The Dayton Flyers had a 16-10 lead with 10:38 remaining in the fourth quarter but the Duquesne Dukes scored two touchdowns to defeat the Flyers, 24-16 in Pittsburgh, PA. Connor Dixon found Alex Roberson for an 11-yard touchdown pass to give the Dukes a 17-16 lead and Dixon's one-yard touchdown gave Duquesne a 24-16 with less than two minutes to play. Akeeem Moore sealed UD's fate by intercepting QB Rob Florian's pass and the Dukes were able to run out the clock. Dayton falls to 3-1 on the season.

After the teams exchanged punts to start the game, Duquesne faced a third and two at the Dayton 43-yard line on their second possession. Dixon found Michael Rasky for a 43-yard touchdown pass to give the Dukes a 7-0 lead. Dayton drove 11 plays and 57 yards to the Duquesne 13-yard line where Nick Glavin made a 30-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 7-3. The Dukes had a chance to expand the lead at the end of the first quarter, but Mark Troyan missed a 40-yard field goal to keep the Duquesne lead at 7-3.

In the second quarter, RB Justin Millio fumbled the ball and Duquesne recovered at the Flyer 21-yard line. Duquesne had to settle for a 32-yard field goal but Troyan missed it wide right and the Dukes still led, 7-3. Dayton needed their offense to step up and they did. Florian found WR Justin Watkins for a 57 yard touchdown reception to give UD a 10-7 lead with 7:00 remaining until halftime. Duquesne responded on their next possession with a 40 yard reception by Sean Buenvich which led to a Troyan 31-yard field goal to tie the game at 10-10 with under five minutes left in the half. The Flyers had a chance to take the lead before the first half ended. They drove to the Duquesne four-yard line with 23 seconds left but Florian was picked off at the goal line by Bill Poletti and returned it to the Dayton 47-yard line and both teams went into the locker room tied at 10-10.

The first break of the second half went to the Dayton Flyers when Scott Horcher intercepted Dixon's pass and UD took over at their own 47-yard line. Dayton drove to the Duquesne 23-yard line and Glavin made his second field goal of the game, 40 yards to give the Flyers a 13-10 lead.

In the fourth quarter, UD drove 71 yards on 13 plays to the Duquesne nine-yard line and Glavin made his third field goal of the game, 27 yards to increase Dayton's lead to 16-10. Duquesne needed to respond and did. The Dukes drove the Flyer 34-yard line and Jackson found Buenvich for a 31 pass to give Duquesne a first and goal at the Dayton three-yard line. After a holding penalty against the Dukes, Jackson threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Alex Roberson to give Duquesne a 17-16 lead with just over eight minutes to play.

The Flyers drove to Duquesne 47-yard line and had to punt on fourth and two. Glavin's punt was blocked by Tyler Scruggs and the Dukes took over at the Dayton 39-yard line. It took Duquesne nine plays before Jackson capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run with 1:24 remaining to increase the Dukes lead to 24-16. UD need a touchdown and two-point conversion to tie the game and send it into overtime but Florian's pass was intercepted by Akeem Moore with 1:10 to go and the Dukes ran out the clock.

Dayton outgained Duquesne, 405-353, but committed a season high three turnovers. Rob Florian went 27-54 for 277 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Ben Shappie led the team in rushing with 94 yards.

For Duquesne, Connor Jackson completed 12-32 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns and ran for a third. Cleodis Williams ran for a game-high 103 yards. Duquense improved to 2-1 on the season.

Dayton begins Pioneer Football League play on Saturday, October 4th. The Bud Light Pre-Game show starts at 12:30 pm; kickoff is at 1 pm. Join Larry Hansgen and Mike McCall for all the action, here on the Home of the Flyers, AM 1290 and 95.7 FM, NewsTalk Radio WHIO.

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