Thursday, August 30, 2012

Morehead State posted a shutout in its season opener for the second consecutive season to open the 2012 season on a winning note. Drake also picked up a home victory to run its win streak to five games. Meanwhile, Campbell fell in its first-ever home night game, Valparaiso saw a win slip through its fingers in the closing moment and Butler saw a potential game-tying drive halted by the final whistle in opening night action across the Pioneer Football League.

PFL SCORES FOR AUGUST 30 (WEEK 1)
Morehead State def. Southern Virginia, 55-0
Western Illinois def. Butler, 23-15
Shorter def. Campbell, 31-20
St. Joseph's (Ind.) def. Valparaiso, 36-34
Drake def. Grand View, 28-8 

MOREHEAD STATE def. SOUTHERN VIRGNIA, 55-0
MOREHEAD, Ky. – Quarterback Zach Lewis threw for four tochdowns and ran for another as Morehead State defeated Southern Virginia, 55-0, in Thursday non-conference action at Jayne Stadium. Lewis completed 16-of-22 passes for 249 yards and ran 12 yards for a touchdown to end a 24-point first quarter. Five different Eagles receivers caught a touchdown pass and 11 caught at least one pass in the contest. Kicker Rainer Duzan connected on a career-best 50-yard field goal in the third quarter and finished with 13 points.

WESTERN ILLINOIS def. BUTLER, 23-15
MACOMB, Ill. – Butler nearly battled back from a 23-point deficit before falling 23-15 to Western Illinois in Thursday non-conference action at Hanson Field. The Bulldogs drove to the four-yard line on their final drive but the referee, who controlled the final 38 seconds of the game due to a malfunctioning clock, signaled the game's end. Quarterback Matt Lancaster, who was making his first start after transferring from Illinois State, marshalled the Bulldogs on second half scoring drives of 77 and 65 yards to move within one scoring drive away from tying the game. Lancaster finished the game completing 16-of-35 passes for 209 yards and rushed nine times for 46 yards, scoring a touchdown both passing and running. 

SHORTER def. CAMPBELL, 31-20
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Five Campbell turnovers spoiled the program's first ever home night football game with a 31-20 non-conference loss to Shorter, Thursday, at Barker-Lane Stadium. The Fighting Camels committed fumbles on each of their four first-quarter drives and Shorter capitalized for 10 points. Campbell took the lead on running back's Kurt Odom's two-yard run early in the third quarter and held that lead until a pair of fourth-quarter 61-yard touchdown scoring plays led Shorter to the win. Quarterback Braden Smith completed 29-of-45 passes for 336 yards and a touchdown. Senior kicker Sam Eberwein connected on two of his three field goals, including a 41-yard boot in the fourth quarter, and finished with eight points.

ST. JOSEPH'S (IND.) def. VALPARAISO, 36-34
VALPARAISO, Ind. – Valparaiso led by a touchdown entering the final quarter but could not hold on in a 36-34 non-conference loss to St. Joseph's (Ind.), Thursday, at Brown Stadium. The Crusaders took their first lead early in the third quarter thanks to Devan Gadson's 36-yard fumble recovery dash for a touchdown. After St. Joseph's quickly struck for a score later in the period, Valparaiso put together a 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive that was capped by Gabe Ali-El's five yard touchdown drive. However, St. Joseph's scored a field goal midway through the fourth quarter and drove 93 yards in 12 plays to score the game-winning touchdown with 24 seconds remaining. Sophomore quarterback Eric Hoffman completed 23-of-44 passes for 221 yards. Ali-El carried the ball 15 times for 84 yards and two touchdowns. 

DRAKE def. GRAND VIEW, 28-8
DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake surrendered the game's first touchdown but rallied to down Grand View, 28-8, in non-conference action, Thursday, at Drake Stadium. After surrendering a touchdown in the opening five minutes, the Bulldogs rallied quickly with quarterback Mike Piatkowski leading them down on a 10-play, 53-yard drive culminating in a one-yard pass to Nick Rosa for the go-ahead score. Linebacker John Hugunin added a 35-yard blocked punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Running back Gary Scott rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Piatkowski was 25-of-41 passing for 271 yards and two touchdowns, completing passes to seven different receivers.