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University of Dayton Athletics

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Erik Schelkun

Football

SPECIAL TEAMS LEADS TO SPECIAL SEASONS

Dayton Special Teams Play A Key Ingredient To Championship Season

DAYTON – It has often been said that to win a football game, a team needs to do well on special teams. That was the case this past season, when the Flyers won the PFL Championship and qualified for the NCAA FCS Playoffs.

"Last year, one of the reasons we won the conference and had such a great year was because of our special teams. To win football games, you have to win the turnover battle, and you have to win special teams," head coach Rick Chamberlin said.

To underline that point, it's fair to say that last season's championship and post-season berth would not have happened if it were not for the play of Nick Kaczkowski, who was named the first-ever PFL Special Teams Player of the Year.

The Flyers return a wealth of experience in nearly all phases of special teams for 2016. Sean Smith is back at punter, a year after being named First Team All-PFL as a freshman.

"Sean is hitting the ball really well. We're also very fortunate to have Chris Papalia. He could kick for a lot of schools. They've been competing all spring," Chamberlin said.

First Team All-PFL kicker William Will also returns for Dayton.

"He tied a school record last year with 17 field goals. Willy has been hitting the ball like he always does - very strong and very accurate," Chamberlin said.

Two of the top returners in the PFL will also be back for Dayton. Christian Searles was named First Team All-PFL as a punt returner, and team MVP Cameron Stubbs led UD in kickoff return average (27.0), which was third in the PFL.

The Flyers are also hoping to look sharp on kickoff and punt coverages.

"Coach Turner is our special teams coordinator, and he does a great job teaching the fundamentals and what is needed to execute on special teams. Our players buy into it. They really understand the importance of it, and they work hard to execute it," Chamberlin said.

One question mark coming into spring camp was the long snapper position. The Flyers will have to replace Robert Delaney, who was responsible for long and short snapping during the past four years. Ian Palin, Matt Tunnacliffe and Matt Brandeis are competing for the position.

This year's Spring Game will start with a kickoff, and the teams will play out the kick until they reach the ball. There will also be game-like situations for the field goal and punting units.

The Spring Game will take place on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET at Welcome Stadium.  The game will be broadcast live on 1290 WHIO Radio and streamed on DaytonFlyers.com. Admission is free and the first 200 fans will receive Arby's sandwiches.
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Players Mentioned

Robert   Delaney

#52 Robert Delaney

C
6' 2"
Senior
Nick  Kaczkowski

#21 Nick Kaczkowski

CB
6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
Ian   Palin

#89 Ian Palin

TE
6' 4"
Senior
Christian Searles

#1 Christian Searles

CB
5' 9"
Sophomore
Cameron  Stubbs

#3 Cameron Stubbs

CB
5' 10"
Senior
William  Will

#96 William Will

K
6' 0"
Senior
Christopher Papalia

#81 Christopher Papalia

K
6' 1"
Freshman
Sean Smith

#19 Sean Smith

K
6' 3"
Freshman
Matt Tunnacliffe

#3d Matt Tunnacliffe

WR
6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

Robert   Delaney

#52 Robert Delaney

6' 2"
Senior
C
Nick  Kaczkowski

#21 Nick Kaczkowski

6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
CB
Ian   Palin

#89 Ian Palin

6' 4"
Senior
TE
Christian Searles

#1 Christian Searles

5' 9"
Sophomore
CB
Cameron  Stubbs

#3 Cameron Stubbs

5' 10"
Senior
CB
William  Will

#96 William Will

6' 0"
Senior
K
Christopher Papalia

#81 Christopher Papalia

6' 1"
Freshman
K
Sean Smith

#19 Sean Smith

6' 3"
Freshman
K
Matt Tunnacliffe

#3d Matt Tunnacliffe

6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
WR