DAYTON -- The University of Dayton honored the 2014 Flyer football team today at its annual Football Awards Banquet. The banquet, presented by the UD Flyers Club, was at the Kennedy Union Ballroom on campus.
Dayton finished 8-3 overall and took second place in the Pioneer Football League this season with a 6-2 conference record.

Senior running back Connor Kacsor (Leo, Ind.) was named the recipient of the White-Allen Most Valuable Player Trophy.  A three-year starter, Kacsor finished the season as the program's all-time leading rusher with 2,943 yards, and put up 1,547 rushing yards this season, which is the third-best single-season rushing performance in UD history.  Kacsor was also named PFL Offensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, the award that goes to the best offensive player in FCS football.

On the season, Kacsor finished with 255 carries for 1,547 yards and 17 touchdowns.  He finished fifth in the FCS in rushing per game (140.6), and was the only player in the FCS with three rushing performances of 210 yards or better this season.  His best rushing performance came against Georgetown, where he set the Dayton single-game rushing record with 301 yards on the ground.

The White-Allen Most Valuable Player Trophy is sponsored by Tim White and White-Allen Auto Group, Inc. The award is selected by members of the team. The White Allen Trophy has been awarded annually since 1953. White Allen now sponsors the MVP award for UD's men's and women's basketball, football and volleyball teams.

Redshirt sophomore linebacker Christopher Beaschler (Ada, Ohio) took home the Chief Toscani Hitter Award.  Beaschler led Dayton in tackles this season and was second in the PFL in tackles per game (10.1).  Beaschler also led UD in solo tackles (48) and had five tackles for a loss, four passes broken up and an interception, a fumble forced and a fumble recovered.  He is just one of seven student-athletes in the Pioneer Football League to be named First Team All-PFL and First Team Academic All-PFL.

Redshirt sophomore tackle Zac Morgan (Mokena, Ill.) was presented the Stan Kurdziel Memorial Trophy. The Kurdziel Trophy goes to the team's top lineman.  In his first season starting, Morgan started every game at right tackle for the top rushing offense in the PFL this season (195.5 YPG).  He and his linemates also only gave up 16 sacks on the season, and were an integral factor in Kacsor having his record breaking season.  As a team, the Flyers averaged 5.0 yards a carry in 2014.

The Sheriff "Beno" Keiter Award, which goes to the senior for the most outstanding contribution to the program over his college career, went to redshirt senior wide receiver Ross Smith (Lewis Center, Ohio).  Smith was quarterback Will Bardo's favorite target in 2014, finishing the season with a team-high 57 catches for 669 yards and seven touchdowns.  A three year starter, Smith either led the team, or finished second in receptions and receiving yardage in each of his three seasons as a Flyer.  He ended his career by catching at least one pass in 31 consecutive games.

Redshirt senior defensive end Pat Dowd (Cleveland, Ohio) was the recipient of the Emil Karas Memorial Award.  The Karas Award is for the most inspirational leadership as chosen by his teammates.  A 2014 co-captain, Dowd battled through injuries his final season, playing in nine games and finishing with 12 tackles, 3.5 TFL and two sacks.

This season's Most Improved Player Award went to redshirt freshman linebacker Jack Crain (Lisle, Ill.).  In his first season seeing game action for the Flyers, Crain played in 10 games, finishing with 32 tackles with 1.5 for loss and three pass breakups.

Taking home the A.J. Cohen Flyer of the Year award was redshirt senior wide receiver Andy Powers (Chesterland, Ohio).  It is presented in memory of Cohen, a former Flyer wide receiver who left his mark on the program with his everyday positive attitude and team-first approach.  Powers appeared in all 11 games this season, recording special teams 13 tackles, and his contributions and examples on the practice field and in the locker room earned him the award.

The only repeat winner this season went to senior fullback Jack Beebe (Dublin, Ohio) who once again earned the John L. Macbeth Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award.  A double major in Finance and Economics at UD, Beebe carries a 3.95 cumulative GPA.  The Macbeth Award goes annual to the UD football player who has the highest cumulative grade point average over at least four semesters.

True freshman defensive back Christian Searles (Chicago, Ill.) was named as the ROTC Cannonball Award winner, which goes to the team's top newcomer.  Searles was one of two freshmen to play significant minutes this season.  He saw time in six games (with four starts) as both a defensive back as well as a kick returner.  Searles finished with 27 tackles and one interception on the season, to go along with 9 kick-off returns for 200 yards.

Freshman wide receiver Jared Ruffing (Hudson, Ohio) was named Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year.  Freshman defensive end Nick Surges (Naperville, Ill.) was named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year.
Senior slot receiver Shaquille Tensley (Indianapolis, Ind.) had already been named the 2014 recipient of the Lt. Andy Zulli Award at halftime of UD's final home game against Campbell.  The award, one of the most prestigious in the program, is for sportsmanship, character, and leadership.

Student-athletes who earned conference awards were also recognized.

Kacsor, Beaschler, senior safety Zach Elias, and senior offensive guard Soern Osborne were all selected first team All-PFL in a vote of leagues coaches.

Eight other Flyers earned All-PFL accolades as well. Quarterback Will Bardo and defensive end Nate Sudnick were selected Second Team All-PFL.  Zac Morgan, tight end Ian Palin, Flyer Ryan Schwenke, Ross Smith, offensive tackle Jimmy Vogel and placekicker Willliam Will were named Honorable Mention All-PFL.

College Sports Madness also announced its 2014 All-PFL teams. Kacsor, Beaschler and Elias were named to the first team, Bardo, Osborne, Sudnick and Will were on the second team, and Smith, Palin, Schwenke and punter Kyle Pignatiello were on the third team.  Kacsor was named PFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Bardo, Smith, Beaschler, Pignatiello, junior safety Danny Leach, and redshirt sophomore wide receiver Cory Stuart were all named first-team All-Academic PFL, while Morgan was named second team All-Academic PFL for the second straight season.

2014 UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS

White-Allen Most Valuable Player   Connor Kacsor

Chief Toscani Hitter     Christopher Beaschler

Sheriff "Beno" Keiter Award    Ross Smith

Emil Karas Inspirational Leadership   Pat Dowd

Stan Kurdziel Outstanding Lineman   Zac Morgan

A.J. Cohen Flyer of the Year    Andy Powers

John L. Macbeth Scholar-Athlete   Jack Beebe

Most Improved Player     Jack Crain

Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy    Shaquille Tensley

ROTC Cannonball Award    Christian Searles

Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year  Jared Ruffing

Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year  Nick Surges