By Joel Fuzo / The Jambar
The Youngstown State University football team fell short against Illinois State University with a 23-16 loss Nov. 2.
Before the game, Head Coach Doug Phillips was critical of the team’s recent execution, with two turnovers against the University of North Dakota.
“We’ve got to clean up some of those mistakes,” Phillips said. “To win a game when you do that is hard to do.”
Sophomore Beau Brungard completed 19 of 32 passing attempts for 157 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Youngstown State leaned heavily on its run game, recording a team total of 38 rushing attempts for 142 yards.
Senior Tyshon King led the ground effort with 59 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
Junior Max Tomczak finished as the Penguins’ reception leader with eight catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Junior DJ Harris led the defense with 13 tackles and one interception, while junior Jaylen Castleberry was second in tackles with 10. Castleberry also tallied a sack that resulted in a safety on Illinois State’s first possession.
At the end of the first quarter, Illinois State led 3-2. The Penguins’ offense did not score in the first half, as the Redbirds reached the endzone for the first touchdown of the game in the second quarter.
The opening drive of the third quarter resulted in an Illinois State touchdown and took a 14-point advantage.
Youngstown State answered with a touchdown, as King ran it in from one yard out, cutting the lead to one.
The Redbirds responded with their second touchdown of the half on their next possession, giving them a 23-9 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Penguins missed a field goal on their first drive of the fourth quarter.
Youngstown State’s defense rallied with a forced fumble on Illinois State’s first drive of the fourth quarter. The defensive play gave the Penguins the ball at their own 33-yard line.
The Penguins capitalized on the turnover, as Brungard connected with Tomczak for a 7-yard touchdown.
Although the ’Guins made it a one-score contest, Illinois State was able to run out the clock on their following drive, ending the game 23-16.
Youngstown State will continue its road stretch with a game at 1 p.m. Nov. 9 against Southern Illinois University.
