Oct. 18, 2008

Football: Defense's Effort Valiant in Loss to No. 14 Southern Illinois
    Youngstown – The defense tried to keep the Youngstown State football team in the game for more than three quarters, but the Penguins could never get on track offensively in a 33-0 loss to 14th-ranked Southern Illinois at Stambaugh Stadium on Saturday. It was the first shutout loss at home for the Penguins since September 1995.
    YSU (2-6 overall and 1-3 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference) allowed a touchdown on the third play of the game and was never able to get back in the game. The Salukis picked up their first road win of the season improving to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the MVFC.

    For the game, the Penguins had  207 yards of total offense. On the ground, the Guins generated just 70 yards on 29 attempts.

    SIU tailback Larry Warner had 147 yards on 22 carries and scored a fourth-quarter touchdown from three yards out.
    YSU did not score at home for the first time since Sept. 9, 1995, when it was shutout 27-0 by Stephen F. Austin. It was the second time the Guins were held scoreless in a game this season (43-0 at Ohio State), the last time that occurred was in 1980.

    Youngstown State had two opportunities to convert field goals in the game, but both times Brian Palmer's attempts were not converted. Entering the game, Palmer had made 80-percent of his career attempts. 

    Southern Illinois built a 17-0 halftime lead by scoring early, late and picking up a defensive score inbetween.

    The Salukis took a 7-0 lead three plays into the contest when Dieker connected with Joe Allaria on a 24-yard strike just 62 seconds into the game. The big gainer on the drive was a 42-yard scamper by Warner on the second play.

    Late in the opening quarter, Southern Illinois' Ryan Patton intercepted a Dailyn Campbell pass and raced 52 yards for a touchdown with 1:48 left.

    YSU had a field-possession advantage in the second quarter, but still could not get in the scoreboard. The closest the Guins came was when Palmer's 38-yard field goal was blocked. The miss snapped Palmer's school-record streak of 14 consecutive made field goals.

    Southern Illinois used an impressive last-minute drive to go in front by 17 points at the break. SIU drove 53 yards in 10 plays as kicker Kyle Dougherty drilled a 42-yard kick as time expired.

    SIU had 151 yards of total offense while the Guins had 73 in the opening half. YSU was held to minus-six yards on the ground. The Penguin defense held SIU to just one third-down conversion in seven tries.
    In the third quarter, the Salukis added to their advantage when Campbell was sacked in the end zone and YSU's Tyler Booth recovered a fumble to give SIU a 19-0 lead. Campbell was making his first career start and became the fourth quarterback to start for the Guins this season.

    SIU used an impressive 14-play drive to get deep in Penguin territory before Na'eem Outler's first career interception in the end zone ended the threat.

    In the fourth, SIU broke the game open on touchdown runs in a span of 62 seconds by Warner and Richard White.

    The Penguins play their second top-10 ranked foe of the season when Northern Iowa visits Stambaugh Stadium for the annual Homecoming tilt. Kickoff next Saturday is set for the contest is set for 4 p.m.