CHENEY, Wash. (December 17, 2016) – A miraculous drive, and an incredible game-winning catch, propelled Youngstown State into the NCAA Division I Championship Game, past Eastern Washington.
Kevin Rader’s five-yard score with one second left gave the Penguins a dramatic 40-38 win, as they overcame a potent Eastern Washington offense. The Penguins racked up 506 yards of offense, including 262 rushing yards, in their fourth consecutive playoff win.
Eastern Washington held a 17-7 lead early in the second quarter, after an 83-yard connection from Gage Gubrud to Kendrick Bourne, and took a 24-10 lead after Cooper Kupp caught a 32-yard halfback pass. The Eagles held a 24-17 halftime lead.
However, Youngstown State opened up with power in the second half, outscoring Eastern Washington 21-7 in the final period. The Penguins benefitted on the final drive by getting a short kickoff, and went 58 yards in 11 plays, to earn the win.
Gubrud finished with 353 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions. Kupp had 180 yards on ten catches, and two touchdowns. Kupp ends his career at Eastern Washington with 6,464 receiving yards, 73 receiving touchdowns, and 428 catches.
Youngstown State will play James Madison in the 2016 NCAA Division I Football Championship, on Jan. 7, 2017, in Frisco, Texas.