Guins Turn Up Intensity In Final 25 Minutes to Beat SIU

Saturday, October 3

Carbondale, IL

5 p.m.

Youngstown State University

4-2 , 2-1

Southern Illinois

3-3 , 1-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Youngstown St.	0	7	14	7	28
Southern Ill.	3	7	0	6	16

Stanley Clyne celebrates a fourth-quarter interception vs. SIU

Guins Turn Up Intensity In Final 25 Minutes to Beat SIU

10/3/2026 8:40:00 PM | Football

Box Score YSU vs. Southern Illinois Final Stats Photo Gallery

Carbondale, Ill. – The No. 8 Youngstown State football team turned up the intensity in the final 25 minutes and took it to No. 25 Southern Illinois earning a 28-16 victory on Saturday at Saluki Stadium.

The Penguins improve to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the MVFC while SIU falls to 3-3 and 1-1.

YSU flipped the switch at the 10:10 of the third quarter and roared back by scoring the next 18 points to grab a 28-10 lead late in the fourth quarter.

Trailing 10-7, the defense was able to hold SIU on downs at the YSU 39-yard line with 4:50 gone in the third stanza.

YSU moved the ball 61 yards in 11 plays and took a 14-10 lead at the 4:04 mark on a one-yard scoring run by Beau Brungard.

The defense stepped up again huge on the next possession as Ebony Curry Jr. sacked SIU QB DJ Williams and forced the ball loose. Michael Wells picked up the fumble and returned it to the Salukis' 25-yard line.

On the first play following the turnover, Brungard found a wide open Austin Bray on a crossing route and he pounded the ball into the end zone to put YSU ahead 21-10 with 2:42 left in the period.

In the fourth quarter, YSU was able to force a key turnover as Stanley Clyne intercepted a tipped ball in the end zone to halt another SIU scoring opportunity.

The Guins cashed in with a long drive going 80 yards in 12 plays and taking 8:24 off the clock. Jaden Gilbert slipped in from six yards out to put the Guins on top 28-10 at the 3:37 mark.

Southern added a Williams touchdown run with 1:54 left to make it a 12-point game.

On the onside kick attempt, Lorenzo Jenkins grabbed a bouncing ball at the YSU 46-yard line.

The first half was dominated by the defenses as Southern Illinois took a 10-7 lead at the intermission.

SIU took a 3-0 lead on the first drive when Seth Adams made a 44-yard field goal at 10:37 mark.

The Penguins took their first lead of the game early in the second quarter when Lynn Wyche-El ran a jet sweep in from a yard out capping off an impressive nine-play, 84-yard march.

However, SIU answered on the ensuing possession to go in front 10-7 when QB DJ Williams plunged in from a yard out capping off an eight-play, 75-yard drive.

Late in the second quarter, Adams missed a 48-yard field goal attempt and SIU intercepted Brungard in the waning seconds as the Guins tried to move into position for a last-second score.

YSU turned the ball over for the second time just 52 seconds into the third quarter. After two chunk plays moved the ball from the Penguins' 23-yard line to the SIU 47, Brungard's pass deflected off Wyche-El's hands and was intercepted at the 34 by Matthew McClelland.

For the game, Brungard rushed for 69 yards on 16 carries and threw for 219 yards completing 20-of-29 tosses. Bray had 78 yards receiving on five catches while Wyche-El added 53 yards on five receptions. Graydon Rollins led the way with eight tackles.

The Penguins are back on the road next Saturday when they head to Terre Haute, Ind., for a contest against Indiana State. Kickoff for the tilt is set for 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.