JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s rare that a hyped-up game lives up to its billing, but that was the case Saturday when Jacksonville came from behind to defeat the University of Dayton Flyers 34-26 on Saturday in a battle of the Pioneer Football League defending co-champions.

Not only was it a clash between the two teams that went undefeated in the PFL last year, it was also a matchup between the longest home-field winning streak in FCS football (Jacksonville’s 11) and the longest road winning streak (UD’s 6).

Even with JU’s home-field advantage and veteran offense (four-year Dolphin starting quarterback Josh McGregor became the PFL’s top career passer in the game), the game was about as even as it gets.  Jacksonville had one more first down than the Flyers (19-18), one more yard in total offense (386-385), and until the Dayton defense allowed Jacksonville to score with 47 seconds left, trading an eight=-point deficit for the chance at a miracle finish that would send the game to overtime, one more point.

Senior running back Taylor Harris led UD with 149 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns.  The 149 yards were the most by a UD running back since Cliff Sachini ran for 150 against Butler in 2003.  This was also Harris’ third 100-yard rushing game, the most by a Dayton runner since Sachini had five in that 2003 season.

Redshirt sophomore wideout Branden Johnson had career highs in receptions (5) and yardage (110).  Redshirt freshman Will Bardo was 9-of-23 for 156 yards after starting out 8-of-14. 

The Dayton defense was led in tackles by true freshman cornerback Matt Bianco.  Bianco was not only starting in his first game, he was playing his first action on defense after being injured returning a punt in the season opener.   Bianco had eight hits, all solo.  Senior Matt Pfleger, senior Chase Walton and redshirt sophomore Colin Monnier each had an interception.  Redshirt freshman Brannon Dunn forced a fumble and recovered it for the fourth Dayton takeaway of the game. 

Dayton scored first, driving 81 yards in eight plays and finishing up the drive with a 29-yard run by Harris.  Jacksonville took advantage of two short fields after turnovers to go 33 and 36 yards on scoring drives that gave the Dolphins a 13-6 halftime lead.

On the very first play from scrimmage of the second half, Dayton tied it when Harris galloped 68 yards for another TD.  Nate Miller added a 36-yard field goal to put the Flyers up 16-13 two-and-a-half minutes into the second half. The two teams traded touchdowns, and then Miller added another field goal to give Dayton a 26-20 lead with 6:29 left in the game.

McGregor, who had been helped off the field with an ankle injury a series before, came out and did what a fifth-year senior can do.  JU moved the ball 61 yards in five plays, scoring the go-ahead TD with 4:11 to go.  The Flyers, who came into the game as the least penalized team in the PFL, were hurt by two big penalties in the drive.  Jacksonville had completed a long downfield pass and then lost the ball on a fumble, but UD was whistled for roughing the passer to keep the ball in McGregor’s hands.  The two-yard go-ahead TD run was set up by a pass interference call in the end zone.

Dayton was able to get two first downs on the next possession, but turned it over on downs at its own 40.  Jacksonville took over with 1:46 to go, and scored on a 3rd-and-5 play, giving Dayton just a bit of hope down eight with 47 seconds left.  Dayton got the ball to the JU 33, but on 4th-and-10, a tipped pass was intercepted, sealing the win for the home team.   

Jacksonville improves to 4-2 overall, and 3-0 in the PFL.  UD drops to 3-3, and 1-2.  The Flyers return home to face Davidson on Saturday, Oct. 15.  Game time at Welcome Stadium is 1 p.m. ET.