Box Score Nov. 1, 2014
Box Score
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio—It took South Dakota three quarters to build a 17-7 lead. It took five minutes for Youngstown State to erase it.
The 13th-ranked Penguins outscored the Coyotes 21-0 in the final quarter to escape with a 28-17 win Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium. Youngstown State improved to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the Missouri Valley with road trips to unbeaten Illinois State and North Dakota State looming on the schedule.
Youngstown State used three-play touchdown drives of 75 and 96 yards early in the fourth quarter to turn a 10-point deficit into a 21-17 lead with 11:15 remaining. On the Guins' next possession, it was a nine-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Martin Ruiz that drained six minutes and made it 28-17 with 2:58 to go.
Two long touchdown plays changed the game's fortune. The first was a 58-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Wells to Andrew Williams that was tipped into the air by a USD defender and carried right into the waiting hands of Williams who had an easy run into the end zone. The second play was a 60-yard dart by Jody Webb that gave Youngstown State its first lead since midway through the second quarter.
South Dakota scored 10 points off two turnovers in the middle of the game to erase an early deficit. Linebacker John Wessel's first collegiate interception stopped a second quarter Penguin drive deep in Coyote territory. The play sparked a USD offense that opened with seven straight punts.
Jasper Sanders ran three times for 40 yards and caught three passes for 20 yards on a touchdown drive that he capped with a seven-yard touchdown catch. The score tied the game at 7-7 just before halftime.
Miles Bergner kicked a career-long 50-yard field goal four minutes into the second half that gave the Coyotes their first lead at 10-7. Drew Iddings' strip sack of Wells and subsequent recovery set up the drive. The Yotes failed to gain a first down after the turnover, but Bergner stayed perfect by making his 13th consecutive field goal on the season.
A 1-yard quarterback sneak by Kevin Earl gave USD a 17-7 lead with 57 seconds left in the third quarter. Sanders was again the catalyst. He gained 44 yards on the ground and set up the score with a four-yard middle screen pass to the 1.
Sanders carried 20 times for 105 yards in the game. It was his second 100-yard effort as a Coyote. He also led South Dakota with four catches and 47 yards.
Bergner had a career day. In addition to his 50-yard field goal, he netted 43 yards on 10 punts, pinning five inside the 20. He had punts of 52, 59, 68 and 69 yards to set a new career long. All four of his kickoffs went for touchbacks.
Youngstown State finished with 557 yards of offense including 263 yards on 17 plays in the fourth quarter. Wells was 12 of 23 during the game for 244 yards. He completed six passes for 140 yards to Williams. Ruiz had 185 yards on 28 totes and Webb had 128 yards on 11 carries.
South Dakota (2-7, 0-5 MVFC) will play its final three games in the state of South Dakota. The Coyotes host Western Illinois and Illinois State before wrapping up at South Dakota State.
