Springfield, Mo. – The Youngstown State football team dropped a tough 38-31 decision to Missouri State on an overcast Saturday afternoon at Plaster Stadium.
YSU trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter before rallying to tie the contest at 31 with a back-to-back touchdown drives. However, the Bears won the game on a five-yard pass from Jacob Clark to Lance Mason with just eight seconds left for the final margin.
The Penguins took a 7-0 lead on the game's initial possession and pulled even at 14 in the second quarter, but the Bears closed the first half with 10 straight points.
YSU had a monster drive to open the game and take a touchdown lead. The Guins took 8:22 off the game clock as Beau Brungard's nine-yard keeper capped off a 15-play, 75-yard march.
But the Bears struck quickly tying the contest at 7-7 just 2:44 later on a 27-yard rush by Jacardia Wright.
The Guins pinned MSU at its own 5-yard line, but it took the Bears just 51 seconds to cover 95 yards. On first down, MSU connected on a 38-yard pass and on the next play, Jacob Clark found a wide open Jayden Becks for a 57-yard scoring strike.
Trailing 14-7, YSU was able to tie the contest when Tyshon King scored on an eight-yard run capping off a nine-play, 76-yard march with 3:59 left in the first half.
Clark connected with tight end Lance Mason on a 30-yard score with 1:42 left in the first half as the Bears went back on top 21-14.
YSU attempted a two-minute drill, but Brungard was intercepted with 46 seconds left in the opening half. MSU was able to capitalize on the turnover with a 19-yard field goal on the final play of the first half taking a 24-14 lead into the intermission.
In the third quarter, the defenses found their footing as the offenses combined for just three points. YSU cut into the 10-point deficit thanks to a 38-yard field goal by Andrew Lastovka.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Bears went on top 31-17 when Jmariyae Robison took a handoff and raced around the right side of the YSU defense for a score.
However, the Guins kept battling and pulled within 31-24 on a three-yard run by Ethan Wright with 9:20 left in the game. The defense forced MSU into a quick punt and YSU the game with 5:46 remaining on a Brungard 44-yard keeper.
Missouri State and Youngstown State traded punts before the Bears took over on their 47-yard line with just under a minute remaining.
Brungard finished with 110 yards rushing on 16 carries and had two touchdowns. He completed 18-of-31 passes for 180 yards. Jaylen Castleberry registered nine tackles while Michael Voitus had two sacks.
For MSU, Clark completed 21-of-25 passes for 325 yards and three scores.
YSU held the ball for 40:37 to just 19:23 for the Bears. The Guins finished with 244 yards rushing on 45 carries.
The Penguins return home to face Indiana State next Saturday. Kickoff for the Homecoming contest at Stambaugh Stadium is set for 2 p.m.
