Lastovka, Leigh Earn Phil Steele Freshman All-America Accolades
12/18/2023 9:30:00 AM | Football
Youngstown State first-year standouts offensive tackle Desmeal Leigh and placekicker Andrew Lastovka were recognized for their outstanding freshman seasons by being named Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-Americans.
Leigh was named to the second team while Lastovka was named to the third team.
Leigh started all 13 games at left tackle as a redshirt freshman. He played every snap in eight games as the Penguins advanced to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2016. In 13 games he surrendered just one sack throughout the campaign. YSU scored 40-or-more points in a school record six games and scored over 30 points in nine contests. The Guins led the FCS in time of possession averaging 35:06 per game.
Lastovka played in all 13 games taking over for three-year starter Colt McFadden. During the year, he made 17-of-20 field goals with a long of 50 yards against Duquesne in the FCS playoffs. In the postseason he was 6-of-6 on field-goal tries after going 11-of-14 during the regular season. On PAT tries he was 44-of-46 during the year and finished with 95 points. In MVFC games, he was 10-of-13 on FG attempts and 28-of-29 on PAT attempts. He kicked a game-winning 37-yard field goal against Illinois State as time expired.
A total of 16 players from the MVFC represented the league on the organization's 2023 FCS Freshman All-America Teams.
