The Youngstown State football team dropped its Missouri Valley Football Conference opener at No. 1 ranked North Dakota State, 27-14.

NDSU took a 21-3 lead into halftime, but YSU outscored the Bison 11-6 in the second half.

Salem product Mitch Davidson entered the game at quarterback for the Penguins in the second half and connected with Jaleel McLaughlin on a 35-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. Davidson then connected with former Liberty standout Dra Rushton on a two-point conversion to put YSU within 10.

McLaughlin rushed for 150 yards and eclipsed the 7,000 career rushing yards mark, becoming only the seventh player in NCAA history to do so.

YSU returns to Stambaugh Stadium to host North Dakota Saturday, October 8 at 6 p.m.