YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A late touchdown by Youngstown State sealed up a 24-14 win over Western Illinois on Saturday (Oct. 19) at Stambaugh Stadium. The Fighting Leathernecks dropped to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Western kept one of the nation's top scoring offenses in check all game, as the 15th-ranked Penguins were scoring more than 41 points per game. Down three, Western drove into the YSU redzone, thanks to the rushing of J.C. Baker.

The junior transfer gained 46 yards on the potential game-tying drive, but Western was stopped after getting 1st-and-10 to the 18. A 40-yard field goal went left as the Penguins (7-1, 4-0) took over with 6:35 remaining.

Martin Ruiz broke off a 57-yard run on 3rd-and-7 from the 26 to get in the redzone. Six plays later on 3rd-and-goal from the 5, Kurt Hess connected with a diving Nate Adams for the late touchdown. Western drove across midfield but in the final seconds threw an interception in the endzone to seal the game.

The 24 points scored by Youngstown were the fewest against any FCS competition, and second-fewest all season (17 at Michigan State) as it scored 28 or more points in six of the seven games heading into the contest.

Western got into Youngstown territory in its first two drives, but into the wind punted on the first drive and was sacked on 4th-and-5 on the second. Youngstown took over and when facing 3rd-and-inches, Ruiz broke through the line for a 60-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter and 7-0 lead.

The Leathernecks snapped Hess' impressive streak of 157 consecutive attempts without an interception when Kevin Kintzel picked him off. Western needed 12 plays, two coming on 3rd-and-long to keep the drive alive, to cover 60 yards and tied the score on Trenton Norvell's 1-yard run and Nathan Knuffman's point after.

Western was pinned on its own one yard line after a punt. The Leathernecks got to the 40 but was forced to punt. A bad snap skipped pass Knuffman on the ground and the Penguins eventually recovered on the nine. Two plays later Hess found Christian Bryan on a 7-yard touchdown and 14-7 lead with just over five minutes in the half.

After holding the Penguins on their opening drive of the second half, Western was pinned and again started at its own 1. Western picked up a key third down conversion when Norvell hit Lance Lenoir, Jr. for first down. The two freshmen connected again for a 41-yard completion into YSU territory. On 4th-and-2, Norvell found Taylor Hill for a first down, then later capped the 12-play drive with a 9-yard TD pass to Lenoir. Knuffman's PAT tied the score midway through the third.

Joey Cejudo capped a 13-play drive that took up more than six minutes on the clock, kicking a 33-yard field goal with 11:34 remaining to put YSU ahead 17-14.

Baker gained a season-high 148 yards on 28 attempts to lead the rushing attack. Norvell completed 19-of-32 for 176 yards and a TD along with his late interception. Lenoir, Hill, Baker and Kyle Hammonds all had four catches. Lenoir led with 86 receiving yards.

Luke Venegoni and Devon Butler led with eight tackles apiece.

Ruiz finished with 199 rushing yards, most coming on the two long runs, on 21 attempts. Walter Payton Award candidate Kurt Hess, one of the nation's top-rated passers, was held to 7-of-18 passing for 47 yards with two TDs and an interception.

The Leathernecks return home for two straight at Hanson Field, beginning next Saturday (Oct. 26) versus Missouri State. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

GAME NOTES: Brandon De La Cruz made his first collegiate start at center, replacing Ryan Ricketts who missed the game due to a death in the family… Fredson Salomon's 39-yard kickoff return to start the game was a season-high and matched his career-long set last year. He totaled 101 yards on four attempts… Kintzel recorded his second interception this year and third of his career… Western out-gained the Penguins 337-299, including 176-47 through the air… Western was 7-of-17 on third down while YSU was 8-of-15… Western held the ball for 32:30 and Youngstown was 27:30… Hill's four receptions were a career-high. He finished with 27 yards.

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