Dayton’s stellar defense held the Bulldogs to just 166 yards of total offense Saturday as Drake lost its first conference game of the season 23-6.

The Bulldogs are now 8-2 overall and 6-1 in Pioneer Football League play. Dayton and Butler (who lost to Jacksonville 36-7 Saturday) are also tied atop the PFL standing with 6-1 records.

The loss also snaps the Bulldogs’ current six-game winning streak and their seven-game conference winning streak, which dates back to last year.

“They are the best coached defensive team we’ve played against,” Head Coach Chris Creighton said in an official press release. “They’re fast and they play hard.”

The Flyers got out of the gates early, scoring on their first possession when quarterback Steve Valentino hit Justin Watkins for a 30-yard touchdown. The play capped a 6-play, 51-yard drive that took just two minutes, 32 seconds.

JUNIOR RUNNING BACK TIM KOSTEK charges down the field during the Bulldogs’ first loss following a six-game win streak. Photo: Tiffany Krause

After another quick three-and-out for the Bulldog offense, the Flyers again drove the ball deep into Drake territory. The Bulldogs were able to stop Dayton on the three-yard line, however, and hold the Flyers to just a field goal.

Later in the first quarter, Drake freshman quarterback Mike Piatkowski fumbled a snap and Dayton recovered on Drake’s 28-yard line. The possession was just one of the seven (including six punts) in the first half that ended with Drake giving the ball back to Dayton.

The Flyers were not able to capitalize on the turnover, however, and went into halftime with a 10-0 lead.

THE BULLDOGS charge through Dayton’s defensive line. Though the loss cost Drake the win streak, the team still has a chance to win the PFL. Photo: Tiffany Krause

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the second half only brought more of the same. After two Drake punts, the Flyers got back on the scoreboard when Valentino found Luke Bellman for his second touchdown pass of the game. Drake blocked the extra point, giving Dayton a 16-0 lead.

Valentino had an efficient performance, completing 16-of-29 passes for 223 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

On the next possession, Piatkowski was sacked and lost his second fumble of the game. The Flyers again were not able to cash in on Drake’s mistake as Dayton’s Nick Glavin missed another field goal.

Piatkowski had one of his worst games of the season, mostly due to constant pressure from Dayton’s defensive line. He completed just 15-of-32 passes for 88 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Early in the fourth, the Flyers sealed the victory with a 3-play, 61-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 27-yard run from running back Brian Mack. The Bulldogs were able to put together a 15-play, 85-yard touchdown drive in the closing minutes of the game that accounted for over half of their total offense.

“They were well prepared and we weren’t able to do much against them,” Creighton said in the press release. “Our guys fought hard but we came up short.”

With just one week remaining in the season, the Bulldogs are deadlocked with Dayton and Butler atop the PFL standings with a critical match up at Butler next Saturday. The winner of that game will either be the sole PFL champion or will be co-champions with Dayton, who plays Marist Saturday.

The winner of the PFL also gets the opportunity to play in the fourth annual Gridiron Classic against the winner of the Northeast Conference. The PFL champions are 3-0 in Gridiron Classics. A tiebreaker will come into play if there are co-champions.