ST. LOUIS – Morehead State ended the FCS’ longest conference win streak, using a late field goal to take the lead and a touchdown on the game’s final play to defeat Drake in Des Moines, Iowa. Despite the loss, Drake remains in control of its destiny regarding the Pioneer Football League’s automatic bid, as a win next Saturday at Stetson enough to secure its second straight appearance in the FCS Playoffs.
Elsewhere in the league, Butler defeated St. Thomas in Indianapolis to join Morehead State at 5-2. The Toreros used Grant Sergent’s six TD day to climb to 5-2 in the standings. Dayton fended off Valparaiso late and is 4-3 while Presbyterian won its third-straight PFL game at Marist.
PFL Scoreboard: Week 12
Saturday, Nov. 16
Presbyterian 42, Marist 23
Dayton 25, Valparaiso 14
Morehead State 29, Drake 20
Butler 36, St. Thomas 20
San Diego 45, Stetson 6
PFL Recaps
Presbyterian 42, Marist 23
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Collin Hurst threw three touchdowns and ran for another, leading Presbyterian to its third consecutive PFL victory, 42-23, against Marist on Saturday at Tenney Stadium. Hurst’s first two touchdown throws came in the second quarter in the form of a 51-yard completion to Cincere Gill and a 17-yard pass to Nathan Levicki, giving the Blue Hose a 28-18 halftime lead. His third touchdown toss – a 36-yarder to Levicki early in the third quarter put the game out of reach. Hurst completed 21-of-27 passes for 269 yards and added 11 yards on the ground. Marist quarterback Sonny Mannino completed 17-of-35 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown and added 65 yards rushing.
Dayton 25, Valparaiso 14
DAYTON, Ohio – Luke Hansen’s touchdown with 1:39 remaining sealed Dayton’s 26-14 victory against Valparaiso on Saturday at Welcome Stadium. Dayton took a 14-7 lead into halftime thanks to Gavin Lochow, who ran for a 42-yard touchdown and then caught a seven-yard touchdown pass. Danny Baker would add a 36-yard field goal, pushing the Flyers lead to 17-7. Valparaiso would cut into that deficit with Caron Tyler’s six-yard touchdown run, but could not score again. Dayton would get a safety with 6:53 left before Hansen’s TD run secured the win. Hansen had 98 yards on 31 carries to lead the Dayton offense. Tyler ran for 58 yards and passed for 56 to pace Valparaiso’s offense.
Morehead State 29, Drake 20
DES MOINES, Iowa – Tomas Schwartz’s 30-yard field goal with 14 seconds remaining in the game and a defensive touchdown on the game’s final play led Morehead State to a 29-20 victory against Drake on Saturday at Drake Stadium. The Eagles ended the Bulldogs' 17-game PFL win streak. Drake opened the fourth quarter with a six-yard touchdown pass from Luke Bailey to Trey Radocha and a successful two-point conversion to take a 20-13 lead. Morehead State would tie the game at 20-20 with 5:08 left as Carter Cravens found Ryan Upp for a 13-yard touchdown pass. After the Eagles' defense forced a three-and-out, the offense went 42 yards, leaving it to Schwartz’s leg to give them the lead. After the field goal, Drake attempted to lateral its way to a score, but Morehead State returned a fumble for a touchdown to secure the win.
Butler 36, St. Thomas 20
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Nick Howard ran for three touchdowns and passed for another, leading Butler to a 36-20 victory against St. Thomas on Saturday at the Sellick Bowl. Howard’s pass provided Butler the go-ahead touchdown just before halftime, the 20-yard completion to Trevon Brown putting the Bulldogs ahead 13-7. Howard pushed the lead to 20-7 on the second half’s opening drive, punching the ball into the end zone from two yards out. He would extend the lead to 29-14 and then 36-20 in the fourth quarter with touchdown runs of five and 28 yards. Howard finished the day with 97 rushing yards on 22 carries and had 27 yards on 2-of-3 passing. St. Thomas Tak Tateoka completed 13-of-26 passes for 214 yards.
San Diego 45, Stetson 6
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Grant Sergent had six touchdown passes in just 34:35 of game time, powering San Diego to a 45-6 victory against Stetson on Saturday at Torero Stadium. Sergent completed 20-of-28 passes for 311 yards and had the FCS’ seventh six TD day by a quarterback and first by a PFL quarterback in 371 days (Morehead State’s Bryce Patterson on Nov. 11 last season). Wide receiver Ja’seem Reed caught three TD passes and finished with five receptions for 121 yards. Christopher Hall, Josh Heverly, and Cole Monach caught Sergent’s other three touchdown passes. Stetson broke through with 48 seconds left in the game on Trey Clark’s 52-yard touchdown run.