Miami, Fla. -- The Youngstown State football team picked up their first-ever win in the state of Florida beating Florida Atlantic 24-17 on a steamy Saturday night at Pro Player Stadium.

The Penguins (4-2) earned their third straight victory and won in the Sunshine State for the first time in five tries by jumping out to a 24-3 halftime lead over the Owls (0-6). FAU scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull within seven points, but the YSU offense picked up two first downs to run the clock out in winning the first home night game in Florida Atlantic's brief two-year history.

YSU scored 17 points on its first three offensive possessions and added a touchdown when the Florida connection of Damian Wright (Plantation) and Mike Andrews (Oldsmar) helped account for another score. Wright stripped the ball from FAU punter Andy Rosas and Andrews picked up the ball returning the fumble seven yards for a score and a 24-3 lead.

In the second half, Florida Atlantic rallied behind two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Tailback Daveon Barron scored on a 15-yard run with 11:18 remaining and quarterback Jared Allen scored on a one-yard keeper on a fourth-and-goal play with 2:28 left.

In the game-clinching drive, senior tailback P.J. Mays and redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Marshall combined to rush for 28 yards and pick up two first downs. For the game, Mays had 130 yards on 27 carries while Marshall had 47 yards on 18 attempts. Marshall completed 4-of-7 passes for 52 yards.

As a unit, the defense had eight sacks for 45 yards in losses. Senior linebacker Russell Stuvaints led the effort with a season-best 13 tackles, including two sacks. The Penguins limited the Owls to 51 net rushing yards.

On the first drive of the game, the Penguins took the ball 56 yards for a touchdown when Mays scored on a fourth-and-goal from the one. Florida native Jerald Burley returned the opening kickoff 41 yards to gain the early momentum. The Penguins marched the ball to the end zone in 11 plays and took the first 6:12 off the clock.

YSU added a field goal later in the quarter when Mike Bracken intercepted an Allen pass at the FAU 31. Bracken's pick was his third in as many games. YSU moved the ball to the 15 before Jake Stewart kicked a 32-yard field goal to put YSU ahead 10-3. The Owls closed out the first quarter scoring on a 48-yard field goal by Mark Meyers.

The Penguins answered to build a 17-3 lead on an 11-yard touchdown run by Mays in the second quarter. Following the FAU field goal, YSU moved the ball 74 yards in 10 plays to go in front by two touchdowns.

For the game, YSU had 225 rushing yards and a total of 277 for the game. FAU had 164 yards of total offense.

The Penguins return home next Saturday to play host to Northern Iowa in a key Gateway Football Conference matchup. Kickoff for the Gateway TV Game of the Week featuring the Panthers and YSU is set for 4:07 p.m.