Dayton Flyers

Box Score

DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton scored 28 unanswered points to overcome a 24-0 halftime deficit but a late San Diego touchdown gave the Toreros a 31-28 win at Welcome Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Will Bardo connected with fellow redshirt freshman Branden Johnson for a 36-yard touchdown pass to give the Flyers a 28-24 lead late in the fourth quarter – capping off a 10-play, 94-yard drive.

But with 47 seconds remaining, San Diego completed a 61-yard drive as Kenny James rushed for a two-yard touchdown which gave San Diego the 31-28 go-ahead lead. James led all rushers with 28 carriers for 184 yards.

Bardo finished 20-for-40 with 225 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Ft. Thomas, Ky., native also had 17 rushes for 47 net yards.

At the half San Diego led 24-0.

A 79-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter that lasted five minutes and 33 seconds turned the Flyers fortune by lighting up the scoreboard for the first time. Bardo completed the drive by throwing his first of three touchdown passes to Luke Bellman for 26 yards. Bellman finished with eight receptions for 86 yards.

On the ensuing San Diego drive UD’s Mason Mills intercepted a pass from Matt Pfleger deep in Dayton territory at the UD six yard line. The Flyers turned around and scored on another lengthy drive of 15 plays lasting 6 minutes and 32 seconds. Bardo threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Elmore for the score and put Dayton within 10 at 24-14 after the PAT.

It took just one play for Dayton to score on its next drive as Brian Mack rushed for a 35 yards to put Dayton within three, 24-21. It was Mack’s longest run of the season as he replaced banged-up starter Taylor Harris during the game. 

Dayton’s largest comeback of the season would not be realized despite taking a 28-24 lead with four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. 

Saturday’s crowd to witness Senior Day at Welcome Stadium was a season-high 4,580.

San Diego improves to 7-2 and 5-1 in Pioneer Football League play.

The Flyers (6-4, 4-3 PFL) conclude the regular season next Saturday at Drake – a 2 p.m. ET kickoff from Des Moines, Iowa.