Dec. 10, 2006

The University of Dayton honored the 2006 Flyer football team today at its annual Football Awards Banquet. The banquet, presented by the UD Flyers Club, was at the Kennedy Union Ballroom on campus.

Senior nickel John Hoppe (Northbrook, IL) was the only double award winner of the day. He was voted the recipient of the White-Allen Most Valuable Player Trophy and was also named the winner of the Emil Karas Memorial Award.

Hoppe was one of four unanimous First Team All-Pioneer Football League selections this season. He led UD in solo tackles (40), tackles in the backfield (7.5), sacks (2.0, tied), passes broken up (4, tied), fumbles forced (2), recovered (2) and kicks blocked (1). He was second in total tackles (75) and third in interceptions (2, tied).

A Flyer captain in 2005 and 2006, Hoppe was just the second two-time captain in school history.

The White-Allen Most Valuable Player Trophy is sponsored by Tim White and White-Allen Auto Group, Inc. The award is selected by members of the team. The White-Allen Trophy has been awarded annually since 1953. White-Allen now sponsors the MVP award for UD's men's and women's basketball, football and volleyball teams. The Karas Award is for the most inspirational leadership as chosen by his teammates.

The Sheriff "Beno" Keiter Award, which goes to the senior for the most outstanding contribution to the program over his college career, went to linebacker Pat Weale (North Royalton, OH). A three-year letterwinner, Weale was fourth on the team in tackles in 2006 with 47 hits. He was third on the team in tackles in the backfield (5.5) and was co-leader in sacks (2).

The Stan Kurdziel Memorial Trophy was awarded to senior center Blake Bikowski (South Bend, IN). The Kurdziel Trophy goes to the team's top lineman. Bikowski was a three-year letterwinner who started all ten games in 2006. He was the only two-time Offensive Player of the Week this season.

Senior linebacker Brian Kelly (Cincinnati, OH) was named the recipient of the Chief Toscani Hitter Award. Kelly led the PFL in tackles (101) in his first year as a full-time starter. He was UD's co-leader in sacks (2), and was second on the team in tackles in the backfield (6.5) and pass breakups (3).

The A.J. Cohen Flyer of the Year went to senior defensive back Kevin McCoy (Solon, OH). After playing in just three games before this season, McCoy saw action in nine games in 2006, almost exclusively on special teams. His positive attitude every day and perseverance epitomizes the award, which is in memory of Cohen.

Junior safety Brandon Cramer (Toledo, OH) was the John L. Macbeth Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award winner. A 4.0 student majoring in Pre-Med and Bio-Chemistry, Cramer started the last nine games after missing the opener with a knee injury. He was third on the team in tackles (52) and co-leader in interceptions (3). Earlier this month, he was named a First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American (after being selected to the second team as a sophomore).

This season's Most Improved Player Award went to junior offensive guard Chris Vermillion (Kettering, OH). Vermillion started all ten games in 2006, after playing in just three games as a sophomore.

The ROTC Cannonball Award, which goes to the team's top newcomer, was presented to freshman cornerback Scott Horcher (Carpentersville, IL). Thrust into the lineup when senior All-American Casey Klaus was taken out for the season after four games, Horcher was the Flyers' co-leader in interceptions (3) and passes defended (4).

Freshman lineman Eric Studt (Bethel Park, PA) and freshman tailback Ted Watt (St. Louis, MO) were named co-winners of the Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year Award. Freshman defensive end Bobby Burger (Cincinnati, OH) was awarded the Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year. One award had already been announced: The Lt. Andy Zulli Award was presented to senior cornerback Casey Klaus (Delphos, OH) at halftime of UD's final regular season home game vs. Valparaiso. The award, one of the most prestigious in the program, is for sportsmanship, character, and leadership.

Along with honoring the individual award winners and the players receiving letters, UD also acknowledged the players who received conference and national awards.

UD had three Flyers named All-Pioneer Football League. Nickel John Hoppe and wide receiver Nick Ruhe (Ottawa, OH) were named first team all-league. Ruhe was also chosen Second Team All-PFL as a kick returner. Linebacker Brian Kelly was also named to the second team as linebacker.

In addition to Brandon Cramer being chosen an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American, he was joined by four teammates on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team. Senior Brandon Godsey (Vandalia, OH) was also on the first team with Cramer. Junior safety Tyler Blue (Danville, IL), senior defensive tackle Chad Burton (Germantown, OH) and senior linebacker Brian Kelly were named second team all-district. The Dayton football program has produced 13 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americans since the 2000 season. That's most at any level of college football.

The Flyers finished 4-6 overall, and 1-6 in the Pioneer Football League. Five of the losses were by a total of 30 points. The 4-6 record snapped a string of 29 consecutive winning seasons at UD. Coming into the 2006 season, that tied Dayton with Florida State with the longest such streak among Division I football-playing schools. FSU must win its bowl game with UCLA to keep its streak alive.

2006 UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS

White-Allen Most Valuable Player John Hoppe

Chief Toscani Hitter Brian Kelly

Sheriff "Beno" Keiter Award Pat Weale

Emil Karas Inspirational Leadership John Hoppe

Stan Kurdziel Outstanding Lineman Blake Bikowski

A.J. Cohen Flyer of the Year Kevin McCoy

John L. Macbeth Scholar-Athlete Brandon Cramer

Most Improved Player Chris Vermillion

Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy Casey Klaus

ROTC Cannonball Award Scott Horcher

Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year Eric Studt & Ted Watt

Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year Bobby Burger