YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Kurt Hess threw four touchdown passes and ran for a fifth, leading Youngstown State to a 59-21 rout of Illinois State in a Missouri Valley Conference matchup Saturday night.

The Penguins (6-1, 3-0 MVC) exploded in the second quarter, outscoring Illinois State 31-7. Hess threw three of his four scores in the quarter, including a 40-yarder to Andrew Williams, a 67-yard strike to Marcel Caver and a 10-yard pass to Jelani Berassa. Martin Ruiz also had a 26-yard rushing touchdown.

Hess finished 17-of-21 for a career-high 311 yards. He also ran 16 yards for a score in the third quarter to continue the Penguins' onslaught.

The Redbirds (2-4, 1-2) led early after a Collin Keoshian rushing touchdown before falling behind in the second quarter. They pulled within 14 when Blake Winkler threw a 67-yard strike to Cameron Meredith, but no closer. Winkler was 15-of-23 for 221 yards with two interceptions.