Youngstown State 17,
Villanova 16

Nov. 30, 1991

    An improbable comeback by Youngstown State led to a 17-16 first-round playoff victory over Villanova.
    The Penguins scored 10 second-half points, capped by a 33-yard Jeff Wilkins field goal with six seconds remaining to earn the one-point victory after trailing 16-7 at halftime.

    Villanova scored first on a 42-yard pass from Tim Colombo to Harold Hart in the opening quarter. YSU answered back in the second when Ray Isaac tossed a 28-yard score to Dave Roberts.

    With the contest tied at seven, Villanova ended the quarter scoring the final nine points taking a 16-7 advantage at halftime.

    In the third, YSU forced a turnover at the Villanova 40-yard line to set up a score. Leo Hawkins’ one-yard plunge up-the-middle pulled the Penguins within two points at 6:40 in the third quarter.

    The final chance for YSU came with 2:16 remaining at its own 42-yard line.

    After three plays lost three yards, Isaac connected with Herb Williams on a 41-yard gain on a fourth-and-11 play. Williams, who had fallen down on the play, caught the ball on his back after it was tipped by a Villanova defender.

    Now at the Villanova 18-yard line, YSU ran two plays up the middle to setup Wilkins for the game-winning attempt. Wilkins connected from 33 yards to pull out the dramatic victory.

    The teams combined for seven turnovers in the contest.