YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State junior quarterback Beau Brungard was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year, the league announced Monday, becoming the first Penguin quarterback to earn the award since YSU joined the conference in 1997.

Brungard headlined a strong postseason showing for the Penguins, who landed four players on the All-MVFC first team. He was joined by wide receiver Max Tomczak, defensive lineman Michael Wells and return specialist Ky “Flash” Wilson.

Brungard put together one of the most dynamic dual-threat seasons in FCS history to secure the honor. He received 102 votes, outpacing North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton, who finished with 69. Brungard rushed for 1,378 yards and 24 touchdowns on 225 carries while completing 254 of 368 passes for 2,917 yards and 23 touchdowns with just three interceptions. His year included the first 300-yard passing, 200-yard rushing performance in FCS history, achieved at Illinois State, and seven 100-yard rushing games.

He becomes the fourth Penguin to earn the conference’s top offensive award, joining running backs PJ Mays (2001), Marcus Mason (2006) and Jaleel McLaughlin (2022), and the second YSU quarterback to earn first-team All-MVFC honors, following Kurt Hess in 2011.

Tomczak earned first-team recognition for the second straight season, while Wells and Wilson received first-team honors for the first time.

YSU also had two second-team selections — offensive lineman Desmeal Leigh and punter Brendon Kilpatrick — and four honorable-mention picks: running back Jaden Gilbert, defensive back Dayne Hodge, placekicker Andrew Lastovka and Wilson, who was additionally selected as an all-purpose player. Wilson was also named to the league’s all-newcomer team.

The Penguins ended their season Saturday with a 43-42 loss to Yale in the first round of the FCS playoffs.