Penguin News
Defense Pitches Shutout; Mays Keys YSU in 30-0 Win Over RMU
by YSU
Monday, Sep 11, 2017 12:39 pm
The Penguins (1-1) were led by reserve quarterback Nathan Mays who came on to replace Hunter Wells on the first drive of the game. Mays completed 13-of-17 passes for 149 passes and his first career touchdown. YSU finished the game with 429 yards of total offense while holding the Colonials (1-1) to just 147.
The last time the Guins shutout an opponent was Sept. 9, 2012, against Valparaiso.
In the first quarter, YSU settled for a pair of Zak Kennedy field goals to build a 6-0 lead. Kennedy's first field goal was from 23 yards after a YSU drive stalled inside the RMU 10. The second Kennedy field goal was set up by a forced fumble on RMU's ensuing kickoff return. Sam McGuigan jarred the ball free and Terray Bryant recovered, but YSU settled for another Kennedy field goal, this time from 30 yards.
YSU extened its lead to 13-0 in the second quarter when Nathan Mays, scored on a 10-yard run with 11:43 left. The Guins moved the ball into RMU territory on two other drives. The first ended with a fumbled snap while the second was in the waining seconds of the first half when Kennedy tried a 56-yard field goal. Kennedy's kick had the distance, but was wide left as time expired.
In the first half, YSU had 227 yards of total offense while it held RMU to just 76, including 13 via the pass.
Kennedy's third field goal of game extended the YSU lead to 16-0 with 4:47 left in the third quarter.
YSU took control in the fourth quarter as the offense scored a pair of touchdowns. Mays found Kevin Rader on a five-yard touchdown pass while Tevin McCaster capped off the scoring with a 10-yard run with 1:29 left in the game.
McCaster carried the ball 23 times for 89 yards and a score while Christian Turner had 89 yards on 17 attempts. Alvin Bailey caught five passes for 76 yards to lead the receiving corps.
Kyle Hegedus had nine tackles while Justus Reed had three sacks to lead the defensive effort.
The Penguins return to action next Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium against Central Connecticut State. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
