Flyers’ rally falls short in loss at Duquesne

A pass from Jack Cook to Adam Troutmann was broken up in the end zone as the Dayton Flyers fell on the road to Duquesne 31-26 on Saturday.

Plagued by mistakes, penalties and big plays, the Flyers never led.

Duquesne (2-1) took the opening kick and drove down the field to take a 7-0 lead. But Dayton came back on its first possession with a 2-yard touchdown run by Richie Warfield. The extra point was blocked.

Duquesne built a 24-13 halftime lead, putting together a one-minute drive that ended in a field goal as time expired in the first half.

The Flyers came right back to start the third quarter, but facing second and goal at the 1-yard line, Cook fumbled. The Dukes recovered, and moved 96 yards for what proved to be their final score.

“In the first half we were in the wrong gaps, missed tackles and our contenders played too far off the ball,” Dayton coach Rick Chamberlin said. “We made the adjustments at halftime and played much better.”

Trailing by 18, the Flyers rallied. Cook scored on a quarterback sneak and when Tucker Yinger ran one in from 33 yards out, UD trailed by five with 9:28 to go.

But it was not to be. On third and goal from the 6, Yinger was pulled down for a loss, setting up the fourth and goal desperation pass attempt to Troutmann.

Yinger totaled 122 yards on the ground, his third straight 100-yard game.

Dayton (1-2) begins PFL play against Davidson (3-0) Saturday at Welcome Stadium.

The Associated Press contributed.