Sept. 8, 2007

Football: Late Score Gives Guins 23-17 Victory Over South Dakota State

     Youngstown -- Senior safety Vince Gliatta returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and made a game-clinching, diving interception late in the fourth quarter to lift Youngstown State to a 23-17 victory over South Dakota State on Saturday night at Stambaugh Stadium.
    Despite allowing South Dakota State (0-2) to overcome a 17-point deficit, YSU got a late touchdown from Brandon Nicholson with 2:46 remaining that proved to be the game-winner.
    On the Jackrabbits' next possession, Gliatta intercepted a Ryan Berry pass with 2:29 remaining to seal the victory.

    With the game tied at 17-17, the Jackrabbits forced a Penguins punt and regained possession with 7:53 left in the game on their own 20-yard line abut a holding penalty moved South Dakota State back to their own 10.  

    The Penguins, however, forced a three-and-out and took a 23-17 lead when Nicholson plunged in from two yards out with 2:38 remaining to cap a six-play, 33-yard drive. Junior De'Angelo Wilson's 16-yard punt return to the SDSU 33-yard line set up Nicholson's first career touchdown.

    Sophomore running back Jabari Scott rushed for a team-best 89 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Senior quarterback Tom Zetts threw for 167 yards on 18-of-23 and connected with six different receivers. Zetts also rushed for 38 yards on seven carries.
    Senior Rory Berry caught a team-high six passes for 49 yards in his 2007 debut and Da'Michael Horne added four receptions for 35 yards.

    In the first quarter, the Penguins built a 14-0 lead on a nice drive and a special-teams touchdown.

    YSU's initial drive of the game started at its 12-yard line.

    Early in the drive, the Guins faced a 3rd-and-nine from the 13-yard line, but Zetts connected with Derrick Bush on a 19-yard gain to keep the drive alive.

    From that point, Zetts completed two passes to Da'Michael Horne and Scott did the rest with his legs. Scott picked up the 28 yards of the drive, the last three coming on a three-yard plunge to cap an impressive 14-play, 88-yard drive.

    On the Jackrabbits' next possession, Dorian Chenault blocked a Dean Priddy punt and Vince Gliatta scooped it up at the two-yard line and returned the ball for a touchdown to put the Guins ahead 14-0.

    YSU extended the lead to 17-0 on a 38-yard field goal by Brian Palmer. The Guins moved the ball 58 yards on 10 plays to go in front by 17.

    South Dakota State's defense helped turn the momentum of the game, when Andy Hoogeveen intercepted a Zetts pass at the SDSU 11-yard line and returned it 30 yards to the 41.

    With 18 seconds remaining before halftime, Berry connected with Cory Koenig on a two-yard scoring play to cut the deficit to 17-7 at halftime.

    In the first half, YSU 113 yards rushing to the Jackrabbits' minus seven.

    The SDSU defense helped turn the momentum in the contest for the second time midway through the third quarter.

    YSU received the opening kickoff at its own 26-yard line and methodically drove to the Jackrabbits' nine to set up a first-and-goal situation. After moving to the SDSU one, Zetts was stopped on fourth down for no gain to change possession.

    The Jackrabbits moved the ball 99 yards in 18 plays to cut the deficit to 17-14 with 51 seconds remaining in the third quarter. On the drive, Berry showed some moxie completing nine passes, including two on third-down plays.

    In the fourth, SDSU regained position when Jordan Edwards fumbled the ball at the Jackrabbits' 30-yard line. SDSU moved to the YSU 15-yard line where the drive stalled and Douglass Parker kicked a game-tying 32-yard field goal.
    Youngstown State returns to action next Saturday when it plays host to Stony Brook. Kickoff for the contest is set for 4 p.m.