Youngstown, Ohio – The Youngstown State football team (1-0) scored on its first five possessions and allowed just 241 total yards in an impressive 43-10 win over Mercyhurst (0-1) on Thursday evening at Stambaugh Stadium.

The Penguins accumulated 484 yards in total offense, including 252 yards on the ground. Defensively, the Penguins recorded two interceptions and allowed just 178 yards over the final 55 minutes of the game.

Senior Beau Brungard, who accounted for five touchdowns, picked up where he left off in 2025 completing 20-of-29 passes for 232 yards with three touchdowns passes. He also rushed for 119 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns runs. It marks the 11th time Brungard rushed and passes for at least 100 yards.

Jaden Gilbert ran for 89 yards on five carries with a touchdown run and caught three passes for 31 yards and a score.

Lynn Wyche-El led the receivers with six receptions for 41 yards and touchdown while Bryan Hunt had four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown.

Carston Marshall posted a team-high seven tackles while Cam Smith recorded five stops. Darvens Tunis and Roderick Owens Jr. were credited with the Penguins interceptions.

The Lakers took the opening drive down to the YSU two yard line but were stifled by the Penguins defense and had to settle for a field goal. Mercyhurst took a 3-0 lead on a Rocco Marcantonio 24-yard field goal at the 9:38 mark of the first quarter to cap an 11-play, 63 yard drive.

The Lakers' lead was short lived as YSU went up 7-3 on a four-yard scoring plunge by Brungard to cap a 12-play, 72 yards with 3:59 to go in the opening quarter. Brungard rushed six time for 44 yards and also passed for 22 yards the drive.

Gilbert broke off a 50-yard run on the first play of the Penguins second drive. Youngstown State took over at their own 24, and Gilbert scampered down the right sideline to the Mercyhurst 26. Four plays later, Brungard connected with Wyche-El on a 12-yard touchdown pass. The Penguins' two-point conversion was good to give YSU a 15-3 lead with 13:31 left in the second.

After forcing a Lakers punt, the Penguins marched 82 yards in 11 plays to push the lead to 22-3 with 5:13 left before halftime. Gilbert rumbled 24 yards for his first rushing touchdown of the season.

Brungard's second rushing touchdown of the game, a nine-yard scamper, extended the Penguins lead to 29-3 with 23 seconds left before the intermission.

Youngstown State scored on its fifth straight possession to open up the second half. The Penguins drove 77 yards in 11 plays to take a 36-3 lead with 9:40 to go in the third quarter. Brungard, who completed 5-of-6 passes for 49 yards on the drive, hit Bryant Hunt on a 27-yard touchdown pass. It marked Hunt's first touchdown as a Penguin.

Following an exchange of interceptions and a Mercyhurst punt, Brungard threw his third touchdown pass of the game connecting with Gilbert on an eight-yard scoring strike to push the lead to 43-3 at the 9:52 mark of the fourth quarter.

The Lakers added a touchdown with 1:50 left in the game when Alex Gevaudan hit Shalik Hampton on a two-yard scoring toss.

Youngstown State visits SEC member Kentucky, Saturday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Lexington, Ky., and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network Plus.