×

Slow start sinks YSU in 27-14 loss at NDSU

FARGO, N.D. — An 18-point halftime deficit was too much for Youngstown State to overcome in a 27-14 loss at No. 1 North Dakota State on Saturday in the FargoDome.

North Dakota State (4-1, 2-0 Missouri Valley) raced out to a 21-3 lead by the intermission, courtesy of two rushing touchdowns by Hunter Luepke in the first quarter and a Kobe Johnson touchdown run in the second.

The Bison used that rushing attack throughout the contest, carrying the ball 46 times for 227 yards. Luepke had 72 yards on 13 carries, while Johnson had 61 yards on six attempts.

YSU (2-2, 0-1 Missouri Valley), meanwhile, couldn’t generate much of anything in the first half, and did not record a first down until the second quarter. Demeatric Crenshaw went just 5-of-10 in the first half for 34 yards and was intercepted once.

With the offense struggling to move the ball — outside of tailback Jaleel McLaughlin — YSU head coach Doug Phillips opted to insert backup quarterback Mitch Davidson into the game for the second half.

“Sometimes you just have to sit back, watch and let the game slow down for you, and Demeatric does a great job. But at that point, we’re down 21-3, and I didn’t see us utilizing our legs running — strictly passing. We came to Fargo to win a football game, and sometimes as a head coach, you have to make those decisions,” Phillips told media after the game.

He added, “Everyone works hard in that locker room. You have to go earn it, and Demeatric has earned that, but Mitch works hard every day. So down 21-3, give him the opportunity and see if he can bring us back in that football game.”

Davidson went 6-of-10 for 87 yards and a touchdown. The score came with 4:30 left in the contest on a short pass to Jaleel McLaughlin, who took it 35 yards to the end zone to trim YSU’s deficit at the time to 24-14.

On the other hand, Davidson had a pair of passes nearly intercepted, including one that likely would have been returned for a Bison touchdown.

McLaughlin finished with 150 yards rushing on 17 attempts and added three receptions for 43 yards and that score against a team he had struggled with in the past.

YSU will look to get back on track next weekend against North Dakota.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today