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ST. LOUIS -- Four University of Dayton football players have been named First Team All-Pioneer Football League in an announcement by the league office today. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Christopher Beaschler, senior safety Zach Elias, senior running back Connor Kacsor and senior offensive guard Soern Osborne were all selected in a vote of the league's coaches.

Kacsor was a second team choice a year ago while Beaschler was honorable mention. 

Kacsor, who was named the PFL's Offensive Player of the Year yesterday, led the league and is currently fifth in FCS football in rushing yards per game (140.6).  His 301 yards against Georgetown in the season opener is the Dayton record, and he is the only FCS player with three rushing performances of 210 yards or more this season.  The Leo, Ind. native is the only player from the PFL named to the Payton Watch List this year. 

Beaschler was second in the PFL in tackles per game (10.1).  A product of Ada High School in Ada, Ohio, Beaschler also led UD in solo tackles (48) and had five tackles for a loss, four passes broken up and an interception, a fumble forced and a fumble recovered.

Elias was tied for second in the league in interceptions (5) and fifth in passes defended (11).  He was also eighth nationally in interceptions per game (0.5).  Dayton led the PFL in passing defense, allowing 189.0 yards a game.  Elias is a 2011 grad of Loveland High School in Loveland, Ohio.

No one had a better view of Osborne's work than Kacsor, who ran for the third-best single-season rushing total in UD history behind the blocks of Osborne and his linemates.  Hailing from Naperville, Ill. And a graduate of Naperville North High School, Osborne anchored the line that led UD to the number one spot in rushing yards per game in the PFL (195.5).  As a team, the Flyers averaged 5.0 yards a carry and scored 25 rushing TD's.

Eight other Flyers earned All-PFL accolades as well. Quarterback Will Bardo and defensive end Nate Sudnick were selected Second Team All-PFL, while offensive tackle Zac Morgan, tight end Ian Palin, Flyer Ryan Schwenke, receiver Ross Smith, offensive tackle Jimmy Vogel and placekicker Willliam Will were named Honorable Mention All-PFL.

College Sports Madness also announced its 2014 All-PFL teams. Kacsor, Beaschler and Elias were named to the first team, Bardo, OsborneSudnick and Will were on the second team, and Smith, Palin, Schwenke and punter Kyle Pignatiello were on the third team.  Kacsor was named PFL Offensive Player of the Year.

The Flyers were 8-3 in 2014, and finished tied for second in the Pioneer Football League with a 6-2 PFL record.  It was UD's 37th winning season in the last 38 years.