Box Score
Vermillion, S.D. - The No. 10 Youngstown State football team jumped out to quick lead and rode a strong defensive effort to a 31-3 win over South Dakota on Saturday afternoon at the DakotaDome in the conference opener for both teams.
The Penguins improve to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Missouri Valley Football Conference play with the win. South Dakota falls to 2-2 on the campaign and 0-1 in league play.
The 28-point margin of victory was the most in a conference road win since the Guins beat Indiana State 28-0 on Sept. 26, 2009, at Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute.
YSU scored on its first possession and never looked back as the defense flexed its muscle throughout the afternoon in front of a crowd of 10,015 at the Dome.
On it's initial possession of the game, YSU took a 7-0 lead following an impressive 16-play, 80-yard drive that took 7:25 off the clock. After Shane Kuhn picked up a first down on fourth-and-1 from the three-yard line, TB Martin Ruiz plowed in from a yard out to put the Guins ahead with 5:37 left in the first.
Later in the quarter, the defense contributed to the second score.
DE Derek Rivers had a strip-sack of USD QB Ryan Saeger and LeRoy Alexander hustled to scoop the ball up and returned it to the USD 12-yard line. After a pair of penalties, YSU's drive started at the South Dakota 14, but the Guins had to settle for a 33-yard Zak Kennedy field goal to go on top 10-0.
In the second quarter, the Penguins faced a third-and-11 at their own 49, but Hunter Wells hit Andrew Williams in the seam at the 30-yard line and Williams turned on the afterburners to go untouched for a 51-yard score to give the Guins a 17-0 lead at the 12:19 mark of the quarter.
The Penguins outgained the Coyotes 194-83 in the first half and 302-262 for the game.
Neither team could muster much offensive rhythm in the third quarter but in the fourth, the Penguins put the game out of reach with a pair of quick scores thanks to USD giveaways.
YSU was the beneficiary of a break early in the fourth as the Coyotes muffed a punt at their own two-yard line. Kintrell Disher recovered the ball setting the Guins up for a one-play touchdown. On the first snap after the fumble recovery, Ruiz scored for the second time on the afternoon to put the Guins in front 24-0.
USD scored its lone points of the contest with 10:20 remaining following a 39-yard field goal by Miles Bergner to pull within 24-3.
The YSU defense set the offense up in great shape again when Kenneth Durden intercepted a Ryan Saeger pass and returned it to the 15-yard line. Two plays later, Wells found Kuhn for a 13-yard score to give the Penguins a 31-3 lead.
In the end, Coyotes turnovers contributed to 17 Penguins points on the afternoon.
Ruiz rushed for 86 yards on 28 attempts in the contest while Wells completed 15-of-26 passes for 158 yards and two scores.
The Penguins return home next Saturday to take on Illinois State at Stambaugh Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
