VanGorder, McCaster lead Youngstown past South Dakota 29-17

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — Montgomery VanGorder threw for one touchdown and ran for another, Tevin McCaster rushed for 176 yards and a touchdown and Youngstown State defeated South Dakota 29-17 on Saturday night.

The Penguins (3-4, 2-2 Missouri Valley Conference) cashed in on an opening-possession fumble by the Coyotes (3-4, 2-2) and raced to a 19-0 lead in the first quarter.

Johnson Louigene recovered a fumble at the South Dakota 36 and six plays later McCaster ran 7 yards for a score. After a Coyotes punt, the Penguins went 78 yards with VanGorder connecting with McCaster for a 12-yard score. VanGorder also scored on a 2-yard run after a short punt.

It was 22-0 at the half and after South Dakota got 10 points in the third quarter, DJ Smalls settled things by taking an interception 65 yards for a score.

McCaster, who had a season-high 36 carries, became the 14th player in school history to surpass 2,500 yards rushing.

Youngstown State ended up with 426 total yards, 295 on the ground. South Dakota State had 243 yards, just 85 on the ground.