Oct. 19, 2013
Final Stats
(Dayton, Ohio) - In a game that went back and forth the entire evening, it was the host Dayton Flyers that came out on top in a 45-38 double overtime win against the Toreros. In regulation Dayton knotted the score at 31-all with 27 seconds left to send the game to overtime. Both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime, but after Dayton's Will Bardo scored from 1-yard out in the second OT, the Flyer defense held off the Toreros for the win.
Senior quarterback Mason Mills passed for 278 yards and 5 touchdowns on the evening. Needing 181 yards to become USD's all-time leading passer, he set the new record with his first completion of the second half, a 3-yard completion to Joe Ferguson that moved him past Josh Johnson's previous record of 9,699. Mills ended the evening with 9,797 yards, and also moved into the second spot for touchdown passes with 79.
With the score tied at 14-14 at intermission, the host Flyers took control with 10 third period points as Conor Kacsor scored on an 8-yard rush, and William Will converted a 32-yard field goal. In the fourth period Mills connected with Brandon White for back-to-back touchdown passes of 2 and 18 yards to pull the Toreros ahead 28-24. A David Last 38-yard field goal extended USD's cushion to 31-24 with 7:36 to go in the game. From there the Flyers went on their 11-play, 87 yard drive that knotted the score at 31-all with 27 seconds left.
In the first overtime, USD scored on its first play from scrimmage as Mills hit Reggie Bell for 25 yards. Dayton answered with a 5-yard touchdown run by Kacsor. In the second period, the Toreros elected to defend first and saw Bardo get in from the 1-yard line. USD's first pass attempt in their 2nd overtime started with a UD pass interference call that put the ball on Dayton 10-yard line. From there the Toreros failed on four straight pass attempts, with the final one missing to Bell in the left corner of the end zone.
In the first half the Toreros got on the scoreboard first as Joe Ferguson hauled in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Mason Mills that culminated an 8-play, 70 yard drive at the 11:27 mark of the first quarter. USD would threaten to score again late in the quarter as they faced a 1st and goal at the UD 9 yard line, but were unable cash in. After an incomplete pass and two run attempts, the Toreros went for it on 4th down from the 1-yard line. Mills' pass attempt to Sam Hoekstra at the back of the end zone was unsuccessful.
After taking over on their own 1-yard line, the Flyers marched 99 yards over 8 plays to knot the score at 7-7. Quarterback Will Bardo capped the drive off with an impressive 61-yard touchdown run. With 6:50 left in the half the Flyers would go up 14-7 with Gabe Macis catching a 3-yard touchdown pass from Bardo. USD answered with their own scoring drive as Mills connected with Sam Hoekstra for a 15-yard touchdown with 3:20 to go. Mills, needed 181 yards passing in the game to set USD's new career mark for passing yards, finished the half with 180 yards on 16-of-27 passing.
Besides Mills' passing totals, Reggie Bell was the top receiver with 7 catches for 107 yards and 1 score, and Brandon White added 6 receptions for 61 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Joe Ferguson had a solid night rushing for 167 yards on 24 catches, and also hauling in 5 balls for 47 yards and 1 score. Defensively the Toreros were paced by LB Michael Ruffino with 15 tackles (9 solo), 1 quarterback hurry and one key forced fumble. He was followed by Zach Devaney (10 stops), safety Matt Miller (8 tackles) and CB Toney Sawyer (7 tackles, 1 fumble recovery). Dayton was paced by QB Will Bardo who passed for 225 yards and 2 TDs, and rushed for 136 yards and 2 scores, and running back Connor Kacsor (125 yards, 2 TDs).
USD (3-1 PFL, 4-3) returns to Walter J. Zable Field at Torero Stadium next Saturday, October 26th, when they host the Butler Bulldogs (4-0 PFL, 6-2) in a key Pioneer Football League contest. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 pm.
