Drake Athletic Communications
VALPARAISO, Ind. — Drake football dropped a Pioneer League game at Valparaiso 21-13 on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Drake’s Riley Warzynski completed 22 of 38 passes for 264 yards but was intercepted four times. Willis Nofsinger caught four passes for 105 yards for the Bulldogs (2-4 overall, 2-1 PFL).
Valparaiso improved to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the PFL.
The Drake offense was sent out first, but the Bulldogs could not strike early. Drake managed a couple first downs but a Riley Warzynski fumble, which was forced by Valpo’s Connor Cervantes and recovered by the Beacons’ Gabriel Val Batres, gave the hosts the rock around midfield. Valpo capitalized just a few plays later as QB Rowan Keefe plunged through the line for a 2-yard scoring rush.
Both teams traded punts before the next score was tallied, this time by the Bulldogs. Cody Blicharz capped a 7-play, 77-yard drive with touchdown trot from just a yard out, tying the score at seven apiece, which held through the end of the opening quarter.
Offense was at a premium in the second stanza as Drake got the next points on the board with just under four minutes remaining. The Bulldogs went 79 yards in nine plays before Griffin Kollhoff split the uprights from 24 yards away to nudge the Dogs on top. Kollhoff later added another 3-pointer, this time from 48 yards out, as the first half clock expired.
Drake took a 13-7 advantage into the break.
The two squads continued to tip toe through the action as the third quarter started with a trio of punts. Valpo eventually grabbed a firm hold of the momentum as defensive back Mark Johnson picked off a Riley Warzynski throw deep in the Bulldogs’ own territory.
Valpo again took advantage of the Drake giveaway when Keefe found a slanting Daniel White in the endzone. The Beacons were successful on the PAT, giving them a narrow 14-13 lead.
The Beacons were putting together another solid drive shortly after their score, but Drake took its turn making a splash defensive effort. Tommy Williams dove on a loose ball after a mishandled exchange in the Valpo backfield, which flipped the mojo and the field back in Drake’s favor. But the Bulldog charge did not last long as Warzynski was intercepted for the third time on the day.
Valpo again scored after the Drake miscue as the Beacons expanded their lead to eight points. Keefe and White reconnected on a toe-tapping pitch-and-catch, which was originally ruled incomplete but overturned after video review.
Trailing 21-13, Drake took back over with a chance to drive the field and tie the game, but Valpo had other ideas. Johnson dove in front of another Warzynski offering for the Bulldog signal caller’s fourth interception. Valparaiso ran down as much game time as it could manage, but the Beacons turned it back over to Drake on downs with just nine ticks left.
On the final play, Warzynski fired a short pass to the left before the Bulldogs tried to lateral through the Valpo D. Hank Foley caught the delivery and pitched to Mitchell January, who was promptly dropped with zeroes on the clock as the Beacons secured a 21-13 decision.
Warzynski finished the day 22-for-38 for 264 yards with four interceptions. Willis Nofsinger was again the Bulldogs’ leading receiver with 105 yards on four catches. Adrien Robbins led Drake with 27 yards on the ground, but Cody Blicharz ripped off 14 yards on six carries for Drake’s lone touchdown.
Defensively, star linebacker J.R. Flood led Drake with 11 tackles and a pair of QB hurries. Skylar James added six more tackles plus a sack and pass break-up.
Drake will return home next week for an Oct. 17 date with Marist. The Bulldogs and Red Foxes will kick off at noon inside historic Drake Stadium.
