Oct. 22, 2008

Valparaiso Notes

The University of Dayton Flyer football team will look to win its 10th straight Pioneer Football League game Saturday when UD squares off against Valparaiso at Welcome Stadium. Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET. Dayton is 6-1 and 3-0 in the PFL, while Valparaiso is 2-4 and 1-2.

600 CLUB
The Flyers became the 11th NCAA FCS team (and the first west of the Alleghenies) to win at least 600 games in its football history when UD beat Davidson on October 18. Here's the other 10: Yale (850), Penn (793), Harvard (793), Princeton (778), Fordham (776), Dartmouth (643), Lafayette (638), 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. He has been involved in exactly half of Dayton's 600 wins--26 as a player, 268 as an assistant coach, and six as a head coach.

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). Sixteen Flyers were nominated for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American this season.

SERIES STUFF
Dayton leads the series 15-2. The Flyers have won the last four meetings, including last year's 33-7 win at Brown Field on October 20, 2007. UD has won nine of the ten meetings in Dayton.

THE CRUSADERS ARE...
2-4 overall, and 1-2 in the PFL. Saturday's game matches the best rushing offense in the league (VU at 182.3) against the top rushing defense (UD at 58.7). Valparaiso also boasts the PFL's top turnover ratio (+1.33). That's not surprising when it is noted that Valparaiso defenders are tied for first in interceptions and fumbles recovered in the PFL. Junior cornerback Anthony curry averages 0.83 interceptions a game, while linebacker Sean Dillon averages 0.33 fumbles recovered per game. Valpo's John Popper also leads the league is kickoff returns (24.7) and all-purpose yardage (131.5).

STREAKING
UD has not been shut out in 360 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 nine PFL games, which is tied for the FCS top spot in consecutive conference victories (defending NEC champion Albany also has nine). The Flyers have also won 12 straight home games, second in FCS football behind San Diego's 28-game winning streak. UD is at San Diego next week.

DOIN' THE JOB ON DEFENSE
Dayton's first team defense has not been scored upon in the last three games. In fact, the Flyers have only allowed 43 points in the first three quarters all season. UD has held each PFL opponent to under 100 yards total offense in the first half.

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 seventh nationally in FCS football in sacks per game (3.43). Scott Vossler leads the PFL and is tied for fourth nationally (1.07). Sean Heenan is second in the league (0.86). Dayton has two other players in the PFL's top 10 in sacks. Brandon Wingeier is eighth (0.57) and Kalen Hemmelgarn is 10th (0.43). Seven Flyers have at least one sack in 2008.

LET'S TALK DAYTON D
The Flyers are third in FCS football in rushing defense (58.71) and fifth in scoring defense (14.43). UD also leads the PFL in sacks (3.43). Nationally, the Flyers are seventh in sacks. UD is also third in the PFL in tackles for a loss (7.14) and pass efficiency defense (100.18). 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 24 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, San Diego had allowed just six sacks before allowing QB Josh Johnson to be bagged three times.

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 (59) and solo hits (29). His is third in tackles in the backfield (7.5). He is third in the PFL in hits per game (8.3). McDonald has 22 hits in the last two games. He had 10 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception in the Drake win, and 12 hits (8 solo) at Davidson. He also 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 (1.07, tying him for fourth in FCS). He was the PFL Defensive Player of the Week after the CSU 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 also leads UD in interceptions (2, tied), blocked kicks (3), is second in QB hurries (4) and tackles in the backfield (8.5). He was named UD's Defensive Player after getting two sacks and an interception at Davidson.

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. At Davidson, he had his best game of the year. Florian was 21 of 24 passing for 200 yards and no interceptions. He did not throw for a TD, but ran for one and caught a pass from Ben Shappie for another. He was UD's second-leading ground-gainer, behind Shappie (Shappie carried the ball 10 times for 57 yards, and Florian had 13 for 51). 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 132 of 237 (.557) for 1,448 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, a redshirt sophomore, completed his first collegiate pass for a 58-yard touchdown in the Drake game. He is five-for-six for 110 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 322 yards in 58 attempts (5.6 avg.) in the last four games. He leads UD in rushing (63.3 yards a game), and is fourth in the PFL. His is also second in the PFL in scoring (9.43). 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 41 pass attempts vs. one sack every 11 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. At Davidson, 10 Flyers caught passes (including quarterback Rob Florian). Justin Millio leads UD with 36 receptions for 282 yards (7.8 avg.) this season, including nine vs. Fordham. Steve Valentino is second with 28 catches for 334 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 is third in the PFL in all-purpose yards (121.7), is second in kickoff return average (22.9) and third 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. 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 10 catches this season.

MILLI-OH
Running back turned wideout Justin Millio leads the team and is fourth in the PFL in receptions per game (5.14).

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. He is third on the team in catches (12 for 129 yards).

HUJIK REACTION
True freshman Tyler Hujik has caught 12 passes this year, good enough to tie Bart Bergfeld for third 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, the brother of team captain Scott Vossler, is second for UD in solo hits (27), total tackles (46) and pass breakups (9) this season. He is fourth in passes defended (1.29) in the PFL. He had 14 tackles (seven solo) at Duquesne.

MR. SMYTH GOES TO CORNER
Senior defensive back Matt Smyth 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 (1.71), leads UD in passes broken up (10) 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 43 tackles, and has recovered two fumbles to lead the team. Ries is tied for fifth in the PFL in fumble recoveries (0.29). He was UD's Defensive Player of the Week in the Fordham win.

HEENAN THE BARBARIAN
Senior defensive tackle Sean Heenan is tied for first in the PFL in tackles in the backfield (1.43) and second in sacks (0.86). He picked up a fumble and rumbled 77 yards for a TD at Davidson. Heenan was UD's Defensive Player of the Week for the Drake 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 0.86, Hemmelgarn 0.43). Heenan leads in the PFL in tackles in the backfield (1.43). Hemmelgarn is tied for third in fumbles forced (0.29). In sacks they are second and 10th 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.

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 and Scott Vossler 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 and starting at Davidson.

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 (59) and solos (29) and is third in tackles in the backfield (7.5). Corey Vossler is second in tackles (46), solo hits (27) and passes batted away (9). Joe Ries is third in tackles (43) and the team leader in fumbles recovered (2). Scott Vossler is top dog in sacks (7.5). Scott is also tied for first on the team in interceptions (2) with Matt Smyth and Kevin Burns. Sean Heenan leads in tackles in the backfield (10.0) and QB hurries (5) and is second in sacks (6.0). 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 25 for 26 in PAT's and 7 for 11 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 (6) and kick scoring (6.6).

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 (.801, 133-33) of the 20 schools currently playing football that were affected. Duquesne's .715 (118-47) is second, followed by Drake (.658, 110-57-1), San Diego (.636, 98-56) and Robert Morris (.591, 87-60-1).

PFL STATS
Dayton leads the PFL in scoring defense (14.4), rushing defense (58.7), sacks (3.43), red-zone defense (.632, 12-19) and time of possession (31:56). The Flyers are second PAT % (.963, 26-27), first downs (19.3) and opponent third down % (.288, 32-111). UD is third in total defense (277.1), pass efficiency defense (100.2), interceptions (1.4), sacks allowed (0.86) and opponent fourth down % (.438, 7-16). Nick Glavin leads the league in kick scoring (6.6) and touchbacks (6). Scott Vossler is first in sacks (1.07) and Sean Heenan leads in tackles in the backfield (1.58) and is second in sacks (0.86). Matt Smyth is first in passes defended (1.71). Ben Shappie is second in scoring (9.4). Steve Valentino is second in kickoff return average (22.9)

PFL POWER
The Flyers' 58-16 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 26 of its last 32 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 12 Flyers were nominated for Academic All-America in each of the last four years (16 the last two last seasons).

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 Sevices. 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 $850. 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 - 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 - 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 - Four interceptions by the Flyer defense, including a 38-yard return for a touchdown by Matt Smyth, helped Dayton top the Robert Morris Colonials 31-14. Smyth and 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 Brandon Wingeier forced a fumble and recorded a sack. Steve Valentino had 199 all-purpose yards, 55 of them off of five receptions and one touchdown catch. Rob Florian completed 18 of 35 passes for 186 yards while 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 James Ward with four receptions for 54 yards, 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 - 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 - Ben Shappie tied a program and PFL League record with five rushing touchdowns as Dayton picked up a 42-0 win over Campbell. Shappie also rushed for a career-high 126 yards on 17 carries. Rob Florian went 16-for-28 for 244 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions. Justin Millio had four catches for 48 yards and a touchdown to lead the receivers. 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 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. Scott Horcher and Ross Fumagalli each had six tackles while Brandon Wingeier, Scott Vossler and Kalen Hemmelgarn each recorded a sack to lead the Flyer defense. Ben Welsh had an interception as the Flyers held the Camel attack to a miniscule 85 yards of total offense.

GAME #6 - DAYTON 27, DRAKE 9
DAYTON - 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. 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.

GAME #7 - DAYTON 41, DAVIDSON 22
DAVIDSON, N.C. - The University of Dayton football team jumped out to a 41-0 lead en route to the 600th win the program's history as UD beat Davidson 41-22 at Davidson. The Flyers were led by quarterback Rob Florian who engineered the UD offense to scores on all seven drives he directed (Dayton had a one-play possession at the end of the first half). Florian was 21 of 24 passing for 200 yards and no interceptions. He did not throw for a TD, but ran for one and caught a pass from Ben Shappie for another. He was UD's second-leading ground-gainer, behind Shappie. Shappie carried the ball 10 times for 57 yards, and Florian had 13 for 51. Shappie scored a pair of TD's. The Dayton defense held their third straight opponent under 100 yards total offense in the first half. Steve McDonald led the way with eight solo and 12 total tackles. Scott Vossler had both of UD's sacks, and forced a fumble that Sean Heenan picked up and returned 77 yards for UD's final touchdown. Vossler also had an interception, as did J.J. Vercammen. UD limited Davidson to 37 yards rushing. UD took control early by sniffing out and recovering a Davidson onside attempt on the game's opening kickoff. Kevin Burns fell on the loose ball on the Davidson 30, giving the Flyers a short field to work with. Five plays and 30 yards later, Shappie ran it in from the three. Dayton then put together back-to-back long touchdown drives. Florian's one-yard quarterback sneak capped off UD's longest drive of the year (84 yards) to give the Flyers a 14-0 first quarter lead. Florian's other score, an 11-yard throwback pass from Shappie, came after a 14-play, 80-yard drive. A Nick Glavin 31-yard field goal made it 24-0 at halftime. Glavin added a 34-yarder and Shappie scored on a two-yard run to give the Flyers a 34-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter. On the next series, Vossler sacked Davidson's Ryan Alexander, forcing the fumble that Heenan took the other way to make the score 41-0 with 11:58 left. At that point, the Dayton coaches substituted freely on both sides of the ball, and the Wildcats came to life, outgaining UD 194 to two. Senior QB Ryan Alexander threw for three TD's (66 yards with 11:39 to go, 10 yards at the 6:55 mark and 12 at 1:12) to make the final score 41-22.

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--DAVIDSON
SPECIAL TEAMS--Kevin Burns, 6-0, 180 Senior OFFENSE--Rob Florian, 5-9, 164 Senior Quarterback DEFENSE--Scott Vossler, 6-2, 237 Senior Defensive End O SCOUT--Owen Elger, 6-2, 275 Freshman Offensive Guard ST SCOUT--Alex Johnston, 6-2, 230 Redshirt Freshman DE D SCOUT--Matt Riddle, 6-2, 220 Sophomore Linebacker

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

WELCOME BACK TO WELCOME
The Drake game on October 11 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 600th Win: 41-22 at Davidson on October 18, 2008

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.

UP NEXT
The Flyers are on the road for the next two weeks to meet the only other two teams currently undefeated in PFL action. UD is at San Diego on November 1 for a 9:00 p.m. ET kickoff, and then at Butler on Saturday, November 8 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Dayton is back home for Senior Day on November 15 when Morehead State visits Welcome Stadium. Game time is 1:00 p.m. ET. The Flyers will close out the regular season at Jacksonville on November 22.