Saturday, April 17, 2021
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

Spring Week 10 Results

Valparaiso 20, San Diego 19
Presbyterian 28, Drake 24
Morehead State 28, Butler 18
Stetson at Davidson, canceled

Game Recaps

Valparaiso 20, San Diego 19
VALPARAISO, Ind. – Quarterback Ben Nimz found wide receiver Braden Contreras for a nine-yard touchdown and Brian Bartholomew hit the extra point with 25 seconds remaining and Valparaiso defeated San Diego, 20-19 at Brown Field. Valparaiso defeated San Diego for the first time since 2003, but only after a flurry of fourth-quarter action. Entering the quarter tied 13-13, San Diego got a strip-sack and recovered the fumble to set up at its own 43-yard line with 11:35 left. Quarterback Mason Randall led a quick five-play, 57-yard drive and found Michael Carner for a 25-yard touchdown with 8:37 left. However, the extra-point kick was blocked by lineman Drew Gedrys, leaving San Diego holding a 19-13 lead. Late in the game, a 15-yard San Diego punt let Valparaiso start a drive at the San Diego 43-yard line and Nimz needed just four plays to navigate the 43 yards for the tying touchdown and go-ahead PAT. Nimz completed 10-of-21 passes for 193 yards and threw Valparaiso's lone offensive touchdown. Randall completed 15-of-29 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns.

Presbyterian 28, Drake 24
DES MOINES, Iowa – Presbyterian scored twice in the fourth quarter to overcome an 11-point deficit and post a 28-24 victory against Drake, Saturday, at Drake Stadium. Drake led 24-13 with 10:58 left in the third quarter after quarterback Michael Markett threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harrison Murray. Late in the thrid quarter, Drake pinned Presbyterian on its own three-yard line but Tyler Huff led a 15-play, 97-yard drive that was kept alive by a key pass interference penalty on a 4th-and-2 play. Brandon Thompson finished the drive with a two-yard run and wide receiver Kiaran Turner caught the two-point conversion to narrow the deficit to 24-21 with 9:42 left. Six minutes later, Presbyterian again faced a long field, starting on its own 13-yard line with 3:10 left in the game. Huff quick-marched Presbyterian down the field in eight plays, finding Lawson Bachelder for a 46-yard touchdown catch-and-carry to take the lead with 1:00 remaining. Huff completed 28-of-49 passes for 365 yards and a touchdown to lead Presbyterian. Collin Howard caught five passes for 110 yards and a touchdown to lead Drake.

Morehead State 28, Butler 18
MOREHEAD, Ky. – BJ Byrd had two touchdown receptions and an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to help Morehead State down Butler, 28-28, Saturday at Jayne Stadium. Morehead State scored the game's first two touchdowns, including a Mark Pappas-to-Byrd 40-yard strike, to take a 14-0 lead with 5:49 left in the first. Butler would close to within four points, 14-10, when JJ Wadas connected on a 21-yard field goal at the end of the half. But it was a wild sequence at the end of the third quarter that proved decisive. Morehead State took a 21-10 lead when Byrd caught a two-yard touchdown pass with 2:19 left. Butler would respond on the ensuing possession, with Nick Orlando finding Kavon Samuels on a 42-yard touchdown pass with one second left. But that proved one second too many as Byrd returned the ensuing kickoff 85-yards for the game-sealing touchdown. Byrd finished with 203 all-purpose yards with three kick returns going for 150 yards and three receptions adding 53 yards. Quarterback Sam Brown led Butler with a 27-for-36, 284-yard passing effort that included a touchdown.