Youngstown State runs away from USD with dominant second half
Sep. 26—YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — For a moment, the South Dakota Coyotes looked like it might carry the momentum from its near-upset at Boise State into its Missouri Valley Football Conference opener. Then Youngstown State took over the second half. The Penguins turned a competitive game into a runaway Saturday afternoon at Stambaugh Stadium, outscoring the Coyotes 24-7 in the second half on the way ...
In a dramatic display of second-half dominance, Youngstown State outplayed Missouri Valley Football Conference newcomer USD, winning 47-28 in a Missouri Valley Football Conference opener at Stambaugh Stadium. Quarterback Beau Brungard, the 2025 Walter Payton Award winner, powered through the Coyotes defense with his legs, contributing 170 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
The Penguins defense also capitalized on USD quarterback Austyn Modrzewski's mistakes, forcing three turnovers that led to points. Despite Modrzewski's early efficiency, scoring 107 yards and a touchdown, Youngstown State scored 24 consecutive points in the second half, fueled by Brungard's ground game and the defense's pressure on Modrzewski.
South Dakota's defense, missing several key players, struggled to contain Brungard's impact, and even added a late touchdown run from Carson Fletcher, but it was too little, too late. Youngstown State advances to face Southern Illinois, while USD falls to 0-1 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
