Dec. 12, 2004

The University of Dayton honored the 2004 Flyer football team today at its annual Football Awards Banquet. The banquet, held by the UD Flyers Club, was at the Kennedy Union Ballroom on campus.

The Flyers finished 7-3 overall, and 2-2 in the Pioneer Football league's North Division. UD had its 28th straight winning season, extending the Flyers' school record. That ties Dayton with Florida State with the longest such streak among Division I football-playing schools. UD was ranked sixth in the nation in the final Sports Network NCAA Division I-AA Mid-Major poll, and fifth in the Football Gazette ranking.

The Flyers' three losses were to two of the five teams ranked ahead of them (#2 Drake and #3 San Diego) and to Ivy League powerhouse Yale. All three losses went down to the final minute, and two ended with UD having the ball in the red zone.

Safety Doug Jones (Zanesville, OH) was voted the recipient of the White-Allen Most Valuable Player Trophy. The Dayton defensive leader for the last two years, Jones was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the league's north division. A Flyer co-captain, Jones led UD in tackles (88) for the second straight season, and also led in tackles in the backfield (7). He was one of four Flyers with two interceptions and was second on the team in passes broken up (5). He was a two-time First Team All-Pioneer Football League selection and also a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American.

Speaking of "two-times," Jones also was named the winner of the Chief Toscani Hitter Award was for the second straight year. He was just the fifth double winner of the award in school history. Other two-time winners were current UD defensive coordinator Rick Chamberlin (1977-78), Dan Jurkowitz (1984-85), Dan Thobe (1992-93) and Matt Deters (1994-95). Senior safety Chris Cowan (Kettering, OH) received the Sheriff "Beno" Keiter Award, which goes to the senior for the most outstanding contribution to the program over his career. A three-year letterwinner, Cowan started all ten games in 2004. Earlier in his career, Cowan once returned to the practice field two days after having his jaw broken (cooler heads prevailed and he was held out the rest of the season, but that speaks to his dedication).

Senior defensive tackle Chris Dearth (Bellbrook, OH) was named the recipient of the Emil Karas Memorial Award. The Karas Award is for the most inspirational leadership as chosen by his teammates. Chris' brother Eric won the award last year. A 2004 co-captain, Dearth was Second Team All-PFL this season. Despite missing two games with a severe knee injury, Dearth was in on 42 tackles, with four tackles in the backfield (9.0) two fumbles forced and six QB hurries.

The Stan Kurdziel Memorial Trophy went to senior center Robby Schwab (Middletown, OH). The Kurdziel Trophy goes to the team's top lineman. Schwab stepped into the starting lineup this season, and led a UD offensive line that paved the way for the UD ground attack to ranked 11th in NCAA Division I-AA, and lead the Pioneer Football League. Schwab was named First Team Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major All-American, and First Team All-PFL. A three-year letterwinner, he started every game at center this season.

Schwab had already been awarded the Lt. Andy Zulli Award at halftime of UD's final regular season home game vs. Drake. The award, sponsored by Vic Cassano, Sr., is for sportsmanship, character, and leadership.

The A.J. Cohen Flyer of the Year went to senior cornerback Bill Groetsema (LaGrange Park, IL). A two-year starter, Groetsema also had two interceptions in 2004 and was in on 24 tackles.

Junior tight end John Schmall (Columbus, OH) was the John L. Macbeth Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award winner. A 3.94 student in Business, Schmall played in all ten games and had three pass receptions (14.3 yards per catch) on the year.

This season's Most Improved Player Award went to junior offensive guard Ross Mroczek (South Bend, IN). After not lettering as a freshman or sophomore, Mroczek stepped in and started seven games in 2004 (he missed three with injuries).

The ROTC Cannonball Award, which goes to the team's top newcomer, was presented to freshman safety Brandon Cramer (Toledo, OH). Cramer started all 10 games, with 38 tackles, three passes broken up and a fumble recovery that he returned for a 67-yard touchdown.

Sophomore tailback Kris Brownlee (Garden City, MI) was named the Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year, and sophomore linebacker John Orbe (St. Louis, MO) was awarded the Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year.

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 nine Flyers named All-Pioneer Football League. Doug Jones was named PFL North Division Defensive Player of the Year in a vote of the league's coaches. Joining Jones on the first team were senior defensive lineman Trent Warren (Pataskala, OH), junior linebacker Jon Hoppe (Northbrook, IL), junior offensive tackle Ryan Winner (Greenville, OH), Robby Schwab and Jason Resch (Poland, OH). Named to the Honorable Mention squad, which serves as the PFL's second team, were Chris Dearth, Chris Cowan and junior wide receiver Ryan Wrobleski (Northville, MI).

Three Flyers were named to the Sports Network's I-AA Mid-Major All-America team-safety Doug Jones and center Robby Schwab and kicker Jason Resch. Jones was a repeat selection.

Jones was also a repeat choice on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America team. Jones and junior tailback Steve Verhoff (Wellington, OH) were both second team selections. Since the Academic All-America program began in 1952, UD has had 43 football Academic All-Americans. Among schools currently playing Division I football, only Nebraska (80) and Notre Dame (44) have had more.

In addition, eight Flyers were named CoSIDA All-Academic All-District. The eight Dayton players on the team were the most of any other school in the district for the fourth straight year, and included five first-team selections. Doug Jones and Chris Dearth were first teamers for the second straight year. Senior linebacker Kyle Magoteaux (Piqua, OH), senior defensive tackle Jared McQuiston (Walton, IN) and Steve Verhoff were also on the first team. Dayton players on this year's second team were junior linebacker John Hoppe, junior center Ryan McNulty (Cleveland, OH) and Jason Resch.

2004 UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS White-Allen Most Valuable Player: Doug Jones Chief Toscani Hitter: Doug Jones Sheriff "Beno" Keiter Award: Chris Cowan Emil Karas Inspirational Leadership: Chris Dearth Stan Kurdziel Outstanding Lineman: Robby Schwab A.J. Cohen Flyer of the Year: Bill Groetsema John L. Macbeth Scholar-Athlete: John Schmall Most Improved Player: Ross Mroczek Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy: Robby Schwab ROTC Cannonball Award: Brandon Cramer Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year: Kris Brownlee Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year: John Orbe