DAYTON, Ohio — Luke Hansen rushed for 98 yards and scored a crucial touchdown late in the game, helping Dayton secure a 26-14 victory against Valparaiso on Saturday, thus snapping a three-game losing streak.

The Beacons initially took control of the game with Michael Mansary scoring a touchdown on a 6-yard run during their opening drive, putting them ahead 7-0 after Dayton was unable to gain any yardage on their first possession.

However, Dayton quickly responded as Gavin Lochow dashed for a 42-yard touchdown run with just over six minutes remaining in the first half, leveling the score. The Flyers then seized the lead when Drew VanVleet connected with Lochow on a 7-yard touchdown pass just nine seconds before halftime.

After Danny Baker extended Dayton’s lead with a 36-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, Valparaiso countered with a scoring drive capped off by Caron Tyler’s 6-yard run, bringing the Beacons within a field goal at 17-14.

Dayton then notched a safety by tackling Valpo’s Ryan Mann in the end zone, pushing their lead to 19-14 with under seven minutes left in the game. Luke Hansen secured the win for Dayton with a 1-yard touchdown run with only 1:39 left on the clock.

For the Beacons, Tyler completed 10 of 12 passes for 56 yards and recorded 58 rushing yards on eight attempts, scoring one touchdown in the effort.