To paraphrase an old television show no less erudite than Hee Haw, “If it weren’t for bad luck, [they’d] have no luck at all.”

Drake, protecting first place in the Pioneer Football League, defeated Presbyterian, 19-16, in overtime, at Bailey Memorial Stadium on a cool autumn Saturday that was otherwise perfect.

In front of a season-best audience of 2,515 for Homecoming, Presbyterian (2-6, 0-4 PFL) led from the 5:02 mark of the second quarter to deep in the fourth quarter.

The Blue Hose have lost in overtime in two of the last three games, and by seven points in the other, and as a result, Drake (5-1, 4-0) won its 15^th consecutive PFL game and dropped Presbyterian to 2-26 in the PFL since it entered the non-scholarship conference in 2021.

Taking a six-point lead with 5:02 left in the second quarter and remaining ahead until 4:17 remained in the fourth, the Blue Hose had a 22-yard field goal to win it with 22 seconds remaining. Drake’s Tyler Radocha blocked Peter Lipscombe’s try.

Collin Hurst (left) (Monte Dutton photo)

Two PC kickers made field-goal attempts. Jett Jackson missed from 30 yards in the first quarter, and Lipscombe redeemed himself with a 42-yarder in overtime that briefly gave Presbyterian a 16-13 lead.

Drake needed three plays to respond. An 11-yard run by Davion Cherwin – 11 of the Bulldogs’ 60 net yards in the entire game – made PC’s death particularly sudden since it surendered the lead with finality.

Presbyterian lost despite doing many things right.

The defense forced four turnovers, equally divided in interceptions and fumble recoveries.

For the third consecutive week, the Blue Hose limited the other side to less than 100 rushing yards.

Drake’s Luke Bailey completed 30/41 passes for 375 yards, marred by the absence of a scoring toss and Anthony Thornton’s interception.

Defense dominated the latter half. Defensive coordinator Dan Owens’ group kept Drake out of the end zone for the entirety, yielding only the game-tying field goal, 37 yards by Shane Dunning.

Unfortunately, PC fell pointless in the final two periods.

Quarterback Collin Hurst completed 26/35 passes while Presbyterian played turnover-free ball, throwing for 201 yards and a second-quarter TD at the goal line to senior defensive lineman Nigel Brown, who grabbed his second career score on a trick play which gave the Hose a 13-7 edge.

The Russ-Martin twins (Brooks and Bradley) combined for 17 tackles on Saturday, with the latter falling on a fumble that Caleb Francis created. Francis also had an interception, of Drake’s Blake Ellingson, in the third quarter.

With two seconds to go until the break, the Bulldogs managed a 36-yard Dunning field,goal that trimmed the six-point deficit in half. Neither team scored again for the next 26 minutes and nine possessions.

Head coach Steve Englehart’s crew will head back on the road next week, traveling south to Florida where they’ll meet Stetson on Oct. 26. Kickoff in DeLand is 1 p.m.

Both parties will be in search of their first Pioneer League win as Presbyterian ventures to Stetson

After dropping a 10-point decision to St. Thomas earlier this month, Stetson was made to postpone their intended home duel with Valparaiso due to Hurricane Milton. They found themselves in a shootout on Saturday, falling to Davidson by a score of 70-48.

Take a look at the stats here.

Wellpilgrim.com is trying its best – translation: I’m trying – to describe the highs and lows and avoid the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Highs and lows are inevitable because all the games have a loser and a winner, and  Wellpilgrim.com is trying its best – translation: I’m trying – to describe the highs and lows and avoid the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

Highs and lows are inevitable because all the games have a loser and a winner, and when it’s done, they are the same number.

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