Penguins end season on positive note, 31-28

By Pete Mollica

Brandon Summers, Brian Palmer and De’Angelo Wilson were the difference-makers.

MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois senior running back Herb Donaldson became the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s greatest career rusher Saturday, but Youngstown State came away with a victory.

Senior De’Angelo Wilson’s clutch interception on the final possession snuffed the Leathernecks’ comeback attempt as the Penguins won, 31-28, before a handful of fans here at Hanson Stadium.

Junior quarterback Brandon Summers came up with an outstanding effort for the Penguins (4-8, 3-5 Missouri Valley Football Conference). Summers completed 12 of 19 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns.

His biggest effort came on the Penguins’ final scoring drive when he moved them 85 yards before senior Brian Palmer kicked a 27-yard field goal.

“It was just a tremendous football game,” YSU coach Jon Heacock said. “The kids played their hearts out today and what a way for this season to end.”

Offensively, the Penguins played very well in the first half, building a 21-14 advantage. But they struggled in the third quarter.

Then the Penguins’ defense came up with a fumble recovery by sophomore linebacker Na’eem Outler at the Leathernecks’ 49 yard line and Summers started to execute his magic.

Summer’s perfect pass over the middle into the hands of junior wide receiver Donald Jones produced a touchdown.

On the next possession, Summers completed three big passes. One covered 26 yards to Da’Michael Horne, a second went to Jones for 24 yards while the third went to senior tight end Derrick Bush for 30 yards. Those completions set up Palmer’s field goal.

The Penguins won the turnovers battle, 3-0.

“I told our kids all week that if we could win the turnover margin against them, we would win the football game,” Heacock said.

Donaldson finished with 235 yards on 40 carries and one touchdown to become the conference’s career rushing leader with 4,746 yards, His touchdown was his 50th career score.

“He’s one you’ll probably be seeing on Sunday afternoon in the NFL,” Heacock said.

The Leathernecks outgained the Penguins, 431-352, and had 331 rushing yards. Senior tailback Ferlando Williams, playing for the first time in three weeks, rushed for 84 yards on 26 carries and scored once.

There wasn’t a whole lot of defense played in the first half. Of nine offensive drives, there was only one punt.

With the game scoreless, Summers connected with Williams on a 43-yard pass to set up a 9-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Bush.

After Western Illinois answered with Dre Gibbs’ 9-yard touchdown run, YSU regained the lead on Summers’ 1-yard plunge.

The Leathernecks tied the game, 14-14, on a 6-yard pass from Matt Barr to Lito Senatus.

The Penguins did get a break when Gibbs broke away from a tackle, but then fumbled and Rashon Simons recovered at the YSU 46.

On their first play, Summers’ lateral pass went across the field to Dominique Barnes, who tossed back to Summers who ran down the sidelines to the Leathernecks’ 11 yard line.

Two plays later, Williams carried over from the 2 for a 21-14 halftime lead.

mollica@vindy.com