BUIES CREEK, N.C. -- Campbell quarterback Daniel Polk overthrew a wide open Mike Stryffeler on a two-point conversion pass with 17 seconds left, allowing Drake to escape with a 14-12 Pioneer Football League victory Saturday.

Drake had grabbed a 14-6 lead with 4:40 left in the game when quarterback Mike Piatkowski threw a 42-yard touchdown strike to Drew Blackmon.

Campbell was able to take the ensuing kickoff down to the Drake 10 yardline where Polk broke loose for a 10-yard touchdown run with 17 seconds remaining to pull the Fighting Camels within 14-12.

"It was a hard fought game...down to the wire," said Drake coach Chris Creighton, whose team improved to 4-3 overall, including a 3-1 league mark. "We're probably relieved that we won and frustrated in our overall performance more so than winning a close game."

Creighton lauded the effort of Piatkowski who accumulated 246 yards total offense, including a career-high 38 yards rushing.

During Drake's last touchdown drive, Piatkowski had two key runs of nine yards, converting one third down into a first down.

"We needed that last drive. Mike (Piatkowski) put the offense on his back on our last series, taking what the defense gave him," Creighton said. "He beat them with his feet. He made great decisions and threw a great pass to Blackmon."

Blackmon, coming off a career-high nine receptions at Jacksonville last Saturday, had a game-high eight catches for 122 yards.

Drake's defense held Campbell, which entered the game leading the league in rushing offense with a 189.0 yard average per game, to 154 yards rushing.

Sophomore linebacker Seth Hedman collected a career-high 13 tackles for Drake, while fifth-year senior linebacker Ben Morrison added 11 stops.

Senior defensive end Dain Taylor had two quarterback sacks totaling 20 yards in losses.

"Campbell is a tough out with the way they run the ball, but our defense gutted it out and played hard," said Creighton. "

Piatkowski led the Bulldogs on their longest scoring drive of the season with a 15-play, 89-yard march that was capped off by a two-yard touchdown run on fourth down from Patrick Cashmore with 2:23 left in the first half.

Piatkowski kept the drive alive converting two third down attempts into first downs. Facing a third down and nine yard situation, Piatkowski scrambled 12 yards for a first down to the Drake 34 yardline.

Three plays later, Piatkowski hit Nick Rosa for a 13-yard pass for a first down at the Drake 49 yardline.

After playing five of their last six games on the road, Drake will return home to host Davidson next Saturday followed by an Oct. 30 home test against San Diego.

"It is really going to feel good to be back at Drake for two games in a row," added Creighton.