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Dayton -- Trailing 20-14 at halftime, the University of Dayton football team allowed Duquesne to run one play in Dayton territory and used three William Will field goals to edge the Dukes 23-20 in the Flyers' home opener. UD quarterback Will Bardo ran for 79 yards and two TD's while completing 16 of 32 passes for 171 yards. Linebacker Colin Monnier had 14 tackles for the Dayton defense, which forced three turnovers.

Duquesne put the Flyers back on their heels early, jumping out to a 10-0 lead. Quarterback Dillon Buechel hit Gianni Carter for a 76-yard TD on the Dukes' third play from scrimmage and then added a 26-yard Austin Crimmins field goal set up by a 38-yard fumble return.

UD took advantage of a turnover when a high punt snap was recovered at the one-yard line, getting on the board when Will Bardo scored. Bardo added a 71-yard touchdown run to put the Flyers up 14-10. Duquesne answered with 10 straight points to lead 20-14 at halftime.

No adjustment made by either team in the locker room was bigger than the one made by the Dayton defensive coaches. At halftime Carter had six receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns. During the break, the Flyers assigned cornerback Kyle Sebetic, last year's FCS leader in passes defensed, on Carter wherever he lined up. Carter was held to one catch for four yards in the second half.

In the second half, the Dayton defense allowed less than 30 yards on five of the Dukes' six series, and UD's special teams kept the visitors pinned deep. Punter Kyle Pignatiello averaged 42.8 yards on five punts, and Flyer coverage teams limited DU to 5.5 yards on two returned punts and 16.5 yards on four kick returns. Meanwhile, UD averaged 19.3 yards on three punt returns and 27.5 yards on four kickoffs.

Of course, the most critical special teams contributions came from snapper Robert Delaney, holder Luke Johnson and redshirt freshman kicker William Will, who split the uprights on three straight possessions – 32 yards with 7:27 left in the third, 25-yards with 1:27 left in the third and 25 yards again with 7:42 left in the game.

Dayton held Duquesne to just three first downs in the second half and one of those first down resulted in a turnover. Right after Dayton took the lead, Buechel hit Dave Thomas on a 28-yard catch-and-run, but UD backup safety Zach Elias chased Thomas down and caused a fumble that was recovered by UD cornerback Howard Savage. Elias also had two passes broken up in the game, including one on Duquesne's last play of the game that clinched the Flyer win.

In addition to his game-high 14 tackles, Monnier had UD's only sack and 2.5 tackles in the backfield. Ryan Schwenke had his second interception of the year, and Chris Hagan recovered a fumble to account for the three turnovers forced by UD. The Flyers allowed just 62 yards on the ground, and 47 came on one play.

Bardo was the game's leading ground gainer with 79 yards on 18 attempts with the two TD's. He was also 16 of 32 passing for 171 yards. Hunter (59 yards) and Cory Stuart (39 yards) each caught five passes.

Dayton now 1-1, will play at Robert Morris next week. Game time is 12 noon. Duquesne, also 1-1, will have a week off before traveling to Youngstown State on Sept. 21.