they travel to take on Indiana State in the Missouri Valley Football Conference season opener in Terre Haute, Ind. Kickoff is set for 12:05 p.m.
“After the last two weeks, it is important for us to get off to a good start,” added Elliott. “Indiana State is a very athletic team at the skill positions and we expect them to come out and be ready for us on Saturday. We had our hands full with them last season [a 35-21 YSU win].”
Elliott said that the addition of transfer Sir Demarco Bledsoe has been a big help to the YSU secondary. Bledsoe plays alongside Elliott at the strong safety position.
“He’s come in here and really taught me a lot,” added Elliott. “I’ve tried to help him out with our defensive alignments and things like that.
“He’s a hard-nosed player and very aggressive and he really adds a lot to our secondary,” Elliott added.
Elliott’s player of the week honor was his second in two weeks. Last week he was co-special teams player of the week.
The offensive player of the week honor went to junior wide receiver Dominique Barnes. He had seven catches for 88 yards against the Huskies, one of them was a 32-yard touchdown catch from senior quarterback Brandon Summers.
Special teams honors for the week when to junior kicker Stephen Blose for the second time. Blose pulled off a perfect onside kick to open the second half of play and then followed that up with a 36-yard field goal that gave the Penguins their first lead of the game.
For the second straight week junior offensive guard Eric Rodemoyer of Sharon, Pa., and Kennedy Catholic High School, took offensive lineman of the game honors, while defensive line honors went to junior tackle Torrance Nicholson.
The Haines Family Player of the Game honors went to senior fullback/tailback Dana Brown, who had 66 yards on 11 carries.
mollica@vindy.com