DAYTON -- The University of Dayton honored the 2013 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.
Dayton finished 7-4 overall and 5-3 in the Pioneer Football League this season. It was the Flyers' 36th winning season in the last 37 years.
Senior quarterback Will Bardo (Ft. Thomas, Ky.) was named the recipient of the White-Allen Most Valuable Player Trophy. A three-year starter, Bardo moved into second place on UD's career total yardage list this season (6,730 yards). The lefty from Highlands High School in Ft. Thomas, Ky., completed 144 of 262 yards passing (.550) for 1,920 yards and 13 TD. He also gained 519 yards on 96 rushing attempts (5.4 avg.) and scored nine touchdowns, all second on the team. Over the last six games he played, he was 79 of 129 (.612) for 1,127 yards and nine scores. He was named Honorable Mention All-PFL.
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.
Redshirt senior linebacker Colin Monnier (Chicago, Ill.) was a repeat winner of the Chief Toscani Hitter Award. A two-time First Team All-Pioneer Football League performer, Monnier was Dayton's leading tackler the last two seasons. This year, Monnier led the Flyers in tackles (105), TFL (12.5), was second in sacks (3.5) and third in solo tackles (41) and interceptions (2). He was fifth in the PFL in tackles (9.5). The Marist High School grad battled back from injuries early in his career to start the last 30 games of his career. He was the only Dayton defender to start every game of the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
In addition, Monnier was a National Football Foundation Campbell Trophy semifinalist, two-time Academic All-PFL, and team MVP in 2012. He was also presented with the Outstanding Leadership by a Male Student-Athlete Award at UD's end-of-the-year all-sport banquet this past spring. He is just the fifth two-time football captain in UD history.
The only other repeat award winner was redshirt senior wide receiver Sal Salvato (Chicago, IL), who earned the A.J. Cohen Flyer of the Year Award for the second straight year. It is presented in memory of Cohen, a former Flyer wide receiver who left his mark on the program with his everyday positive attitude and team-first approach. Salvato saw action in three games this season and his contributions and examples on the practice field and in the locker room earned him the award.
This season's Most Improved Player Award went to senior wide receiver/kick returner Gary Hunter (Detroit, Mich.). Hunter, a Detroit St. Mary's graduate, was First Team All-PFL as a kick returner and Second Team All-PFL as a wideout. He ended his career as the only Flyer to score four TD's on kick returns in his career, three kickoffs and one punt. His three KO returns for scores tied the NCAA FCS record. Hunter, who led the PFL in all-purpose yardage this season (157.4 yards per game), finished his career with a 20.5 yards-per-touch average (3,569 all-purpose yards on 175 returns, receptions and rushes).
But while he was one of the best return men in FCS football all during his entire career, it was as a receiver that he earned this award. After catching just seven passes total in 2012, Hunter moved to slot receiver and had five games of at least five catches in 2013. He led Dayton with 36 catches for 726 yards (20.2 avg.) and four touchdowns. Each of his TD receptions were over 60 yards long.
Redshirt senior offensive tackle Tom Corcoran (Pittsburgh, Pa.) was presented the Stan Kurdziel Memorial Trophy. The Kurdziel Trophy goes to the team's top lineman. A three-year starter and 2013 First Team All-PFL selection, Corcoran was the leader of a line that allowed just 15 sacks on the year and took it up a notch in PFL play. UD averaged 5.3 yards a carry in league action, and opened holes for running back Connor Kacsor to average a PFL-best 119.6 yards a game in the seven PFL games he played in. Corcoran played at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School.
Redshirt senior tackle Ben Estey (Brighton, Mich.) is this year's winner of the Emil Karas Memorial Award. The Karas Award is for the most inspirational leadership as chosen by his teammates. A 2013 co-captain, Estey persevered through injuries and three position changes throughout his career to become one of the most respected players on the team. The Flyers won all but two games he started during his career. Estey is from Brighton High School.
The Sheriff "Beno" Keiter Award, which goes to the senior for the most outstanding contribution to the program over his college career, went to senior linebacker Clay Krafft (North Royalton, Ohio). The North Royalton High School product had 11 tackles and a pass interception in 2013. A standout special teams performer for three years and part of UD's linebacker rotation for two, he played in all 11 games in both a junior and a senior.
Defensive tackle Jack Beebe (Dublin, Ohio) earned the John L. Macbeth Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award. A double major in Finance and Economics at UD, the redshirt sophomore carries a 3.995 cumulative GPA. The Macbeth Award goes annual to the UD football player who has the highest cumulative grade point average over at least four semesters.
Freshman offensive lineman Trevor Herak (Richmond Heights, Ohio) earned the ROTC Cannonball Award, which goes to the team's top newcomer. Herak transferred in from Coastal Carolina this season and immediately settled in on the depth chart.
Freshman running back Graham Peters (Cincinnati, Ohio) was named the Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year. Freshman cornerback Nick German (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) was awarded the Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year award.
Senior safety Nick Weston (Cincinnati, Ohio) had already been named the 2013 recipient of the Lt. Andy Zulli Award at halftime of UD's final home game against Butler. The award, one of the most prestigious in the program, is for sportsmanship, character, and leadership.
Student-athletes who earned conference and district awards were also recognized.
Senior receiver Ross Smith and sophomore defensive back Danny Leach were both named First Team Capital One Academic All-District.
Redshirt senior offensive tackle Tom Corcoran, senior defensive end Pat Dowd, senior return specialist Gary Hunter, redshirt senior linebacker Colin Monnier, redshirt senior cornerback Kyle Sebetic and redshirt freshman placekicker William Will were all selected First Team All-PFL. Four other Flyers earned All-PFL accolades as well. Hunter was also named Second Team All-PFL as a receiver, and Connor Kacsor was named as a running back. Quarterback Will Bardo and linebacker Christopher Beaschler were named Honorable Mention All-PFL.
Quarterback Will Bardo, running back Grant Huckestein, defensive back Danny Leach, Wideout Ross Smith and kicker William Will were also named First Team Academic All-PFL. Flyers named Second Team Academic All-PFL were linebacker Christopher Beaschler, offensive guard Chris Cortopassi, linebacker Colin Monnier, offensive tackle Zac Morgan and sophomore wide receiver Cory Stuart.
2013 UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS
White-Allen Most Valuable Player Will Bardo
Chief Toscani Hitter Colin Monnier
Sheriff "Beno" Keiter Award Clay Krafft
Emil Karas Inspirational Leadership Ben Estey
Stan Kurdziel Outstanding Lineman Tom Corcoran
A.J. Cohen Flyer of the Year Sal Salvato
John L. Macbeth Scholar-Athlete Jack Beebe
Most Improved Player Gary Hunter
Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy Nick Weston
ROTC Cannonball Award Trevor Herak
Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year Graham Peters
Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year Nick German
