Youngstown State 27,
Florida A&M 24

Dec. 11, 1999

    Youngstown State overcame a 24-13 fourth-quarter deficit with two touchdowns in the final 7:22 to pull off a dramatic come-from-behind 27-24 win in an NCAA semifinal contest.

    Trailing by 11, the game turned dramatically on an interception by YSU linebacker Tim Johnson. Florida A&M had a third-and-goal at the YSU four, but Johnson intercepted Quinn Gray’s pass at the two-yard line and returned it 22 yards to end the threat and turn the momentum of the contest.

    Four plays later, the Penguins cut the FAMU lead to 24-19 when Jeff Ryan connected on Elliott Giles for a 46-yard score with 7:22 left. Ryan’s two-point conversion pass was intercepted as YSU tried to pull within three.

    FAMU was forced to punt on its ensuing possession and the Guins took over at their 28-yard line with 4:30 left.

    After moving the Rattler 10-yard line in 10 plays, Ryan connected with Damien Williams on a 10-yard touchdown pass for the game-winning score with 44 seconds remaining. Ryan added a two-point conversion run to push the advantage to three points. YSU converted two third-down-and-short situations on the drive.

    The Rattlers came back and moved the ball to the Youngstown State 40-yard line with one second left, but Gray’s final-play pass was incomplete.

    For the contest, YSU was outgained 431-310, but committed two costly turnovers. FAMU finished the game with nine sacks.

    The Rattlers never trailed in the contest until the final minute and built a 17-3 second-quarter lead.