Philadelphia, Pa. -- The 25th-ranked Youngstown State football team scored 14 second-half points and had a chance to tie the game late but suffered a 24-17 setback to sixth-ranked Villanova in its 2024 season opener on Thursday evening at Villanova Stadium.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 10-0 advantage and led 17-3 at halftime in a rematch of last year's second-round FCS playoff matchup at the same facility. Villanova pushed its lead to 24-3 in the third quarter before YSU quarterback Beau Brungard hit wide receiver Cyrus Traugh for an 18-yard touchdown connection on a fourth down-play with 1:30 remaining in the period. YSU's first touchdown of the 2024 season capped a 15-play, 72-yard drive that spanned more than nine minutes.
After the Wildcats missed a 32-yard field goal, the Penguins marched 80 yards in 10 plays to pull within a touchdown at 24-17. YSU's second consecutive scoring drive culminated with a one-yard touchdown run by preseason first-team All-MVFC tailback Tyshon King.
The YSU defense got a key stop to get the football back to the offense with 2:27 remaining in the contest. The Penguins were able to drive 30 yards on six plays before Brungard was intercepted by Richie Kimmel with 57 seconds left to seal the season-opening victory for the Wildcats.
Youngstown State was outgained slightly in total yards by Villanova 336-321. The Penguins limited the Wildcats to 90 passing yards, but the home squad accumulated 246 yards on the ground. YSU held the ball for 36:12 and ran 65 plays while Villanova had possession for 23:48 and ran 47 total plays. The Guins were balanced offensively, rushing for 169 yards and passing for 152 yards.
Brungard was 18-for-25 passing for 152 yards, tossing his first-career touchdown pass and throwing two interceptions in his first-career start. The redshirt sophomore also rushed for a team-high 82 yards on 16 carries. Tailback Ethan Wright added 63 yards rushing on 12 carries in his YSU debut. Traugh had three catches for 42 yards and his first-career touchdown reception while Max Tomczak registered five catches for 38 yards.
The Penguins ran six plays for 22 yards on their opening offensive drive of the season until Brungard had the ball stripped loose on a fourth-down rush at the Villanova 33-yard line.
The Wildcats scored the first points of the contest on a 42-yard field goal from Ethan Gettman with 8:57 remaining in the first quarter. Villanova's six-play, 42-yard drive was highlighted by a 45-yard rush by quarterback Connor Watkins.
Youngstown State had a 44-yard touchdown connection between Brungard and Tomczak called back due to an illegal receiver downfield on its second offensive possession. The drive stalled following the penalty and Brendon Kilpatrick booted a 45-yard punt on his first kick of the campaign. YSU's junior punter also recorded a career-long 65-yard punt in the first game of the campaign.
The Wildcats proceeded to put together a seven-play, 79-yard scoring drive that was capped by a 14-yard touchdown run by Watkins. Gettman's extra point gave Villanova a 10-0 advantage with 1:23 left in the opening period.
The Penguins responded by grinding out a 15-play, 65-yard scoring drive that ended with a 27-yard field goal from Andrew Lastovka to cut the Wildcats' lead to 10-3. YSU's first scoring drive of the 2024 campaign featured multiple creative plays from Brungard. The redshirt sophomore quarterback completed a 10-yard rollout pass to Latrell Fordham, connected with King on a five-yard pass to convert a third and four and scrambled for 13 yards to set his team up in the red zone.
Villanova answered with its second touchdown of the first half on the ensuing possession to build a 17-3 lead with 2:20 remaining in the second quarter. The Wildcats started with solid field position after a 42-yard kick return from Christian Sapp, and Isaiah Ragland reached the endzone on a three-yard touchdown rush.
After Youngstown State went three-and-out to open the second half, Villanova struck quickly with a four-play, 88-yard drive that was aided by a 31-yard rush from Ragland. After a defensive pass interference penalty put the Wildcats at the YSU 35-yard line, Watkins pushed Villanova's advantage to 24-3 with a 29-yard touchdown run.
After the Penguins pulled within 24-10, the Wildcats countered with a 13-play drive but came up short after Gettman misfired on a 32-yard field goal attempt.
Watkins finished the contest 6-for-17 passing for 90 yards while rushing for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 10 attempts. Ragland rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown on seven carries for the Wildcats.
Youngstown State will host Valparaiso in its 2024 home opener on Saturday, Sept. 7. Kickoff at Stambaugh Stadium is slated for 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and 570 WKBN.
