Sept. 20, 2008

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DAYTON, Ohio - Four interceptions by the Flyer defense, including a 38-yard return for a touchdown by senior Matt Smyth, helped Dayton top the Robert Morris Colonials 31-14 on Saturday.

Smyth and senior Kevin Burns each recorded two interceptions apiece as the Flyers extended their FCS-best winning streak to 10 games and improved to 3-0 overall on the season.

The Flyer defense, which was one interception away from tying the school record for picks in a game, also had a forced fumble and four sacks. Burns led UD with eight tackles, senior Sean Heenan had three tackles and two sacks and redshirt sophomore Brandon Wingeier forced a fumble and recorded a sack.

Redshirt sophomore Steve Valentino had 199 all purpose yards, 55 of them off of five receptions and one touchdown catch. Senior Rob Florian completed 18-of-35 passes for 186 yards while senior Joe Gulick rushed for 58 yards on seven carries.

Robert Morris outgained UD 368 to 300, but the turnovers by the Colonials sealed the Flyer win. James O'Quinn led Robert Morris with 137 yards receiving, six catches and a touchdown as the Colonials drop to 1-2 on the season. Quarterback Erik Cwalinski went 13-39 for 223 yards.

Dayton's offense got going through the defensive unit thanks to a 38-yard return for a touchdown by Smyth putting Dayton ahead early 7-0. Two series later, Valentino returned a punt deep into Robert Morris territory setting up a 27-yard field goal by Nick Glavin giving UD a 10-0 advantage.

Smyth then picked up his second interception of the game with 3:30 remaining in the first quarter and brought the ball down to the Colonials two-yard line. However the Flyers could not convert Smyth's pick into points after fumbling at the one-yard line.

Pressuring once again, the Flyers forced their third turnover, this time with a forced fumble by Wingeier early in the second quarter.

Dayton's offense couldn't convert the turnover into points on the ensuing drive. That allowed Robert Morris' Cwalinski to complete an 81-yard touchdown pass to O'Quinn after the change of possession cutting the Flyer lead to 10-7.

With a renewed commitment to running the football, Ben Shappie put UD back on the board and extended the Flyer lead to 17-7 taking it in from one-yard to cap a 10-play, 60-yard drive.

On the first drive of the second half, the Flyers got another deep kickoff return from Valentino and scored another rushing touchdown, this time a three-yard rush from Justin Millio giving Dayton a 24-7 advantage.

In the fourth quarter, Dayton pulled away for good when Valentino caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Florian extending the lead to 31-7. Although the Colonials would strike again with a touchdown score, the Flyers held on and picked up their second home victory of the year.

Other contributors for the Flyers included redshirt freshman James Ward with four receptions for 54 yards, senior Steve McDonald with six tackles, two for a loss and one sack and Corey Vossler with five tackles.

The Flyers' next game takes place on Saturday, Sept. 27 beginning at 1 p.m. ET with a road contest against the Duquesne Dukes.