Sept. 2, 2009
DAYTON, Ohio - Senior defensive tackle Sean Heenan was named OCF's FCS Defensive Player of the year. Also recognized were fellow defensive tackle Kalen Hemmelgarn, linebacker Joe Ries, center Blake Saul, cornerback Matt Smyth and wide receiver Steve Valentino.
The six honored Flyers make Dayton number one under the amount of players by team recognized.
Heenan's play was a critical factor for the Flyer's successful winning season in 2008. The ferocious defensive end was a nightmare for opposing offensive lines with his relentless effort. He led the defensive line unit with 50 tackles and was second on the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and Seven sacks.
The senior linebacker Joe Ries flourished in 2008 starting all 12 games for the Flyers. Ries's effort and production earned him a 2008 First Team All-Pioneer Football League selection. The Cincinnati native not only generated a team second-best 74 tackles, but also harassed the offense with his 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.
Blake Saul, a red-shirt sophomore from Hilliard, Ohio, was the anchor of the offensive line that last year only gave up 18 sacks and cleared the path for the running team that finished the year with 1680 yards or 110.2 rushing yards a game. The chemical engineering major will anchor the line again that has only two returning starters.
The versatile speedster Steve Valentino will once again lead the team as an impact player. This dynamic star may be penciled in as a wide receiver but has many prominent roles on the team. Besides catching passes from quarterbacks, Valentino is the kickoff and punt returner, holder for PAT's and field goals, designated kick blocker, captain, and the emergency quarterback. In fact, his career began as a red-shirt freshman quarterback. The senior switched over to wide receiver and was named starter in the 08 season when he transformed into one of Dayton's most dangerous prolific players. Valentino received First Team All-PFL honors as a wideout and honorable mention PFL honors as a kick returner. The fastest man on the Flyer team with a 4.47 forty-yard dash produced 50 receptions for 626 yards, 454 yards or 23.9 kick returning yards, and 283 yards or 11.8 punt return yards last season. The Solon, Ohio Native's stats were in the top five in the PFL in receiving yards per game (5th), punt return average (5th), kickoff return average (2nd), and all-purpose yards per game (4th, 122.2).
Matt Smyth, A high-flying defensive back out of Highlands Ranch, Colorado shuffled from safety to cornerback throughout the season due to injuries. Despite shifting around, Smyth finished the season at cornerback with impressive stats. He lead all of FCS football in passes defending, breaking up 19 passes and intercepting two more for the average of 1.75 passes defended per game. He tallied 33 solo tackles out of 48 total tackles and added two forced fumbles and a touchdown returned from an interception during the 2008 season. Smyth finished second on the team in interceptions and sixth in solo tackles.
Gritty and talented defensive lineman Kalen Hemmelgarn earned recognition for his play making ability by being named 2008 All-Pioneer Football League First Team. Hemmelgarn also was named to the ESPN the Magazine's Academic All-District Second Team and UD's "Beno" Keiter Award for four year-contributions to the football program. Although Hemmelgarn battled a shoulder injury throughout the 2008 season, the determined player started all 12 games. He accomplished 44 tackles, 11.5 of which were for loss and five sacks.
UD will open the season on Saturday, September 12 at Welcome Stadium against Urbana. Game time is 1:00 p.m. ET.
