YOUNGSTOWN - Youngstown State running back Jamaine Cook was fully aware that Saturday's game against Indiana State was his last guaranteed game in a Penguin uniform. He decided to make the most of it.
During Saturday's 27-6 victory over the Sycamores, Cook became YSU's career all-purpose yard leader and recorded his 20th 100-yard rushing effort.
"It's a great accomplishment, it's not something I kept track of," Cook said. "It feels great, but at the end of the day I'm just trying to make plays for my team."
In the second quarter, Cook took the all-purpose yard record from YSU great Tamron Smith. Cook now has 5,220 all-purpose yards, beating Smith's record of 5,128.
Even if the Penguins don't make the playoffs, Cook will still go down as one of the best backs in Youngstown State history. He's tops in all-purpose yards, is in the top-five in numerous single-game and career rushing records and is second all-time in career rushing yards with 4,051.
HESS ALSO SETTING RECORDS: After three games of waiting for the record to be broken, junior quarterback Kurt Hess is finally YSU's all-time career touchdown pass leader. With his first touchdown pass to Andrew Williams on Saturday, he eclipsed Tom Zetts with his 52nd touchdown pass. He now has 53 in his career after the two connected again later in the game.
WHAT BROWN DID FOR YSU: Kicker David Brown hadn't even sniffed a 40-plus yard field goal in his two seasons with YSU. That was until Saturday, when the senior ended his career at Stambaugh Stadium with a 47-yard field goal.
Prior to that kick, the longest Brown had attempted was a 39-yarder against Michigan State in 2011.
Brown was 2 of 2 on Saturday, also connecting on a 20-yard field goal to open the game.
FIRST FOR EVERYTHING: One of the most memorable plays of the day was when Canfield native Dom Rich came flying around the right corner of the defensive line in the second half, and putting a huge sack on Indiana State quarterback Mike Perish. The sack came at a great time, as it took the wind out of the Sycamores who were trying to make a last-ditch scoring effort.
"That was my first sack here, hopefully there's more to come, whether it be in the playoffs or next year," Rich said.
QUICK HITS: Hess connected with nine different receivers on the day, including Christian Bryan five times for 84 yards. Bryan continues his streak of 22 straight games with at least one reception. ... Saturday's game marked the fifth time this season that YSU held an opponent to less than 100 yards rushing. ... Saturday's senior day saw 14 YSU football players take the field for the last time in the regular season. ... YSU's 7-4 record marks the first time the Penguins have won seven games since 2007.
