The interior of the YSU defensive line stopped Western Illinois quarterback Mark Zanders on a fourth-and-goal play from the one-yard line in the final minute as the Penguins held on to defeat the Leathernecks, 28-24, at Stambaugh Stadium on Saturday night.

The Leathernecks jumped out to a 21-0 second quarter lead before the Penguins scored on a 22-yard pass from sophomore Jeff Ryan to senior Jared Zwick with 29 seconds left in the half.
YSU tied the score at 21-21 in the third quarter on two Ryan to freshman tight end John Schumacher touchdown passes. After a 19-yard field goal by Joe Lopez put WIU ahead, 24-21, Ryan led the Penguins on a long scoring drive and scampered across the goal line from seven yards out with the game-winning score.

The Penguins hit the road next Saturday for a contest at Indiana State.