While this game wasn't on TV and didn't have BCS Title implications, it was a no-doubt instant classic.

The Dayton Flyers football team suffered its second defeat of the season at the hands of Pioneer Football League foe, Butler University.

In a thriller of a game between two of the PFL's best, the Bulldogs were able to make enough big plays on offense and defense to stave off a late Flyers rally, 31-28. It was Butler's first win at Welcome Stadium since 1988.

There was no bigger play made by the Butler defense than the final one, on which senior quarterback Steve Valentino's Hail Mary pass to senior wide receiver JMichael Jonard was caught, but the Bulldogs' secondary was able to keep Jonard out of the end zone as time ran out.

"You dream about something like that," Jonard said after the game. "I was just short."

The finish was the last of a slew of big plays from both teams on both sides of the ball. With nine plays of 20 or more yards between the two teams, the ball was flying around the field all afternoon.

The scoring started with 33 seconds left in the first quarter when redshirt freshman Dan Jacob scored on a 4-yard run to put Dayton ahead 7-0.

The defenses dominated until late in the first half when Butler was able to get on the board on the strength of a 7-yard run by sophomore quarterback Andrew Huck.

The turning point of the game came on the ensuing Flyers' drive, when Steve Valentino's deep pass fell incomplete off the outstretched hands of senior wide receiver Justin Watkins. Had the pass been completed, it would likely have resulted in a touchdown.

As it turned out, however, the Flyers were forced to punt and Butler capitalized before the half ended. Huck completed a 7-yard pass to senior wide receiver Dan Bohrer to give the Bulldogs their second touchdown in just 83 seconds. Butler went into the half with the lead 13-7.

In the second half teams exchanged possessions before Butler was able to get a good punt return down to the Dayton 36-yard line. The Bulldogs moved the ball down the field and were able to score on a 3rd and goal run by Huck from seven yards out. The score was 19-7 after Butler's faked extra point attempt failed.

With almost nothing going their way, the Flyers managed to steal momentum back from Butler on their next possession. After a couple nice plays to move them to midfield, Valentino connected with Watkins this time, and he ran it in for a 50-yard score to bring Dayton to 19-14.

Early in the fourth quarter Butler extended the lead again as Huck faked the handoff and kept the ball himself. The UD defense went with the running back, and Huck was able to scamper in easily for a 36-yard touchdown, his third TD on the ground.

Once again, a big play brought UD back into the game. On the first play of the next drive, Valentino connected with Watkins again, this time for 44 yards to the Butler 8-yard line. Three plays later Valentino ran it in for a 4- yard score which made the count 25-20, Bulldogs.

On the ensuing possession Butler was moving the chains, but the drive stalled as the UD defense held strong to force a punt. The Flyers' chance to take the lead ended quickly, as Valentino was intercepted on the first play of the drive, and Butler took over at the UD 23.

Again the Dayton defense stood tall and forced Butler into a fourth down and four situation. Due to two missed extra points, the Bulldogs opted to go for it on fourth down, and it paid off. Huck completed a 16-yard pass to redshirt freshman tight end Carter Walley for a score. With 3:27 to play in the game, Butler was up 31-20.

Dayton drove right down the field and answered quickly on an 8-yard pass from Valentino to wide receiver Nick Collins. After adding a two point conversion, the Flyers were down 31-28 with 1:35 remaining.

Dayton attempted an onside kick and kicker Nick Glavin got a good bounce, but Butler recovered. The UD defense was able to stop the run and use its timeouts to preserve a chance at tying or winning the game.

Dayton began its final drive with 1:09 on the clock at its own 16-yard line. Seven plays later, they had moved it to the Butler 41 with 6.2 seconds left. Valentino scrambled around avoiding the rush before lofting a ball into the air. Amongst the scrum of Butler defenders, Jonard managed to come down with the ball and appeared to cross the goal line. The line judge immediately signaled that his knee was down before the ball had crossed the plain, and the game ended.

Dayton amassed 523 total yards and 25 first downs compared to Butler's 381 and 19, respectively, but the Flyers also turned the ball over three times compared to BU's zero.

"We made too many mistakes to win this game," Valentino said.

With the win Butler improved to 9-0 (6-0 PFL) and Dayton dropped to 7-2 (5-1).

Despite the loss, the Flyers remain in the PFL title hunt, and have another big game against undefeated Drake next week. Chamberlin wants his team to focus on Drake now, not the tough loss to Butler.

"We're not out of this league title yet," he said. "If we think about these plays tomorrow, we will not be ready for Drake."