Nov. 17, 2008

University of Dayton safety Kevin Burns has been named the Pioneer Football League Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts in Saturday's Morehead State game.

Burns shared the honor this week with Valparaiso return man John Popper.

Burns scored UD's second TD of the day when he bull-rushed the Morehead State up man, reached around with one arm and blocked a punt while still locked up with the blocker. He then picked it up in stride and ran it in 20 yards for a touchdown.

It was the seventh blocked kick, and fourth punt, by the Flyers this season.

Burns, a 2005 graduate of Libertyville High School in Libertyville, Illinois, also had three solo tackles and a pass broken up in the game.

For the season, Burns is UD's co-leader in pass interceptions (2). He has 47 tackles (25 solo) and four passes broken up.

Morehead State edged the Flyers 14-13, dropping UD to 9-2 overall and 6-1 in the PFL. Dayton is tied for first in the league with Jacksonville, setting up a winner-take-all regular season finale between the Flyers and the Dolphins next Saturday, November 22 at Jacksonville. Kickoff is at 12 noon ET.

Saturday's winner will not only take the PFL crown, but also square off against NEC champion Albany in the 2008 Gridiron Classic on Saturday, December 6. That game will be played in Albany. UD defeated Albany in last year's Gridiron Classic played in Dayton 42-21.