Youngstown State takes advantage of 4 Southern Illinois mistakes in 31-28 victory

Youngstown State beats Southern Illinois 31-28

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Kurt Hess threw three touchdown passes and Youngstown State took advantage of four turnovers to beat Southern Illinois 31-28 Saturday.

Hess threw two touchdown passes to Kevin Watts and one to Carson Sharbaugh in a 21-point second quarter as Youngstown State (3-1, 1-0 Missouri Valley Conference) came back. Southern Illinois (1-3, 0-1) had taken a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on a 38-yard blocked punt return by Taylon Hunter and John Goode’s 8-yard touchdown pass from Chris Dieker.

The Penguins led 31-14 with 8:56 left before the Salukis scored twice. After Dieker’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Joe Allaria made it 31-28, an onside kick went out of bounds, and the Penguins ran out the clock.

Dieker completed 24 of 42 passes for 258 yards but was intercepted twice. The Salukis also lost two fumbles. All four mistakes led to Penguins touchdowns.