QUARTERBACK MIKE PIATKOWSKI (B2) looks to pass the ball downfield in the Bulldogs’ 34-14 victory over Valparaiso, Oct. 3. Photo: Sarah Andrews

Stephen Platek (B4) scored two touchdowns to lead Drake to a 21-14 victory at San Diego on Oct. 17 to improve to a 5-1 record and 3-0 in the Pioneer Football League. Platek’s second touchdown came on a 20-yard pass from Mike Piatkowski (B2) with four minutes and 23 seconds left in the game to break a 14-14 tie.

The win allowed Drake to keep pace with Butler, which is tied for first with the Bulldogs on top of the conference standings. San Diego was the preseason pick by PFL coaches to win the conference, but that looks like a long shot now as the Toreros hold a 2-2 league record.

Patrick Cashmore (B3) had a career high 127 yards rushing in his first game this season. He also caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Piatkowski in the second quarter. Tom Kostek (B3) added a career-high 69 yards rushing on nine carries. Kostek had 58 yards in the final quarter, which included a 36-yard run in the final drive. Two plays later, Platek scored what ended up as the deciding touchdown. The Bulldogs had 179 yards rushing on the game, which was its highest total on the season.

It was the first victory for Drake against San Diego since 2004, snapping a four-game losing streak to the Toreros. Drake lost its homecoming game 43-17 to San Diego last season.

The staunch Drake defense came up with another big game, limiting the San Diego ground attack to 19 yards on 16 carries. The Toreros, ranked second in the PFL in rushing yards, averaged 157.2 yards rushing coming into the game.. Ben Morrison (E4) and Skye Buckner-Petty (AS4) had nine tackles each to lead the Bulldogs.

“Our defense was phenomenal, our special teams made plays and the offense did enough to win,” Head Coach Chris Creighton said. “This was a team win. There are so many players that wanted this game so badly.”

Cashmore gained 92 yards on 13 carries in the first half. His second quarter score put the Bulldogs up 14-7. Platek had a 1-yard touchdown plunge in the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7.

“Our running game hasn’t shown itself this season, but the offensive line did a good job today,” Creighton said.

Brandon Wubs (B4) continued his fantastic season by averaging 41 yards on eight punts, including three inside the 20-yard line. He was named the PFL special teams player of the week for the second-straight week and the third time this season.

“San Diego was a team that has had the better of Drake for the last eight years,” Creighton said. “We played a great team that wasn’t going down easy.”

Piatkowski went 11-27 passing for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Platek finished with four catches for 57 yards and added 12 yards rushing. Sam Scudellari led San Diego, going 26-41 for 317 yards and two touchdowns. Godfrey Smith had 107 yards receiving for the Toreros. San Diego outgained the Bulldogs 336 yards to 298.