Sept. 27, 2008

Final Stats

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne University stopped the University of Dayton Flyers' 10-game winning streak Saturday in Pittsburgh, knocking off UD 24-16. The Dukes beat the Flyers at their own game, winning the turnover battle, limiting penalties and coming up with key special teams plays.

The two teams battled to a 10-10 tie through the first half, and the Flyers took a 16-10 lead behind a pair of Nick Glavin field goals. Glavin nailed a career-long 40-yarder in the third quarter, and a 27-yarder with 10:38 left in the fourth quarter.

But after Glavin's third field goal of the day, Duquesne responded with its longest drive of the day, going 72 yards in seven plays. Duke quarterback Connor Dixon hit Alex Roberson from 11 yards out to make the score 17-16 with 8:09 left. Dayton moved the ball from its own 17 to just across midfield, but with all three timeouts and just over four minutes to go, the Flyers elected to punt the ball and pin the Dukes deep in their own territory. But Duquesne's Tyler Scruggs broke through the left side of the UD line to block the punt and turn the tables on the Flyers.

Duquesne ran the ball six straight times, and after gaining a first-and-goal on the one by a penalty, and more importantly, forcing Dayton to burn all of its timeouts, Dixon was unopposed on a one-yard plunge, and Mark Troyan's PAT made it an eight-point game (24-16) with 1:24 remaining.

But that strategy to give UD one last chance to send it into overtime went out the window when Akeem Moore intercepted Rob Florian's long downfield pass. The Dukes then took two knees and the win to improve to 2-1 in 2008. Dayton fell to 3-1.

The Flyers outgained Duquesne 405 to 353, but committed three turnovers to just one gained. Field position played a huge role in the game. Duquesne started seven of its drives around midfield or better, while Dayton started every drive in its own territory.

Ben Shappie led the way offensively for UD, carrying the ball 16 times for 94 yards. Florian was 27 of 54 for 277 yards and a 57-yard TD to Justin Watkins, but also threw two interceptions. Justin Millio led the team in receptions, with seven for 55 yards. Freshman Tyler Hujik added six for 32 in his first career action. Corey Vossler was the game leader in tackles with 14 (seven solo), and Scott Horcher grabbed Dayton's lone interception.

The Flyers are back home to begin play in the Pioneer Football League next Saturday. Campbell University, in its first year in the PFL, will make its initial visit to Welcome Stadium. Game time is 1:00 p.m. ET.