Kent, Ohio -- The Kent State Golden Flashes recovered three Youngstown State fumbles and converted on three key fourth downs in a 16-13 victory on Saturday evening at Dix Stadium. KSU improves to 2-1 while the Penguins fall to 2-1.

After Travis Mayle tied the contest, 13-13, with a 23-yard field at 3:19 remaining in regulation, KSU's Najah Pruden forced a Jake Godec fumble on the ensuing kickoff and the Golden Flashes recovered at the YSU 30.

Eight plays later, Mayle connected again from 33 yards out for the game winner with 13 seconds left.

The Golden Flashes out gained the Penguins 406 yards to 294 and held the rushing advantage, 282-180.

YSU senior Mike Burns finished with 117 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown to lead the Penguins on the ground while Aaron Marshall was 8-of-16 for 91 yards with one touchdown pass. KSU's Eliljah Brooks finished with 145 rushing yards while David Alston finished with 58.

The Penguins held KSU quarterback Joshua Cribbs to 69 yards rushing and 92 yards through the air.

Kent State scored on their opening drive for the third consecutive game when quarterbackJosh Cribbs found the endzone from three yards out on a bootleg to the right side. The Flashes had a fourth-and-one at the YSU eight yardline and Cribbs converted with a five-yard rush to give the Flashes a first-and-goal.

The Penguins got on the board late in the first quarter when Burns scored from seven yards out to knot the game at seven. After starting at the Kent State 46, wideout Kyle Smith connected with Mike Roberts off a reverse for a 21-yard gain. A dead-ball penalty put the Penguins at the KSU 12 to setup Burns' score two plays later.

After trading punts for the majority of the second quarter, the Penguins drove to the KSU 27-yardline, but KSU's Shannon Davis forced a Shawn Carlson fumble to end the YSU threat.

Kent State scored again on its first possession of the second half, assembling a nine-play, 62-yard drive down to the YSU 20. Mayle connected on a 37-yard field goal to put the Flashes ahead 10-7.

The Penguins were driving once again late in the third quarter after Sherod Holmes returned a Cribbs interception 55 yards to the KSU 34, but a fumble by Burns ended the drive two plays later.

After Jeremiah Wright forced a fumble to stop the Flashes in the redzone, the Penguins drove 85 yards on 12 plays to take a 13-10 lead. On third-and-six on the KSU 12, Marshall found Damian Wright on the left side for a 12-yard touchdown. Junior placekicker Nick Terracina hit the left upright on the point after.

However, the Flashes answered by driving 84 yards on 14 plays to the YSU six to setup Mayle's second field goal of the contest.

The Penguins will host Florida Atlantic Saturday, Sept. 20, at Stambaugh Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.