DAYTON, OHIO -- Dayton forced Drake into three turnovers in the second half to turn a 7-3 halftime lead into a 27-9 Pioneer Football League victory Saturday at Welcome Stadium.
The victory prevented Drake from becoming the first team ever to win three straight games at Welcome Stadium where Dayton has constructed a190-37-2 (.836) record since 1974.
Dayton extended its home unbeaten string to 12 games. Ironically, the Flyers' last home loss occurred to Drake, 21-9, in 2006. Drake also earned a 13-6 victory at Dayton in 2004.
Drake, which entered the game ranked fourth in the Football Championship Subdivision in total defense, held Dayton to a season-low 48 yards rushing in 32 attempts.
Drake capitalized on a turnover on Dayton's first possession of the game to grab a 3-0 lead.
Drake fifth-year senior safety Andy Green (Atlantic,Iowa) intercepted a pass on the third play of the game at the Dayton 40 yardline.
Following a 16-yard run by sophomore Patrick Cashmore (Kansas City, Mo.) and a 12-yard reception from Stephen Platek (Arlington Heights, Ill.), Drake marched to the Dayton seven yardline before settling on a 24-yard field goal by fifth-year senior Logan Rees (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) with 11:32 left in the first period.
Fifth-year senior quarterback Cole Ingle (Runnells, Iowa), returning to the Drake lineup for the first time since suffering a leg injury at Lehigh Sept. 6, accounted for Drake's lone touchdown with a four-yard scoring strike to Platek with 2:41 left in the game.
Platek caught a career-high nine passes for 71 yards.
Dayton finished with 279 yards total offense, but was opportunistic of excellent field position caused by Drake turnovers.
The four Flyers' touchdowns consisted of two scoring drives that took just one play and other drives that consumed just two and three plays.
Reserve quarterback Jeff Pechan spotted James Ward open on a 58-yard scoring pass with 6:36 left in the second quarter to give Dayton a 7-3 lead.
Following a 33-yard punt return by Steve Valentino down to the Drake 31 yardline, Dayton quarterback Rob Florian threw a 31-yard touchdown strike to Justin Millio to push the advantage to 13-3 with seven seconds left in the third quarter.
Ben Shappie added touchdown runs of six and four yards that were set up after Dayton recovered a fumble by Drake quarterback Ben Ostermann in the fourth quarter along with an interception Ingle threw.
Cashmore, making his first collegiate start, led Drake with 31 yards rushing in seven attempts.
Junior defensive back Lucas Mosier (Lewis, Iowa) led Drake with 11 tackles, while senior defensive back Skye Buckner-Petty (Florissant, Mo.) added 10 tackles.
Drake, which slipped to 2-4, including an 0-3 league mark, will open a three-game homestand next Saturday playing host to conference newcomer Campbell.
