YSU seniors focus on strong finish

By Joe Scalzo | October 25, 2010 at 12:09a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

"Wait 'til next year" isn’t much of a rallying cry when you don’t have a next year.

For Youngstown State’s football seniors, the next three games will end just like their first three seasons — without a playoff berth. And with nothing on the line, it’s up to them to make sure everyone’s focus stays on 2010.

“Me and the other captains have to make sure we don’t let up,” said senior Brandian Ross, one of four team captains. “We need to prepare the same way.”

The Penguins have lost four straight games — all by 10 points or fewer — and will need to win their last three just to match last year’s 6-5 record. Next up is Northern Iowa (4-3, 3-1), the only Missouri Valley team with fewer than two conference losses.

“That’s a big game for us,” said senior Dominique Barnes, another captain. “As seniors, hopefully we can just go out on top, win three straight and I guess get everybody ready for next year.

“We ain’t got no quitters on the team so I don’t think anybody will quit,” Barnes said. “We need to play hard, practice hard, listen to the coaches. That’s what we’ve been doing.”

Barnes, a preseason all-conference pick, has been a bright spot on an offense full of them, catching 45 passes for 577 yards and three TDs. YSU gained 402 yards in its 30-20 loss to South Dakota State on Saturday, the third straight game the Penguins had at least 400 yards.

Unfortunately, it was the fourth straight game they’ve given up at least 400 yards.

It won’t get any easier this weekend; YSU is 2-8 against UNI,

“We’re going to find out what kind of character we have, if we’re guys that are tough and not going to lay down and not going to quit,” freshman quarterback Kurt Hess said. “I’m pretty sure we are a team with good character.

“I don’t expect anybody to quit.”

Hess has played well in seven of the eight games, one of several freshmen to see significant time this fall. He’s one of nine freshman to start at least one game. Overall, 18 players have gotten their first collegiate starts and only one (DT Brad Miller) is a senior.

“It’ll definitely help with the experience factor but these seniors are a great group of seniors and they’re not going to let us lie down,” Hess said. “The young guys that are playing and have been playing all season have done a great job. We’re going to keep getting better, keep improving, keep learning more about the game.

“But these seniors are definitely going to lead us and we’re going to win these next three games.