DES MOINES, Iowa – Dayton defeated the Drake University football team, 28-10, Saturday afternoon in Pioneer Football League at Drake Stadium.
Dayton (3-2, 2-1 PFL) never trailed Drake (2-4, 1-2 PFL) as the Flyers won their second-straight game in the longtime series.
Dayton struck first early in the second quarter when a high snap sailed over the head of Bulldogs’ punter Shane Dunning in Drake’s territory. Ca’ron Coleman scooped it up at the four-yard line and ran it into the end zone.
Later, rushing touchdowns by Jack Cook and Jake Chisolm gave Dayton a 21-0 lead in the third quarter.
Drake got on the scoreboard early in the fourth quarter with a 33-yard field goal by Dunning. It capped an 11-play drive that went 49 yards.
The Bulldogs came back quickly as they marched down the field 70 yard in just 51 seconds after forcing a Dayton punt. Quarterback Blake Ellingson rushed for a first down on a 19-yard gain and 15 more yards were tacked on for unnecessary roughness penalty as the football moved to the 18-yard line. On the next play, Ellingson hit Brandon Langdok for a touchdown and with Dunning’s extra point made the score 21-10.
Dayton came right back and countered with a touchdown drive that went 46 yards, and was capped by Chisolm’s second rushing touchdown of the game. Drake had one more drive but it ended on Dayton’s 49-yard line when Ellingson’s fourth-down pass to Austin Flax went incomplete.
Ellingson in his second career start played well passing for 244 yards with one touchdown. He added a team-high 48 yards on the ground.
Colin Howard had five receptions for 56 yards while Langdok finished with 64 yards and one touchdown.
Declan Carr led the defense with 10 tackles, including four unassisted. Danny Morales had eight tackles and his first interception this season. His interception came late in the second quarter and helped prevent a potential Flyers’ score. It also marked the fourth-straight game, Drake recorded a turnover. The Bulldogs’ defense entered Saturday with a PFL-leading 12 turnovers.
Drake travels to San Diego next Saturday for a 4 p.m. central kick.
