The Youngstown State football team outrushed Southwest Missouri State 230-132 and forced three fumbles en route to a 34-7 victory in the Gateway Conference opener on Saturday evening at Stambaugh Stadium.

Josh Cayson rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries while Aaron Marshall was 9-of-18 for 120 yards with two touchdowns. Yancey Marcum recovered a fumble while Marty Hutchinson had his first career interception.

YSU struck first with 9:21 remaining in the opening frame to take a 7-0 lead. After a 15-yard penalty for catching interference on a fair catch, the Penguins marched 75 yards on nine plays in 4:11 for the opening score. On the drive, Marshall found Kyle Smith for a 15-yard gain to the YSU 40, then Cayson took over with 43 yards on the ground on four carries. On second and goal from the four, Cayson scored his first of two touchdowns in the contest. After Nick Terracina's point the Penguins seized a seven point advantage.

The Penguins extended their lead to 14-0 50 seconds into the quarter on an eight yard touchdown pass from Marshall to Logan. With 1:00 left in the first quarter, Sherod Holmes blocked Robbie Kemp's punt and Scott Theissen recovered at the SMS 21 to set up a five play, 21-yard drive. On a fourth-and-11, Terracina kicked a 39-yard field goal, but SMS was called for holding to keep the drive alive. Marshall's touchdown strike came two plays later.

The Bears got on the board with 4:47 left in the second quarter on a four-yard touchdown run by Cody Pratt. Quarterback A.J. Porter was 3-for-3 on the drive for 41 yards while Pratt compiled 21 yards on six carries.

The Penguin defense did not allow another score while the offense tallied 20 unanswered points in the second half.

YSU scored on it's opening drive of the second half on a 30-yard field goal from Terracina that was set up by funs of 35 and 23 by Cayson, then Marshall found Burns from 39 yards out with 35 seconds on the clock to take a 24-7 advantage.

Terracina added a 31 yarder with 11:59 remaining in the fourth and Matt Rycraft had a one-yard touchdown rush at the 5:36 mark for the final score of the contest.

The Bears were penalized 11 times for 119 yards while the Penguins had three penalties for 15 yards.

The Penguins will take on defending Gateway Conference Champion Western Illinois on Oct. 11. Kickoff at Stambaugh Stadium is set for 4 p.m.