YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO -- It was a tale of big plays in the second half as the Howard University Bison fall to Youngstown State University Penguins 54-28, Saturday afternoon at Stambaugh Stadium.
The Bison falls to (0-2), Youngstown improves to (2-0).
Howard took the opening drive 42 yards in nine plays when a sack and an ensuing holding penalty derailed a promising start.
Youngstown jumped out first capping an 82 yard, 8-play drive with a six-yard Joe Alessi rushing touchdown to take the first lead, 6-0.
The Bison answered back with a six-play 74-yard drive with a gorgeous Caylin Newton 50-yard toss to Kyle Anthony for Howard's first touchdown of the season.
HU's defense recorded their first turnover of the season, when sophomore John Smith VI nabbed his first career interception off of YSU quarterback Nathan Mays tipped pass, Smith nifty return set up the Bison at the Penguins 29-yard line.
Newton led the squad to take a 14-6 lead on a Dedrick Parson two-yard rushing touchdown capping off a 5-play, 29-yard drive.
YSU cut the lead, 13-14 on a 50-yard pitch and catch to cap the scoring in the first quarter.
Youngstown added 14 unanswered points to end the second quarter.
The first half was evenly played, each squad ran 36-plays. Youngstown out rushed Howard 175-77, but the Bison outgained the Penguins 190-144 through the air. Both squads recorded a turnover and four penalties.
The Bison's defense recorded a three-and-out to start the second half.
The offense continued their strong start taking the first drive of the second half, 77-yards in seven plays capped off by a 22-yard pitch and catch to cut the lead, 27-21.
Youngstown broke the game open with 21 unanswered points in the third quarter. The Penguins scored on two long rushing touchdowns of 40 and 78 respectively to take a 47-21 lead into the fourth quarter.
Youngstown outrushed Howard 159-7 in the third quarter.
The Penguins added a 75-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Howard Quinton Williams tossed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Anthony to cement the final score 54-28.
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