Two-time defending FCS champ SDSU blasts YSU 63-13

Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes. YSU quarterback Beau Brungard gets tackled while carrying the ball on Saturday against South Dakota State in Brookings, S.D.

South Dakota State showed why it has now won 32 straight games against FCS opponents and each of the past two FCS national championships on Saturday.

The Jackrabbits flexed their muscles early and often in a dominant 63-13 victory over Youngstown State in Brookings, South Dakota.

SDSU tallied 557 total yards, which included rushing for 404 yards. It’s the first time YSU has allowed a team to run for more than 400 yards since North Dakota State ran for 454 against the Penguins in 2021.

South Dakota State’s Angel Johnson took the opening kickoff back 99 yards for the team’s first score, as the Jackrabbits scored touchdowns on each of their first four possessions and scored touchdowns on eight of their 10 total drives.

The only possessions SDSU did not score came during the final possession of the first half, when it just ran the ball with 14 seconds left, and then late in the fourth quarter, when it went three-and-out with the second- and third-team offense.

After a slow start that began with a three-and-out on its first possession, YSU started to find some rhythm offensively.

The Penguins went 54 yards in 13 plays before settling for a 39-yard field goal from Andrew Lastovka for their first points of the game.

Then, just before halftime, YSU put together its best drive, as it marched 91 yards in 2:38 for its first touchdown. Quarterback Beau Brungard completed a pair of long third-down passes on the drive to help set up his 4-yard touchdown run, including completions of 32 and 41 yards to Latrell Fordham and Max Tomczak, respectively.

The Penguins trailed 35-10 at halftime, but the Jackrabbits picked up right where they left off in the second half, scoring on each of their first three possessions.

SDSU backup quarterback Chase Mason spearheaded the Jackrabbits’ potent running game, rushing for 161 yards and two touchdowns on five carries. The Jacks had four different players rush for at least 50 yards.

South Dakota State was explosive and potent on the ground all day, averaging 16.2 yards per carry.

YSU’s final points came by way of Lastovka’s second field goal (31 yards) of the game with about three minutes left.

Brungard completed 16-of-27 of his passes for 169 yards and an interception. He led the Penguins with 59 rushing yards, as well. Tomczak finished with six catches for 78 yards.

The Penguins fall to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. YSU returns home to Stambaugh Stadium the next two weeks to play host to a pair of top-10 teams in South Dakota and North Dakota.