YSU falls on the road in regular season opener

VILLANOVA, Pa. (WKBN) – Youngstown State football battled back in the second half but came up short against Villanova 24-17 in the season opener on Thursday night.

The Wildcats jumped out to a commanding 24-3 lead before YSU scored 14 unanswered points to cut it to a one-score game with 4:24 seconds left. But the scoring stopped there as a Penguins turn over ended the potential game-tying drive.

YSU quarterback and Springfield alum Beau Brungard finished 18-for-25 passing for 152 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He also racked up 82 rushing yards on 16 attempts in his first career start.

Also on the ground for the Penguins, Cincinnati transfer Ethan Wright racked up 63 yards on 12 carries and returning leading rusher Tyshon King scored a touchdown and finished with 49 total yards on the night.

For Villanova, quarterback Connor Watkins threw for 90 yards while adding 107 rushing and two scores on the ground to lead the Wildcats.

Youngstown State falls to 0-1 and will next head back home to take on Valparaiso on Saturday, Sept. 7 with a 2:00 pm kickoff.

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