Talk about a dominant performance! Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard was absolutely on fire, single-handedly leading the Penguins to a resounding 48-29 victory over Indiana State in a recent Missouri Valley Football Conference showdown.
Head Coach Doug Phillips emphasized the challenge, stating, "They play physical, they play fundamental football, they don’t beat themselves and we knew it would be a battle." This highlights the respect YSU had for their opponents.
Brungard's stat line is nothing short of spectacular: he accounted for all six Penguins touchdowns! He completed 23 of 30 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns. But that's not all – he also ran for 90 yards on 17 attempts, adding another three touchdowns to his impressive tally.
And this is the part most people miss... This marks the second consecutive game where the Springfield native has achieved this feat, bringing his season total to a staggering 21 passing and 21 rushing touchdowns each!
YSU's running game wasn't to be outdone. Jaden Gilbert led the backfield with 91 yards on just nine carries, including a stunning 73-yard run that set up a crucial touchdown in the second quarter. Ethan Wright also contributed 42 rushing yards, contributing to the team's overall rushing total of 220 yards.
In the receiving game, Max Tomczak was the standout, racking up 107 yards on seven catches. Flash Wilson added 61 receiving yards and a touchdown, while tight end Austin Bray chipped in with four catches for 28 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, New Castle native Mike Wells was a force to be reckoned with, leading the team with 10 total tackles, four tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks.
"This team doesn’t want to just have a good regular season record, we want to go to the playoffs because we think that if we get our foot in, there’s no stopping us," said Wells, showing the team's ambition.
Sophomore Makai Shahid also made a significant play, intercepting a Sycamores pass and returning it 17 yards, setting up an early score for the Penguins.
The Penguins' offense has been consistently potent, scoring 40 or more points in five games this season and reaching the 30+ point mark in eight of their 11 games.
With this victory, YSU's record improves to 7-4. They're heading on the road for their regular-season finale against Northern Iowa on Saturday, November 22nd.
But here's where it gets controversial... Do you think Brungard is a frontrunner for the top award? What do you think about the team's chances in the playoffs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
