Dayton Flyers squander two-touchdown lead, fall at Morehead

Christian Robinson hauled in a 55-yard touchdown pass from Lawson Page with 50 seconds to play to give Morehead State a stunning 34-28 come-from-behind win over the Dayton Flyers on Saturday.

It was Robinson’s third TD catch of the game and one of four big plays surrendered by the Dayton defense.

“That was the name of the game,” UD coach Rick Chamberlin said. “They made big plays. We didn’t make enough.”

Morehead scored first on a 38-yard pass from Page to Lakota West High School graduate Jarin Higginbotham.

“He just ran past us,” said Chamberlin. “Quarterback put the ball right there.”

However, Dayton reeled off 21 unanswered points for a 21-7 halftime lead and had the ball to start the second half. Kyle Kaparos threw an interception on the first play of the third quarter, and that signaled the start of some offensive problems.

Robinson took a bubble screen pass 52 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good. Dayton led 21-13 and then responded with a 69-yard drive capped by Kaparos’ 6-yard run.

Morehead came back with another big play, Logan Holbrook going straight up the gut for a 60-yard TD, and after the Flyers are unable to get a first down, Robinson caught his second TD pass. Jack Crain intercepted the two-point conversion pass attempt.

UD had a 28-26 lead with 5:06 to go, but the Flyers could not run out the clock, turning the ball over on downs with 1:22 to play on the Eagles’ 17-yard line. Five plays later Page and Robinson connected on the game-winning score.

Dayton fell to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the Pioneer Football League.

“We have to eliminate mistakes,” Chamberlin said. “There are no softies on the schedule.”

Dayton hosts PFL preseason favorite San Diego next Saturday at noon.

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