PRINCETON, N.J. – Yale completed an improbable second-half comeback, erasing a 28-point deficit in the final 18 minutes of regulation to defeat No. 15 Youngstown State 43–42 in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
After Youngstown State extended its lead to 42–14 with 7:37 remaining in the third quarter, Yale’s win probability dropped to just 0.3 percent, according to ESPN analytics.
With the win, the Bulldogs advance to face No. 2 Montana State – last year’s national runner-up – in Bozeman, Mont., at 2 p.m. ET.
The Ivy League’s postseason debut produced a 1–1 opening weekend, with Yale advancing and Harvard falling on the road at Villanova.
YALE 43, NO. 15 YOUNGSTOWN STATE 42
12 p.m. // Youngstown, Ohio // Stambaugh Stadium
- Yale authored a dramatic comeback, rallying from a 42–14 deficit with less than three minutes remaining in the third quarter to stun Youngstown State 43–42 on the road.
- Running back Josh Pitsenberger rushed for a career-high 209 yards and three touchdowns on 32 attempts. His 56-yard scoring run gave Yale its first lead of the game with 2:47 remaining. Later, his decision to go down at the one-yard line in the final minute allowed the Bulldogs to run out the clock and seal the victory. The Bethesda, Md., native has surpassed 100 rushing yards in nine games this season, and this marked his fourth game with three touchdowns.
- After a shaky first half that included two interceptions, quarterback Dante Reno threw for 180 yards and three touchdowns in the second half. He finished the afternoon with 260 passing yards.
- First-year receiver Lucius Anderson delivered a breakout performance, catching all eight of his targets for 138 yards and a touchdown. Entering the game, he had recorded just five receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown across the entire season. Jaxton Santiago also eclipsed the 100-yard mark with nine receptions for 104 yards.
- Linebacker Inumidun Ayo-Durojaiye tied for the team lead with eight tackles, including a pivotal forced fumble in Youngstown State territory that Abu Kamara recovered.
- Yale went 3-for-3 on fourth-down conversions in the second half, including a pivotal 32-yard connection from Reno to Anderson on 4th-and-18 that set up the Bulldogs’ second touchdown.
NO. 12 VILLANOVA 52, HARVARD 7
12 p.m. // Villanova, Pa. // Villanova Stadium
- Harvard’s season came to an end with a 52–7 road loss to No. 12 Villanova, which extended its FCS-leading home winning streak to 23 consecutive games.
- The Crimson’s lone scoring drive came on the opening possession of the second half, as Jaden Craig connected with Jordan Harris on a six-yard touchdown pass.
- The touchdown throw was the 52nd of Craig’s career, tying him for 10th all-time in Ivy League history and setting a new Harvard program record. He also surpassed 6,000 career passing yards, becoming the 22nd Ivy League quarterback to reach the milestone.
- Linebacker Sean Line posted a game-high 12 tackles.