By Dylan Lux / The Jambar
Coming off a three-game losing streak, the Youngstown State University football team looked for its first conference win against the Indiana State University Sycamores.
After a fumbled kickoff ended the game against Missouri State University, with a final score of 38-31, the Penguins returned to Stambaugh Stadium for another Missouri Valley Football Conference matchup.
Head coach of the Penguins, Doug Phillips, said the game against the Sycamores is always a battle.
“[Against] Indiana State, it’s been a battle,” Phillips said. “Two years ago it was a battle here in the Ice Castle, even last year it was a battle up until the fourth quarter.”
ISU came into the matchup with a 1-3 overall record, as its game against the ’Guins was the Sycamore’s first MVFC game of the season.
Youngstown State opened up a 21-0 lead at halftime following two touchdown runs by senior tailback Ethan Wright and a passing touchdown from sophomore quarterback Beau Brungard to senior wide receiver Latrell Fordham.
At halftime, Youngstown State crowned its king and queen of Homecoming. Senior philosophy and political science major Julian Johnson was announced as king. Senior financial management major Alysa Oswald was announced as queen.
In the game, the ’Guins tallied four sacks in the contest, including two from senior defensive end Hunter Allen. On the season, he has accumulated five sacks through five games.
Allen credited the defense’s performance to the right mindset and solid practices.
“My time here is ticking down, so it seems like as the games go on it’s just more urgent,” Allen said. “The guys went out there with a good mindset and we put great days of practice back-to-back, so when you do that it sets you up for success.”
Despite a comeback attempt in the second half by the Sycamores — with two third-quarter touchdowns — the ’Guins allowed zero points in the fourth quarter and escaped with the 21-14 win.
Brungard went 11 for 18 for 130 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. Leading the game in receiving was junior Max Tomczak with 87 yards on four receptions.
Wright led YSU in rushing with 83 yards and two touchdowns. He gave the Sycamores credit for their second half adjustments, but said the Penguins were able to play aggressive and rally late in the contest.
“Indiana State made good adjustments at halftime, they really changed up the looks they were getting up front and in the second level,” Wright said. “We knew what we were gonna get and we were able to come out fast and play physical in the second half.”
The Penguins will face an uphill battle next week as they hit the road to play the No. 1 team in the FCS, South Dakota State University, coming off back-to-back NCAA Championships.
The ’Guins will make the trip to Brookings, South Dakota, for the contest with the Jackrabbits. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and on 570 WKBN at 3 p.m. Oct. 12.