Youngstown State Penguins @ Western Illinois Leathernecks
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0 | 10 | 21 | 38 | |
WIU | 6 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 45 |
Western Illinois holds off Youngstown State 45-38
MACOMB, Ill. -- Sean McGuire threw for 324 yards and four touchdowns to help Western Illinois beat Youngstown State 45-38 in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams on Saturday.
The Leathernecks (2-2) scored back-to-back TDs -- the second after a Penguins fumble -- to lead 45-24 in the middle of the fourth quarter.
The Penguins (1-3) scored on their next possession and recovered the ensuing onside kick, but Justin Fitzpatrick intercepted Montgomery VanGorder's pass in the end zone with 2:37 left to keep the lead at 45-31.
Youngstown State forced a three-and-out and needed only 1:03 for a nine-play, 66-yard drive that cut the deficit to a touchdown with 36.7 seconds left. Western Illinois secured the second onside kick and went into victory formation.
The Leathernecks led 30-10 on McGuire's 3-yard TD pass to Khalen Saunders with 5:38 left in the third quarter. The Penguins scored on a fourth-and-goal from the 2 early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 30-24.
VanGorder threw for 418 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions for Youngstown State.
Game Information
Macomb, IL
2025 Standings
| Missouri Valley Football Conference | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State | 8-0 | 12-1 |
| South Dakota | 6-2 | 10-5 |
| North Dakota | 5-3 | 8-6 |
| Youngstown State | 5-3 | 8-5 |
| Illinois State | 5-3 | 12-5 |
| South Dakota State | 4-4 | 9-5 |
| Southern Illinois | 4-4 | 7-5 |
| Northern Iowa | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| Murray State | 1-7 | 1-11 |
| Indiana State | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| OVC-Big South Association | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Tech | 8-0 | 11-2 |
| UT Martin | 6-2 | 6-6 |
| Gardner-Webb | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Lindenwood | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Charleston Southern | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Western Illinois | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Eastern Illinois | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Tennessee State | 0-8 | 2-10 |
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