Yale Stuns Youngstown State with 36 Second-Half Points in FCS Playoff

In a thrilling comeback, the Yale Bulldogs scored an impressive 36 points in the second half, defeating the Youngstown State Penguins 43-42 in their first-ever appearance in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. The Bulldogs, who finished the regular season with a record of 9-2, found themselves trailing 35-7 at halftime before mounting an extraordinary comeback that showcased their resilience.

Yale’s performance in the second half was nothing short of remarkable. They opened the third quarter with a touchdown and continued to build momentum, scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter. The decisive moment came when quarterback Graham Pitsenberger sprinted for a go-ahead touchdown with just three minutes left on the clock. Following a turnover on downs by Youngstown State, Yale advanced to the Penguins’ 1-yard line. Pitsenberger chose to go down rather than score again, allowing the team to run out the clock effectively.

This matchup marked an important milestone for both programs. Yale had not participated in the FCS playoffs before, while Youngstown State, a seasoned participant, was making its 16th appearance. Despite their initial struggles, including three turnovers in the first half that led to Youngstown State touchdowns, the Bulldogs turned the game around decisively.

Yale’s offensive surge began with a late third-quarter touchdown, as Pitsenberger scored on a 1-yard run. The Bulldogs added to their tally with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Dante Reno to Lucius Anderson to start the fourth quarter. Reno’s 4-yard pass to Graham Smith narrowed the gap, putting Yale within one score before Pitsenberger’s second touchdown solidified their lead.

Pitsenberger, who earned recognition as the Ivy League’s offensive player of the year, had an outstanding game, rushing for 209 yards on 32 carries. Reno also played a pivotal role, completing 21 of 28 passes for 260 yards, along with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Anderson’s performance was exceptional, as he caught eight passes for 138 yards, while Jaxton Santiago contributed with 104 yards on nine receptions before leaving the game due to injury.

On the opposing side, Youngstown State’s quarterback, Beau Brungard, had a productive game, throwing for three touchdowns—each to Max Tomczak—and running for three more. Brungard completed 23 of 35 passes for 317 yards and rushed for an additional 90 yards on 17 carries. Tomczak finished with six receptions for 105 yards, while Ky Wilson added nine catches for 102 yards.

Next for Yale is a challenging matchup against second-seeded Montana State, scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2024. This upcoming game presents another opportunity for the Bulldogs to showcase their determination in the FCS playoffs while continuing to build on their historic season. The unexpected comeback against Youngstown State not only highlights Yale’s potential but also sets the stage for what could be an exciting postseason run.