Saturday, October 14, 2023
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

PFL Scoreboard: Oct. 14

Marist 30, San Diego 16
Presbyterian 20, Dayton 17
Davidson 35, Butler 33
Drake 52, St. Thomas 21
Morehead State 24, Valparaiso 21

PFL Recaps

Marist 30, San Diego 16

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Marist’s defense forced six turnovers and scored a safety, and the Red Foxes claimed their first-ever victory against San Diego, 30-16, in PFL action Saturday at Tenney Stadium. After a scoreless first quarter, San Diego scored the game’s first touchdown on Re-al Mitchell’s 49-yard run. However, Marist scored on its ensuing drive on Brock Bagozzi’s 17-yard completion to Trevor Sterry. The Red Foxes' defense closed the half by forcing a fumble on San Diego’s final three drives – Marist turning two of those giveaways into touchdowns to take a 21-7 halftime lead. On the other side of halftime, Nick Vecchiarelli picked off a pass and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown and a 28-7 lead. San Diego would score a touchdown in the third and fourth quarters but could not close the gap further. Bagozzi completed 10-of-20 passes for 91 yards as Marist needed only 182 offensive yards in the win. San Diego's Isaiah Smith ran for 109 yards, and Mitchell added 94 yards and a touchdown.

Presbyterian 20, Dayton 17

DAYTON, Ohio – In overtime, Mack Mikko’s 34-yard field goal pushed Presbyterian to a 20-17 PFL victory against Dayton Saturday at Welcome Stadium for the Blue Hose’s first-ever PFL win. Presbyterian raced out to a 17-0 lead with JB Seay’s three-yard run with 1:59 left in the third quarter capping the Blue Hose’s scoring in regulation. Dayton charged back with a 17-point fourth quarter. Michael Neel and Cole Dow each ran for touchdowns in the frame, Dow scoring with 13 seconds remaining to force overtime. Dayton saw its 38-yard field goal attempt fail to find the mark in the extra period. Presbyterian also could not move the ball in overtime, but Mikko hit his 34-yarder to win the game. Presbyterian’s Tyler Wesley completed 16-of-25 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. Dow ran for 85 yards and a score on eight carries to pace Dayton’s 193 rushing yard day.

Davidson 35, Butler 33

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Davidson led 35-24 going into the fourth quarter but had to survive a potential game-winning 58-yard field goal attempt in a 35-33 PFL victory against Butler Saturday at the Sellick Bowl. Davidson built a 28-14 halftime lead and saw Butler close within four points on Luka Zurak’s 40-yard field goal with 2:41 left in the third quarter. The Wildcats extended their lead as the third quarter ended as Mari Adams scored an eight-yard touchdown. Butler charged back in the fourth quarter with Zurak’s 29-yard field goal and a Jyran Mitchell four-yard touchdown run. Butler got a turnover on downs with 18 seconds left, and Bushka hit a 27-yard completion and a six-yard completion to set up a 58-yard field goal attempt, but the field goal missed, and Davidson escaped with the win. Adams rushed for three touchdowns and 171 yards to lead Davidson’s offense. Mitchell ran for 123 yards and a touchdown to pace Butler.

Drake 52, St. Thomas 21

DES MOINES, Iowa – Luke Bailey threw five touchdowns, including three in the third quarter, as Drake downed St. Thomas 52-21 in PFL action Saturday at Drake Stadium.  St. Thomas took a 21-14 lead with 4:30 left in the first half when Lucas Torgerson returned a blocked punt 17 yards for a touchdown. Drake tied the game with M. January’s 68-yard pick-six and took a 24-21 lead into halftime with Shane Dunning’s 19-yard field goal. After the break, Bailey threw three touchdowns in a 3:57 span – finding Eli Stewart once and Parker Olthoff twice to extend the Drake lead to 45-21. Meanwhile, Drake’s defense held St. Thomas to 49 second-half yards without an offensive touchdown over the final 40:27 to secure the win. Bailey completed 24-of-32 passes for 411 yards and five touchdowns, January catching nine of those passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Tat Tateoka completed 7-of-15 passes for 83 yards for St. Thomas.

Morehead State 24, Valparaiso 21

VALPARAISO, Ind. – Nathan Hazlett hit a walk-off 28-yard field goal as Morehead State scored 17 fourth-quarter points to claim a 24-21 PFL victory against Valparaiso Saturday at Brown Field. Valparaiso took a 14-7 lead into halftime after Ryan Mann’s 23-yard touchdown run – his second of the day – with 8:41 left in the half. Neither team scored in the third quarter and in the fourth quarter until Carter Cravens found Ryan Upp for a 46-yard touchdown pass with 6:03 left in the fourth quarter. Valparaiso regained the lead on Jake Jeffers's six-yard touchdown pass to Jeffrey Jackson at 2:31. Morehead State struck back quickly, with Cravens and Upp connecting again for an 80-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive. The Eagles defense forced a quick three-and-out, and the offense gained possession with 51 seconds left. Cravens opened the next drive with a 64-yard completion to Trevon Kleint. Hazlett lined up for a 39-yard field goal but missed the try; however, the Beacons were called for a penalty to extend the game. Hazlett did not miss his second try from 28 yards, giving Morehead State the win. Cravens completed 23-of-38 passes for 396 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 31 yards and a touchdown. Jeffrey Jackson completed 18-of-29 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns for Valparaiso.