TOWSON, Md. (Interstat) — In a game that defied pregame projections and featured a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard accounted for three touchdowns and kicker Andrew Lastovka nailed a 42-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Penguins to a 31-28 victory over Towson on Saturday night at Johnny Unitas Stadium.

The Tigers, installed as 3.5-point favorites and given a 70.6% chance to win by statistical models, saw a late lead evaporate against a resilient Youngstown State squad that improved to 3-1. Towson fell to 2-2.

Brungard, a 6-foot, 210-pound quarterback from New Middletown, Ohio, was the engine of the Penguins’ offense, completing 24 of 41 passes for 277 yards and one touchdown while also rushing 18 times for 100 yards and two more scores. His dual-threat capability kept the Tigers’ defense off-balance throughout the contest.

The game began as a defensive struggle. After Towson’s opening drive stalled with a missed 24-yard field goal by Caden Williams, Youngstown State engineered a methodical 16-play, 76-yard drive. Brungard capped it with a 1-yard plunge to give the Penguins a 7-0 lead with 4:21 remaining in the first quarter.

The second quarter belonged entirely to the home team. Towson quarterback Andrew Indorf found his rhythm, connecting with Jaceon Doss on a 51-yard bomb to set up first-and-goal. Running back Al Wooten II punched it in from 2 yards out to tie the game. Later in the quarter, the Tigers executed a trick play, with wide receiver John Dunmore throwing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Kemarrion Battles to take a 14-7 lead into halftime.

Youngstown State emerged from the break with a spark, as Ky Wilson returned the second-half kickoff 76 yards to the Towson 23. Four plays later, Brungard hit tight end Alex McDonald for a 2-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 14.

Towson responded with a lengthy 13-play, 75-yard drive of its own. Indorf found Dunmore for a 19-yard touchdown strike, giving the Tigers a 21-14 advantage. The Penguins answered with a drive that stalled at the Towson 9-yard line, but Lastovka converted a 27-yard field goal to trim the deficit to 21-17 heading into the final period.

The Tigers appeared to seize control early in the fourth quarter. Indorf connected with Doss again, this time for a 54-yard gain down to the 1-yard line. Wooten II finished the drive with his second rushing touchdown, extending Towson’s lead to 28-17.

Unfazed, Brungard led the Penguins on a critical 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive. He accounted for 53 yards on the ground and through the air before finishing it himself with a 2-yard touchdown run, pulling Youngstown State within four points at 28-24.

After forcing a Towson punt, the Penguins’ offense went back to work. Brungard methodically moved the ball downfield, connecting with Max Tomczak and Jaden Gilbert to set up Lastovka for a 48-yard field goal, which he made to cut the lead to 28-27.

The Youngstown State defense came up with a crucial stop, giving the ball back to Brungard with just over a minute to play. The quarterback was masterful in the two-minute drill, completing passes to Tomczak and RK Dandridge to move the Penguins into field goal range. With three seconds on the clock, Lastovka calmly drilled the game-winning 42-yard field goal.

For Youngstown State, Tomczak was Brungard’s favorite target, hauling in 7 receptions for 116 yards. Gilbert added 38 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards.

For Towson, Indorf finished 18 of 29 for 238 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Doss was a big-play threat, catching 3 passes for 120 yards. Wooten II led the ground attack with 48 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

Youngstown State looks to continue its momentum when it hosts South Dakota State on Oct. 4. Towson will aim to rebound on the road at Bryant on Sept. 27.