MOREHEAD, KY. - Freshman Scott Phaydavong rushed for a game-high 178 yards, including an 82-yard touchdown in the first quarter, as Drake withstood a fourth quarter rally by Morehead State to capture the Pioneer Football League championship with a 20-17 victory Saturday.

The Bulldogs, posting their ninth straight victory, became just the second team in school history to win 10 games in a season, matching the accomplishment of the 1981 Drake squad which went 10-1 under coach Chuck Shelton.

"All you have to do is look at the faces of our guys," said Drake football coach Rob Ash. "Words can't express how tremendous this feels, especially to get to the path that led to this moment.

"In my 30 years of coaching, this team was so fun to coach. They made it tremendously easy for me."

Drake roared to a 20-3 lead following a 37-yard field goal by Tyler McGlade with 42 seconds left in the third quarter. Then, the Bulldogs had to fight off two touchdowns by Morehead State in the final four minutes.

A two-point conversion pass from Tyler Cvitkovic to Dana Calhoun pulled Morehead State to within 20-17 with 28 seconds left.

Looking for a chance to tie the game to send it into overtime, Morehead State attempted an onside kick but Drake's Tyler Putnam recovered the kick at the Eagles' 49 yardline with 25 seconds left.

Drake's defense forced two turnovers, stifling a Morehead State drive on the first series of the game.

The Eagles took the opening kickoff, marching down to the Drake 15 yardline before senior safety Curtis Martindale recovered a fumble at the six yardline to stop the drive.

The Bulldogs scored on their first three possession and never looked back.

Phaydavong set the school's single season nonscholarship rushing record when he broke loose on the 82-yard touchdown burst with 8:20 left in the first quarter to give Drake a 7-0 lead. It was the longest rushing touchdown in the PFL this season.

Phaydavong, enjoying his eighth 100-yard plus rushing game this year, finished the season with 1,539 yards to surpass the previous mark of 1,486 yards set by Johnathan Taylor last season.

"Scott (Phaydavong) clearly is the guy who has been the difference maker for us," Ash added. "He has great speed and can hit a home run any time he touches the ball.

"There was a great amount of tension on our sideline when Morehead State opened the game with a long drive. But Scott's long run eased our anxieties."

Morehead State pulled within 7-3 following a 40-yard field goal by Adams Jones with 5:05 remaining.

Drake kept Morehead State's defense off guard on its second possession, mixing the pass and run. Jostes opened the drive, spotting tight end James Mickley on an 18-yard pass. Three plays later he kept the drive alive, converting a third down play with an 11-yard option down to the Morehead State 42 yardline.

Jostest rifled a 28-yard touchdown pass to Jason Jones on a third and seven situation with 23 seconds left to give Drake a 14-3 lead.

McGlade converted a 45-yard field goal to make it 17-3 with 10:34 left in the second quarter.

Sophomore linebacker Nick Ross led Drake's defense with a game-high 10 tackles, while also forcing a fumble.

Junior cornerback Jace Denison halted another Morehead State scoring opportunity with an interception in the second half.

Drake's defense also recorded four quarterback sacks for 20 yards in losses.

"Our defense played a great game," said Ash. "But we put them in a tough spot in the second half and they got worn down. Then, our special teams rescued us."

Junior linebacker James Adams added nine tackles, while junior safety Ryan Frehse collected seven tackles for Drake.

Senior tight end James Mickley led Drake with three receptions for 34 yards.