Youngstown State Penguins @ Western Illinois Leathernecks
Youngstown State edges Western Illinois 23-21
MACOMB, Ill. -- Zak Kennedy's third field goal of the game lifted Youngstown State to a 23-21 win over Western Illinois on Saturday in a matchup of FCS-ranked teams.
Kennedy's 30-yarder came with 2:07 left in the third quarter. He also had field goals of 46 and 40 yards. His final kick came on the end of a 62-yard drive that followed Nikko Watson's 2-yard touchdown run that had given the Fighting Leathernecks a 21-20 lead.
The Leathernecks (4-4, 3-2 Missouri Valley) struggled against the nation's second-best passing defense with Trenton Norvell completing only 8 of 29 passes for 154 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He was sacked four times. Watson had two touchdown runs.
Hunter Wells was 16 of 26 for 152 yards and an interception for the Penguins (4-4, 2-3). Ricky Davis completed both of his passes, including a 48-yard score to Andre Stubbs for game's first score. Stubbs finished with 129 yards on six receptions.
Game Information
Macomb, IL
2025 Standings
| Missouri Valley Football ConferenceMissouri 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 AssociationOVC-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 |
NCAAF News

Source: Big 12 in no rush to pull lawsuit over Sorsby eligibility
2d

How every 2027 five-star college football prospect will fit
1d

5-star CB John Meredith III commits to Texas, staying in-state
2d

