Dayton Flyers

Aug. 9, 2006

Dayton, OH - The University of Dayton football team will be starting this season exactly where the Flyers finished last year in the Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major Poll. After rolling to a 9-1 season in 2005 and bringing back every defensive starter for the 2006 campaign, the poll shows the Flyers ranked behind the only team to defeat them in 2005, San Diego.

After finishing second in last year's final rankings and returning 35 letterwinners and 16 starters, Dayton figures to be right in the mix of things again.

The only team ranked higher than the Flyers will, ironically, be the only team that defeated Dayton in 2005. The San Diego Toreros nabbed the top spot in the pre-season poll after winning the Pioneer Football League Championship and claiming the Sports Network Cup as the nation's top mid-major program in 2005.

Based on the votes of selected media members and I-AA Sports Information Directors, the Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major poll will be announced each Monday during the regular season. It includes the 21 programs of the MAAC, NEC, and Pioneer Leagues, which play at a non-scholarship or limited scholarship level. The first regular season poll will be released Monday, September 4.

The Flyers begin their 2006 season at home with non-conference opponent Robert Morris, Saturday, September 2.