Nov. 20, 2007

Complete All-PFL Release in PDF Format

Members of the University of Dayton football program were named the recipients of three of the top four awards presented annually by the Pioneer Football League, in an announcement today by the league office. Head coach Mike Kelly was named Coach of the Year, senior quarterback Kevin Hoyng (Coldwater, OH) was named Offensive Player of the Year, and freshman cornerback Joe Castaneda (Villa Hills, KY) was named Rookie of the Year. The selections were determined by a vote of the PFL's head coaches.

The fourth major award, Defensive Player of the Year, went for the second straight year to San Diego defensive end Eric Bakhtiari.

Kelly coached the Flyers to their ninth PFL championship in the 15-year history of the league. He was named PFL Coach of the Year for the seventh time. His career winning percentage of .818 (245-54-1) is the best of any active coach who has been in the profession 25 years or more, and is the fourth-best-all-time (25 years or more experience).

This season, Hoyng has completed 64.0% of his passes (217 of 339) for 3,001 yards and 28 TD's. All of those passing numbers are Flyer single-season records. He also leads the team in rushing (625 yards) and scoring (54 points). He is fourth nationally in FCS football in total offense (329.64 yards per game).

Castaneda is only the third freshman in Kelly's 27 years as a head coach to earn a starting job. He leads Dayton with eight pass break ups, and is tied for team honors in interceptions (3, all in conference play). He has been in on 45 tackles (25 solo). He was also UD's top kick returner, averaging 13.3 yards a punt return and 24.4 yards a kick return.

In addition, UD placed ten players on the all-league teams. Seven were named to the first team, including one unanimous selection - tight end Matt Champa (Sagamore Hills, OH).

Joining Hoyng and Champa on the first team are center Blake Bikowski (South Bend, IN), offensive tackle Jim Croghan (St. Louis, MO), defensive tackle Kalen Hemmelgarn (St. Henry, OH), Flyer Steve McDonald (Newark, OH) and defensive end Scott Vossler (St. Marys, OH).

Dayton players named to the second team were Castaneda, wide receiver Nick Ruhe (Ottawa, OH) and safety Corey Vossler (St. Marys, OH).

UD is 10-1 on the season, and is ranked on top of the FCS Mid-Major rankings. Dayton is also ranked 24th in this week's FCS Coaches Poll, and received votes in the AGS and Sports Network FCS polls.

The Flyers will host Albany in the Gridiron Classic on December 1 at Welcome Stadium. The Gridiron Classic is the bowl game between the champions of the Northeast Conference and Pioneer Football League. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.

Tickets for the Gridiron Classic cost $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students, and are available at www.DaytonFlyers.com, or by calling the University of Dayton Arena Ticket Office at (937) 229-4433.