St. Louis – The University of Dayton football team had two of this week’s three Pioneer Football League Players of the Week after the 48-14 win over Valparaiso.  Senior James Vercammen was named Defensive Player of the Week, and freshman Gary Hunter was the Special Teams Player of the Week.

Vercammen, who plays the hybrid linebacker/safety position known as “Flyer,” led UD with 12 tackles (five solo) Saturday, including a sack, a fumble recovery and 2.5 tackles behind the line.  Dayton held Valparaiso to 33 net rushing yards in the game.  The Flyers now lead FCS football in rushing defense, holding opponents to 55.0 yards a game.  The redshirt senior from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (Groves High School) leads the team in tackles (36), solo stops (20) and tackles behind the line (7.0).

Hunter returned what is believed to be the first kickoff return for a touchdown by a freshman in the 105-year history of University of Dayton football.  Early records are incomplete, but no Flyer freshman has returned a kickoff for a score in the modern era of UD football.  On Saturday, just after Valparaiso scored to tie the game in the first quarter, Hunter gave Dayton the lead back with an 82-yard return.

A freshman cornerback from Detroit St. Mary’s High School, Hunter has 16 returns for a 30.9 yards-per-return average.  He leads the PFL and is 10th nationally in the FCS football in kickoff return average.

Dayton is 4-1 on the season, and 2-0 in the PFL.  The Flyers are tied for first place in the league with Drake and Jacksonville.  UD is at San Diego this Saturday.  Game time is 5:00 p.m. ET.