ISU Sycamores' 2nd half comeback stopped short by Penguins

YOUNGSTOWN, OH (10-07-2006) — Behind the impressive rushing of Youngstown State senior tailback Marcus Mason, who posted 197 yards on the ground, the Penguins posted a 55-17 victory over the Sycamores at Stambaugh Stadium this afternoon (Oct. 7). Indiana State falls to 0-6, 0-2 Gateway while the Penguins improve to 5-1, 2-0 Gateway.

For the second time in as many weeks, the Sycamores drew first blood in the contest on a 21-yard field goal by kicker Kyle Hooper with 7:22 left in the first quarter. The scoring play came after ISU drove down to the YSU five-yard line, but a false start penalty moved the ball back to the 10. After a pair of incompletions, and a shovel pass to Darrius Gates that moved the ball to the three, the Sycamores had to settle for the field goal and the 3-0 lead.

Back-to-back field goals by Youngstown State gave them a 6-3 advantage early in the third quarter, and with the Sycamores trying to retake the lead, ISU suffered from three consecutive dropped passes. The biggest was a dropped pass by Brian Jackson a brilliant fourth-and-one call that would have given the Sycamores a first down and some much needed momentum.

The pendulum, however, swung in favor of the Penguins as they raced back down the field for a touchdown of their own and a 13-3 lead. The advantage would balloon to 27-3 at the half, and the Penguins scored on their first drive of the second half to make it 34-3.

That’s when the Sycamores got things in full swing with back-to-back touchdown scoring drives that ended with scoring strikes from Ben Schmidt to Sam Logan and Carl Berman to make the score 34-17. ISU could not convert a third-and-three call to keep the momentum going late in the third quarter.

ISU forced a Penguin fumble in the later portions of the third quarter, but Hooper missed a 37-yard field goal attempt wide left to stop the Sycamores’ scoring threat.

YSU added late scores to give them a 55-17 victory.

Ben Schmidt finished the game 23-of-32 passing for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Berman was the Sycamores' leading receiver catching seven passes for 71 yards and a score. Tony West had 11 carries for 61 yards on the day.

Scoring Summary:
1st 07:02 INSU - Hooper, Kyle 21 yd field goal 10 plays, 64 yards, TOP 2:35, INSU 3 - YSU 0
02:51 YSU - Palmer, Brian 40 yd field goal 9 plays, 48 yards, TOP 4:02, INSU 3 - YSU 3
2nd 14:57 YSU - Palmer, Brian 33 yd field goal 8 plays, 24 yards, TOP 2:04, INSU 3 - YSU 6
10:05 YSU - Mason, Marcus 13 yd run (Palmer, Brian kick) 5 plays, 66 yards, TOP 2:25, INSU 3 - YSU
13 02:52 YSU - Reams, Justin 2 yd run (Palmer, Brian kick) 11 plays, 68 yards, TOP 5:26, INSU 3 - YSU 20
00:27 YSU - Peterson, T.J. 20 yd pass from Zetts, Tom (Palmer, Brian kick) 6 plays, 49 yards, TOP 1:11, INSU 3 - YSU 27
3rd 10:10 YSU - Reams, Justin 4 yd run (Palmer, Brian kick) 10 plays, 64 yards, TOP 4:50, INSU 3 - YSU 34
07:37 INSU - Logan, Sam 20 yd pass from Schmidt, Ben (Hooper, Kyle kick) 11 plays, 83 yards, TOP 2:25, INSU 10 - YSU 34
4th 14:47 INSU - Berman, Carl 16 yd pass from Schmidt, Ben (Hooper, Kyle kick) 4 plays, 27 yards, TOP 0:50, INSU 17 - YSU 34
08:03 YSU - Mason, Marcus 56 yd run (Palmer, Brian kick) 6 plays, 83 yards, TOP 1:49, INSU 17 - YSU 41
07:09 YSU - Perry, Jason 64 yd punt return (Palmer, Brian kick) INSU 17 - YSU 48
02:59 YSU - Lane, Ben 23 yd run (Palmer, Brian kick) 5 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:51, INSU 17 - YSU 55

The Sycamores finally return home next week to host Northern Iowa at Memorial Stadium on October 14. It will be “Take A Kid To The Game Day” for the Terre Haute Community as all youth, ages 18-and-under will receive free admission to contest against the Panthers. Kickoff is set for 3:35 p.m. (CDT). Live Internet Radio coverage on www.USA-365.com begins at 3:10 p.m., CDT / 4:10 p.m., EDT.