NORMAL, Ill. – A late touchdown with just five seconds remaining in the game propelled Youngstown State (6-3, 4-2 MVFC) to a come-from-behind victory over Illinois State (5-4, 3-3 MVFC) Saturday afternoon at Hancock Stadium.
How It Happened:
• Illinois State wasted little time taking a lead, as redshirt freshman quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse broke free for a 42-yard touchdown run on the Redbirds' first play from scrimmage to put ISU up 7-0 early in the first quarter.
• The Penguins answered back on their ensuing drive, driving 75 yards in eight plays as quarterback Mitch Davidson bowled his way in from two yards out to tie the game at 7-7 with 8:39 left in the first quarter.
• The Redbirds took the lead back shortly after, as Ian Wagner connected on a 43-yard field goal to make the score 10-7 with 5:00 left in the opening quarter.
• Just under a minute into the second quarter, the Penguins knotted the game at 10-10 on a 38-yard field goal by Colt McFadden as the two teams continued to go back and forth.
• Illinois State then took advantage of a Youngstown State miscue, as a muffed punt was recovered by Jalen Carr and the Redbirds controlled the clock for nearly five minutes before Rittenhouse ran it in from one yard out to cap off the 12-play scoring drive and make it 17-10.
• With just 34 seconds remaining before halftime, McFadden connected from 48 yards out for his second field goal of the contest to make it 17-13 at the break.
• Neither team was able to score in the third quarter and game came down to the final minute, as Youngstown State got the ball back with 1:06 left and drove 80 yards in eight plays to win the game on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Davidson to Bryce Oliver to bring the score to 19-17.
Game Notes:
• Youngstown State did not have a lead in the game, until the final touchdown with 5 seconds remaining.
• Rittenhouse earned his first career start and proceeded to score both of Illinois State's touchdowns in the game on the ground, the first two of his career … he finished the contest with 81 yards rushing and 103 yards passing.
• Wideout Daniel Sobkowicz set career bests with 10 catches and 96 yards to lead the way for the Redbirds.
• Linebacker Zeke Vandenburgh led the defense with 10 tackles and added a TFL in the contest
• Fellow linebacker Kenton Wilhoit recorded two sacks in the game, and Deandre Lamont added one as well.
Next Up:
The Redbirds head to Brookings, South Dakota, next Saturday to take on the top-ranked South Dakota State Jackrabbits at 2 p.m.
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