The Youngstown State football team built a 17-point lead over SMS by forcing five turnovers and playing smashmouth Penguin Football, before the defense stopped SMS twice deep in YSU territory in the late stages of the fourth quarter in a 24-17 victory at a sundrenched Plaster Field on Saturday afternoon.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Marshall was victorious in his debut as Youngstown State (2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Gateway) scored 17 points in the third quarter on touchdown runs by Josiah Doby and Mike Burns and added a 46-yard field goal by Jake Stewart. But SMS (3-2 and 0-1) scored 10 points in the first five minutes of the fourth period before the YSU defense rose to the occasion with two big fourth-down stops in Penguin territory.

After building a 24-7advantage through three quarters, SMS' Kaila Williams scooped up a Burns fumble and rumbled 52 yards for a touchdown and with 10:08 remaining Brian Long's 48-yard field goal brought the Bears within a touchdown.

Youngstown State's defense came up big in the fourth as the offensive productivity declined. Trailing 24-17, SMS moved to the YSU 14-yard line, but Zach Dechant was tackled inches shy of a first down by Martin Stachowicz.

SMS had one last shot to drive and tie the game, but on fourth-and-8 Michael White's pass to Dechant was for only six yards to move the ball to the YSU 21. The Penguins ran two plays to end the game and snap a two-game losing streak.

With the wind in the third quarter, YSU took the opening kickoff and four plays later found the end zone when Doby burst through the left side and scored on a 61-yard run. Later in the period, Burns capped a 6-play 43-yard drive that was set up by a Sherod Holmes interception with a two-yard score. With five seconds remaining, Stewart made his first field goal of the season putting the Penguins in front 24-7.

After a scoreless first quarter, Marshall threw his first career touchdown pass -- which was also his first career completion -- to sophomore Philip Larmon. The 10-yard touchdown toss capped an impressive 14-play 59-yard drive that ate 7:10 off the clock.

The Penguins forced their second turnover of the game when senior Jon Tekac stripped the ball away from Zach Dechant. But two plays following the turnover, SMS' Darryl Robinson picked off a pass and returned it 67 yards to tie the game at seven.

Marshall, who was YSU's third different starting quarterback in as many games, had 30 yards rushing on 18 carries and completed 2-of-5 passes for a touchdown and an interception and a total of 17 yards. His first completion was for a touchdown while his second, a seven-yard pass to Chris DiMauro, set up Burns' two-yard score.

Mays, Doby and Burns each carried the ball at least eight times. Mays was the top gainer of the three with 95 yards on 20 carries. Doby had 93 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown while Burns had eight carries for 22 yards and a score.

For the game, the Penguins had 261 yards of total offense -- 244 of which came on the ground. SMS finished with 234 yards, including 164 yards passing. YSU held a huge advantage in time of possession, holding the ball for 36:13 compared to just 23:47 for the Bears. The victory improved YSU to 7-0 all-time against SMS with five games being decided by a touchdown or less.

The Penguins return home for the first time in four weekends when they play host to Indiana State next Saturday at 7 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium. YSU is 10-1 all-time against the Sycamores, including a 35-21 win at ISU last season.