Nov. 15, 2008

DAYTON, Ohio - Rob Florian, a senior quarterback for the University of Dayton, was named the winner of the 53rd presentation of the Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy at halftime of Saturday's Dayton-Morehead State football game.

The award goes to the Flyer senior who best exemplifies the qualities of Zulli, a former UD football player who was killed in a military vehicle accident while serving in the Army in Germany.

Zulli was not a star football player at Dayton, but his qualities of sportsmanship, scholarship and leadership were so exceptional that this award was created in his memory shortly after his death.

Florian, a fifth-year senior majoring in Sport Management with a Finance minor, is a 2004 graduate of Cincinnati Elder High School. Currently sidelined with an injured hand, Florian was the hottest quarterback in the Pioneer Football League when he was hurt. He had won back-to-back PFL Offensive Player of the Week honors before the injury two weeks ago.

A career backup prior to this season, Florian nevertheless has been a team leader throughout his career. He was the 2007 A.J. Cohen Memorial Award winner. The Cohen Award goes to the team member who makes the greatest contribution to the UD football program in-and-out of the public eye.

With just one career start under his belt, he was voted to be the 2008 offensive captain by his teammates. He is a two-time member of the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll.

For the year, Florian is 187 of 308 (.607) for 2,071 yards, 12 TD's and 12 interceptions. The 187 completions are the second-most by a UD QB in a season, and the 2,071 yards are third.

The late Vic Cassano, Sr. began the award in 1956. His family has continued the support of the award, and also makes a $1,000 annual contribution to the Harry C. Baujan Scholarship Fund at UD in memory of Andy Zulli.