Paced by quarterback Dante Nania’s 288 yards passing, and Martin Ruiz’s 148-yard, two-touchdown performance, the Youngstown State Penguins were able to outclass the Duquesne Dukes 34-23 at Stambaugh Stadium in Youngstown, Ohio.
Dillon Buechel led the Duquesne offensive attack, completing 25 of 44 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns. Chris King and Devin Rahming each had 100 receiving yards as Buechel’s primary targets. Recent Pitt transfer Trenton Coles had three tackles in his debut for the Dukes.
The Penguins struck quickly with three first-quarter touchdowns. The first being a Martin Ruiz seven-yard TD run that capped a seven-play, 66-yard drive. After forcing a Dukes punt, YSU wasted little time putting their second score on the board, as Nania hit Andrew Williams for a 54-yard strike that made the score 14-0 midway through the first quarter.
After two consecutive punts by the Dukes, YSU once again hit for another big play to cap off the first quarter scoring, this time, compliments of another Ruiz scoring run from 46 yards to make it 21-0. The Penguins were not finished, as Nania struck again with another TD pass, this time to Nate Adams for 31 yards, stretching the commanding lead to 28-0.
Duquesne missed on their first opportunity to score in the half, as kicker Austin Crimmins was wide left on a 42-yard attempt. After forcing a YSU punt on the next possession, the Dukes were able to break their scoring drought on a 23-yard scoring dash by Marcus Hughes to get the Dukes to within three scores, 28-7.
A late YSU field goal right before halftime stretched the lead to 31-7.
The Dukes came out from a dreadful opening half to force an early second half punt, and on their first possession in the third quarter, Crimmins hit a 24-yard FG to make the contest 31-10. After another YSU field goal made the score 34-10, Duquesne signal caller Dillon Buechel hit Chris King for a 64-yard touchdown to give the Dukes hope with five minutes left in quarter at 34-17.
After the Dukes forced a quick punt on the ensuing possession, Buechel marched the offense to within scoring range on a eight play, 66-yard drive that was thwarted late with a Jaylin Kelly interception at the Penguins 10 yard line. However, on the very next play, the Dukes forced a YSU fumble giving Buechel and company another chance to close the gap.
Unfortunately, another Crimmins missed field goal, this time from 38 yards out, kept the the Dukes down by 17.
The Dukes were able to strike once again compliments of Buechel’s passing touch in the fourth quarter, with another long TD pass, this time a 57 yarder to Devin Rahming. The extra point attempt failed, leaving the score at 34-23 YSU.
After a failed onside kick, Duquesne’s valiant comeback effort came up short as the Penguins were able to run out the clock over the final 2:46 of the contest.
The Dukes host the Dayton Flyers next Saturday at Rooney Field. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon.
