Youngstown State 42,
Hofstra 35 (Double Overtime)

Nov. 4, 2000

    Youngstown State mounted a furious fourth-quarter rally that ended with a 42-35 double-overtime victory over Hofstra in a late season battle between two top 10 teams fighting for an NCAA playoff spot.

    On the first play of the second overtime, YSU scored on Jeff Ryan's school-record-tying fourth touchdown pass of the game to Brandon Pedraza from 25 yards. On Hofstra's final possession, YSU linebacker Tim Johnson, who finished with 18 tackles, intercepted Rocky Butler's final desperation pass in the end zone to end the game.

    For the contest, Ryan ran for a career-best 125 yards on 18 carries. He had 194 yards passing on 14 completions and with his four touchdown passes.

    For most of the afternoon, Youngstown State had to battle uphill. The Pride had leads of 7-0, 14-7, 28-14 and 35-28 before YSU finally pulled even in the final seconds of regulation.

    Trailing 28-14, the Penguin rally began with 7:42 remaining in the fourth when Ryan moved the offense 40 yards in three plays to pull within a touchdown on an eight-yard pass to John Schumacher.

    After the defense held, YSU took over at its own 30 with 2:38 left.

    Ryan threw his third touchdown of the game, a two-yard score, to Eugene Mintze on a fourth-and-goal play with 15 seconds left and Jeff Stewart's extra point capped a wild nine-play 70-yard drive that tied the game.

    In the first overtime, Hofstra scored first on Butler's eight-yard pass to Jason Maxwell to go ahead 35-28. But YSU hung tough and took advantage of Hofstra holding penalty on an interception that would have ended the game.

    On the play following the penalty, P.J. Mays scored his second touchdown of the game from five yards out to continue the thriller.