Macomb, Ill. -- A steady diet of tailbacks Monquantae Gibson and Regis Edgerson and a stingy defense helped propel the Youngstown State football team to a 34-9 victory over Western Illinois on a sundrenched Saturday afternoon at Hanson Field. The victory over the Leathernecks was YSU's first in Macomb since 1982.

The Penguins, who had scored just 10 points in their previous three visits to Hanson Field, put a 20 spot on the scoreboard in the first half and never looked back.

Both backs went over 100 yards on the afternoon as Gibson rushed for 167 yards on 25 carries while Edgerson had a career-high 104 yards on 19 carries. Gibson had a touchdown and Edgerson added the first two scores of his career on the day.

Gibson picked up his first running score of the game on the first play of the fourth quarter. He scored from four yards out giving the Penguins a 27-7 advantage just four seconds into the last frame.

Late in the game, Edgerson scored his second touchdown of the game to wrapup the scoring for YSU on the day.

In the game YSU accumulated 435 yards, 284 of which came on the ground.

Trailing 7-0, placekicker Nick Terracina kicked a 36-yard field goal on a soggy field to cut the deficit to 7-3 with 11:25 left in the quarter.

Late in the period, YSU'S gamble on a 4th-and-7 play paid off big time. Zetts rolled to his right then threw back across the field to Gibson who followed three blockers to the end zone untouched converting a 28-yard scoring pass. The Penguins owned a 10-7 lead with 54 seconds left in the half and did not trail the rest of the afternoon.

Terracina connected on a 26-yard field with 6:42 remaining in the second quarter extending the Penguins' cushion to 13-7. The drive that set up the field goal took 15 plays, covering 70 yards and ate 6:20 off the clock.

On their next possession, Edgerson set up what would be his first career touchdown run busting a 48-yard run. WIU was called for a personal foul to end the play giving the Penguins the ball at the nine. After Gibson rushed for five yards, Edgerson scored from four yards out boosting the lead to 20-7 with 2:45 remaining.

YSU dodged a bullet late in the half when Zetts' toss to Gibson was ruled a lateral and Johnny Lormile raced to the end zone for an apparent score. However, on the return, WIU was called for an illegal block and unsportsmanlike celebration penalty that moved the ball back to the 48.

Before the half, Justin Langan missed a 41-yard field goal wide left and YSU led 20-7 at the break.

In the first half, YSU had 270 total yards, including 150 on the ground. Gibson had 78 yards and Edgerson had 66 to lead the ground attack. YSU had scoring drives of 61, 80, 70 and 71 yards in the 30 minutes.

Western Illinois opened the scoring for the game on a quick four-play 61-yard drive to begin the game. WIU used a 43-yard run by Travis Glasford to move to the YSU five before fullback Derrek Blackwell scored his first career touchdown 1:19 seconds into the game.

Youngstown State wraps up the 2004 season next Saturday at SMS. Kickoff between the Penguins and Bears is set for 2 p.m. Eastern Time.