DAYTON, Ohio – Presbyterian College rose above a sinking feeling in a 20-17 overtime victory over the University of Dayton on Saturday that ended an 18-game Pioneer Football League losing streak.

The Blue Hose have been warming to PFL foes after two seasons of futility. They lost by 10 to Butler. Then they lost by four to Stetson. At what proved to be a very Welcome Stadium, PC led 10-0 at halftime, 17-0 after three quarters, and spent the fourth quarter hanging on like any Sloopy. Mack Mikko’s 34-yard field goal nailed it down.

The game came down to overtime three-pointers: a 38-yard try by Dayton’s Sam Webster that missed and Mikko’s that split the uprights.

PC has defeated PFL teams before. The Blue Hose were not full members during the COVID-spring final season of Tommy Spangler at the helm, when they were an unofficial 3-2 in the league. Kevin Kelley went 0-8 in his one unfortunate season. Steve Englehart inherited a cupboard that was mostly bare and went 0-8 again.

In year two, Presbyterian (3-3, 1-2 PFL) has equaled its total victories of the previous two seasons combined.

The winning field goal was already Mikko’s 10^th of the year.

“Today was a huge win for our program considering the circumstances of the last two quarters,” stated Englehart. “We didn’t play a very strong fourth (quarter), but to get our first league win on the road and in overtime is a testament to how hard these guys work.

“You learn a lot about yourself in a win of that nature, but I can say that everyone has unlimited confidence in Mack (Mikko) and there was no question that he was gonna put that field goal right down the middle.”

Defensive coordinator Daniel Owen’s unit forced three Flyer turnovers — two fumbles and a deep-ball interception by Anthony Thornton — that helped sway the tide in its favor. Junior linebacker Alex Herriott made twice as many tackles (14) as any other player on the field. Over the last 17 games over two seasons, the Hanahan native has made double-digit tackles seven times, three of them this fall.

Carter Szydlowski made both fumble recoveries.

Quarterback Tyler Wesley returned to the fray after missing all but the final play against Stetson, completed 16/25 passes for 165 yards. Jordan Irizarry, Worth Warner and Dominic Kibby mbined for 10 receptions, led by Irizarry’s four.

After tailback J.B. Seay, who rushed for a career-best 61 yards, scored on a three-yard run with 1:59 remaining in the third quarter, Mikko’s PAT gave PC a 17-0 lead.

It was only the Blue Hose’ third overtime game since they joined Division I (FCS) in 2007.

In the interim, the Flyers came back with a Webster field goal with 14:09 remaining, a three-yard rush by Cole Dow at 6:17 and a one-yard Dow rush with 13 seconds on the clock. The tying drive culminated a 12-play, 77-yard advance that took up almost five minutes.

It’s homecoming at Bailey Memorial Stadium next Saturday as Marist (3-3, 3-1) visits following a 30-16 victory over San Diego in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Take a look at the stats here.

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