DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Nick Herman ran for a career-high 153 yards, including a touchdown, as Drake clinched at least a share of the Pioneer Football League (PFL) championship by defeating Dayton 14-6 on Saturday.
The Bulldogs (7-3, 6-1) bounced back from their only PFL defeat, a 20-13 setback at home against St. Thomas-Minnesota on November 8. Drake has now won three consecutive PFL titles and 24 of their past 26 league games.
Drake scored both of its first-half touchdowns with impressive plays. Logan Inagawa plunged in from 1 yard out, while Herman broke free on a 66-yard dash, shedding a couple of tackles before outrunning the defense to the end zone. Herman’s previous career-high rushing yardage was 134, which he set in a 45-0 victory over Davidson last month.
Dayton (6-4, 4-3) was held scoreless until the middle of the fourth quarter, when Liam Poronsky connected with Michael Mussari on a 23-yard touchdown pass. However, the Flyers were unable to mount any further scoring drives, failing to get inside the Drake 40-yard line on their final two possessions.
Drake dominated on the ground with 248 rushing yards. Freshman quarterback Inagawa attempted only 12 passes, completing seven for 59 yards. In contrast, Dayton’s quarterbacks went 17-for-37 through the air for 197 yards but threw two interceptions—both caught by linebacker Sean Allison, who also recorded 12 tackles.
The Flyers have lost three of their last four games, following a five-game winning streak earlier in the season.
With a win at home over Morehead State next Saturday, Drake can secure the PFL championship outright.
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/freshmen-herman-inagawa-power-drake-200742941.html
