Jan. 27, 2009

University of Dayton senior defensive back Matt Smyth (Highlands Ranch, CO) led NCAA FCS football in passes defended, as announced today in the final statistics report released by the NCAA. Smyth broke up 19 passes and intercepted two more, to give him 1.75 passes defended per game.

Smyth lettered two seasons as a backup cornerback, but moved to safety to begin the 2008 campaign. After starting the first two games of the season at safety, injuries forced him to return to corner for the rest of the season.

In addition to his 19 passes break ups and two interceptions, Smyth also had 48 tackles (33 solo) in 2008. He is a four-time member of the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll.

Dayton finished in the FCS top ten of all four major defensive statistical categories last year. The Flyers were ninth in pass efficiency defense (100.61), sixth in total defense (255.83), fifth in scoring defense (15.33) and second in rushing defense (60.67).

The Flyers were 9-3 in 2008, with all three losses by a total of 14 points. Dayton finished tied for second in the Pioneer Football League.