Chris Mangan

The Jackrabbit football team faced another tough challenge, and future Gateway Football Conference opponent, for the second week in a row. This time they faced the sixth-ranked Youngstown State Penguins (1-1, 0-0). The Jacks (0-2, 0-0 GWFC) were again able to rally from an earlier deficit, but unfortunately, for the second week in a row, a late interception spelled doom for the Jacks in a 23-17 loss.

“You hate to keep having to try to find positives in a loss but we played a really good football game,” head coach John Stiegelmeier said. “I think we were definitely better than we were last week.”

The Penguins utilized a no-huddle offense and were able to drive the ball 88 yards on 14 plays on their first possession with quarterback Jabari Scott capping off the drive with a three-yard touchdown run. The Penguins were able to force the Jacks into a three and out on their next possession. The Penguins were able to block the ensuing punt, picking it up at the two-yard line and walking for the touchdown to make the score 14-0 with 5:38 left in the first quarter. The Penguins would later score on a field goal to put them ahead 17-0 midway through the second quarter.

The Jacks were able to get on the board late in the second quarter. Senior Andrew Hoogeveen picked off a Scott pass deep in SDSU territory and returned it to their 41. Feeling the momentum shift, the Jacks marched down the field on an eight-play, 59-yard drive which was capped by a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Berry to running back Cory Koenig, which left the Jacks down 17-7 going into halftime.

On their first possession of the second half, the Penguins methodically marched down the field but were stopped on a fourth-and-goal from the one. SDSU again felt the momentum swing their way and again they capitalized. The Jacks benefited from a pass interference call to get out of the shadow of their own end zone and marched down the field with an 18-play, 99-yard drive that ended with Koenig scoring from two yards out. The Jacks ended the third period only down three and had momentum on their side.

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