The No. 2 South Dakota State Jackrabbits scraped out a hard-fought 28-24 victory over the No. 18 Youngstown State Penguins on Saturday night in Youngstown, Ohio, kicking off their Missouri Valley Football Conference slate with a win that felt more like survival than dominance. It was a game that had everything—turnovers, big plays, and a crowd roaring for the underdogs—but in the end, SDSU's depth pulled them through.
Youngstown State came out swinging, thanks to quarterback Hayden Zarembski's sharp arm, who tossed for 212 yards and a touchdown early on. The Penguins, sitting at 4-1 overall, built a 17-7 lead by halftime, exploiting some uncharacteristic drops by the Jackrabbits' receivers. Indeed, SDSU's defense, usually a brick wall, allowed 14 points in the first quarter alone, a rare lapse that had fans on edge. However, the Jackrabbits' ground game, led by running back Isaiah Davis with 142 rushing yards, started clicking in the second half. Davis bulldozed through for two scores, including a gritty 12-yard run that tied it up at 24 midway through the fourth.
Mark Gronowski's poise under pressure proved decisive, as the SDSU quarterback engineered a 75-yard drive in the final minutes, capping it with a one-yard sneak for the go-ahead touchdown with just 1:42 left. Youngstown State had one last shot, marching to the SDSU 35, but Zarembski's pass fell incomplete on fourth down, sealing the Penguins' frustration. Moreover, penalties plagued YSU throughout—eight for 65 yards—turning momentum swings against them at crucial junctures.
For South Dakota State, now 6-0, this win extends their nation-leading 32-game home winning streak indirectly, though on the road it was no cakewalk. Youngstown drops to 4-2, still very much in the playoff hunt but needing to regroup after this defensive battle exposed some cracks. The Penguins' run defense held firm for most of the night, limiting SDSU to 4.2 yards per carry, yet it wasn't enough against the Jackrabbits' relentless clock control.
However, both teams showed why the MVFC is so unforgiving this season. As the conference race heats up, one can't help but wonder how these early tests will shape the playoff picture come November.