Youngstown State Gets First Win of the Season, First, win for Doug Phillips. There was wondering when the first win would come for head coach Doug Phillips. Over the last two weeks, the Penguins had the lead in the later quarters, only to end up losing it. This time, they would host the South Dakota Coyotes, who were ranked until last week when they lost to the Missouri State Bears. Was this going to be YSU’s first win of the season, or would they fall to 0-5 against the Coyotes?
First Quarter
The opening drive started out well for the Penguins as they immediately found some offensive power. They went 13 plays for 69 yards, ending with a Mark Waid to Christain Turner 10-yard touchdown. With the front line struggling a bit on extra points. YSU decided to go for two as Waid connected with London Pearson putting YSU on top early.
South Dakota took over as they were looking to make something out of a drive that was lackluster at best. While Carson Camp was clicking until linebacker Grant Dixon used his Air Jordan magic and picked off the ball off at YSU’s 21-yard line. Thus, shifting the momentum as at the end of the first quarter, it was still 8-0 Penguins.
Second Quarter
The second quarter saw both teams in a defensive battle and using the clock management. There was a special team’s error on the Penguins side too as Jake Coates waved his hands for the fair catch. The ball fell right through with him getting a piece of it. The officials would ultimately say it was recovered by the Coyotes. However, the play had to be looked at several times for kick catch interference since the gunners were too close.
Coates came into the game with 533 return yards, coming in just one-yard behind former Penguin Trent Boykin’s record of 534. South Dakota did take over, but quarterback Camp was sacked by Chris Fitzgerald. That along with an illegal man downfield penalty and USD would have to settle for three.
South Dakota got the ball back after a Penguins four and out with just a minute and 20 seconds to go. To no avail as an illegal forward pass forced the clock to run out, making it 11 to 8 at the end of the first half with YSU looking good on the ground.
Third Quarter
Youngstown State got the ball moving once again in the third quarter with Waid under center and a few carries from Jaleel McLaughlin. A highlight was Jaleel McLaughlin breaking out for a 36-yard run. The first few plays stalled finally Waid ended an eight-play drive with a one-yard touchdown run making it 18-3.
The offense got a little break, but it didn’t last long as the defense came up big. The Coyotes quarterback Camp found wide receiver Kai Henry for a pickup. However, Dixon forced a fumble giving YSU the ball back. YSU’s McLaughlin and Waid put in work which got them all the way to the Coyotes 23. The penguins would be held to three making it 21-3.
South Dakota had one more drive in the third to try and score. With Camp finding his receiver Caleb Vander Esch for a 13-yard gain. But Dixon sacked Camp, which forced USD to punt, ending the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter
In the final quarter, Penguin’s McLaughlin rushed for 17-yards to the South Dakota 38-yard line. Then it was Turner who finished off the drive. It was one of his longest runs of the season breaking through with a 38-yard touchdown making it 28-3.
The Coyotes would only get one touchdown when they went to the wildcat formation. Camp handing the ball off to Travis Theis one yard out making it 28-10. They fought hard to the very end but it wasn’t enough.
Meanwhile, Youngstown State got the ball back and ran the clock out with the talented duo McLaughlin and Turner. Waid and The Youngstown State offense combined for 309 yards on the ground. The Penguins, got to celebrate with the fight song in the locker room as they knocked off the Coyotes 28-10. This is the first win for Doug Phillips and this new coaching staff.
YSU Stats
Mark Waid: Passing: 9-13 84yds 1TD, Rushing: 16car 81yds 1TD.
Jaleel McLaughlin: 28 carries 169 yards
Christian Turner: 9 carries 59 yards 1TD, 3 catches 20 yards 1 TD
London Pearson: 2 carries 7 yards
Malick Mbodj: 2 catches, 25 yards
South Dakota Stats
Carson Camp: 21-30 comp: 214 Yards
Travis Theis: 8 carries 15 Yards, 1TD, 3 receptions, 50 yards
Kai Henry: 9 carries, 18 yards
Caleb Vander Esch: 9 receptions 102 yards
Carter Bell: 4 receptions, 36 yards
Up Next
Youngstown State (1-4) will host the Fighting Hawks (4-1) of North Dakota who may not be second-ranked after losing 34-13 to North Dakota State today. Kickoff is Saturday at noon on the CW (WBCB) or ESPN PLUS. South Dakota (1-3) will host the high riding momentum North Dakota State Bison (5-1). Kickoff is Saturday at 2 pm on ESPN PLUS
