DAVIDSON, N.C. – A 27-point third quarter for Dayton proved too much for Davidson football as the ‘Cats dropped a 48-22 decision Saturday at Richardson Stadium in Pioneer Football League action.
With the loss, Davidson falls to 2-5 overall and remains winless in the PFL, while the Flyers improve to 3-5 and 2-3 in the conference.
The game was a close contest at the close of the first quarter with the Wildcats down just 7-3, courtesy of a Trevor Smith 18-yard field goal. Davidson briefly led during the second quarter, after freshman Tyler Phelps rushed 44 yards to the end zone to put the ‘Cats up 9-7.
The Flyers smoothly responded with a 12 play, 73-yard scoring drive to regain the lead at 14-9. The ‘Cats continued to keep it close, using 11 plays to get to the 40-yard line, where Smith delivered his second field goal of the day and cut the gap to 14-12.
After a quick three-and-out from the Wildcats with under two to play in the half, the ‘Cats gave the ball back to Dayton with just enough for the Flyers to march down the field quickly in seven plays to go up 21-12 and take a larger lead into the half.
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| William Wicks (Photo courtesy of Davidson Sports Information) |
Despite the troubling end of the second quarter, Davidson came out firing to open the third with an 85-yard kick return from sophomore William Wicks (Terry Sanford) into the red zone. The ‘Cats capped off the drive with another Smith field goal to narrow the margin, 21-15.
Dayton wasted no time adding insurance, flying down the field on a 71-yard TD rush from Tucker Yinger, and then used an interception from linebacker Jack Crain to go up 35-15 with more than 11 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
A third and fourth consecutive scoring drive from Dayton began to create an insurmountable deficit, as the Flyers built a 48-15 lead to begin the final frame.
The tandem of Wicks and Phelps broke the scoring drought for Davidson to begin the fourth quarter with Wicks on the receiving end of a 28-yard pass from Phelps, his longest of the day, for the final scoring play of the contest.
Phelps finished the day with 190 passing yards. Freshman Wesley Dugger led the ‘Cats in rushing with 86 yards, while sophomore James Story added a career-best 76. Sophomore George Hatalowich and senior Ben Hart each collected eight tackles on the defensive end.
The Wildcats head to Drake Saturday, Oct. 28 for a PFL showdown in Des Moines, Iowa. Kickoff with the Bulldogs is slated for 2 p.m.
Davidson Sports Information contributed to this story.
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