Jacks post 17-3 win at Youngstown

Saturday, October 31

Youngstown, Ohio

4 p.m. ET

South Dakota State University

7-1 , 6-0

Youngstown State

4-4 , 2-3

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
South Dakota State	0	3	7	7	17
Youngstown State	3	0	0	0	3

10/31/2009 7:00:00 PM | Football

Box Score

By: SDSU Sports Info

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The South Dakota State University football team methodically moved one step closer to a possible Missouri Valley Football Conference championship, posting a 17-3 road victory at Youngstown State behind stout defense and two rushing touchdowns from Kyle Minett.

The ninth-ranked Jackrabbits matched their best start since 1963, improving to 7-1 overall and 6-0 in the MVFC in holding an opponent without a touchdown for the third time this season. SDSU came into the game ranked fifth in the Football Championship Subdivision by allowing an average of 12.6 points per contest.

SDSU's victory also sets up a showdown with Southern Illinois for sole possession of first place in the league standings next Saturday (Nov. 7) at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium. SIU also improved to 6-0 in league play with a 33-0 victory over Indiana State in action earlier Saturday.

Quarterback Ryan Crawford, who missed the last three games due to injury, was sharp early on in his return to the starting lineup as he completed his first four passing attempts on the opening drive for 41 yards to set the Jackrabbits up first and goal at the YSU 4-yard line. A motion penalty stalled the drive and SDSU came up empty as Peter Reifenrath missed a 26-yard field goal.

The Penguins came back to score on their first possession of the game, marching 49 yards on 11 plays before Stephen Blose tied a career long with a 48-yard field goal.

SDSU tied the game in the second quarter after the Jackrabbits put together a methodical drive that consumed more than eight minutes. Reifenrath capped the 15-play, 75-yard drive with a 25-yard field goal at the 4:33 mark.

The Jackrabbits came up with a big play defensively to open the second half. On the first play from scrimmage, linebacker Derek Domino dropped into coverage and made a diving interception - his fourth of the season - to give SDSU the ball at the Penguin 32. Seven plays later, Minett bounced around right end from five yards out for the first touchdown of the game.

Youngstown State, which was able to establish more of a running game in the second half, drove the ball deep into Jackrabbit territory on its next drive, but the Penguins came up empty as a 17-play drive ended when Blose missed a field goal attempt from 41 yards.

SDSU iced the game in the fourth quarter with a nine-play, 66-yard scoring drive. Crawford was 3-for-3 on the drive for 37 yards and Minett gained 25 yards on the ground, including the final yard for his second rushing touchdown of the game at the 4:51 mark.

Minett carried the ball 22 times for 87 yards and added two receptions for 32 yards. Crawford ended the game 19-of-28 passing for 178 yards with no interceptions.

Colin Cochart posted a career-high six receptions for 51 yards, with Saunders Montague adding five catches for 39 yards.

The Jackrabbit defense was led by Buck Buchanan Award candidate Danny Batten, who recorded eight tackles, including a sack. Jimmy Rogers and Isaiah Jackson also tallied eight stops.

For Youngstown State, Brandon Summers finished the game 19-of-29 passing for 181 yards after starting the game by completing his first nine attempts. Dominique Barnes caught six balls for 93 yards, and Donald Jones added six receptions for 36 yards.

Backup quarterback Dailyn Campbel led the Penguin rushing attack with 32 yards on seven carries.

Overall, SDSU held a 309-254 advantage in total offense, including a 131-73 edge in the rushing department.

Kickoff versus Southern Illinois is set for 1 p.m.

Notes: SDSU leads the all-time series, 6-5 ... the Jackrabbits improved to 12-2 in MVFC games since joining the league in 2008, and extended its league winning streak to seven ... Glen Fox caught four passes, moving past both Dennis Thomas (127 receptions from 1982-85) and Darren Baartman (128 receptions from 1988-91) for fifth place on the SDSU career receptions chart with 130 ... Minett upped his career rushing total to 2,651 yards, putting him in sixth place as he passed Darwin Gonnerman (2,598 yards from 1966-68) ... Minett has scored a touchdown either rushing or receiving in 18 of the 20 games the Jackrabbits have played since the start of the 2008 season ... SDSU has allowed only one touchdown in each of the first and third quarters this season ... Conrad Kjerstad also recorded his fourth interception of the season and ninth of his career on Youngstown State's final offensive play of the game ... already one of the least penalized teams in the country, SDSU committed only two penalties for 15 yards ... the Jackrabbit offense has turned the ball over only once in its last four games