Drake finishes off Valparaiso 17-9

Oct 18, 2015, 05:13 pm

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Quarterback Andy Rice scored on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter and Drew Ormseth later sealed it with an interception return for a touchdown, giving Drake a 17-9 win over Valparaiso Saturday.

Drake (4-3, 3-1 Pioneer) erased a 9-0 deficit, pushing ahead 10-9 on Rice's run, capping a 14-play, 79-yard drive.

Valparaiso (2-5, 0-3) then forced two punts and blocked a field goal, getting the ball back with 2:04 left. Scott Staal was picked off five plays later by Ormseth, who returned it 39 yards for the score. The Crusaders had one more chance with 44 seconds remaining, but Brad Duwe intercepted Staal's second-down pass to end it.

Rice threw for 265 yards with two interceptions and Michael Hudson had 93 yards on eight receptions.

Staal threw for 52 yards in relief of the injured Ben Lehman, who threw an 8-yard touchdown to Ryan Shea for a 6-0 lead.