Freshman leads Youngstown St over Duquesne 59-17

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Freshman Martin Ruiz rushed for a career-high three touchdowns as Youngstown State defeated Duquesne 59-17 in a nonconference game Saturday. The Penguins (3-1), bolted to a 24-0 halftime lead, including Ruiz's 9-yard rushing TD, his first and longest of the day. Ruiz rushed for 65 yards and has scored at least one TD in each of the Penguins' four games. Duquesne (1-2) roared back to start the second half, scoring on back-to-back offensive series. Dillon Buechel 's 63-yard pass to Gianni Carter pulled the Dukes within striking distance at 24-14. The Penguins countered with three unanswered touchdowns, the first two by Ruiz. Kurt Hess ' 55-yard TD pass to Marcel Carver to open the fourth quarter gave the Penguins a 45-14 lead. Buechel was 21 of 38 for 362 yards to lead the Dukes. It was the first meeting between the schools.