YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Coming off their first ranked win of the season, the 16th-ranked Redbirds (6-2, 4-1 MVFC) picked up right where they left off, topping No. 21 Youngstown State (3-5, 1-4 MVFC) Saturday in commanding 35-0 fashion at Stambaugh Stadium in rainy Youngstown, Ohio.
Once again, the Redbirds controlled the game on the ground, rushing for 299 yards on the ground. Markel Smith (124) and James Robinson (117) each ran for over 100 yards to become the first ISU duo to achieve that feat since 2015. Robinson scored three times and went over 100 yards for the second-straight week and Smith picked up his first career 100-plus yard effort in the win for the Redbirds,
Following a three-and-out from the Redbird defense to start the game, the ISU offense answered with a strong drive to take an early 7-0 lead. Runs of 14, six and nine yards on the first three plays from scrimmage by Robinson pushed the ball into Youngstown State territory at the 43 yard line. Smith got into the action with a 13-yard run off right tackle to move the ball to the YSU 30 yard line. A crucial third-down connection from Jake Kolbe to Spencer Schnell kept the drive alive and two more runs by Robinson put the ball in the end zone, the latter from 11 yards out for the first score of the game.
On the next defensive stand, Tyree Horton sacked YSU quarterback Nathan Mays and forced a fumble that landed in the hands of Matt McCown who rumbled 26 yards for the defensive score to widen the ISU lead to 14-0 just under six minutes into the contest. The two teams traded punts, as the Redbirds racked up three more sacks in the half. Just before halftime, the Redbirds put together a methodical 12-play, 73-yard drive that was capped off by a strong one-yard run by Smith to widen the lead to 21-0 in favor of the Redbirds as they headed to the locker room.
Following a punt that gave the Redbirds the ball in great field position at their own 45 yard line, ISU drove the length of the field in nine plays to increase the lead to four touchdowns with nine minutes left in the third quarter. A combined 20 rushing yards on consecutive carries by Smith got the drive started and another first-down connection from Kolbe to Schnell pushed the ball to the YSU 25 yard line. After Kolbe was sacked and ISU appeared to be out of field goal range on third down, a costly YSU holding penalty resulted in a first down to keep the drive alive for ISU. A 12-yard run by Kolbe put the football inside the three yard line and Robinson capped off the drive with a two-yard run for his second touchdown of the game and a 28-0 lead for the 'Birds.
The Penguins threatened inside the Redbird 15-yard line, but DraShane Glass picked off quarterback Ricky Davis in the end zone to end the threat and give ISU the ball back at the 20 yard line. The 'Birds proceeded to drive 80 yards in 11 plays and Robinson tallied his third score of the game, this one from three yards out, to stake ISU to a 35-0 lead early in the fourth quarter. Youngstown State managed a 10-play drive late in the fourth quarter, but ultimately punted the ball away to secure the Redbirds' 35-0, shutout victory.
The Redbirds return to home next Saturday to host nationally-ranked Western Illinois in the 100th game in the series between the two programs. Kickoff is scheduled for noon at Hancock Stadium, with the game broadcast live on The Valley on ESPN3.
GAME NOTES:
- James Robinson's three touchdowns set a career-high; first Redbird to run for three scores since Marshaun Coprich in 2015
- Matt McCown scored the first defensive touchdown of his career, when he recovered a fumble forced by Tyree Horton and returned it 26 yards for the score … it was the third defensive touchdown of the season for the Redbird defense
- Horton's sack/fumble was his second of the season … he finished the game with five tackles, 1.5 TFLs for 12 yards and 1.5 sacks.
- Malachi Broadnax recorded his first career reception, a 9-yard grab for a first down in the second quarter
- Davontae Harris recorded his first sack of the season
- DraShane Glass picked off the seventh pass of his career for the Redbirds and his first of the season
- James Robinson (117) and Markel Smith (124) became the first duo to both rush for over 100 yards since Dec. 5, 2015, when Coprich (217) and Tre Roberson (111) achieved the feat in the FCS playoffs against Western Illinois
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