Kent, Ohio -- The Nos. 5/6 Youngstown State football team used a workmanlike effort in holding off Kent State 26-20 before a crowd of 13,642 fans on Saturday night at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio.

The Penguins (3-0) took a 26-14 lead with 2:20 left when YSU quarterback Jeff Ryan threw an eight-yard pass to Sean Guerriero in the fourth quarter. YSU held off a late comeback try by the Golden Flashes to earn their third straight win over their Northeastern Ohio neighbors. With the win, the Penguins retain possession of the Schwebel's Series Trophy beating the Golden Flashes for the third time in four years.

Ryan threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more scores to account for all four of YSU's touchdowns. In the contest, he completed 10-of-15 passes for 127 yards and the two scores. He finished the ballgame with minus-two yards rushing on 13 carries, despite scoring on touchdown runs of three and four yards.

Tim Johnson was the star on defense with 16 tackles and an interception return for 58 yards to set up a Ryan touchdown run. Sophomore Justin Dellarose had a breakout game with 11 tackles, including one sack. The Penguins finished the game with three sacks after not recording a sack in the first two games of the season.

Kent State (0-3) outyarded the Penguins 275-208 and held YSU to just 81 yards rushing.
In the fourth quarter, YSU took a 26-14 lead when Ryan threw an eight-yard scoring pass to Guerriero with 2:20 remaining.

The Golden Flashes cut the lead to 26-20 when Zach Williams threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Jurron Kelly. On the onside kick following a blocked extra point, YSU freshman Jerald Burley recovered the kick and YSU ran the clock out on three plays.

Kent State began the second half taking its initial possession 74 yards on 19 plays to pull within 20-13. Williams scored on a quarterback sneak on a fourth-down play from inside the one to pull within seven. The Golden Flashes took 10:15 off the clock in the third quarter as they pulled within six.

The Penguins took advantage of two Kent State miscues to put 13 points on the board in the second quarter and build a 20-7 halftime lead.

Johnson returned an interception 58 yards and a dropped punt snap by KSU punter Jared Fritz helped set up two Youngstown State touchdowns and give the Penguins a 13-point lead.

With the game tied 7-7, Johnson intercepted a deflected Williams throw and returned it 58 yards before fumbling. YSU's John Tekac recovered the fumble at the Kent State 10-yard line.

A pass interference penalty moved the ball to the two and after Josiah Doby lost a yard on first down. Ryan leaped in the end zone and crossed the plane before being spun around and losing the ball in midair.

On Kent State's next possession, Fritz bobbled the punt snap at the Kent State 33 and was tackled by Tekac to set up YSU's next score.

The lead increased to 20-7 when Ryan scored his second touchdown of the game on a four-yard quarterback draw. The Penguins missed the extra point, but owned a 20-7 advantage.

YSU scored on its opening possession of the game to jump ahead 7-0. Ryan threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Pedraza capping a 14-play 79-yard drive with 8:35 remaining in the first quarter.

Kent State battled back to tie the game on a 5-play 64-yard drive when Chante Murray scored on an 18-yard run with 1:54 left in the opening quarter.

After an off week, YSU begins Gateway Football Conference action at Southwest Missouri State on Saturday, Sept. 27.