Donald Barksdale electrified the crowd at Stambaugh Stadium with a 93-yard kickoff return touchdown to open the game, setting the tone for Youngstown State’s 35-22 victory over Northern Iowa on Saturday night. The Penguins never trailed after Barksdale’s early score, building a lead they maintained throughout the contest.
Youngstown State, ranked sixth in the Stats Perform poll, dominated the first half, outgaining the Panthers 280 yards to 174. Quarterback Beau Brungard was efficient and dynamic, completing 13 of 14 passes for 158 yards in the opening 30 minutes. He accounted for two touchdowns before halftime, one through the air and another on the ground. Antuan Gardner also contributed with a short touchdown run, helping the Penguins build a 28-7 lead at the break.
Northern Iowa, ranked 19th, came into the game with momentum after victories over Illinois State and North Dakota but struggled to respond early. Jaxon Dailey connected with Kai Black for a 24-yard touchdown late in the second quarter to break the shutout and cut the deficit to 28-7 at halftime.
Brungard maintained his strong performance in the second half, completing 23 of 27 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns overall, while adding 80 yards on the ground. Lynn Wyche-El was his top target, hauling in 106 yards, including a 42-yard scoring catch.
The Panthers rallied in the fourth quarter as Dailey threw two more touchdown passes, a 17-yard strike to Ayden Price and an earlier connection to Black, narrowing the gap to 35-22. Dailey finished with 318 passing yards and three touchdowns, but Northern Iowa’s offense stalled after that, unable to regain possession in the final minutes.
Youngstown State ran out the clock over the last four minutes, preserving the win and improving to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in Missouri Valley Football Conference play. Northern Iowa dropped to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the conference.
The Panthers will visit Southern Illinois next Saturday, while Youngstown State hosts North Dakota on October 31.
According to Yahoo Sports.