Oct. 1, 2005
Final Stats
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -
The 2005 Gateway Football Conference season opener in Youngstown, Ohio, did not go exactly as planned for the Illinois State Redbirds, as un-characteristic turnovers in the fourth quarter led to a 20-17 win for the Youngstown State Penguins in front of 16,809 at Stambaugh Stadium.
After stalling ISU's opening drive, Youngstown State went 80 yards on seven plays to opening the scoring when Illinois transfer Marcus Mason went 26 yards off tackle for the touchdown. The two teams traded punts before the Redbirds knotted the game at 7-7, when Luke Drone kept the ball off the option and plunged into the end zone from two yards out with 1:30 left in the first quarter. Drone's touchdown capped ISU's 12-play, 80-yard scoring drive.
ISU's Garry Roberts snagged the first interception of his career when he hauled in a pass deflected by teammate Tom Nelson at the YSU's 45-yardline. The Redbirds used the legs of Rafael Rice to get down to the Youngstown State 9-yardline on the first four plays of the drive. It appeared that Drone was going to score his second touchdown of the half, but an Illinois State holding penalty negated the score and ended the drive. Freshman Kevin Mazur split the uprights on a 24-yard field goal attempt to give the `Birds a 10-7 advantage with 5:18 left in the half.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Penguins drove into Redbird territory, but James Temple intercepted YSU's Tom Zetts' pass and returned it 41 yards to the Youngstown State's 37-yardline. The Redbirds were unable to capitalize and were forced to settle for a 10-7 lead at the intermission.
At the start of the third quarter, the two teams exchanged scoring drives keeping the game close. YSU received the kickoff to open the half and drove 61 yards in 11 plays, culminating in a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Zetts to Kyle Smith, giving YSU its second lead of the night. However, ISU answered on its first drive of the half when Rafael Rice scored from 20 yards out, capping off an eight play, 79-yard drive, to make the score 17-14 with 6:23 left in the third.
The score remained 17-14 until the fourth quarter when a series of turnovers turned the tide, with YSU scoring twice on drives of less than ten yards. After ISU recovered a YSU fumble on its own 10 yard line, the Penguins quickly answered with a interception off a tipped Drone pass. YSU converted that turnover into three points by way of a 26-yard field goal by Brian Palmer. After Drone's second INT in as many series, YSU took the lead 20-17 on a 21-yard field goal by Palmer.
ISU had one more chance to score, but YSU forced Drone's fourth interception of the night to end the game 20-17. Brian Thompson led the ISU attack with 122 yards on 25 carries. Marcus Mason paced the Penguins with 126 yards on 27 carries and became the first individual to rush for over 100 yards on the Redbird defense this season.
ISU returns home next weekend for Homecoming 2005 against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Ill.
