YSU blanks Indiana State

The once-beaten Penguins had a near-perfect afternoon.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- It was Youngstown State "smash-mouth" football on both sides of the ball here Saturday afternoon as the Penguins rolled to their fifth victory of the season, blanking Indiana State 45-0.
It was also the second straight victory in the Gateway Conference for the Penguins, who will remain atop the standings for the second straight week.
The Penguins (5-1, 2-0) had a near-perfect afternoon against the Sycamores (0-6, 0-2) as they rolled up 567 yards in total offense, including a season-high 379 yards on the ground.
Defense was stingy
As potent as the offense was, the defense was just as good, limiting the Sycamores to 269 total yards, including 59 on the ground.
"We played well early in the game and came away with a good win today," said YSU coach Jon Heacock. "Anytime you win on the road in the Gateway, it's a great win."
For the second week in a row, junior tailback Marcus Mason went over the 100-yard rushing mark. He finished with 152 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns, while junior Monquantae Gibson just missed the 100-yard mark, finishing with 99 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown. Freshman Jabari Scott also rushed for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Sophomore quarterback Tom Zetts played just over half the football game but still completed 13 of 16 passes for 129 yards, while sophomore backup Vince Gliatta, seeing his most action of the year, was 4-for-4 for 59 yards and two touchdowns.
The Penguins set the pace early in the game, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions.
Fifty-second drive
YSU drove 58 yards in three plays and 50 seconds for its first score. Mason scored from 3 yards out after setting up the play with a 44-yard scamper.
After the defense forced ISU to three-and-out, the offense drove 48 yards in four plays. Gibson, who had a 23-yard run on the drive, capped it with a 2-yard touchdown run.
The Penguins didn't score again until the opening minutes of the second quarter when they put together a 90-yard drive on 12 plays and used up 5:28 on the clock. Mason ran for 43 of the 90 yards, including the final 3 for the touchdown.
Gliatta came on late in the second period and directed two scoring drives, both set up by the YSU defense.
After the Penguins forced a punt, junior Jason Perry returned it 22 yards to the ISU 22.
Five plays later, Gliatta connected with Dometrius Ison out of the backfield for a 5-yard touchdown.
Jackson intercepts
On the second play of the next series, YSU cornerback Codera Jackson grabbed his fourth interception of the season at the Penguins' 16. The Penguins were penalized on the return, bringing the ball back to the 8.
Nine plays and 92 yards later, Gliatta found Damien Wright for a 9-yard touchdown pass to make it 35-0 at halftime. Mason had a 24-yard run and Gibson added a 27-yarder on the drive.
The Penguins started substituting early in the second half. The second stringers didn't score their first points until the first play of the final quarter when freshman kicker Brian Palmer booted a 39-yard field goal. Palmer had missed from 34 yards late in the third quarter.
The Penguins added a late touchdown when Scott broke loose up the middle for a 23-yard TD run.
Indiana State never seriously threatened during the contest, never getting deeper than YSU's 39-yard line.
Sacked Sycamore
Sycamores quarterback Blayne Baggett completed 15 of 26 passes for 177 yards, but was also sacked twice.
The Penguins defense stopped the Sycamores 10 times on third down and twice more on fourth down.
YSU sophomore linebacker James Terry had a team-high seven tackles, six solo hits and two sacks for a total of 17 yards in losses.
The defense came up with seven tackles for losses and Jackson's lone interception. The Penguins did not have a turnover.
The Penguins will return home next Saturday to take on Western Illinois University in a 4 p.m. kickoff at Stambaugh Stadium.