BROOKINGS, S.D. - What started as a season filled with promise has quickly turned into a nightmare for the Youngstown State University. And the Penguins can't seem to wake up from the bad dream.
South Dakota State's Austin Sumner threw for five touchdowns, Zach Zenner ran for another and South Dakota State lit up the scoreboard in the second quarter Saturday with a 41-28 victory over Youngstown State.
The victory dropped the Penguins to 4-4 (1-4 Missouri Valley Conference). YSU started the season 4-0.
The scored was tied at seven after the first quarter. Then the Jackrabbits went on their scoring frenzy. Sumner threw three of his five touchdowns in the quarter, including a 50-yarder to Tyrel Kool. Zenner added an 8-yard run to finish the scoring.
South Dakota State (6-2, 4-1 Missouri Valley) led 41-7 after Sumner found Aaron Rollin for a 49-yard touchdown strike only 1:37 into the third quarter. It was the fifth different receiver found by Sumner for a touchdown. Rollin had three catches for 108 yards and the score.
Sumner completed 19 of 28 passes for 351 yards and five touchdowns, three of which came in the 28-point second quarter for the Jackrabbits. Zenner carried the ball 17 times for 87 yards and a second quarter touchdown.
On one of the few positive notes on the night, the Penguins were able to find the end zone in the second half, scoring 21 points in the third and fourth quarters. Will Shaw caught 10 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. Kurt Hess was 25 of 42 for 270 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Jackrabbites held Jamaine Cook in check, only rushing for 80 yards on 19 carries.
The Penguins return home next week to take on South Dakota. Game time is 2 p.m.
