YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A strong defense and a balanced scoring attack led Youngstown State to a dominant performance over Valparaiso 59-0 Saturday.
Youngstown State's Kurt Hess threw for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He moved into sole possession of third place on the school's all-time career touchdown list with 42. Hess is just 131 yards shy of becoming the fifth player in school history to pass for 5,000 yards.
Torrian Pace led the Penguins (2-0) with a career-high 146 yards rushing on 14 carries and two scores. Redshirt freshman Demond Hymes added 80 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.
On Valparaiso's second possession, Youngstown State's Travis Williams forced a fumble, which was recovered and returned for seven yards and a touchdown by Jeremey Edwards. That score gave the Penguins a 21-0 lead over the Crusaders (0-2) just five minutes into the game.
Youngstown State's last shutout came against Indiana State in 2009.
