Oct. 2, 2007

Football: Smith, Savage, Barnes Earn Awards for Performances Against MSU

    Youngstown – Junior tailback Kevin Smith, junior defensive tackle Mychal Savage and freshman wide receiver Dominique Barnes were named the Hill Barth & King Players of the Game for their performances in last Saturday’s Gateway win over Missouri State.

    Smith, the HBK Offensive Player of the Game, had 102 yards on 15 carries and scored three touchdowns in his starting debut. Smith was named the Gateway’s Offensive Player of the Week for his effort. Smith scored on runs of 11, three and one yard during the contest.

    Savage, the HBK Defensive Player of the Game, was credited with three total tackles, including 1.5 for losses. His big tackles were sacks of quarterback Cody Kirby for losses of eight and 15 yards, which he shared with fellow lineman Blake Halverson.

    Barnes, the HBK Special Teams Player of the Game, returned an onside-kick attempt 37 yards for the Penguins’ final score of the game. After MSU had pulled within 42-21 early in the fourth, Barnes leaped up and snared the bounding ball that was overrun by the Bears. Barnes then raced to the end zone for his first career touchdown and first YSU kickoff return for a score since September 2001 against Lock Haven.

    Earning Jim Zdelar Offensive Lineman of the Game accolades was junior tight end Derrick Bush. Bush earned his first winning performance of the season against the Bears. He had one reception, which went for a first down, of 11 yards.

    Picking up the award as the Jermaine Hopkins Defensive Lineman of the Game was senior defensive end Myles Banford. Banford’s second quarter sack played a huge role in swinging momentum towards the Penguins. His hit on MSU quarterback Cody Kirby, which was the Derek Pixley Hit of the Week, had an impact on the Bears’ offense. For the rest of half, MSU had minus-12 yards rushing, did not complete a pass and threw an interception that ended in a YSU touchdown. Banford had four tackles against the Bears, including three solos.

    Earning Scout-team honors for their work in practice during the week were redshirt freshman center Tyler Figueroa (offense), freshman cornerback Randy Louis (defense) and redshirt freshman wide receiver Derek Reighard (special teams).

    Senior guard Leon Edwards was named the Haines Family Player of the Game by the YSU radio broadcast crew. Edwards made his second career start at guard last Saturday as YSU had season highs in points, total yards, rushing yards and passing yards.

    Senior tailback Tim Dewberry was the recipient of the Wachovia Leadership Award. Dewberry, a fifth-year senior, ran for 43 yards on five carries in the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s game.

    The No. 10 Penguins play at No. 6/7 Southern Illinois on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. Eastern for a contest that will be televised nationally on CSTV.