Final Stats

YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State's offense made two long runs to set up touchdowns had three drives of 75 yards or more, while the Penguin defense prevented Dayton from moving the ball one more yard, and those proved to be difference makers as 24th-ranked Youngstown State held off the Dayton Flyers 28-10 Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.

YSU jumped out to a 14-0 halftime lead after taking the opening kickoff and making a 15-play, 75-yard drive, and then a second-quarter 60-yard run by Andre Stubbs set up a pair of short TD plunges by Torrian Pace. 

UD got on the board in the third quarter when William Will's 37-yard field goal just made it inside the left upright, but Youngstown State answered with a nine-play, 68-yard drive to make the score 21-3. 

The Flyers then put together their best drive of the night, going 75 yards in eight plays.  Quarterback Will Bardo hit Robert Washington out of the backfield for a 19-yard touchdown to make the score 28-10.  Matt Bianco's interception and 36-yard return gave Dayton the ball in the red zone.  But YSU was able to hold on first and goal from the one.

Adaris Bellamy then ran 80 yards on third-and-one to the three to set up the final score in the fourth quarter, and close out the scoring 28-10 in favor of Youngstown State.

Bellamy carried the ball 17 times for 203 rushing yards as YSU rolled up 367 yards on the ground. 

Flyer quarterback Will Bardo was 21 of 44 passing for 195 yards, with the touchdown and two interceptions.  Bardo was also Dayton's leading ground gainer with 32 yards on eight attempts.  His favorite target was Gary Hunter, who had six catches for 56 yards.

UD's defense was sparked by linebacker Colin Monnier.  Monnier had 12 tackles, including eight solo hits and on in the backfield.  He was also credited with a fumble recovery.  Kyle Sebetic had 10 hits, with seven solos.

The Flyers will return to Welcome Stadium for the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 7 against one of the Northeast Conference favorites, Duquesne.  Game time is 1:00 p.m. ET