Defense, Late Scores Highlight Football's 41-33 Win Over No. 15 Missouri State

Saturday, October 9

2 pm

Youngstown State University

2-3 , 1-2

Missouri State

3-2 , 2-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Missouri St.	0	3	7	23	33
Youngstown St.	6	11	3	21	41

Defense, Late Scores Highlight Football's 41-33 Win Over No. 15 Missouri State

10/9/2021 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

Youngstown State's defense forced four turnovers on the day, and the offense scored three rushing touchdowns in the game's final five minutes en route to a 41-33 victory over 15th-ranked Missouri State on Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium.

The Penguins handed the Bears their first conference loss of the season and improved their record to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play while the Bears fall to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

Missouri State tied the game at 20-20 with 4:38 left to go after a seven-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jason Shelley to tight end Ron Tiavaasue.

A 75-yard kickoff return by Samuel St. Surin started the Penguins drive at the Missouri State 22-yard line. YSU scored in one play when Jaleel McLaughlin scampered into the endzone for a touchdown, taking the lead back 27-20 with 4:17 to play in the game.

The Penguins came up with a big three-and-out stop when linebacker Griffin Hoak sacked quarterback Jason Shelley in the backfield. The next drive, McLaughlin sprinted for a 60-yard touchdown, extending YSU's lead to 34-20 with 2:08 remaining.

Missouri State answered with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Shelley to wide receiver Tyrone Scott. The following drive Crenshaw scrambled for a career-long 73-yard touchdown to move the Penguins' lead to 41-27 and seal the victory for YSU.

MSU scored a touchdown on the final play of the contest to make the score 41-33.

Youngstown State recorded 476 total yards of offense, with 377 of them coming on the ground. McLaughlin rushed for 156 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Crenshaw set a school record for most rushing yard by a quarterback with 195 yards and was responsible for three touchdowns, two in the air and one on the ground.

An interception by defensive back Jordan White led to the first touchdown of the game when Crenshaw connected with St. Surin in the endzone for a 28-yard touchdown with 11:28 left in the first quarter. The Penguins took the first lead of the game at 6-0, but failed to convert the two-point conversion attempt.

With 10:56 left in the second quarter, placekicker Colt McFadden successfully booted a career-long 45-yard field goal to extend YSU's lead to 9-0. Missouri State answered with a field goal of their own by kicker Jose Pizano with 7:06 left in the half, making the score 9-3.

Defensive back Keyon Martin intercepted Shelley with 4:05 left in the half. The interception led to a six-yard touchdown toss from Crenshaw to Jorge Portorreal and a successful two-point conversion to close out the half with the Penguins leading 17-3.

Missouri State opened the half with a 21-yard touchdown pass as Shelley connected with Scott in the endzone with 11:47 left in the third quarter. The two teams exchanged three-and-outs, and then McFadden made a 28-yard field goal to increase YSU's lead to 20-10 with 3:16 left in the period.

The Bears answered with a 22-yard field goal with 10:02 left in the game, cutting the Penguins lead to 20-13.

The Penguins are idle next week and then return to action on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Indiana State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m at Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute, Ind.