Beau Brungard wasted no time reminding college football fans why he is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the FCS.
The Youngstown State quarterback put together an impressive performance Thursday night, leading the Penguins to a dominant 43-10 victory over Mercyhurst in their season opener.
Brungard entered the season with plenty of expectations after winning the 2025 Walter Payton Award, which is given annually to the top offensive player in the FCS. The senior quarterback showed exactly why he earned that honor as Youngstown State controlled the game from start to finish.
The Penguins’ offense consistently moved the ball, while Brungard used both his arm and his legs to keep the Mercyhurst defense under pressure. His ability to make plays outside the pocket continued to be one of the biggest strengths of Youngstown State’s offense.
Brungard is coming off a historic 2025 season in which he threw for more than 3,200 yards and 26 touchdowns while adding nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns. He finished the season with more than 4,700 yards of total offense and established himself as one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the FCS.
Thursday night’s performance was another strong start to what could be another special season for the Youngstown State star.
The Penguins entered the season ranked among the top teams in the FCS and were picked to finish third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference during the preseason. Brungard was also named a first team preseason All American after his outstanding 2025 campaign.
With Brungard back under center, Youngstown State has one of the most experienced and dynamic quarterbacks in the subdivision.
The Penguins will now turn their attention to the rest of their schedule, but if Thursday night’s performance is any indication, Brungard appears ready for another huge season.
After winning the Walter Payton Award last year, the pressure will be high. So far, Brungard looks more than ready to handle it.
