Redbirds Edged Out By Last Second Field Goal At Youngstown State, 41-38

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – It was a back-and-forth battle between two teams fighting for playoff position on Saturday between Illinois State and Youngstown State, and the game came down to the final seconds as a 37-yard field goal as time expired by the Penguins (4-3, 2-2 MVFC) clipped the Redbirds (4-3, 2-2 MVFC) by a score of 41-38 at Stambaugh Stadium.

How It Happened:
•    Youngstown State took the early lead, after a 1-yard touchdown run by Tyshon King capped off an 11-play, 51-yard scoring drive with 8:33 left in the first quarter.
•    The Redbirds knotted the game at 7-7 with 1:16 left in the first quarter, when Zack Annexstad connected with Daniel Sobkowicz on a 27-yard touchdown pass to cap off a 79-yard scoring drive.
•    The Penguins came right back and took the lead just under a minute later, as quarterback Mitch Davidson connected with CJ Charleston on a 72-yard touchdown pass with just 17 seconds remaining in the first quarter to make it 14-7 in favor of Youngstown State.
•    Following a 40-yard run by Mason Blakemore, Annexstad and Sobkowicz connected again on a 7-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 14-14 with 13:50 left in the second quarter.
•    The back-and-forth continued as Davidson gave the Penguins the lead back on a 15-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Oliver to make the score 21-14 with 10:42 remaining before halftime.
•    Illinois State answered once again, as a 54-yard run by Wenkers Wright set up a 5-yard touchdown pass from Annexstad to Rylan Crawford tied the game at 21-21 with 9:13 left in the second quarter.
•    A 33-yard touchdown pass from Davidson to Joey Farthing a minute later gave the Penguins the lead right back at 28-21 with 8:08 left before the break.
•    The Annexstad to Sobkowicz connection continued, as the duo connected on a 31-yard score with 29 seconds left before halftime to tie the game again at 28-28.
•    Youngstown State regained the lead on its second possession of the third quarter, as Andrew Lastovka connected on a 22-yard field goal to make it 31-28 with 10:17 left in the stanza.
•    Illinois State fought back and took the lead once again as Annexstad found Camo Nelson on a 3-yard shovel pass for the touchdown to make it 35-31 with 5:58 left in the third quarter.
•    The rollercoaster ride continued, as Davidson connected with Dra Rushton on a 6-yard touchdown pass to cap off a 13-play scoring drive that gave the Penguins the lead at 38-35 with 7:57 left to play in the fourth quarter.
•    A 35-yard field goal by Ian Wagner tied the game at 38-38 with 4:18 remaining in the contest.
•    The Penguins had the last chance with the football and made the most of it, as Lastovka connected from 37 yards out as time expired to give Youngstown State the 41-38 victory on Homecoming.

Game Notes:    
•    Annexstad's five touchdown passes were a career-high, bettering the four he threw last week in a win over Indiana State.
•    Sobkowicz set career highs in receptions (11), yards (170) and touchdown receptions (3) against the Penguins.
•    The 5-yard touchdown reception by Crawford was the first of his career on just his second career catch.
•    The 3-yard shovel pass reception for a touchdown was Nelson's first of his career on just his third career reception. 
•    Amir Abdullah led the Redbird defense with a career-high 11 stops, including one for a loss.
•    Josh Dinga also had a solid game for the 'Birds, recording five tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

Next Up:
Illinois State returns home next Saturday to host the UNI Panthers, with kickoff slated for Noon CT at Hancock Stadium.

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