SIU (1-4, MVFC 0-2) fell to Youngstown State (2-3, MVFC 1-1) in their second conference matchup of the season, 17-14.

Today was the 22nd meeting of the two teams dating back to 1997.

The Penguins lead Southern with an all-time record of 12-9, with SIU’s last win being in 2012.

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Both teams entered tonight’s homecoming matchup looking to tally their first conference win.

Senior Matt DeSomer started his first game as quarterback for the Salukis tonight with Sam Straub being out for concussion protocol.

DeSomer went on to finish the game leading the team with 100 rushing yards and one touchdown.

The Penguins started the first quarter with a nine play 50-yard drive to record a 32-yard field goal making the score 3-0 with Southern trailing.

A sack by sophomore defensive end Jordan Berner helped SIU to regain possession of the ball in the closing seconds of the first quarter.

Despite this, Southern remained scoreless in the first quarter leaving YSU ahead by three.

The second quarter opened with the Dawgs quickly scoring a touchdown on a five-yard rush by junior running back Dj Davis putting them ahead of the Penguins 7-3.

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Davis went on to finish tonight’s game with 65 rushing yards on 15 attempts and one touchdown.

A stop in the red zone by SIU defense limited YSU to a three-point field goal with 5:02 left in the second quarter.

The Salukis then attempted a 44-yard field goal with 2:55 left in the second quarter.

The attempt was missed by sophomore kicker Nico Gualdoni; the kick was his first collegiate miss.

An interception by junior safety Jeremy Chinn put the ball at the 50-yard line for SIU with 17 seconds left in the half.

Chinn finished the game with one interception that he returned for 50-yards, but was ejected by a call for targeting in the second quarter.

A 33-yard rush by DeSomer ended the half leaving the score 7-6 with Southern ahead.

Both teams remained scoreless in the third quarter with the Dawgs still ahead by one.

On an 18-play, 75-yard drive DeSomer rushed one yard for a touchdown putting the Salukis up 13-6.

Penguin quarterback Montgomery VanGorder responded to this play with a 36-yard pass that seemed to be a touchdown but was later removed and deemed incomplete.

Youngstown then scored their first touchdown of the night, along with a two-point conversion to tie the score at 14-14 with 4:36 remaining in the game.

With 26 seconds left to play YSU kicked a 33-yard field goal to claim a three-point lead over  Southern bringing the score to 17-14.

The Salukis were unable to regain the lead and lost the game 17-14.

The SIU offense totaled 278 yards, while the defense held YSU to three field goals and one touchdown.

Southern will take the field again next Saturday in Normal, Illinois against the Redbirds. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

Staff reporter can be reached at tmosby@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @tamarmosby

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