By Ethan Kerr / The Jambar
With 696 total yards of offense and fifth-year senior Beau Brungard setting a new school record for career rushing touchdowns, the Youngstown State University football team extended its win streak to three after defeating Indiana State University 57-24.
The Sycamores offense started the game strong with a rushing touchdown from sophomore Max McCool on the first drive. The Penguins responded with a score of their own as senior Jaden Gilbert ran in for a 14-yard touchdown.
Shortly after, Gilbert ran for his second touchdown of the day with a 65-yard rushing touchdown. Brungard followed with a two-point conversion to take the lead 15-10 at the end of the first quarter.
The Penguins continued to score on the ground in the second quarter, with both Brungard and Gilbert running more touchdowns. To close the first half, Brungard threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to fifth-year senior Lynn Wyche-El. The ’Guins led at halftime 36-17.
To kick off the second half, Brungard launched a 75-yard touchdown pass to fifth-year senior Bryan Hunt. The Sycamores responded with another rushing touchdown from McCool, going for 37 yards.
Late in the third quarter, Brungard caught a 31-yard pass from fifth-year senior Fresh Walters. The pass set up Brungard for a 16-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Jeremiah Sanders for the final score of the third quarter, where the Penguins led 50-24.
In the fourth quarter, Brungard ran in another touchdown for the final score of the game. Brungard’s touchdown broke the program record for career rushing touchdowns with 56.
Brungard finished the game with five total touchdowns, three passing and two rushing and led the team in passing with 386 yards and no turnovers.
Gilbert led the way on the ground with 163 rushing yards on 15 carries, which averaged over 10 yards per carry. Gilbert also finished the game with three touchdowns.
The ’Guins had three receivers earn more than 70 yards as Wyche-El hauled in 118, followed by Hunt with 86 and junior Antuan Gardner with 71.
Defensively, the Penguins had 10 players finish with four or more tackles. Senior Cam Smith led the way with nine. Fifth-year senior Michael Wells finished the game with three tackles for loss.
In defending the passing game, the Penguins posted a total of four pass deflections as fifth-year senior Raleigh Collins III deflected two and sophomore Jussiah Williams-West and freshman Roderick Owens Jr. with one each.
With a 5-2 record and 3-1 in conference play, the Penguins will return to Stambaugh Stadium for their homecoming game against the University of Northern Iowa at 6 p.m, Oct. 17.