DAYTON -- Coming off an 8-3 record and second-place finish in the Pioneer Football League, the University of Dayton Flyers look to expand on that success in 2015. The Flyers will return 14 starters and many more players who have seen significant game action.

OFFENSE
The offense will be led by Connor Kacsor, the reigning PFL Offensive Player of the Year and a preseason All-American. Last season, Kacsor rushed for 1607 yards and broke Sylvester Monroe's Dayton career rushing record of 2,940 yards, a record that had stood for more than 35 years.

"Connor has been working very hard throughout the summer. We would expect a very good year out of Connor, because now he has played a full season and shown what he can do during the season when he stays healthy," coach Rick Chamberlin said.

Even though injuries limited Kacsor to just 304 carries in his first two seasons, he still rushed for at least 100 yards seven times.  In 2014, Kacsor had seven games of at least 100 yards, including three games where he rushed for more than 200 yards.

Kacsor should have no problem continuing his success, as many familiar faces return on the offensive line. Shane Toub, Zac Morgan, Jimmy Vogel, Patrick Nuzzolese and Spencer Luallen were all major contributors on the offensive line a season ago.

"A running back is only as good as his offensive line. That's another good thing for us - the players we have returning on the offensive line. They will open up the holes for Connor to run through. The offensive line is going to be a big key for us in our success with Connor in the backfield," Chamberlin explained.

With the running game expected to be strong, the offensive line will also ease the transition to a new quarterback.  Flyers need to replace Will Bardo in the passing game. Bardo, a four-year starter, passed for 1990 yards and 14 touchdowns a season ago. He also rushed for 140 yards and four touchdowns.

Luke Johnson and Blake Bir will compete for the starting quarterback job. Johnson served as the backup to Bardo in 2013, and Bir last season.

"Luke knows the system and the players around him, and he has good skills. Luke even started a couple games for us in his career. He's had that starting experience," Chamberlin said.

"Blake Bir has some limited game experience, but he has very good quarterback skills – strong arm and accurate," according to Chamberlin.

"Offensively, I feel like we have a number of individuals that will be very good players for us. The big question mark is at quarterback, because we had a four-year starter. But we feel confident in the young men who are competing for that starting position. We want them to be themselves and play within themselves – use the skills that they do well. It's going to be a battle between those two," Chamberlin said.

The Flyers will also need to replace six seniors from their receiving corps, most notably Ross Smith and Gabe Macis. Smith and Macis finished first and second in receptions last season. Smith recorded 57 catches for 669 yards and seven touchdowns, while Macis caught 37 passes for 436 yards and two touchdowns.

Although the losses of Smith and Macis are substantial, Cory Stuart and Tyler Tumpane are more than capable of taking over. Stuart, a captain this season, finished with 34 receptions for 378 yards and three touchdowns last season. Tumpane, a true freshman a year ago, had 18 receptions for 201 yards.

"Cory is a young man that is very dependable in all areas of the game – catching the ball, blocking, and kick returning. He is very solid in all of those skills. Tyler had one of the best freshman seasons at receiver that I've ever seen here at Dayton. I know with his work ethic and skills that he will be even better this coming year," Chamberlin said.

Ian Palin will help the offensive line at tight end, but he has also developed into a receiving threat at Dayton.

"He (Palin) was part of the reason Connor (Kacsor) had his record-setting year. What we like about Ian is his improvement as a receiver," Chamberlin said.

DEFENSE
Last season, the Flyers made it difficult for their opponents to move the football, especially on third down. Dayton's opponents converted just 29.8% of their third downs a year ago, which was first in the PFL.

This season, the Flyers look to make things more problematic for their opponents, as the defense returns seven starters. The Flyers also return 16 players who made at least 10 tackles and eight players who had at least one interception a season ago.

 "When you talk about Dayton defense, you have to start with Chris Beaschler. Chris will be one of the best linebackers in the PFL. Chris is not only an outstanding football player as a linebacker with speed, agility and strength, but he is also a very good leader. He is the one that takes charge of our defense and makes sure that our players are executing in a manner that they should," Chamberlin said.

Beaschler, also a captain this season, led the team with 101 tackles a season ago and was named First Team All-PFL for his efforts. He will have plenty of help, as several players return to the defensive side of the ball.
"Our defensive line, the nice thing for this coming year is the experience that we have back," Chamberlin said.

Nate Sudnick returns to the line after a breakout season in 2014. Sudnick had 64 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.  Austen Alber, Miles Ashleman, Matt Brown, Andy Carfagna and Michael Scott also return, along with Michael Gray, who will make the switch from linebacker to defensive end.

In the secondary, the Flyers return Danny Leach and 2014 second team All-PFL selection Ryan Schwenke.

Leach was named a captain for the upcoming season and will play the safety position. He recorded 67 tackles and two interceptions a year ago. Schwenke will return at the Flyer position, and he was second on the team with 73 tackles and also recorded 5.5 tackles for loss. 

"In the secondary, we're very fortunate to have Danny Leach back.  Danny is the one that has the control of the secondary. He's the one that makes sure everyone is in the right place. Ryan Schwenke is a young man that is a big part of our defense at the Flyer position. Ryan has been playing that position since his freshman year. Every year he has gotten better and better physically. I would anticipate this being his best year because of all the playing time he has received," Chamberlin said.

The cornerback position also features experience with Cameron Stubbs and Christian Searles returning.

Last season, Stubbs recorded 34 tackles and one interception. Searles played as a true freshman and had 27 tackles with an interception.

KICKING
William Will returns as the kicker for Dayton.

"He is an offensive threat for us anytime we get inside the 30, knowing that we can come away with some points," Chamberlin said.

Will went 14-19 on field goal attempts and converted 36 of his 38 extra point attempts in 2014. He also achieved every kicker's dream when he returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown on a kickoff in the 31-21 win against Marist.

As for the punting position, four players will compete for the starting spot. In addition to Luke Johnson and William Will, incoming freshman Chris Papalia and Sean Smith are expected to compete for the job.

Papalia was a team captain and named all-conference at Bethel Park High School in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Smith was named first team all-state as a punter at Salesianum High School in Wilmington, Delaware.

SEASON EXPECTATIONS
"Here at Dayton, our expectations are the same every year - have a winning season and be a contender for the PFL as we go in to that last game of the season. That's why young men come here, the winning tradition we have. We want to continue that winning tradition," Chamberlin said.