In a game that saw a defensive struggle in the first half, a key turnover on the first play of the second half turned the tide as the Youngstown State football team suffered a 17-3 setback to ninth-ranked South Dakota State on Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium. With the loss, the Penguins fall to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, while the Jackrabbits improve to 7-1 (6-0). It was the second time in as many weeks the Penguins have faced a ranked FCS opponent and have only scored once in both contest.

After the teams were tied 3-3 after the first 30 minutes, YSU had the ball to open the second half at their own 23. However, on their first play, quarterback Brandon Summers was intercepted by linebacker Derek Domino at the Penguins 32 yard line, to put the Jackrabbits within quick striking distance.

SDSU capitalized on the short field and seven plays later they took their first lead of the game on a five-yard touchdown scamper by running back Kyle Minett. Reifenrath's kick made the score 10-3 in favor of South Dakota State.

The Penguins offense made a push to try and cut into the Jackrabbits' lead, moving down inside the Jackrabbit 25-yard line. However, the Penguins could not go any farther as they were stopped on third down at the SDSU 23 and Stephen Blose's 41-yard field goal attempt sailed far right.

During the drive in the third quarter, Summers was injured after picking up a first down and was replaced by Dailyn Campbell. Campbell carried the ball five times for 27 yards, gaining six yards or better on four of those carries. Summers returned to action on the Penguins next drive and played all but two of the remaining offensive plays.

The Jackrabbits tacked on to their lead late in the fourth on Minett's second touchdown of the game to make the score 17-3, Jackrabbits. Minett scored from a yard out and ultimately put the game out of reach for the Penguins with 4:45 remaining in the contest. The drive consisted of nine plays, covering 66 yards, taking 4:55 off the clock.

The Penguins had a chance to make it a one possession game after Summers connected to Dominique Barnes for 42 yards to put the Penguins at the SDSU 26-yard line. The Penguins were then stopped on the next for plays and turned the ball over on downs to South Dakota State.

After the defense held, Summers fired a deep pass in a last-ditch effort, but was picked off by Conrad Kjerstad with 29 seconds left.

Early in the contest SDSU, threatened to strike first, marching down to the YSU three yard line on their opening drive. An illegal shift penalty pushed them back to the eight, where kicker Peter Reifenrath missed a 26-yard field goal to end the drive.

The Penguins took advantage of the Jackrabbit miscue and put an 11-play, 49-yard drive that resulted in a  Blose field goal. Blose connected on a 48-yarder to tie his career long that he set at Pitt in the season opener. Summers was a perfect six-for-six for 58 yards during their lone scoring drive of the game.

The Jackrabbits evened the score after holding the Penguins to a three-and-out on their next possession.  Taking 8:17 off the clock, on 15 plays, South Dakota State moved the ball 75 yards to the YSU eight-yard line. This time Reifenrath connected from 25 yards out to make the score 3-3.

Defensively for Youngstown State, linebacker Taylor Hill and safety Andre Elliot both registered double-digit tackles. Hill finished with 12, while Elliot had 10 and led the team with six solo stops.

On offense, the ground game was led by Campbell, who carried the ball seven times for 32 yards. Running back Dana Brown had a team-high nine carries and tallied 27 yards. Senior tailback Kevin Smith did not play after suffering a foot injury against Southern Illinois last week. Also, YSU lost strong safety Sir Demarco Bledsoe against the Salukis to a season-ending knee injury.

Summers finished 19-29, for 181 yards, including two interceptions. Receivers Dominique Barnes and Donald Jones both hauled in six catches to lead the receivers. Barnes finished with 93 yards, including a 42 yard catch and run, while Jones finished with 36 yards.

The Penguins return to action against UNI next Saturday, Nov. 7, at the UNI-dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Kickoff is slated for 5:05 p.m. The Panthers have won the past two contests by a point each, including last season when UNI squeeked out a 21-20 victory at Stambaugh Stadium.