KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - Truman State lost a heartbreaker to Davenport University 20-19 in their first game of the 2022 season. The Bulldogs led 19-13 with 3:34 left to play before the Panthers capitalized on a Truman fumble. 

Truman started the game in a 13-point deficift after Davenport took advantage of great field position. Nolan Hair cut the lead to six with a five-yard touchdown pass to Zach Zerwig, then the Bulldogs took a 14-13 lead after Jake Tuttle scurried in from nine yards out for the score.

The Bulldog defense showed their teeth early in the 2nd quarter by forcing a safety to extend their lead to three. Jack Marth took down Davenport quarterback Johnny Saavedra as the ball was fumbled into the end zone for the two points.

Kicker Grant Ross boomed an impressive 45-yard field goal with 8:05 left in the 2nd quarter to give Truman a 19-13 lead over Davenport.

Ben Thomas had two interceptions in the 3rd quarter, neither of which led to Truman scores.

The Bulldogs, leading by six with 3:34 left, fumbled the ball on their own 26 yard line and Davenport recovered. Panther quarterback Jason Whittaker threw a pass behind their line of scrimmage to Sy Barnett at the five yard line for the game winning score.

On the ensuing kickoff, Jack Butchko gave the Bulldogs great field position with a return of 42 yards out to the 47. Hair found Tate Crane for six yards and Zach Zerwig for a 13-yard completion to move the ball inside the Panthers 31. Two plays later a costly offensive pass interference flag moved the ball back out to midfield and on the next pass Hair was intercepted by Darrin Cotton. 

Nolan Hair went 17-32, throwing for 148 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Jake Tuttle rushed for a team-high 55 yards with a touchdown.