Saturday, November 15, 2014
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

IN BRIEF

San Diego scored a touchdown on the final play of the game to defeat Valparaiso, 32-27, Saturday and win the 2014 Pioneer Football League Championship and the league's automatic qualifying spot in the 2015 NCAA Division I Football Championship. It is San Diego's third PFL title in four years and sixth title all-time.

PFL SCORES

San Diego def. Valparaiso, 32-27
Dayton def. Butler, 21-14
Morehead State def. Stetson, 41-18
Jacksonville def. Campbell, 45-19
Marist def. Davidson, 38-7

LEAGUE RECAPS

SAN DIEGO defeated VALPARAISO, 32-27
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – A wild fourth quarter was capped when Keith Williams 44-yard touchdown throw found Brandon White as time expired to lift San Diego to a 32-27 PFL victory against Valparaiso, Saturday, at Torero Stadium. San Diego took a 26-14 lead early in the fourth quarter as Williams connected with Justin Priest for a five-yard touchdown with 13:45 left. Valparaiso immediately responded using two plays to cover 70 yards in 40 seconds, Ben Lehman capping the drive with a 37-yard touchdown run. Neither team would score again until Lehman found Spenser Pennington on a three-yard touchdown pass with 32 seconds left. On the ensuing drive, San Diego started at its own 34-yard line, but Williams moved into Valparaiso territory on his second pass attempt, setting up his 44-yard strike. Williams completed 19-of-33 passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns to pace the Toreros while running back Jonah Hodges ran for 168 yards on 20 carries. Lehman completed 20-of-30 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown.

MORE>> San Diego Recap | Valparaiso Recap | Box Score

DAYTON defeated BUTLER, 21-14
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Quarterback Will Bardo was responsible for all three Dayton touchdowns in a 21-14 PFL victory against Butler, Saturday, at the Butler Bowl. Dayton jumped out to a 14-0 lead thanks to Bardo, who found Cory Stuart for a 27-yard touchdown pass then ran in a touchdown from one yard out. Butler leveled the score with two big plays from its quarterback, Malcolm Weaver, who found Derek O'Connor on a 62-yard touchdown pass then scrambled for a 37-yard touchdown run. However, Bardo had the final say, connecting on a 28-yard touchdown pass to Ross Smith in the third quarter in what proved to be the final score. Bardo completed 22-of-37 passes for 240 yards to lead Dayton. Weaver completed 12-of-35 passes for 157 yards, including 8 connections to O'Connor totaling 144 yards.

MORE>> Dayton Recap | Butler Recap | Box Score

MOREHEAD STATE defeated STETSON, 41-18
MOREHEAD, Ky. – Morehead State scored the game's final 21 points to escape with a 41-18 PFL victory against Stetson, Saturday, at Jayne Stadium. Stetson got within two points, 20-18, early in the third quarter when Ryan Powers picked up a fumble and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown with 10:01 left. But that was the Hatters final score as Morehead State scored three touchdowns in a six-minute span. Quarterback Austin Gahafer threw touchdown passes of 32 yards and 13 yards and running back Lawrence Jones struck from four yards out to help Morehead State secure the win. Morehead State saw three running backs and three receivers combine to score six touchdowns, while Gahafer completed 32-of-40 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns. Stetson's offense scored just one touchdown as Ryan Tentler completed 10-of-24 passes for a touchdown but saw two passes intercepted.

MORE>> Morehead State Recap | Stetson Recap | Box Score

JACKSONVILLE defeated CAMPBELL, 45-19
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Returning home for the first time since October 4, Jacksonville reminded its fans what they missed with a 45-19 PFL victory against Campbell, Saturday, at D.B. Milne Field. The Dolphins jumped out to a 14-0 lead and led 24-7 at halftime and never looked back. Kade Bell threw three touchdowns as part of a 21-of-31 passing effort for 286 yards to pace Jacksonville while Ulysses Bryant added 115 yards on 12 carries, including a touchdown dash. Campbell's Dakota Wolf amassed 224 total offensive yards, passing for 154 yards and two touchdowns while running for 70 yards.

MORE>> Jacksonville Recap | Campbell Recap | Box Score

MARIST defeated DAVIDSON, 38-7
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Marist scored the game's first 38 points en route to a 38-7 PFL victory against Davidson, Saturday, at Tenney Stadium. Marist's Wade Onakoya scored the game's first two touchdowns, giving Marist a 14-0 lead after one quarter. A three-touchdown second quarter was highlighted by Ed Achziger's 47-yard touchdown strike to Armani Martin as Marist grabbed a 35-0 halftime lead. Davidson's Hub Cirame broke up the shutout with an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter. Marist's Achziger completed 17-of-24 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Davidson's offense was held to 144 total yards.

MORE>> Marist Recap | Davidson Recap | Box Score