Tuesday, September 6, 2005

THE WEEK'S OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES
OFFENSE
APSU RB Chris Fletcher: 23 carries for 105 yds, 2 TDs
BUT QB Rob Farmer: 28-of-49 for 268 yds, 2 TDs
DRA QB Connor Jostes: 11-of-20 for 118 yards, TD
USD QB Josh Johnson: 23-of-34 for 286 yds, 3 TDs in 1st collegiate start
VAL RB Jeff Horton*: 34 carries for 253 yds, 2 TDs

DEFENSE
BUT LB Mike Marzotto: 9 tackles, 1 TFL
DAV FS Zac Long: 15 tackles (5 solo), INT in 1st collegiate game
DAY LB John Hoppe: 11 tackles (6 solo), 2 TFLs, blocked punt

SPECIAL TEAMS
DAV RS Brett Dioguardi: 4 KOR (28.8 ypr), incl. 46-yd KOR
DAY K Josh Heyne: 1-2 FGs (made 43-yd), 5-5 PATs, 7 kickoffs: 3 TBs and 2 I-20s
DRA K Ryan Horvath: 26-yd FG, 2-2 PATs, 7 punts (38.3 ypp)

PFL WEEKLY STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points Scored: 18 by Matt Mong, Dayton
Total Offense: 328 yards by Kevin Hoyng, Dayton
Rushing Yardage: 253 yards by Jeff Horton, Valparaiso
Passing Yardage: 286 yards by Josh Johnson, San Diego
Receiving Yardage: 170 yards by Ryan Wrobleski, Dayton
All-Purpose Yardage: 263 yards by Jeff Horton, Valparaiso
Punting Average: 41.7 ypp by Joe Blahowicz, Valparaiso
Interceptions: 1 by seven players
Tackles: 16.0 by Alex Arinsmier, Davidson
Sacks: 2.0 by Kevin Cristello, Morehead State
Tackles for Loss: by 2.5 Doug Howard, Valparaiso

NEW COACHES AND COACHING MILESTONES: Two new head coaches got their careers underway last weekend, Davidson's Tripp Merritt and Valparaiso's Stacy Adams. Merritt shouldered a loss in his first outing at I-AA VMI. Meanwhile, Adams saw his Crusaders pick up a road victory at Wisconsin Lutheran. Among the old guard, Morehead State's Matt Ballard picked up career victory No. 100 as his Eagles posted a come-from-behind victory at St. Francis (Pa.).

2005 PFL CHAMPIONSHIP: The 2005 PFL Championship will be hosted by the PFL North champion, Nov. 19. It is the 5th PFL Championship since the beginning of the divisional era in 2000. The PFL North is undefeated in the four previous championships.

PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATION: the Pioneer Football League's coaches tabbed Drake and Morehead State to win their respective divisions in the PFL's preseason poll. Drake is picked first for the first time since divisional play began while it is the fourth time in five seasons Morehead State has been chosen as the PFL South winner.

PFL NORTH POLL RESULTS: Drake, the 2004 PFL Champion, received five of the nine possible first-place votes in the PFL North. Dayton and San Diego split the four remaining first-place votes and were picked second and third, respectively. Valparaiso and Butler round out the five-team PFL North, the two teams selected in a fourth-place tie.

PFL SOUTH POLL RESULTS: Morehead State, the three-time PFL North defending champion, received five first-place votes. Second-place Jacksonville picked up three first-place votes while Austin Peay, which was picked third, claimed one first-place vote. Davidson rounds out the four-team PFL South.

DRAKE PRESEASON MID-MAJOR PICK, BUT TOUGH ROAD AHEAD: Drake was the preseason favorite in the Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major Poll and was even picked No. 23 by Street & Smith Magazine. However, the Bulldogs, who continue to improve the strength of their schedule, scheduled a pair of tough opening dates. The first of those test saw Drake fall with a 52-17 loss at I-AA No. 12 Northern Iowa. This week Drake travels to I-AA Illinois State.

APSU'S KELLOGG BEGINS ASSAULT ON SCHOOL'S RECORD BOOK: Austin Peay's Jesse Kellogg set the school record for pass atempts with a late fourth-quarter completion at Charleston (W.Va.), his 28th pass attempt on the day. He currently has 839 career pass attempts, pushing him past Brian Baker (1998-01), who had 838 in his injury-interrupted career.

CONSTRUCTION MADNESS: Two PFL members are playing away from their friendly confines due to renovations at their on-campus facilities.