Davidson College
3-1 , 0-1
Dayton
2-2 , 1-0
Strong Start Not Enough as Football Falls in PFL Opener at Dayton
9/22/2018 5:17:00 PM | Football
DAYTON, Ohio – Davidson jumped out to a 14-0 lead after two drives, but it was almost all Dayton from the second quarter on as the 'Cats dropped their Pioneer Football League and road opener at Welcome Stadium, 42-21.
With the loss Davidson falls to 3-1 and 0-1 in PFL play, while with the win Dayton improves to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference.
The Wildcats dominated the first quarter of play, out-gaining the Flyers 171 to 39 yards and rattled off 25 plays, holding Dayton to just 5 offensive snaps.
Both first frame drives for the 'Cats ended in the end zone. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Phelps connected with classmate tight end Zach Hester for a 48-yard scoring strike to go up 7-0. The drive was kept alive by a pair of short yardage fourth down conversions.
On the 'Cats second series of the game, Phelps found junior William Wicks to convert a big third and long situation to move the chains. The drive took 16-plays and went 87 yards, capped off with a sophomore running back Wesley Dugger two-yard score.
The host Flyers rebounded with a pair of second quarter scores, both short yardage touchdown runs from Richie Warfield to make it 14-all at the break.
Dugger grinded out 23 first half carries, accounting for half of the Davidson plays and managed 67yards. Davidson outgained the Flyers 242 yards to 130 and ran 28 more plays.
Dayton's Preseason All-PFL running back Tucker Yinger broke it open for the Flyers in the third, rushing for a pair of touchdowns to take a two-score lead. In all Yinger found the end zone three times and accumulated 124 all-purpose yards in the winning effort. Jack Cook completed 11 of 18 passes for 193 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The two squads traded TD's in the fourth with Kendahl Ross rushing for a 1-yard score for the 'Cats.
Dugger finished with 81 yards on 26 carries and recorded his sixth touchdown of the season. Phelps completed 10 of 18 passes for 177 yards with a touchdown and a pair of interceptions. Three 'Cats recorded 7 tackles apiece including Bryce Perry-Martin who also broke through the line for a 7-yard sack of Cook.
Dayton finished with 392 total yards of offense, 262 of it coming in the second half. The 'Cats registered 371 yards with a balanced sheet of 194 rushing, 177 passing.
The Wildcats, along with 20 other schools from North and South Carolina and the Carolina Panthers of the NFL, wore "One Carolina" helmet stickers in support of the relief efforts of Hurricane Florence.
Davidson returns to action Saturday, Sep. 29 on the road again when they visit Valparaiso. Kick off with the Crusaders is slated for 2 p.m. Eastern/1 p.m. Central.
Team Stats
DAV 7, UD 0
DAV - HESTER, Zach 48 yd pass from PHELPS, Tyler (MATTHEWS, M. kick) 11 plays, 84 yards, TOP 5:14
DAV 14, UD 0
DAV - DUGGER, Wesley 2 yd run (MATTHEWS, M. kick), 15 plays, 87 yards, TOP 7:15
DAV 14, UD 7
UD - WARFIELD,Richie 6 yd run (BRUNI, Joseph kick), 4 plays, 59 yards, TOP 2:28
DAV 14, UD 14
UD - WARFIELD,Richie 1 yd run (BRUNI, Joseph kick), 6 plays, 37 yards, TOP 2:29
DAV 14, UD 21
UD - YINGER, Tucker 18 yd run (BRUNI, Joseph kick), 7 plays, 65 yards, TOP 3:36
DAV 14, UD 28
UD - YINGER, Tucker 8 yd run (BRUNI, Joseph kick), 11 plays, 66 yards, TOP 5:13
DAV 14, UD 35
UD - TRAUTMAN, Adam 30 yd pass from COOK, Jack (BRUNI, Joseph kick) 3 plays, 65 yards, TOP 1:17
DAV 14, UD 42
UD - YINGER, Tucker 29 yd pass from COOK, Jack (BRUNI, Joseph kick) 1 plays, 29 yards, TOP 0:05
DAV 21, UD 42
DAV - ROSS, Kendahl 1 yd run (MATTHEWS, M. kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:34
