Bunnies Run Wild – The Jambar

By Marissa Masano / The Jambar

The Youngstown State University football team traveled to Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium on October 12 to face the top-ranked team in the FCS, South Dakota State University.

The Penguins fell to the Jackrabbits 63-13 and were 2-5 overall and 1-2 in Missouri Valley Football Conference play.

Before the game, head coach Doug Phillips noted the team's defensive strategies.

“It's a tireless defense that is disciplined, tough and focused on what matters most – running passes, tackling, not giving up big plays and keeping discipline at corners and safeties in mind,” Phillips said.

However, Youngstown struggled to contain big plays. The Jackrabbits opened the game with a 99-yard kickoff return by junior Angel Johnson. Later in the first quarter, SDSU junior Chase Mason scored a 38-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead.

The Penguins defense continued to face challenges as Mason and redshirt freshman Kirby Voorhees averaged 32.2 and 28 yards per carry, respectively.

Youngstown State got on the scoreboard with a 39-yard field goal from sophomore placekicker Andrew Lastovka.

On the Penguins' next possession, sophomore Beau Brungard threw an interception to Jackrabbits senior Dalys Beanum, who returned the ball 50 yards to the YSU 25-yard line. SDSU capitalized on another touchdown to make the score 28-3 early in the second quarter.

YSU responded with an impressive performance on their next possession. Brungard connected with senior Latrell Fordham and junior Max Tomczak on key passes to get the Penguins into the red zone. Brungard finished the drive with a four-yard rushing touchdown.

At halftime, the Penguins trailed 35-10. In the third quarter, SDSU senior Mark Gronowski scored on a 45-yard touchdown pass.

Brungard turned heads with his longest run of the day, a 24-yard carry, and senior Ethan Wright added his longest run, a 21-yard run, putting YSU in the red zone again.

After a YSU touchdown was negated by a penalty, the team failed to score fourth down. The Jackrabbits took over at their own seven-yard line, and Voorhees broke free for a 74-yard run and quickly added another score.

SDSU continued to increase its lead while YSU added another field goal late in the fourth quarter.

Offensively, Brungard led the team in both passing and rushing yards, finishing the game with 74 passing yards and 169 rushing yards. Tomczak led the way in receiving with six catches for 78 yards, while senior tailback Tyshon King added 50 rushing yards.

Defensively, the Penguins allowed 404 rushing yards and 153 passing yards, with SDSU totaling 557 yards on its first seven possessions.

After the game, Phillips said his team's play and record in the MVFC was exactly the same as last season.

“At the same time last year we were 1-2 in our league. We've been here before. Through adversity you learn who you really are. You have to have that perseverance to keep working,” Phillips said.

Next up, YSU returns home for more MVFC action, taking on top-ranked University of South Dakota. Kick-off is scheduled for October 19th at 6:00 p.m. Coverage is available on ESPN+ and 570 WKBN.