YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State opened Missouri Valley Football Conference play with authority Saturday, storming past South Dakota 47-28 at Stambaugh Stadium. The Penguins broke open a tight game with 24 straight points after the Coyotes had closed within 23-21 midway through the third quarter.
Quarterback Beau Brungard was unstoppable on the ground, carrying 28 times for 170 yards and three touchdowns. He added 13-of-17 passing for 159 yards and another score, while the YSU ground game overwhelmed a South Dakota defense that had no answer for him. Coyotes quarterback Austyn Modrzewski went 16-for-22 for 147 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, and although South Dakota ran for 201 yards as a team, the Coyotes could not keep pace once Youngstown State seized momentum in the second half.
The win improves the Penguins to 3-2 overall with a 1-0 conference mark, bouncing back from non-conference losses to Kentucky and South Dakota State. South Dakota, which entered the game 3-1, falls to 0-1 in league play and travels to Vermillion to host Indiana State on Oct. 3.