Box Score Post game quotes
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Mike Piatkowski threw for 258 yards and Drake defeated Campbell 35-7 in Pioneer Football League action Saturday night at Ed Gore Field/Barker-Lane Stadium.
Drake (3-2, 2-0 PFL), which was picked second in the pre-season PFL poll, outgained the Camels 481-226 and held the ball 11:54 longer than the hosts (1-4, 0-2).
Piatkowski completed 23-of-38 passes with one touchdown and one interception. He also scored once on the ground. Gary Scott ran for 77 yards and one score, while Nick Rosa led the Bulldogs with 7 receptions for 92 yards.
Junior quarterback Dakota Wolf led the Camels with 41 rushing yards, while completing 13-of-27 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown. AJ Artis grabbed 4 passes for a season-high 95 yards, including a 57-yard scoring reception.
Drake broke in front midway through the first quarter when Scott ran in from 3 yards to cap an 8-play, 63-yard drive. Scott accounted for 25 yards on 4 carries and Piatkowski hit Rosa for a 21-yard connection.
The Bulldogs' second touchdown was set up when Camel punter Adam Lutz was unable to handle a high snap and Drake took over at the Campbell 22. Trey Morse ran for 11 yards; then Piatkowski connected with Rosa for an 11-yard score for a 14-0 lead.
After a 1 hour, 3 minute delay due to lightning, the Bulldogs added another score when Derek Temple returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown with 1:51 left in the half.
Campbell got on the board with 14:13 left in the third quarter on a 57-yard TD pass from Wolf to Artis. The connection marked the first career scoring pass for Wolf, Artis' first career TD catch, and was also Campbell's longest offensive play of the year.
A 9-play, 64-yard drive ended with Piatkowski's 2-yard plunge to put the Bulldogs in front 28-7 with 10:08 left. Piatkowski hooked up with Joey Orlando on a 25-yard pass to set up the run.
T.J. James capped a 14-play, 61-yard march with a one-yard dive to push the Drake advantage to 35-7 with 11:37 remaining.
Justice Walker led Campbell with 12 tackles, while Paul Pizzuti added 11 and Lucas Smith 10 stops. Jake Underwood topped Drake with 10 tackles.
After an open date, Campbell returns to action Oct. 13 at San Diego.
