South Dakota claims first road win at Youngstown State, 27-17
- South Dakota won against Youngstown State with a score of 27-17, marking their first victory at Stambaugh Stadium.
- Charles Pierre Jr. rushed for a career-best 153 yards and two touchdowns, with the Coyotes shutting out the Penguins in the second half.
- This win improved South Dakota's record to 6-1 and solidified their position at the top of the FCS coaches poll.
On Saturday night, South Dakota achieved a milestone by securing its first victory at Youngstown State's Stambaugh Stadium with a score of 27-17. The Coyotes, who had previously struggled against the Penguins on their home turf, entered the game with an abysmal 0-6 road record against them. In front of their fans, Youngstown State initially took control with a 14-0 lead, powered by Beau Brungard’s touchdown pass and run. However, the Coyotes fought back with a 48-yard touchdown pass from Aidan Bouman to Quaron Adams and Charles Pierre Jr.'s impressive 21-yard touchdown run. Heading into halftime, the Penguins held a slight upper hand at 17-14 after a field goal. The second half was dominated by South Dakota as Pierre broke loose with a 50-yard touchdown run, propelling the Coyotes ahead. South Dakota's defense proved formidable, shutting out Youngstown in the second half. Meanwhile, Pierre finished the game with a career-high 153 rushing yards on 21 carries, contributing significantly to the team's fifth consecutive victory. The success placed South Dakota at 6-1 overall and a strong 4-0 in their conference play as they continued to assert themselves among the top-ranked teams in the FCS coaches poll.