BROOKINGS, S.D. — South Dakota State opened Missouri Valley Football Conference play Saturday night with a convincing 40-7 victory over 14th-ranked Youngstown State (Ohio) in the 13th Annual Cereal Bowl.
The game was played before a Cereal Bowl record crowd of 11,832. The 21st-ranked Jackrabbits improved to 1-1 overall, 1-0 in the MVFC. Youngstown State dropped to 0-2 overall, 0-1 in league play.
SDSU set the tone offensively on the first play from scrimmage as quarterback Ryan Berry hooked up with tight end Colin Cochart on a 34-yard pass play to put the Jackrabbits inside the YSU 30-yard line. The Jackrabbit drive stalled inside the 5 before settling for a 20-yard field goal by Peter Reifenrath.
The Jackrabbit defense also made its mark early as Brock Campbell intercepted a pass on the Penguins’ first possession and returned the ball 14 yards to the Jackrabbit 42. Five plays later, Berry scored on a quarterback keeper from a yard out to make the score 10-0 with 7:05 remaining in the first quarter. Berry and Cochart again hooked up on a long pass play — this time for 47 yards — to set up the touchdown.
SDSU began to turn the game into a rout early in the second quarter. On the second play of the period, Berry found JaRon Harris behind the Penguin defense for a 34-yard touchdown.
The Jackrabbit defense then got into the scoring act as Brian Fischer sacked quarterback Brandon Summers in the end zone for a safety.
After taking over at midfield after the free kick, SDSU marched 50 yards on eight plays to build the lead to 27-0 going into halftime. Kyle Minett scored on an 8-yard run and added the two-point conversion.
SDSU limited the Penguins to two first downs in the first half and four punts.
Youngstown State put together its only scoring drive of the game on the opening possession of the second half. Jabari Scott capped a methodical 14-play, 74-yard drive with a 2-yard run.
However, the Jackrabbits took little time to answer as Minett scored from 53 yards out on the second play of the drive. The sophomore running back from Ruthton, Minn., posted his third career 100-yard game and second this season with 14 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a game-high six passes for 65 yards.
Tyler Duffy capped the scoring in the fourth quarter with an 8-yard run.
Berry ended the night 19-of-30 passing for 319 yards and a touchdown. As a team, the Jackrabbits had a 301-yard margin, rolling up 506 yards of total offense, compared to 205 by YSU.
Jimmy Rogers led the Jackrabbit defense with 13 tackles. Conrad Kjerstad added nine stops and a pair of interceptions.
Scott led the YSU running game with 64 yards on 10 carries. Summers completed 9-of-17 passes for 60 yards, with Todd Rowan adding 6-of-10 passing for 38 yards. Derrick Bush caught four passes for 38 yards.
SDSU returns to action Sept. 13, hosting nationally ranked Western Illinois in the 42nd Annual Beef Bowl. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium.
Notes: SDSU improved to 10-3 in Cereal Bowl games ... the Jackrabbits won their home opener for the first time since 2005 ... the all-time series between SDSU and Youngstown State is now tied at five wins each ... the Jackrabbits last defeated YSU in the 1975 season finale ... SDSU improved to 16-4 in night games at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium ... the Jackrabbits upped their record against ranked opponents to 6-13 since moving to the Division I Football Championship Subdivision in 2004 ... Minett’s 53-yard touchdown run was the longest of his carrer ... Duffy gained 49 yards on eight carries in his first action in the backfield ... seven different players caught passes for the Jackrabbits ... SDSU recorded eight tackles for loss, including three sacks
*Courtesy: SDSU Sports Information