Box Score Turnovers plaque Marauders in 31-19 opening season loss to Dayton

DAYTON, Ohio – Central State made a late fourth quarter push but 6 costly turnovers on the night proved to be too much to overcome in Saturday's season opening loss to Dayton, 31-19.
 
The CSU defense, coming off a tremendous 2015 season, seemed to pick off right where they left off when Lindley Reid intercepted an Alex Jeske pass in the early phases of the first quarter. Momentum quickyl shifted moments later when the Dayton defense forced a turnover of their own, setting up a 71-yard scoring drive by the Flyer offense. The long drive was capped off by a 1-yard run from Jack Adams with 3:33 left in the 1^st quarter.
 
Jeske would later make up for his early miscue with a 57 yard strike to J.P. Forucci and a 8 yard touchdown pass to Jack Euritt to extend the lead to 14-0 at the 8:18 mark of the second quarter. With short field position thanks to an ill-advised throw from CSU Quarterback Lavon Meeks, Jeske used his legs and ran in for another score from 9 yards out, extending the lead to 21-0 before halftime.
 
UD knocked the ball in between the uprights to go up 24-0 on their first drive of the third quarter. On the following kickoff, the Flyers came up with a loose ball when Clim Robbins fumbled while attempting to gain extra yardage. With the ball on the CSU 22-yard line, Jeske and the offense successfully found the end zone to take a commanding 31-0 lead.
 
Meeks and the offense finally found some rhythm on their first drive of the fourth quarter, going 90 yards in 9 plays, the bulk of the yardage coming on a Meeks 45-yard pass play to Marquis Wells. Newcomer De'Michael Jackson punched it in from one-yard out to put CSU on the board.
 
After a forcing a quick three and out, the Marauder defense set the stage for an electrifying 80 yard punt return for the score from Robbins. Trailing 31-12, CSU's defense forced a UD turnover on the next play when a host of Marauders jarred the ball away from Owen Williams with 4:43 remaining. On the next play, Darian Nelson took a Meeks pass out of the backfield for 41 yards down to the Dayton three yard line. Jackson would finish up the drive with a 3-yard run to bring CSU within 12 with 3:30 left to play.
 
The Marauders would quickly regain position after a successful onside kick recovery. Unfortunately, hopes of a miracle fourth quarter comeback were erased two plays later when a Meeks deep ball attempt was intercepted by UD's David Leisring at the 2:59 mark. With the game in hand, UD managed to run out the clock and earn the victory.
 
"I was proud of our players for finishing the game strong," said CSU head coach Cedric Pearl. "We take pride in playing for all 60 minutes. Having said that, the turnovers that we committed tonight are inexcusable and will be something we address and correct during this upcoming week of practice."
 
Meeks finished his first start as a Marauder quarterback with 227 yards through the air, completing 24 of 40 passes. He also picked up 24 yards of rushing but accounted for 3 turnovers on the night. Marquis Wells led all receivers with 10 receptions and 114 yards. On defense, Deonate Gary and Nehemiah Coward each finished with a team-high 9 tackles. Gary also recorded CSU's only sack of the evening. Robbins had three pass break ups and accounted for 152 yards and a score on kick returns.
 
The Marauders look to bounce back next week when they travel to historic Soldier Field to play in the Chicago Football Classic against SIAC opponent Clark Atlanta (0-1).



Media Coverage

Dayton holds off Central State (John Cummings – Dayton Daily News) - http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/sports/college-football-dayton-holds-off-central-state/nsRNd/
 
Central State to play in Chicago Football Classic (John Bombatch – Xenia Gazette) - http://xeniagazette.com/sports/11714/central-state-will-play-in-19th-chicago-football-classic
 
Central State to play Clark-Atlanta at 19^th Circle City Classic (Maraudersports.com) - http://maraudersports.com/news/2016/6/24/chicago_16.aspx?path=football

To view all photos of the game, please visit - https://www.facebook.com/CSUmarauders/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1092376247505015 

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