Football: San Marin 28, Drake 3

The Drake team played shorthanded today at home against a bigger San Marin and wilted against the powerful running attack of the Mustangs.

"We had five players, all starters, miss the game with injuries," said Drake coach Dan Kenilvort. "San Marin played power football and they wore us down."

The Pirates (1-6, 0-4) trailed 14-3 at the start of the second half, but could have only been down  7-3 if it were not for an unlucky break.

During the last play of the first half, San Marin (3-3, 1-2) threw a 40-yard Hail Mary, which was intercepted on the run by the Pirates' Conor Lind on their own one yard line. Lind's momentum carried him into the end zone, where he thought he needed to run the ball out to avoid a safety. During the run back he made it out of the end zone and was tackled on the one but, on the hit, fumbled the football into the end zone where San Marin fell on it for a touchdown.

The play took the wind out of the sails of the Pirates. The Mustang's capitalized on the momentum swing and on their first possession of the second half drove all the way down the field for a touchdown.

"The San Marin touchdown at the beginning of the second half essentially ended the game for us," said Kenilvort.

Drake's only points came off a Bryan Bostjancic interception, which he returned down to the opposition's nine-yard line. The ensuing Pirates' drive fizzled after a quarterback sack and they settled for 31-yard field goal from Matt Acord.

Drake's five starters who were watching the game from the sideline with injuries included their starting linebacker Ben Richmond. Richmond was hurt during the week leading up to the game during practice.

Blake Robinson led the team with nine tackles and had a tremendous game at inside linebacker.

The Pirates only had 21 players in uniform for the contest and desperately need to get heathly for their next game against San Rafael.

Up next: The Pirates play at home next Saturday for Homecoming against San Rafael at 2 p.m.