Bowling Green, Ky. -- The Youngstown State football team dropped their Gateway Football Conference opener 13-7 to Western Kentucky at L.T. Smith Stadium on Saturday night in Bowling Green, Ky.

The Penguins (1-2 overall and 0-1 in the Gateway) led 7-3 in the first half, before the Hilltoppers (2-2 and 1-1) scored the final 10 points of the contest. YSU committed three costly turnovers, including two fourth-quarter interceptions that thwarted a comeback bid.

In the second quarter, YSU trailed 3-0 before mounting a 10-play 73-yard drive that produced the a score. Senior tailback P.J. Mays scored on a two-yard run with 11:31 remaining before the half to put the Penguins in front 7-3.

Before the end of the first half, WKU took a 10-7 advantage on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Jason Michael. But the Penguins answered right back.

Green and Mays teamed up to move the Penguins to a first-and-goal situation on the WKU four-yard line in the final two minutes of the half. But Green mishandled a snap by center Nick Roberts and WKUs' Antonio Thomas recovered at the one. On the drive, Green completed a 12-yard pass to Josiah Doby and a 25-yard strike to Shawn Carlson while Mays had 39 yards rushing on five carries.

In the third quarter, Western Kentucky added a 27-yard field goal by Peter Martinez to go in front 13-7. Martinez had kicked a 36-yarder in the first quarter to put the Hilltoppers in front 3-0.

The Penguins tried to mount a rally in the final stanza behind senior quarterbacks Colby Street and Green. Street moved the Penguins to the WKU 20 behind passes to T.J. Peterson (39 yards) and Chris DiMauro (14 yards). But after a three-yard loss by Mays, Street's pass intended for Jerald Burley was intercepted by Thomas in the end zone.

A last-chance drive ended when Green was intercepted by Jeremy Chandler with 2:19 left.

For the game, Green completed 7-of-17 passes for 109 yards and had one interception. Street was 3-of-5 for 76 yards and one pick. Together the two combined to complete 10-of-22 passes for 185 yards. WKU's Michael was 7-of-11 for 70 yards.

Mays led the Penguins on the ground with 92 yards on 29 carries and the lone touchdown. Jon Frazier had 18 rushes for a game-best 112 yards. WKU outrushed YSU 213-83 and held 283-268 edge in the total yards category. Jon Tekac again led the Penguin defense with 12 total tackles.

Youngstown State remains on the road to play at SW Missouri State on Saturday, Sept. 28. Kickoff for the Gateway Conference's TV Game of the Week is 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The Penguins have defeated the Bears in all six previous meetings.