April 19, 2009

Photo Gallery 

A pair of Nick Glavin field goals proved to be the difference in the University of Dayton's annual Spring Football Game Sunday at Welcome Stadium. Before the game, Flyers announced their 2009 captains - linebacker Drew Fumagalli, defensive tackle Sean Heenan and wide receiver Steve Valentino.

All three captains were starters last season, although Fumagalli missed three games due to injuries. Valentino was First Team All-Pioneer Football League in 2009 and Heenan was second team. Ironically, Fumagalli was the only one of the three captains in uniform for the Spring Game, as Heenan and Valentino were held out while they rehab from off-season surgeries.

Glavin's field goals of 30 and 37 yards turned out to be the only scoring in a game dominated by defense.

And that was no surprise to head coach Rick Chamberlin. In fact, the biggest surprise might have been the weather.

"I was very happy we got the game in, with the weather forecast being what it was," Chamberlin said. "The game was about what we expected. In the spring game, when you divide your team up and some of your veterans are one team and some are on the other, your timing is going to be a little different."

"In the game, I liked our effort, our hustle and our physical play," he added. "Some guys stepped up on offense too. Luke Bellman, one of our receivers, made some nice plays, and I thought our running backs, Dan Jacobs and Andrew Zapinski played well. I said a couple of weeks ago that was an area we had to get better at, and I'm very pleased with our running back situation."

At halftime, the team learned how much money it raised for breast cancer research during a lift-a-thon held on March 6. After setting a goal of $2,000, the Flyers presented a check for $12,025 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.