Sunday, October 15, 2023
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

Offensive

Luke Bailey, Drake (Sophomore (RS), Quarterback, Cypress, Texas)

Bailey threw five touchdown passes, including three in a decisive third quarter, as Drake downed St. Thomas 52-21 in PFL action Saturday. His first two touchdowns, both in the second quarter and to Mitchell January, helped Drake take a 24-21 lead into halftime. Bailey broke the game open in the third quarter with three touchdown passes to help open up a 45-21 lead. He threw two touchdowns to Parker Olthoff and another to Eli Stewart in the frame. In addition to his five touchdown throws, he passed for 411 yards – the fifth-best passing performance in the FCS this season – while completing 24-of-32 passes.

Others Nominated

• Ryan Mann, Valparaiso (RSo., Running Back, Vernon Hills, Ill.) became the Beacons’ first 100-yard rusher this season, finishing with 102 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries against Morehead State.
• Mari Adams, Davidson (So., Running Back, Shelby, N.C.) ran for a career-best 171 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries against Butler.
• Ryan Upp, Morehead State (Jr., Wide Receiver, Leesburg, Va.) caught eight passes for 184 yards and had fourth-quarter touchdowns of 46 and 80 yards at Valparaiso.
• Cole Dow, Dayton (RSr., Quarterback, Park Ridge, Ill.) entered the game in the second half to lead the Flyers comeback effort, rushing for 85 yards and a touchdown on eight carries and completing 8-of-15 passes for 51 yards.

Defensive

Angelo Vokolos, Marist (Sophomore (RS), Linebacker, Sewell, New Jersey)

Vokolos had 2.5 sacks, including a strip sack, to pace a defense that had six takeaways as Marist claimed its first-ever victory against San Diego, 30-16, Saturday.  With the game tied 7-7 in the second quarter, his strip-sack helped end a San Diego drive, ultimately leading to a Marist go-ahead touchdown drive. Then, with under three minutes remaining, he helped preserve the lead with a sack on second down and a half-sack on third down on San Diego’s penultimate drive. He wrapped up the game with a tackle on the game’s final play.

Others Nominated

• Sam Hafner, Valparaiso (RJr., Defensive Lineman, Green Bay, Wis.) credited with 1.5 tackles for loss in a six-tackle day against Morehead State, including a half sack.
• Daniel Carter, Davidson (Jr., Safety, Denver, N.C.) had an interception and eight tackles against Butler.
• Isaac Armstrong, Morehead State (Grad., Linebacker, Lexington, Ky.) had 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack in his four-tackle outing at Valparaiso.
• Matt Lenti, Dayton (Grad., Safety, LaGrange Park, Ill.) had an interception and recovered a fumble during a six-tackle outing against Presbyterian.
• Alex Herriott, Presbyterian (Jr., Linebacker, Hanahan, S.C.) had 14 tackles, two for loss, and a half sack at Dayton.
• Finn Claypool, Drake (RSo., Defensive Lineman, Des Moines, Iowa) had two sacks, including a strip-sack, as part of a four-tackle day against St. Thomas.

Special Teams

Mack Mikko, Presbyterian (Fr., Kicker, Newman, Georgia)

Mikko’s 34-yard walk-off field goal in overtime provided Presbyterian its first-ever PFL victory with a 20-17 victory at Dayton. Earlier in the game, he opened the scoring with a 28-yard field goal, then added two PATs to help Presbyterian break out to a 17-0 lead. After Presbyterian saw its overtime drive stall out, he hit the 34-yarder – his 10th field goal of the season – to clinch the win.

Others Nominated

• Evan Matthes, Valparaiso (6th Yr., Punter, Reston, Va.) averaged 42.7 yards on six punts, including a 67-yarder, and had a 23-yard pass completion on a fake punt play against Morehead State.
• Tristan Shannon, Marist (RJr., Kick Returner, Bowie, Md.) averaged 27.3 yards on three kick returns, including a 56-yard return, against San Diego.
• Ryan Sever, St. Thomas (So., Linebacker, Edina, Minn.) blocked a pair of punts at Drake, including one returned for a touchdown.