<P><B>April 15, 2008</B>
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The University of Dayton football team will conclude spring practice on Sunday, April 20 when they play in the annual Red & Blue Game at Welcome Stadium. This will be the second straight year the Flyers will be divided into two teams and play an actual game instead of conducting a controlled scrimmage. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. ET.
<P>While the Flyers warm up beginning at 12 noon, Flyer fans are invited to enjoy a free cookout at Welcome Stadium.
<P>New coach <A HREF="http://daytonflyers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/chamberlin_rick00.html" >Rick Chamberlin's</a> Flyers return 11 of 22 starters from last year's 11-1 team that was voted the Sports Network FCS Mid-Major National Champions after defeating #3 Albany 42-21 in the Gridiron Classic Bowl Game. UD also claimed the co-championship in the PFL, the school's ninth league title in the last 15 years. Dayton ended the season ranked #24 overall in the final FCS Coaches Poll.
<P>"We're very pleased with the progress we've made and effort we've put forth this spring," Chamberlin said. "There has been fierce competition at several positions for starting berths, which will only make our team better."
<P>"We're looking forward to Sunday," he added. "It's an opportunity for us to continue to improve and compete under game conditions, and at the same time have some fun after all the hard work we've put in since the first of the year."
<P>Just prior to kickoff, 2007 team captains <A HREF="http://daytonflyers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/cramer_brandon00.html" >Brandon Cramer</a>, <A HREF="http://daytonflyers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hoyng_kevin00.html" >Kevin Hoyng</a> and <A HREF="http://daytonflyers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/kelly_brian00.html" >Brian Kelly</a> will represent their teammates in a ring ceremony. The rest of the team will receive their championship rings following the game.
<P>Serving as honorary coaches for the Red & Blue game are former Flyer footballers Dale Fouse and Tom Southard. The 2008 season is the 30th anniversary of UD's first-ever NCAA playoff team, and both honorary coaches, along with Chamberlin, were seniors on that team.
<P>The game will consist of four eight-minute quarters with limited special teams activity. There will be live field goal and PAT attempts, but no kickoffs (the ball will be placed at the receiving team's 25-yard line in kickoff situations) and all punts must be fair caught.
<P>Admission to all the day's events is free.
<P>UD will have two more practices before Sunday's Red & Blue Game. The Flyers will go tonight (Tuesday, April 15) at 7:30 p.m. ET and Saturday (April 19) at 10:00 a.m. ET. |
