Palmer's FG rescues YSU

By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Brian Palmer made his first game-winning field goal and the Youngstown State defense intercepted three passes in the final eight minutes as the Penguins opened Gateway Conference play with a 20-17 victory over Illinois State before 16,809 fans at Stambaugh Stadium.
Palmer, the red-shirt freshman placekicker from Mineral Ridge, had kicked only one field goal this season, but booted a 26-yard kick with six minutes remaining to tie the contest at 17-17. Then with 3:52 remaining, Palmer hit a 21-yard field goal that won the game.
The reason that Palmer had those two quick opportunities in the final minutes was that the YSU defense was on fire making interceptions.
Senior Mike Andrews picked off the first one at the 7:49 mark of the final quarter. That resulted in Palmer's 26-yard kick.
On the first play after the kickoff, senior Aaron Scales stole one with 5:53 remaining, setting up the winning kick.
Andrews preserves win
With Illinois State driving in the final minutes, senior Joe Juby stepped in front of a Luke Drone pass, but fumbled on the return. Andrews was there to recover, killing the threat and preserving the victory.
The Penguins (4-1, 1-0 Gateway) had a fourth interception in the contest by Codera Jackson on the final play of the first half in his own end zone.
Palmer, who has had a field goal and extra point blocked this season (both early in the year), was happy to have the opportunity.
"I've waited a long time for that game winner," Palmer said. "I've just continued to work hard all season as our entire unit has done."
The YSU defense still allowed more than 400 yards of total offense, including 227 rushing yards, but came through when it counted.
The Penguins put a lot of pressure on Drone, led by linebackers Jeremiah Wright and James Terry, who blitzed plenty in the final period.
Wright had one quarterback sack, one pass breakup and several hurries that helped to those final quarter interceptions.
"We knew this was going to be a battle and we knew it was going to go right to the end, but we were there when it counted," Wright said.
"This was a big win, not only because it was the Gateway, but because we needed to prove we were better than we showed last week," said Wright, referring to a 41-0 loss to Pittsburgh.
Offense sputters
While the defense came through at the end, the offense , which looked great at times, sputtered in the final quarter.
Three times in the final eight minutes the Penguins had the football inside the Redbirds 10-yard line, but came away with just two field goals.
At times, the Penguins looked great, like their opening series when junior tailback Marcus Mason rambled for 62 of his game-high 126 yards rushing, capping off an 80-yard drive with a 26 yard touchdown run.
In the first drive of the second half, sophomore quarterback Tom Zetts directed the Penguins on an 11-play, 61-yard drive that ended with Zetts hitting senior receiver Kyle Smith with a 21-yard scoring pass that put the Penguins ahead 14-10.
Illinois State (3-2, 0-1 Gateway) came right back and drove 79 yards to regain the lead on a 20-yard touchdown run by Rafael Rice early in the third period.
Zetts directed another big drive early in the fourth quarter, driving from the Penguins 46 to the Redbirds 9, but Mason fumbled on second down and the Redbirds recovered.
The Penguins finished with just 140 yards rushing, while Zetts, who threw two interceptions and struggled in the first half, finished with 13 of 26 for 172 yards and the one touchdown.
"It was a good win," said YSU coach Jon Heacock, who abruptly ended his post game press conference.
mollica@vindy.com
SUMMARY
Illinois St.7370--17
Youngstown St.7076--20
First Quarter
YSU--Mason 26 run (Palmer kick), 9:25.
ILS--Drone 2 run (Mazur kick), 1:30.
Second Quarter
ILS--FG Mazur 24, 5:18.
Third Quarter
YSU--Smith 21 pass from Zetts (Palmer kick), 9:38.
ILS--Rice 20 run (Mazur kick), 6:23.
Fourth Quarter
YSU--FG Palmer 26, 6:04.
YSU--FG Palmer 21, 3:52.
A--16,809
ISUYSU
First downs2319
Rushes-yards46-22743-140
Passing180171
Comp-Att-Int17-27-413-26-2
Return Yards4116
Punts-Avg.4-37.84-35.5
Fumbles-Lost2-03-1
Penalties-Yards7-482-10
Time of Possession31:1728:43
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Illinois St., Thompson 25-122, Rice 9-65, Horton 1-26, Rembert 6-11, Drone 5-3. Youngstown St., Mason 27-126, Reams 4-8, Gibson 2-7, Zetts 5-4, Evans 1-3, Ison 1-1, Team 3-(minus 9).
PASSING--Illinois St., Drone 17-27-4-180. Youngstown St., Zetts 13-26-2-171.
RECEIVING--Illinois St., Robinson 8-76, Mordis 3-22, Jackson 2-33, Hayden 2-32, Thompson 1-14, Denley 1-3. Youngstown St., Smith 7-97, Peterson 2-62, Marshall 1-14, Wright 1-6, Mason 1-(minus 4), Reams 1-(minus 4).