Sept. 24, 2005
The University of Dayton scored 21 points in the second quarter to turn a close contest into a rout, enabling the Flyers to roll to a 42-7 win Saturday night at Morehead State. UD scored on all three of its second quarter possessions, out-gaining the Eagles 193 to 26 in the decisive period.
Dayton, now 4-0, is the only undefeated team in NCAA Division I-AA Mid-Major football. Four teams entered the day 3-0 (including Morehead State). Dayton and MSU are both members of the Pioneer Football League, but the game did not count in the league standings because the two teams are members of different divisions (Dayton is in the North Division and Morehead is the pre-season favorite in the South Division).
Dayton went into the game ranked #1 in both the Sports Network and Football Gazette I-AA Mid-Major rankings.
A pair of redshirt sophomores gave the Flyers an early lead. Wideout Jack O'Dell answered the opening bell by taking the starting kickoff back 54 yards, and eight plays later quarterback Kevin Hoyng ran it in from ten yards out to give Dayton a 7-0 lead that stood up until UD busted out 21 points in the second quarter.
Fullback Matt Mong dove over from the one, Hoyng scored on a 49-yard scramble and tailback Steve Verhoff would not be denied from the six to push the Flyers up 28-0.
After a scoreless third, Hoyng hit Matt Champa for a 48-yard TD on the first play of the fourth period, and backup Greg Wimberly scored a 12-yard run to put Dayton up 42-0. UD's bid for its third shutout of the season (and fourth straight over MSU) ended with 3:37 left in the game when Brian Yost hit Daniel Vagni for a 15-yard catch-and-run TD.
The Eagles came into the game with the second-highest scoring and rushing offense in the PFL, but the Dayton defense held Morehead to one touchdown (29 points under its average) and 136 yards rushing (98 yards under).
Safety Steve McDonald led a strong team effort on defense for UD. McDonald was credited with 8.5 hits (seven solo) and was the game's leading tackler. Close behind were linebacker Brian Kelly (7.0, five solo), linebacker John Hoppe (6.5, six) and nickelback Jared Frank(6.0, five). Cornerback Casey Klaus intercepted two passes, and his partner at the other corner, Chance Walton, intercepted another. Kelly and Tom Jakacki each forced fumbles.
Hoyng led the Flyers with 284 yards in total offense. He was 12 of 16 passing for 208 yards with one TD, and carried the ball 13 times for 76 yards and two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Ryan Wrobleski caught six passes for 95 yards to move into the top five in Flyer career receiving yardage. O'Dell added four receptions for 37 yards. Dayton's second-and third-leading rushers, backup tailback Greg Wimberly (eight rushes for 49 yards) and backup quarterback Robert Dence (2 for 33), only carried the ball in the fourth quarter. Dence was also two-for-two passing for 27 yards.
UD returns home Saturday, October 2 for a 12 noon start against Jacksonville. UD will celebrate its 100th anniversary season of football on that day. Every living former Flyer football player who could be contacted was invited back for a reunion that will include a tailgate, on-field ceremonies and a post-game reception.
