Oct. 28, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
In a battle between two of the nation's best running attacks, Illinois State was out-rushed 345-18 as No. 10 Youngstown State defeated No. 3 Illinois State, 27-13, in front of 15,372 at Hancock Stadium on Saturday. Youngstown State held ISU to its lowest offensive output since 2002 (161 total yards), when the Penguins held the `Birds to 198 yards, and snapped ISU's season-best six game winning streak.
With the loss, their first of the season at home and against a Division I-AA opponent, the Redbirds fall to 6-2, 3-1 Gateway Football Conference. The victory improves the Penguins' record to 7-2, 4-1 GFC.
Illinois State was unable to get its high-powered offense going against YSU as senior running back Pierre Rembert had his school record of seven straight 100-yard rushing games snapped and junior quarterback Luke Drone was held to 143 yards passing on 10 completions and zero touchdowns. Rembert, who had been averaging 148.86 yards per contest, was limited to a season-low 11 yards rushing.
Youngstown State got on the board first by scoring on its opening possession. Tailback Marcus Mason capped off a 12-play, 61-yard drive that took 7:27 off the clock, with a rush from one yard out. The Penguins had to settle for the 6-0 lead when kicker Brain Palmer pushed his PAT attempt wide right.
The Penguins were looking to extend their lead in the second quarter when ISU junior defensive tackle Jarek Thomas picked off his second pass of the season and ran it back for a 28-yard touchdown. Thomas tapped a pass by YSU quarterback Tom Zetts on 2-and-17 to himself on his way to his first career touchdown that gave the `Birds a short-lived 7-6 lead with 9:58 remaining in the half.
YSU responded to take the lead 12-7 on the following possession when running back Monquantae Gibson ran for a 17-yard touchdown. Youngstown State wasted little time as it marched down the field on a 4-play, 69-yard drive, that took just 1:38 off the clock. The Penguins failed on their second consecutive PAT when Redbird junior defensive tackle Dan Simnick reached up and blocked Palmer's attempt.
The Penguins extended their lead to 20-7 with 3:04 left in the third quarter when Mason scored on his second rushing touchdown of the game, this time from seven yards out. YSU was successful on its two-point conversion when Zetts connected with tight end Louis Irizarry in the corner of the endzone. The 13-point deficit for the `Birds marked their largest of the season.
The Redbirds scored their first offensive touchdown of the game and cut the YSU lead to 20-13 with 11:38 left in the fourth quarter, when senior running back Rembert scored on a rush from two yards out. ISU failed to convert on its PAT when sophomore kicker Kevin Mazur missed wide right.
Youngstown State responded to the `Birds' scoring drive with its own 14-play, 72-yard drive, that resulted in a Zetts 1-yard plunge with 4:43 left in the game to put the Penguins up 27-13, which held for the final score.
Illinois State returns to action November 4 at Hancock Stadium to conclude the home portion of its 2006 schedule against Missouri State. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
