Saturday, September 9, 2023
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

Week 2 Scoreboard

Dayton 62, Central State (Ohio) 24
Presbyterian 48, Virginia-Lynchburg 17
Butler 41, Taylor 13
Stetson 38, Webber International 28
South Dakota 24, St. Thomas 0
Colorado Mesa 28, San Diego 21 (OT)
Indiana Wesleyan 24, Valparaiso 22
Northwestern (Iowa) 27, Drake 24 (OT)
Mercer 48, Morehead State 22

Game Recaps

Dayton 62, Central State (Ohio) 24
DAYTON, Ohio - Dayton got touchdowns from eight different players as it rolled to a 62-24 nonconference victory against Central State Saturday at Welcome Stadium. The Flyers scored the game's first 27 points with starting quarterback Dante Casciola throwing touchdown passes to Gavin Lochow, Alec Keathley, and Joey Swanson around Michael Neel's 70-yard touchdown run. In addition to six offensive touchdowns, Dayton scored two defensive touchdowns with Chase Brown recovery a fumble and returning it 32 yards for a score and Jacob Schachte scoring a 76-yard pick-six. Dayton amassed 308 rushing yards, Neel leading the effort with a 125-yard rushing day.

Presbyterian 48, Virginia-Lynchburg 17
CLINTON, S.C. - Presbyterian scored the final 28 points to pull away from Virginia-Lynchburg for a 48-17 nonconference victory at Bailey Memorial Stadium. Virginia-Lynchburg closed within three points at 17-10 with a blocked punt return for a touchdown to open the third quarter. Presbyterian extended its lead four minutes later when Tyler Wesley connected with Cincere Gill for a 20-yard touchdown. Wesley then ran for a touchdown and threw for another before the third quarter ended to push the Blue Hose's lead to 41-17 which would not be challenged the rest of the game. Wesley led Presbyterian by completing 14-of-22 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns while running for 67 yards and a touchdown.

Butler 41, Taylor 13
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Jyran Mitchell rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns as Butler rolled to a 41-13 nonconference victory against Taylor Saturday at the Sellick Bowl. Mitchell opened the scoring with touchdown runs of one and 60 yards in the first quarter then added a 63-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to extend the Bulldogs lead to 31-7 lead that would not be threatened.

Stetson 38, Webber International 28
DELAND, Fla. - Stetson raced out to a 38-7 lead but had to hold on late for a 38-28 nonconference victory against Webber International Saturday at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. Matt O'Connor threw first quarter touchdown passes to Nazeviah Burns and Devon Brewer before Kaderris Roberts scored a rushing touchdown to cap the 21-point frame. The Hatters scored twice in the second quarter, including a Brady Meitz to Gabe Atkin touchdown toss to take a 35-7 halftime lead. After Stetson added a third-quarter field goal, Webber International sparked a 21-point fourth quarter with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. But after closing within 10 points, WIU attempted an on-side kick that was recovered by Stetson with 1:50 remaining and was able to run out the clock. O'Connor completed 11-of-17 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Hatters.

South Dakota 24, St. Thomas 0
VERMILLION, S.D. - Aidan Bouman threw two touchdown passes and South Dakota downed St. Thomas 28-0 in nonconference action Saturday at The Dakotadome. Neither team found offensive success easily in the first half, with Bouman's 30-yard touchdown pass to Jack Mertens providing the half's lone touchdown. Bouman doubled the Coyotes lead in the third quarter with a touchdown toss to JJ Galbreath. South Dakota added 10 points in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. St. Thomas quarterback Tak Tateoka completed 15-of-22 passes for 133 yards to lead the Tommies offense.

Colorado Mesa 28, San Diego 21 (OT)
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - San Diego forced overtime when Dom Nankil threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Josh Heverly with 1:07 left in regulation. However, the Toreros could not score in overtime and dropped a 28-21 decision to Colorado Mesa Saturday at Torero Stadium. After a scoreless first quarter, Colorado Mesa scored the game's first two touchdowns in the second quarter only to see San Diego respond with two touchdowns before the half ended and the teams went into the break tied 14-14. Colorado Mesa took the lead late in the third quarter with an 84-yard touchdown run before San Diego tied the game in the fourth quarter. In overtime, Colorado Mesa needed just one play to score courtesy a 25-yard touchdown run, but they kept San Diego out of the end zone to secure the victory. Nankil led San Diego with his 16-of-35 passing effort for 174 yards and three touchdowns while Isaiah Williams ran for 161 yards on 22 carries.

Indiana Wesleyan 24, Valparaiso 22
MARION, Ind. - Valparaiso charged back from an 11-point deficit after three quarters but a two-point conversion late failed in the fourth quarter and Indiana Wesleyan escaped with a 24-22 victory Saturday at Wildcat Memorial Stadium. Michael Appel Jr. threw a pair of touchdown passes, including a 14-yarder to Tytus Ragle with seven seconds remaining in teh game. However, his two-point conversion pass didn't find its target. Appel completed 19-of-36 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns.

Northwestern (Iowa) 27, Drake 24 (OT)
DES MOINES, Iowa - Drake and Northwestern (Iowa) traded scores throughout four quarters, but in overtime Drake saw its field goal answered with a Northwestern touchdown and the visitors escaped with a 27-24 victory Saturday at Drake Stadium. Drake built a 21-13 lead when Luke Bailey connected with Trey Radocha for a 23-yard touchdown. Northwestern scored with 43 seconds remaining on a 38-yard touchdown pass and followed with a two-point conversion to force overtime. In the extra period, Drake scored with Shane Dunning's 40-yard field goal. Northwestern needed just four plays to respond, scoring a touchdown on a 16-yard run to claim the win. Bailey completed 24-of-32 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns.

Mercer 48, Morehead State 22
MACON, Ga. - Morehead State scored 13 points to open the second quarter and led 15-14 with 2:18 left in the first half but could not hold on, with Mercer claiming a 48-22 victory Saturday at Five Star Stadium. Trailing 14-3 entering the second quarter, Morehead State got two field goals from Nathan Hazlett and a 24-yard touchdown pass from Carter Cravens to Kyle Daly, resulting in 12 unanswered points and a 15-14 lead. However, Mercer scored a touchdown with 32 seconds left in the half and scored the second half's first nine points to build a 28-15 lead and it would never look back. Cravens completed 14-of-26 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns to pace Morehead State.