University of Dayton redshirt senior safety Steve Wirkus has been named Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Week for his role in Dayton’s 24-10 win over Marist on Saturday.

Wirkus intercepted two passes, batted down two more and was in on six tackles (four solo).  His big plays came at critical times in the game.  His first pass deflection on a third down in the second quarter forced Marist to settle for the field goal that opened the scoring.  His second interception was on the Red Foxes’ first offensive play of the second half, setting up UD’s third touchdown that made it a two-score game.  And he batted away a pass on 4th-and-4 at the Dayton 18-yard-line, ending Marist’s final scoring threat of the game late in the third quarter.

The game was the PFL opener for both teams and extended Dayton’s winning streak in league games to 11.  The Flyers edged Marist in last season’s finale to win their 11th PFL title in the 18 years since the league’s origin.

Wirkus, a Brecksville-Broadveiw Heights High School graduate, has had an interception in every game and leads FCS football in picks per game (4).  The first-year starter also leads Dayton in tackles (23), solo hits (14) and passes batted away (3, tied with Howard Savage). 

UD is now 2-1 on the year and plays at Central State on Saturday in the Flyers’ final non-conference game of 2001.  Game time at McPherson Stadium is 1:30 p.m. ET.