MOREHEAD, Ky.--The Drake Bulldogs defeated Morehead State 41-26 Saturday in a Pioneer Football League game at Jayne Stadium behind four field goals from fifth-year senior Billy Janssen (Round Lake Beach, Ill.) and a defensive effort that contributed six sacks and limited the No. 1 offense in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision to just 297 total yards.

Drake improved to 5-1, 3-0 in the PFL, while Morehead State dropped to 2-4, 1-2 PFL.

Senior quarterback Mike Piatkowski (Wheaton, Ill.) passed for 310 yards and three touchdowns, including two scoring tosses to senior Nathan Paddock (Lee's Summit, Mo.), who set a career high with 163 receiving yards on five catches.

Fifth-year senior running back Patrick Cashmore (Kansas City, Mo.) notched his second 100-yard rushing performance of the season, and fourth of his career, with 114 yards on 22 carries (5.2), and added three catches for 74 yards (24.7).

"We knew it was going to be a 60-minute battle, and it was," said head coach Chris Creighton. "I'm just really proud of everyone. Our sidelines were into it, and even though it's warm out and kind of a 'still-air' day, I think we created some energy and our defense played so hard. Coach (Brian) Ward (defensive coordinator) and the staff had a great plan."

The Drake special teams also contributed heavily to the win with two blocked kicks. Junior safety Michael Ratelle (Edina, Minn.) blocked a first-quarter punt off the foot of Morehead State's Rainer Duzan that set up a field goal, and fifth-year senior cornerback Michael Lahart blocked a 30-yard field goal attempt by Duzan with 2:02 to play in the first half when the game was tied at 13.

"Billy (Janssen) was phenomenal, with both his punting and his field goals," Creighton said. "It took all three phases and it took every guy on this trip."

Piatkowski and Paddock hooked up for an 80-yard touchdown play that gave Drake a 25-13 lead in the third quarter, following a 35-yard scoring connection between the pair in the second quarter that tied the game at 13. Junior wide receiver Nick Rosa (Owasso, Okla.) made a crushing block near midfield on the Drake sideline that helped spring Paddock loose for the 80-yard touchdown.

"When Nick Rosa brings a hit like that, it energizes the whole team," said Creighton. "As a football player, no matter how you're feeling, when there's a hit like that it sends you into another realm of excitement. What a huge play by him. Nick Rosa has improved so much in his three years and is an experienced, really good football player right now."

"All the credit goes to him," Paddock said of Rosa. "I didn't see it; I can't wait to see it on film, but I definitely heard it. I saw him turning around and running towards me and I thought, 'man, there must be somebody behind me and I feel sorry for him.' I heard the hit, and like I said, I can't wait to see it on film."

The 80-yard touchdown play was the longest for Drake since Sept. 29, 2007, when Derek Wetherford connected with Zach Brower for an 80-yard score against Valparaiso at Drake Stadium.

"Our offense is just running on all cylinders," said Paddock. "(Piatkowski) did well, the O-line did well, and the receivers did well. At the beginning of the game we wanted to keep the ball as long as we could and keep their offense off the field. But I think a lot of that goes to our defense. In the beginning they had two or three 3-and-outs, so a big credit goes to our defense."

Janssen provided the majority of the Bulldogs' scoring in the first half, as Drake took advantage of good field position, but could not convert the drives into touchdowns. He converted from 35 and 36 yards in the first quarter to give Drake a 6-0 lead after one period.

"Against a great offense like this you have to score points when you get the chance," Janssen said. "Our offense did a good job of putting me in a place to make the field goals. I just took advantage of what happened."

Janssen came through again just before halftime with a 33-yard field goal with 10 seconds on the clock that capped a nine-play, 54-yard drive, giving Drake a 16-13 halftime lead.

"I think he was definitely the MVP of the game," Paddock said of Janssen. "It's nice having a field goal kicker like that."

The Bulldogs opened the second half with a big play on special teams. Cornerback Dustin Davis (Council Bluffs, Iowa) recovered a fumble by Morehead State's Donte Sawyer to give Drake possession at the Eagles' 36-yard line. When the drive stalled, Janssen came through with a 30-yard field goal to push the Drake lead to 19-13.

Morehead State entered the game ranked No. 1 in the NCAA FCS in total offense (551.2) and passing offense (406.8), and ranked second in scoring (43.8). The Drake defense, however, brought significant pressure all afternoon from its front four to disrupt the timing and rhythm of the Eagles' offense and quarterback Zach Lewis.

"You can't shut down a team like that," said Creighton, "but we played well."

The Bulldogs sacked Lewis six times and recorded 10 tackles for loss. Junior defensive end Brandon Coleman (Cary, Ill.), who entered the game ranked fourth in the nation in sacks with 7, recorded 1.5 to raise his season total to 8.5.

Also with 1.5 sacks were senior defensive end Anthony Gianaras (Mundelein, Ill.) and senior linebacker Tyler Moorehead (Mason City, Iowa), who had three total tackles for loss. Ratelle led the team in tackles with 12.

"It's huge for us," Janssen said of the win. "We know Morehead State is a scrappy team and they always play us tough. Just like our theme, we know each week is a step in our climb and we want to keep getting better and better. Our ultimate goal is to get to the top."

The Bulldogs stay on the road next Saturday for a pivotal matchup with PFL co-leader San Diego. Kickoff from Torero Stadium is set for 1 p.m. PT (3 p.m. CT) for a matchup of 3-0 teams in the conference.