Normal, Ill. – In a game featuring six lead changes, the Youngstown State football team could not overcome two kick returns for touchdowns by Illinois State and a 222–yard rushing performance by Brian Thompson in a 30-24 loss at Hancock Stadium on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

The loss by the Penguins (2-6 overall and 0-4 in the Gateway Football Conference) snapped their two-game winning streak in Normal over the Redbirds (4-3 and 2-2).

YSU fought back several times but its last chance to rally came with just over four minutes remaining in the game. On fourth-and-seven at the ISU 15, Tom Zetts hit Josh Cayson in the flat, but Cayson fell backwards to the ground before he could gain any yardage.

Illinois State took over the ball at the 15 and ran the clock down to 10 seconds behind Thompson, who had a career-high 37 carries. Time expired on a punt by Ryan Hoffman
Leading the Penguins on offense was Cayson who had 146 yards on a career-best 25 carries and a touchdown. Zetts completed 14-of-28 passes for 162 yards, two touchdowns and had one interception.

Youngstown State had 331 total offensive yards while the Redbirds tallied 363.

In the third quarter, Illinois State's defense, ISU placekicker Stephen Carroll and Josh Cayson were the stories. YSU could not generate any offense on its two possessions going three-and-out each time as Carroll converted two field goals. Carroll's first field goat tied the game with a 19-yard kick and put the Redbirds in front 20-17 with 3:45 remaining in the period.

At the close of the period, Cayson caught fire to get the offense on track. On the drive that put the Penguins in front 24-20 he had eight carries for 80 yards and took the ball to the end zone on a 13-yard scamper with 46 seconds left.

In the fourth, ISU punter Ryan Hoffman pinned the Penguins on their one-yard for the second time, but this time proved fatal for the Guins. Joe Bishop's punt was returned 52 yards for a touchdown by Joe Walkins with 12:26 remaining in the fourth.

An interception by Alex Filin of a Tom Zetts pass intended for Mike Roberts returned to YSU 33 setting up Carroll's third field goal of the second half from 31 yards with 6:26 left.
Illinois State jumped out to a 7-0 lead before most of the Homecoming Crowd of 10,279 were in their seats. YSU's Joe Bishop kicked off to start the game and the Redbirds' LaShawn Bullock raced 97 yards through the Penguin kick-coverage team for a touchdown 15 seconds into the contest.

Youngstown State regrouped quickly taking their initial drive of the game 82 yards on just eight plays as Tom Zetts capped the drive on a 27-yard scoring toss to Mike Roberts. The score tied the game at seven with 11:37 remaining in the opening stanza.

YSU took advantage of a Mike Bracken interception of a Yance Vaughn pass to tack on a field goal. Bracken picked off his second pass of the season and returned it nine yards, but ISU was assessed a five-yard facemask and 15-yard personal foul penalty placing the ball at the Redbird 22.

The Penguins moved the ball down to the ISU two-yard line, but had to settle for a 19-yard Nick Terracina field goal with 7:49 left. Later in the quarter, Terracina pushed a 34-yard attempt wide right as the Penguins held a 10-7 edge at the end of the first.

Following the missed field goal, ISU went on an impressive 15-play, 80-yard drive that ate 7:57 off the clock. Vaughn capped the march by connecting with Mike Larson for a six-yard touchdown pass as the Redbirds regained the lead 14-10 with 7:36 remaining in the second quarter.

After being on the end of a 70-yard punt by Hoffman earlier in the quarter, YSU took advantage of a big Redbird special teams miscue to grab the lead right before halftime.

Youngstown State held Illinois State on three plays at the YSU 48, than on the punt attempt, the snap sailed over Hoffman's head and settled at the Illinois State 13. Hoffman picked the ball up and fumbled when Justin Scholes hit him as Brandon Brown recovered the ball at the 13.

YSU picked up a first down at the three on a 10-yard carry by Josh Cayson and on the next play Zetts tossed a three-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Ison with 54 seconds left in the half giving the Penguins a three-point cushion.

Illinois State made things interesting as on the final play of the first half, Vaughn threw a deep ball to Kevett Nickle who was brought down at the YSU one by Steve Reynolds as time expired.

The Penguins play their final home game of the season next Saturday when Indiana State visits Stamabugh Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.