Youngstown State built a 24-10 halftime lead behind two Monquante Gibson touchdowns en route to a 27-17 victory over the Liberty Flames on Saturday evening at Stambaugh Stadium.

Gibson had an outstanding first half, rushing for 92 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries while adding another touchdown through the air. Redshirt-freshman quarterback Tom Zetts also provided a first-half spark as he was 6-of-9 passing for 119 yards and two touchdowns.

Gibson gave the Penguins an early 7-0 advantage when he scored from 53 yards out on YSU's fourth play from scrimmage. Zetts connected with Kyle Smith on a 16-yard strike to start the drive, moving the ball down to the YSU 41. Gibson then rushed for three yards twice before his 53-yard touchdown scamper down the right sideline with 10:48 remaining in the opening quarter.

Placekicker Nick Terracina converted on a 42-yard field goal on YSU's next drive to put the Penguins ahead 10-0 with 6:34 on the clock.

YSU was forced to punt for the first time on its next possession, but linebacker James Terry jarred the ball free from Eugene Goodman and Mike Bracken recovered the fumble on the Liberty 25. Three plays later, Gibson dodged several tacklers before heading into the end zone on a 27-yard pass from Zetts to put the Penguins up 17-0.

The Flames put their first points on the board on their first drive of the second quarter as Zacry Kolegue connected on a 24-yard field goal with 12:35 remaining to cap a nine-play, 73-yard drive.

The Penguins answered on their next drive as Zetts connected with Matt Rycraft for a 53-yard touchdown pass with 9:40 remaining.

Liberty cut the deficit to 24-10 right before halftime on a 15-play, 80-yard drive that resulted in a three-yard Goodman touchdown rush. Quarterback Paul Troth was 7-of-11 on the drive, connecting on a 19-yard pass and two 13-yard passes.

The Flames got within seven with 12:18 remaining in the third quarter as they scored on their first drive of the second half. C.J. Moore intercepted Zetts on the Liberty 36, and Goodman moved the Flames to the YSU 21 on carries of four, nine and 30 yards. Sam Gado then scampered 21 yards into the end zone for the touchdown.

Terracina kicked a 35-yard field goal with 4:17 remaining in the third for the final tally.
The Flames attempted to get within a touchdown twice, but Ron-John Finn blocked a 49-yard attempt with 3 seconds remaining in the third quarter and Jason Perry blocked a 38-yard attempt with 2:28 remaining in the fourth.

Gibson finished with 160 yards on 30 carries to lead all rushers while Zetts was 11-of-16 for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Smith had three catches for 51 yards and Mike Roberts had five grabs for 19 yards.

Dorian Chenault had 11 tackles to lead the Penguins while Terry chipped in with nine.
Goodman finished with 109 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries while Gado had 101 yards and a score on 14 carries for the Flames.

The Penguins will open their Gateway Conference schedule Saturday when they travel to take on sixth-ranked Western Kentucky. Kickoff in Bowling Green, Ky. is set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.