Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes. YSU’s Colt Sechrest stiff arms a Redbirds defender during a loss at Illinois State.

Back to the drawing board for Youngstown State.

A week after an inspired overtime win, the Penguins had their chances, but failed to capitalize on key opportunities in a 23-16 road defeat to No. 19 Illinois State on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Ill.

After pinning Illinois State inside the 5-yard line off a punt on their opening possession, the Penguins’ defense was able to capitalize. Cornerback Jaylen Castleberry sacked Redbirds quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse in the end zone for a safety to give YSU an early 2-0 lead.

While the defense got the Penguins on the board early, the offense struggled to move the ball throughout the first half.

YSU punted on each of its first five possessions and didn’t record its first offensive points until the third quarter.

Meanwhile, after the safety, the defense recorded an interception by DJ Harris and held the Redbirds to a field goal on each of Illinois State’s next two possessions.

However, the Redbirds finally broke through with a touchdown drive to begin the second quarter, and Illinois State took a 9-2 lead into halftime.

On their opening drive of the second half, an 11-yard touchdown drive by Rittenhouse extended the Redbirds’ lead.

The two-touchdown deficit was enough to reawaken YSU’s offense, as they finally strung together an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by Tyshon King. King’s score was facilitated by a 23-yard catch-and-run by tight end Colt Sechrest the play before on a critical third down.

The Redbirds continued their own offensive momentum with another touchdown drive minutes later. YSU looked to stop ISU on third down, but a pass interference penalty down the sideline gave the Redbirds a fresh set of downs and they scored on the next play with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Rittenhouse to Javon Charles.

With YSU trailing by two touchdowns, a messy fourth quarter ensued.

YSU drove into the red zone, hoping to again cut into Illinois State’s lead. But the Penguins came away with no points after Andrew Lastovka’s 31-yard field goal attempt was wide right.

The defense got a stop and forced a punt, but Penguins quarterback Beau Brungard was intercepted by ISU’s Tye Niekamp with 8:03 to go.

A Wenkers Wright fumble recovered by YSU’s Jeremiah Robinson gave the Penguins the ball back, and YSU drove down and made it a one-possession game on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Brungard to Max Tomczak on fourth-and-goal.

On Illinois State’s last drive, YSU had an opportunity to get the ball back with a chance to tie the game after what looked like a stop on third-and-8. But an unnecessary roughness penalty gave the Redbirds a first down, and from there, Rittenhouse knelt out the clock to secure the win for the Redbirds.

YSU will continue its road trip next week with a visit to Carbondale, Ill. to face Southern Illinois on Saturday at 1 p.m.