Oct. 16, 2008

Complete Game Notes in PDF Format

The University of Dayton Flyer will look to become just the 11th team in FCS football to win 600 games when UD travels to Davidson Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. Dayton is 5-1 and 2-0 in the Pioneer Football League so far in 2008, while Davidson is 2-3 and 1-2 in the PFL.

600 CLUB Ten NCAA FCS teams have won 600 games in their football history: Yale (850), Penn (792), Harvard (792), Princeton (778), Fordham (775), Dartmouth (643), Lafayette (637), Delaware (631), Lehigh (622) and Cornell (615).

MEET THE NEW BOSS An era that was 33 years in the making began August 31 when the University of Dayton defeated Central State University for former Flyer linebacker and long-time assistant coach Rick Chamberlin's first career win in his first career game. Chamberlin was a Football Coaches Association Kodak All-American on UD's first Division III playoff team in 1978, and then served as a defensive assistant under head coaches Rick Carter and Mike Kelly. Chamberlin retains his responsibilities as the Dayton defensive coordinator in addition to his head coaching duties.

WORTH A LOOK BACK Mike Kelly's final season at the helm of the Flyer football program was one for the books, as UD went 11-1 and earned a share of the Pioneer Football League title. That put the Flyers in the Gridiron Classic against Albany, where they won 42-21 to claim the FCS Mid-Major national championship. Seven Flyers earned All-America status, including tight end Matt Champa, who was named on six different teams, and quarterback Kevin Hoyng, who finished his career as UD's career record holder in completions, passing yardage and total offense. UD took home three of the four top awards in the PFL. Kelly was Coach of the Year, Hoyng was Offensive Player of the Year, and Joe Castaneda was Rookie of the Year. And safety Brandon Cramer was named the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American of the Year for Division I football, the first such honor for the Flyer football program.

NO ONE'S DOING IT BETTER Since 2000, the Flyers have the second-best winning percentage in FCS football (.793 at the start of the year) AND have produced the most football Academic All-Americans at all levels of college football (14).

SERIES STUFF Dayton leads the series 5-1. The Davidson win came on October 21, 2006 at Richardson Stadium by the score of 37-36. The Flyers could not convert a two-point conversion with 1:01 to play after coming from 23 points down in the fourth quarter. UD won last year in Dayton, 38-28 on October 13.

THE WILDCATS ARE... 2-3 overall, and 1-2 in the PFL. Saturday's game matches the two teams that received the most first-place votes on the 2008 PFL Preseason Coaches' Poll. Dayton was picked second (55 total votes, 3 first-place votes), while Davidson was third (51, 3). San Diego was the favorite with 58 total votes, but two first-place votes. Quarterback Ryan Alexander is a four-year starter who is the PFL's active leader in completions (637), passing yardage (7,901) and TD passes (61). Safety Matt Easton leads Davidson in tackles (8.0).

STREAKING UD has not been shut out in 359 straight games, the best such active string in all of college football. The last team to shut out the Flyers was Marshall, 9-0, on October 16, 1976. Dayton has won its last eight PFL games.

TEN FLYERS NAMED ALL-PFL UD placed 10 players on the 2007 PFL All-League teams, and five returned this season. Defensive tackle Kalen Hemmelgarn, Flyer Steve McDonald and defensive end Scott Vossler, all seniors, were on the first team last year. Sophomore cornerback Joe Castaneda and senior safety Corey Vossler were on the second team.

SEVEN FLYERS NAMED SPORTS NETWORK MID-MAJOR ALL-AMERICANS The Flyers also had seven players named to the Sports Network's 2007 FCS Mid-Major All-America teams, with three seniors back for this season. Kalen Hemmelgarn and Scott Vossler were on the first team, and Ben Shappie was on the second team.

MORE KUDOS FOR KALEN Senior DT Kalen Hemmelgarn was also named an Honorable Mention All-American on the Sports Network's All-America team that encompassed all of FCS football. Hemmelgarn was nationally ranked in fumbles recovered (3) and sacks (8.5), and totaled 41 tackles, 10.5 of which were for a loss. He also forced two fumbles.

LEADERS ON AND OFF THE FIELD Serving as captains for 2008 are quarterback Rob Florian, Flyer Steve McDonald and defensive end Scott Vossler. The trio of fifth-year seniors took varied routes to become captains. McDonald and Vossler were First Team All-PFL last season, while Florian entered 2008 with just one career start to his credit. McDonald redshirted due to an injury, Vossler redshirted for developmental reasons and Florian has been a team leader even though he has been UD's backup QB for the last three seasons.

LEADER OF THE SACKS Dayton leads the PFL and is third nationally in FCS football in sacks per game (3.67). Sean Heenan co-leads the PFL and is tied for fifth nationally (1.0). Scott Vossler is third in the league (0.92) and Brandon Wingeier is fourth (0.67). Dayton has four players in the PFL's top 10 in sacks. Kalen Hemmelgarn is tied for seventh (.050). Seven Flyers have at least one sack already in 2008.

LET'S TALK DAYTON D The Flyers are second in FCS football in scoring defense (13.27, behind Lafayette). UD also leads the PFL in sacks (3.67) and rushing defense (62.33). Nationally, they are third in sacks. UD is also second in the PFL in tackles for a loss (7.50) and pass efficiency defense (107.55). Last season, UD led FCS in sacks (4.00), was second in rushing defense (75.42) and fourth in scoring defense (15.58) and total defense (271.50).

PAPER OR PLASTIC? UD had 48 sacks last season, after getting just 13 in all of 2006 (Dayton already has 22 in 2008). Four of the top six sack artists in the PFL were Flyers -- Scott Vossler was second and tied for 14th nationally (0.75), Kalen Hemmelgarn was third and 20th nationally (0.71), the since-transferred Bobby Burger was fifth and tied for 25th (0.67) and Sean Heenan was sixth and tied for 33rd (0.63). Last year, Davidson came to Dayton on October 13 leading the nation in fewest sacks allowed (3), and UD sacked Wildcat QB Ryan Alexander three times in that game. San Diego had allowed just six sacks before allowing QB Josh Johnson to be bagged three times two weeks later.

SUPER SIZE ME Senior Steve McDonald usually plays the hybrid linebacker/safety position known as "Flyer" or "nickel" in the Dayton defensive package. He is now starting at linebacker to give UD more speed on defense (dare we call it "a Double Nickel Defense?"). Regardless, at 5-10, 184 lbs., he is not the most imposing physical specimen. But his game is large. This year, he leads UD in tackles (47) and is second in solo hits (21) and tackles in the backfield (7.0). He is fourth in the PFL in hits per game (7.83). McDonald had 10 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception in the Drake win, and had 14 tackles in the Fordham game. In 2007, he led UD in solo hits (40), tied for team and league honors in fumbles recovered (3, including one for a TD), and was second in total tackles (79).

MEET THE OLD "VOSS" Scott Vossler returns for his fifth year after one of the most productive seasons in UD history by a Flyer lineman. Vossler led UD in sacks (9.0), tackles in the backfield (16.5), QB hurries (4) and fumbles forced (6). He led the PFL in fumbles forced and was second in sacks. He's picked up right where he left off this season. He is among the nation's leaders in sacks (0.92, god for eighth in FCS). He was the PFL Defensive Player of the Week after the Central State win with seven hits, three sacks and fumble recovery for a touchdown. He earned PFL and national honors after blocking two kicks in the Fordham game that led directly to nine Flyer points (including a 35-yard return of his own punt block). He leads UD in blocked kicks (3), is second in sacks (5.5) and QB hurries (4), and third in tackles in the backfield (6.5).

WHOLE LOTTA LOVE Scott Vossler was named PFL, The Sports Network and College Sporting News Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a punt and returning it for a TD, and also blocking a PAT that Joe Castaneda took back for two more points in UD's win over Patriot League favorite Fordham.

CAPTAIN ROB Offensive captain Rob Florian is back for his fifth year and is stepping up to replace record-setting QB Kevin Hoyng. In the season-opening win over CSU, Florian was 17 of 34 for 201 yards and two TD's. He also ran for the Flyers' other offensive TD. In the Fordham win, he was 18 of 32 for 172 yards and a TD. For the year, he is 111 of 213 (.521) for 1,248 yards, seven TD's and 10 interceptions. Florian entered 2008 with only one start in his career, but what a start it was. In 2006, without ever throwing a collegiate pass, Florian filled in for the injured Hoyng at Jacksonville and threw for 411 yards, just three yards short of the school single-game record. Last season, Florian completed 26 of 42 passes (.619) for 261 yards and two TD's. He led Cincinnati Elder to back-to-back Ohio Division I state titles in 2002 and 2003.

PECHAN ORDER Backup QB Jeff Pechan completed his first collegiate pass for a 58-yard touchdown in the Drake game. He is four-for-five for 111 yards and the TD this season and in his career.

BIG BEN Senior running back Ben Shappie tied PFL and UD records in the Campbell game when he scored five TD's to lead the Flyers to the 42-0 win. It was the most points scored in FCS football this season. He also ran for a career-high 124 yards on 17 carries (all in the first three quarters of play) and was named PFL (and UD) Offensive Player of the Week. He has 265 yards in 48 attempts (5.5 avg.) in the last three games. He leads UD in rushing (64.3 yards a game), and is fourth in the PFL. His is also second in the PFL in scoring (9.0). He had 94 yards on 16 carries at Duquesne, and was named UD's Offensive Player of the Game. Shappie is back after being listed as starter every game in 2007, and finishing second on the team in rushing. Shappie's numbers of 529 yards and six touchdowns in 108 carries (4.9 yards per carry) were also ninth in the PFL in yards per game (44.1).

TO SERVE AND PROTECT The Dayton offensive line, led by returning starters Ryan Pollock (tackle) and Patrick McCormick (guard), allowed just one sack for every 22 pass attempts in 2007. By contrast, Dayton opponents were sacked once every eight times last year. So far this year, it's one sack in 36 pass attempts vs. one sack every 10 opponent attempts. Senior tackle Zach Whitten was the Offensive Player of the Week in the CSU win. McCormick has been named twice.

THE GOOD HANDS PEOPLE QB Rob Florian completed his 17 passes against CSU to seven different receivers. Six of them caught their first college pass in the game. Justin Millio leads UD with 30 receptions for 225 yards (7.5 avg.) this season, including nine vs. Fordham. Steve Valentino is second with 24 catches for 321 yards (and a team-high three touchdowns).

V IS FOR VERSATILE Wideout Steve Valentino had 199 all-purpose yards in the Robert Morris win. He caught five passes for 55 yards and one TD as a wide receiver and carried the ball six times for 17 yards lined up as a quarterback. He also had one kickoff return for 48 yards, and four punt returns for 79 yards. He even recovered the onside kick Robert Morris tried after they scored with 43 seconds to go. Valentino was UD's Offensive Player of the Week in the Fordham win, and UD's Special Teams Player of the Week after the Robert Morris win. He had a career-high seven catches for 94 yards vs. Drake. He leads the PFL in all-purpose yards (140.5), is second in kickoff return average (22.9) and fourth in the league in punt return average (12.56).

ELEMENTARY, MR. WATKINS Wideout Justin Watkins is back eight months after suffering a knee injury in the PFL-title-clinching win at Drake. He leads the PFL in yards per catch (24.6) in 2008. Last year the redshirt sophomore led Dayton in yards per catch (17.8) and was UD's top returning receiver with 20 catches. Six of his receptions were for TD's, which was tied for second on the team. Watkins had three catches for 56 yards and a TD in the CSU win. He is one of eight Flyer receivers with at least eight catches this season. MILLI-OH Running back turned wideout Justin Millio leads the team and is fourth in the PFL in receptions (5.00).

SMART BART Tight end Bart Bergfeld is a semifinalist for the 2008 Draddy Trophy. The award, presented annually by the National Football Foundation, is considered the "Academic Heisman." Flyer safety Brandon Cramer was a finalist last year. Bergfeld's status as a semifinalist marks the first time UD has had semifinalists in back-to-back years. Bergfeld is third on the team in catches (11 for 110 yards).

HUJIK REACTION True freshman Tyler Hujik has caught 10 passes this year, good enough for fourth on the team. He caught his first pass in the second half at Duquesne when Justin Millio tweaked his ankle, and caught five more in that game. He then added four more for 31 yards in the Campbell win.

MEET THE NEWER VOSS Corey Vossler leads UD in solo hits (23) and is second in pass breakups (8) and total tackles (41). He is tied for second in passes defended (1.33) in the PFL. Vossler had a game-high 14 tackles (seven solo) at Duquesne.

MR. SMYTH GOES TO CORNER Senior defensive back moved to safety this season due to UD's depth at cornerback and started the first two games there before moving back to corner to fill in for the injured Joe Castaneda against Robert Morris. All Smyth did was earn PFL Defensive Player of the Week honors. He snared the first two of four interceptions the Flyers came up with in the game. He returned the first one 38 yards to put Dayton up 7-0, and added a 20-yard interception return on the second. He also batted away three other passes and was in on five tackles. He leads the PFL in passes defended (1.8), and is tied for team honors in interceptions (2).

JOLTIN' JOE Redshirt sophomore linebacker Joe Ries led UD in tackles in his first start, getting eight hits. He is currently third on the team with 37 tackles, and has recovered two fumbles to lead the team. Ries is tied for third in the PFL in fumble recoveries (0.33). He was UD's Defensive Player of the Week in the Fordham win.

IT'S WHAT'S UP FRONT THAT COUNTS The Flyers boast the best one-two defensive tackle combination in the PFL in seniors Sean Heenan and Kalen Hemmelgarn, and that's a big reason UD is #1 nationally in rushing defense. Among league DT's they are 1-2 in sacks (Heenan averages 1.0, Hemmelgarn 0.5). Heenan leads in the PFL in tackles in the backfield (1.58). Hemmelgarn is tied for third in fumbles forced (0.33). In sacks they are first (1.0) and tied for seventh (0.50), respectively. Hemmelgarn was UD's Defensive Player of the Game in the Campbell win with six hits, a sack, a tackle behind the line and a QB hurry.

HEENAN THE BARBARIAN Senior defensive tackle Sean Heenan is tied for first in the PFL in sacks (1.0) and leads in tackles in the backfield (1.58). He is tied for fifth nationally in sacks. Heenan was UD's Defensive Player of the Week for the Drake win.

BURNS NOTICE Senior safety Kevin Burns made his first career start when Matt Smyth moved to corner against Robert Morris. He came through with two interceptions and a team-leading eight tackles. He is tied with Smyth in interceptions (2).

IT'S SO Cornerback Joe Castaneda was the 2007 PFL Rookie of the Year. Castaneda was only the third freshman in Kelly's 27 years as a head coach to earn a starting job. He led Dayton with eight pass break ups, and tied for team honors in interceptions (3, all in conference play). He was in on 51 tackles (27 solo). He was also UD's top kick returner, averaging 11.8 yards a punt return and 24.1 yards a kick return. He missed three games with a shoulder injury before returning to action during the Drake game.

STICKY FINGERS Joe Castaneda and Corey Vossler co-led Dayton in interceptions last season, each with three. Four players had two each, including Castaneda's partner at the other corner, junior Scott Horcher. Horcher was UD's Defensive Player of the Week at Duquesne after intercepting his first pass of the season.

D LEADERS Steve McDonald leads UD in tackles (47), and is second in solos (21) and tackles in the backfield (7.0). Corey Vossler leads the Dayton defense in solo hits (23) and passes batted away (9) and is second in total tackles (41). Joe Ries is third in tackles (37) and the team leader in fumbles recovered (2). Sean Heenan is top dog in sacks (6.0), with Scott Vossler right behind (5.5). Heenan also leads in tackles in the backfield (9.5) and QB hurries (5). Brandon Wingeier and Hemmelgarn lead in fumbles forced (2). Scott Vossler has a team-high three blocked kicks.

McGLAVIN Junior Nick Glavin had a solid season for the Flyers in 2007 (35-37 PAT's, 3-5 FG's), and has kicked it in a higher gear this year. He is 20 for 21 in PAT's and 5 for 9 in field goals. At Duquesne, he made all three of his field goal attempts (including a career-long 40-yard FG) and was UD's Special Teams Player of the Game. He leads the PFL in touchbacks (5) and is third in kick scoring (5.8).

DAYTON RULES THE "DAYTON RULE" TEAMS In the 15 years since D-I schools were prohibited from playing football at the D-III level (thus creating the Pioneer Football League), UD has the best winning percentage (.800, 132-33) of the 20 schools currently playing football that were affected. Duquesne's .707 (118-46) is second, followed by Drake (.656, 109-57-1), San Diego (.636, 98-56) and Robert Morris (.595, 87-59-1).

PFL STATS Dayton leads the PFL in scoring defense (13.2), total defense (209.50), rushing defense (62.3), sacks (3.67), opponent 3rd-down conversion (.260, 25-96) and time of possession (31:45). The Flyers are second in tackles for a loss (7.50) and pass efficiency defense (91.39). Steve Valentino leads in all-purpose yardage (140.5). Sean Heenan leads in sacks (1.0) and tackles in the backfield (1.58). Matt Smyth is first in passes defended (1.83).

PFL POWER The Flyers' 57-16 PFL record is the best in the history of the league. UD has won nine league championships (including ties) in the 15 years the PFL has existed. The rest of the league has 10.

WELCOME MAT The UD Flyers moved to Welcome Stadium in 1974. The word "Welcome" implies hospitality, but UD has been anything but hospitable to its opponents at home, where it is 190-37-2 (.834). The "Welcome" in Welcome Stadium is not a greeting, but an honor to the late Percival Welcome, longtime AD for the Dayton Public Schools. UD has won its last 12 home games (7-0 last season), and 48 of its last 57 home games and 25 of its last 31 road games.

GREAT GRAD RATES UD's 97 score in the 2007APR (Academic Progress Report) is the second-best in the Pioneer Football League and one of the best in NCAA Division I football. UD was one of 26 teams honored by the NCAA for having an APR in the top 10 percent of all Division I football-playing institutions. The others were Air Force, Brown, Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, William and Mary, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, fellow PFL member Davidson, Duke, Furman, Harvard, Navy, New Hampshire, Penn, Princeton, Rice, Richmond, Rutgers, Stanford, Villanova, Wofford and Yale. In the 2008 GSR Report, UD is tied for 10th as an institution with a GSR of 96 (fellow PFL member Davidson is tied for seventh with a 97 GSR).

GOTTA PLAY SMART The University of Dayton placed a league-best 16 players on the 2007 Academic All-Pioneer Football League team. It was the fifth straight year UD had the most players on the PFL Academic team. Since the league's origin in 1993, over a quarter (154 of 558) of the PFL All-Academic selections have been Flyers. UD also had 64 players on the PFL Academic Honor Roll (3.0 GPA or better). That was 15 better than the next-best school.

HITTING THE BOOKS The Dayton football program has produced 14 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americans since the 2000 season. That's most at any level of college football. Safety Brandon Cramer was named the 2007 Division I football Academic All-American of the Year, capping a career that saw him named an Academic All-American for three straight seasons. In the history of the Academic All-America program, UD has had 44 Academic All-Americans. Among schools currently playing Division I football, only Nebraska (95), Notre Dame (51), Penn State (48), Ohio State (47) and Oklahoma (45) have had more. UD has had at least one football player named Academic All-American in 15 of the last 16 years. UD had eight players named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team, twice as many as any other school in the district. At least twelve Flyers were nominated for Academic All-America in each of the last four years (16 last season).

LOOSE CHANGE BENEFITS CHARITY--UPDATE The Flyer football team calls any turnover they gain "loose change." This year, thanks to National City, any "loose change" UD picks up will benefit Catholic Social Services. For every fumble and interception Dayton comes up with, National City will donate $50 to the fund. So far this year, the total donation is $700. In addition, fan donations at the Campbell game raised nearly $300 for Catholic Social Services.

SUPER STAT When Jon Gruden coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Bowl championship in 2003, he became the second UD grad to coach a Super Bowl winner. Former UD co-captain and 1993 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Chuck Noll won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XII & XIV) as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Noll started at center and linebacker for the Flyers and graduated from the University in 1953. Gruden played quarterback at Dayton and earned his degree in 1986. UD became only the third school to have two alumni coach Super Bowl winners. The others are San Jose State, with grads Bill Walsh (XIV, XIX, XXIII) and Dick Vermeil (XXXIV), and Arkansas with grads Jimmy Johnson (XXVII, XXVIII) and Barry Switzer (XXX). Gruden is the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl, and Noll is the fourth youngest. As a matter of fact, UD has ties to 18 Super Bowl rings. In addition to Noll's four and Gruden's one, five former members of Dayton coaching staffs own a total of 14 Super Bowl rings between them. They are the late Len Fontes (New York Giants, Super Bowl XXI), Jon's father Jim Gruden (San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowls XXII & XXIV), John McVay (49ers, XVI, XIX, XXII, & XXIV), current Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore (Pittsburgh Steelers, XIII & XIV, Indianapolis Colts XLI) and George Perles (Steelers, IX, X, XII & XIV). McVay was the Flyers' head coach from 1965-72, and Fontes, Gruden, Moore and Perles were on his staff.

GAME #1 - DAYTON 31, CENTRAL STATE 12 DAYTON, Ohio - The Rick Chamberlin era in University of Dayton football opened with a 31-12 win over Central State August 31 in CSU's "Dayton Classic IV" at Welcome Stadium. Chamberlin, a former Flyer All-American and 28-year UD assistant, was leading a team as head coach for the first time. Senior captain Scott Vossler was named the Classic MVP after leading a Dayton defensive effort that allowed just 14 yards rushing. Vossler had seven tackles (six solo), three sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Another senior captain, quarterback Rob Florian, threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead the offense. Florian was 17 of 34 passing for 201 yards, and spread his 17 completions amongst seven different receivers. Steve Valentino led the way with four receptions for 63 yards UD's first touchdown. Justin Watkins added three catches for 56 yards and a score. Ben Shappie led the ground attack with 65 yards on 12 carries. Dayton averaged 5.1 yards per play compared to 2.9 for CSU. Nine UD defenders had at least five tackles. Linebacker Joe Reis had eight (three solo) in his first career start. Vossler and fellow end Brandon Wingeier (also in his first start) had six, with safety Kevin Burns and cornerbacks Joe Castaneda and Scott Horcher each had five.

GAME #2 - DAYTON 23, FORDHAM 20 DAYTON, Ohio - Thanks to timely plays by the defense the Dayton Flyers held on for a 23-20 victory over the Fordham Rams in their home opener at Welcome Stadium. Senior defensive end Scott Vossler enjoyed one of the most productive days in his UD career with a blocked punt and blocked PAT, one of which he recovered and scored for a touchdown, five tackles and a forced fumble. Senior quarterback Rob Florian went 18 for 32 for 172 yards and a touchdown pass. UD's Justin Millio tallied nine receptions for 58 yards, while Steve Valentino had five receptions, one of which went for a touchdown. Although the Rams outgained the Flyers 357 to 279 on offense, Dayton's defense forced four fumbles and recovered three of them. Late in the fourth quarter, Fordham cut the UD lead to 23-20, and UD suffered a costly turnover late in the fourth quarter when Shappie fumbled the ball at the Fordham 41 with 3:24 remaining. However, UD's defense held strong on third and one stopping a quarterback sneak at the line of scrimmage and forcing an incomplete pass on fourth and one with less than two minutes remaining to preserve the win.

GAME #3 - DAYTON 31, ROBERT MORRIS 14 DAYTON, Ohio - Four interceptions by the Flyer defense, including a 38-yard return for a touchdown by senior Matt Smyth, helped Dayton top the Robert Morris Colonials 31-14. Smyth and senior Kevin Burns each recorded two interceptions apiece as the Flyers extended their FCS-best winning streak to 10 games and improved to 3-0 overall on the season. The Flyer defense, which was one interception away from tying the school record for picks in a game, also had a forced fumble and four sacks. Burns led UD with eight tackles, senior Sean Heenan had three tackles and two sacks and redshirt sophomore Brandon Wingeier forced a fumble and recorded a sack. Redshirt sophomore Steve Valentino had 199 all-purpose yards, 55 of them off of five receptions and one touchdown catch. Senior Rob Florian completed 18 of 35 passes for 186 yards while senior Joe Gulick rushed for 58 yards on seven carries. Robert Morris outgained UD 368 to 300, but the turnovers by the Colonials sealed the Flyer win. Other contributors for the Flyers included redshirt freshman James Ward with four receptions for 54 yards, senior Steve McDonald with six tackles, two for a loss and one sack and Corey Vossler with five tackles.

GAME #4 - DUQUESNE 24, DAYTON 16 PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Duquesne stopped the Dayton Flyers' 10-game winning streak in Pittsburgh, knocking off UD 24-16. The Dukes beat the Flyers at their own game, winning the turnover battle, limiting penalties and coming up with key special teams plays. The Flyers outgained Duquesne 405 to 353, but committed three turnovers to just one gained. Field position played a huge role in the game. Duquesne started seven of its drives around midfield or better, while Dayton started every drive in its own territory. Ben Shappie led the way offensively for UD, carrying the ball 16 times for 94 yards. Florian was 27 of 54 for 277 yards and a 57-yard TD to Justin Watkins, but also threw two interceptions. Justin Millio led the team in receptions, with seven for 55 yards. Freshman Tyler Hujik added six for 32 in his first career action. Corey Vossler was the game leader in tackles with 14 (seven solo), and Scott Horcher grabbed Dayton's lone interception.

GAME #5 - DAYTON 42, CAMPBELL 0 DAYTON, Ohio - Senior Ben Shappie tied a program and Pioneer Football League record with five rushing touchdowns as the Dayton Flyers picked up a 42-0 win over the Campbell Fighting Camels. Shappie also rushed for a career-high 126 yards on 17 carries. Senior Rob Florian went 16-for-28 for 244 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions. Redshirt freshman Justin Millio had four catches for 48 yards and a touchdown to lead the receivers. True freshman Tyler Hujik also caught four for 31 yards. Dayton compiled 29 first downs and 559 total yards of offense. UD had 315 yards on the ground as senior Joe Gulick rushed for 81 yards on 13 carries and Florian added 33 yards. Other than two first half turnovers, the Dayton offense looked strong compiling 331 total yards. Conversely, the UD defense shut down the Camel attack in the first 30 minutes of play allowing 63 total yards, three first downs and limiting Campbell to a 1-of-8 conversion rate on third downs. Junior Scott Horcher and sophomore Ross Fumagalli each had six tackles while redshirt sophomore Brandon Wingeier, senior Scott Vossler and senior Kalen Hemmelgarn each recorded a sack to lead the Flyer defense. Freshman Ben Welsh recorded an interception as the Flyer defense held the Camel attack to a miniscule 85 yards of total offense.

GAME #5 - DAYTON 27, DRAKE 9 DAYTON, Ohio - Dayton's defense forced three second-half turnovers that led to 14 points in a 27-9 home win over the Drake Bulldogs. Senior Steve McDonald spearheaded the UD defensive effort with an interception, a fumble recovery and 10 tackles as Dayton secured the 599th victory in the program's history. The Flyers did most of their damage through the air, as quarterbacks Rob Florian and Jeff Pechan combined to throw for 279 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Ben Shappie scored two TD's. Drake was held to only 181 total yards and just 3-of-18 on third down conversions. The Flyers had to overcome a sluggish start. On the second play from scrimmage, Florian's pass attempt over the middle was intercepted by safety Andy Green. The turnover led to a 24-yard Drake field goal by Logan Rees that split the uprights, giving the Bulldogs an early 3-0 lead. The Dayton offense continued to sputter early. Florian threw his second interception of the game with 14:43 remaining in the second quarter, as Drake defensive back Richard Courtney picked Florian on an attempt deep down the right sideline. Both defenses continued to hold strong, but the Flyers won the field position battle in the second quarter. At the 7:44 mark, redshirt freshman Pechan replaced Florian at quarterback as Dayton regained possession on their own 45. On his very first collegiate pass attempt, Pechan launched a 53-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open James Ward streaking down the left sideline to give Dayton a 7-3 advantage. Following a second consecutive three-and-out for Drake, Pechan - who completed 4-of-5 attempts for 111 yards in the first half - drove the Flyers to the Drake 25. But Nick Glavin's 42-yard field goal try was blocked by Drake with 1:14 remaining in the half. Dayton would take its four-point lead into the locker room for intermission. The Flyers special teams unit set up the offense early in the second half. Redshirt sophomore Steve Valentino returned a Drake punt 33 yards with 7:38 remaining in the third quarter to Drake's 31 yard line. With Florian back under center, he aired out a 31-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the drive to Justin Millio. The ensuing extra point missed wide left, making the score 13-3 in Dayton's favor. Dayton's smothering defense took over from there. Drake quarterback Cole Ingle fumbled with 2:25, and the loose change was recovered by Dayton's McDonald on the Drake 22. Shappie capped off the short-field drive with a 6-yard touchdown plunge up the middle to put the Flyers up 20-3. The Dayton "D" did it again on the Bulldogs' next possession, as senior Scott Vossler intercepted Ingle's pass on the last play of the third quarter. Just minutes later, a third second-half turnover plagued Drake as McDonald picked off Ingle's pass over the middle and brought it back to the four-yard line. It was McDonald's first interception of the season. Another Shappie touchdown run at the goal line helped Dayton pull away, 27-3, with 7:51 to play. The Bulldogs would then gain over a third of the offensive output with a 74-yard drive that ended with a late touchdown pass from Ingle to Steve Platek with 2:41 remaining. The PAT missed wide left, and UD held on for the 27-9 victory on Alumni Day at Welcome Stadium. Steve Valentino paced the UD offensive attack with seven catches for 94 yards. J.J. Vercammen was the game's leading tackler with 12 total (five solo) in his first collegiate start. Nick Glavin had his best day punting, averaging 41.2 yards in his six punts, with two of them going inside the 20-yard line.

PFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Week #1--Scott Vossler, Defensive Player of the Week Week#3--Scott Vossler, Special Teams Player of the Week Week #4--Matt Smyth, Defensive Player of the Week Week #6--Ben Shappie, Offensive Player of the Week

UD PLAYERS OF THE WEEK--DRAKE DEFENSE--Sean Heenan, 6-3, 237 Senior Defensive Tackle OFFENSE--Patrick McCormick, 6-3, 272 Senior Offensive Guard D SCOUT--DeMario Jones, 6-0, 180, Freshman Safety O SCOUT--Brian Mack, 6-0, 195, Freshman RB ST SCOUT--Brad Schmitt, 6-3, 240, Redshirt Freshman DT

UD PLAYER OF THE WEEK SCOREBOARD DEFENSE: Joe Reis (1), Matt Smyth (1), Scott Vossler (1), Scott Horcher (1), Kalen Hemmelgarn (1), Sean Heenan (1) OFFENSE: Ben Shappie (2), Patrick McCormick (2), Steve Valentino (1), Zack Whitten (1) SPECIAL TEAMS: Scott Vossler (1), Steve Valentino (1), Nick Glavin (1), J.J. Vercammen (1) SCOUT: Sean Belanger (2), Taylor Harris (2), DeMario Jones (2), Brian Cugliari (1), Aaron Pugh (1), Zach Weber (1), Brian Mulcahy (1), Marcelo Natale (1), Matt Riddle (1), Shea Brintlinger (1), Alex Remsik (1), Jacob Brumbaugh (1), Connor Mackovjak (1), Brian Mack (1), Brad Schmitt (1)

WELCOME BACK TO WELCOME Last Saturday's Drake game was UD's annual Football Reunion Weekend. This year's featured team was the 1978 Flyer football team, on the 30th anniversary of UD's first trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Returning players attended a dinner on campus Friday night, and met with current players in Kennedy Union after that. The former Flyers in attendance were recognized at halftime and then were hosted at a reception in the Time Warner Cable Flight Deck after the game. UD wore "throwback" jerseys patterned after the 1978 game uniforms in the game. The oldest Flyer in attendance was 90-year-old Tony Furst, who played in the NFL from 1940-44.

COUNTDOWN TO 600 Here are UD's milestone wins: 100th Win: 7-0 vs. Wilmington, during the 1929 season 200th Win: 47-14 vs. Toledo on October 15, 1949 300th Win: 14-13 vs. Marshall on November 16, 1974 400th Win: 45-14 vs. Ferrum on November 8, 1986 500th Win: 30-10 at Butler on October 19, 1996

Head coach Rick Chamberlin has been part of the program for its last 299 wins (26 as a player, 268 as an assistant coach, and five as a head coach).

UP NEXT The Flyers are back home next Saturday when Valparaiso visits Welcome Stadium. Game time is 1:00 p.m. ET.