YSU LIVE | YSU leads 17-0 in first quarter

Youngstown State leads Missouri State 17-0 with 3:10 left in the first quarter of Saturday's game at Plaster Field.

Youngstown State scored on its third play, with Jamaine Cook running 71 yards on a third-and-1 to give the Penguins a 7-0 lead with 13:26 left. Cook broke two tackles along the right sideline and raced the final 40 yards untouched.

YSU forced MSU to punt on its first two offensive possessions and Dominique Barnes' 51-yard punt return with 8 minutes left in the quarter gave the Penguins a first down at the MSU 17. The Penguins got a first-and-goal on the 3 but a fumbled toss on second down resulted in a 5-yard loss and the Penguins ultimately had to settle for a 24-yard field goal by Stephen Blose.

On the ensuing kickoff, Blose's kick landed between two MSU players and YSU's Jamarious Boatwright recovered the ball at the Bears' 21. Five plays later, Cook took it in from 5 yards out to make it 17-0 with 3:10 left.

On the Bears' first offensive play after YSU's touchdown, Donald D'Alesio forced a fumble and John Sasson recovered it at the MSU 40. The drive went nowhere and YSU was forced to punt.

Considering MSU was coming off a heartbreaking double overtime loss last weekend, YSU felt like it was important to jump on the Bears early. I'd say they've accomplished that so far, especially since the Penguins went into the wind in the first quarter.