Villanova, Pa. -- Senior Dave Vecchione forced a fumble by Villanova running back Ducarmel Augustin and Dwyte Smiley recovered the ball on the two-yard line with one minute to play as the Youngstown State football team closed out the regular season with a thrilling 28-21 come-from-behind victory at Villanova Stadium on Saturday.

Trailing 21-7, the Penguins got back in the game when quarterback Jeff Ryan hit wide receiver Elliott Giles with a 22-yard touchdown pass with 9:28 left in the third quarter. After a three-and-out by the Wildcats, YSU mounted an 11-play, game-tying drive when Ryan hit wide receiver Renauld Ray with a 13-yard touchdown pass to knot the game at 21-21 in the third quarter.

After being held to just 32 yards in the first half, YSU tailback Adrian Brown exploded in the second half. Brown rushed for 88 yards in the second stanza and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 19-yard run that put the Penguins up 28-21. It was Brown's 53rd career touchdown, tying him with Tamron Smith for the school record.

Leading 28-21 with 5:48 to play, the Wildcats mounted what looked to be a game-tying drive, driving 58-yards to the YSU two after a critical pass-interference penalty on the Penguins. On the first play, Chris Boden handed the ball to Augustin, but Vecchione, who was lying on the ground, punched up and knocked the football in the arms of Smiley to preserve the Penguins' ninth win of the season.

YSU now waits for the NCAA selection announcement, which is set to be held on Sunday, Nov. 21.