Cedar Falls, Iowa – The No. 19 Youngstown State football team suffered a 44-41 defeat to UNI on Saturday afternoon at the UNI-Dome.
With the loss, the Penguins fall to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the MVFC while UNI improves to 2-2 and 1-0. It marked the 11th straight time the Guins came up short in the UNI-Dome against the Panthers.
The Penguins used a solid third quarter to grab the lead, however, UNI scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to rally for the victory.
To open the game, with YSU pinned at its own 12-yard line following the opening kickoff, QB Mitch Davidson connected with Bryce Oliver for a 61-yard gain to jump-start the offense. The drive stalled inside the UNI 20, and Andrew Lastokva came on to make a 38-yard field goal to get YSU on the scoreboard.
On their ensuing possession, the Guins marched 59 yards in nine plays as Davidson scored on a six-yard keeper around the left side to put YSU on top 10-0. It was the fourth straight game in which Davidson has scored a rushing touchdown.
However, UNI struck right back on its next three drives to get back in the contest.
The Panthers pulled within 10-6 on a 13-yard pass from Theo Day to Layne Pryor with 2:39 remaining in the first quarter. Early in the second, Day tossed a two-yard scoring toss to Jaiden Ellis-Lahey giving the Panthers their first lead of the afternoon.
Following a UNI interception of Davidson near midfield, the Panthers capitalized when Day found Naran Buntin for a 32-yard scoring toss at the 10:53 mark of the second quarter.
Late in the first half, the Guins were able to stop the Panthers' 20-0 scoring run when Clay Medvec kicked a 38-yard field goal with just 18 seconds left in the second quarter making the score 20-13 at halftime.
UNI opened the scoring in the second half on a 40-yard field goal by Matthew Cook.
Trailing 23-13, YSU's Oliver blocked a UNI punt and Deamontae Diggs returned it to the UNI nine-yard line. Three plays later, Dra Rushton scored to pull the Penguins to within three points. On the next YSU possession, Tyshon King found the end zone from a yard out as the Guins were able to grab a 27-23 lead with 1:34 left in the third quarter.
However, in the fourth quarter, Day found Sam Schnee for a 30-yard touchdown to put UNI ahead 30-27. Later in the period, Tye Edwards scored on a 30-yard run.
YSU kept things tight as Davidson connected with Oliver on a five-yard touchdown strike with 1:40 left. Day pushed in from one yard out with 1:19 to give UNI a 44-34 lead. In the final stages of the game, Davidson threw a five-yard scoring toss to Luke Hensley for the final margin.
Day finished the game completing 21-of-29 passes for 337 yards and four touchdowns. Davidson was 30-of-40 for 332 yards and the two late scores.
The Penguins return home to face Southern Illinois next Saturday. Kickoff at Stambaugh Stadium is set for 6 p.m.
