DAYTON –Behind two touchdown passes by quarterback Alex Jeske in the first half, the Red team defeated the White Team 35-15 Sunday afternoon at Welcome Stadium.  The game was the final event of the University of Dayton's spring practice season, but it was hardly just the game.

At the pre-game coin flip, three fifth-year seniors were named the 2016 team captains.  They are linebacker Christopher Beaschler, tight end Ian Pailin, and center Shane Toub.  The team captains are voted on by the team.

Beaschler is just the sixth two-time captain in school history.  He was a CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American in 2015 and the Pioneer Football League's Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year.  He is a two-time First Team All-PFL selection and a three-time Academic All-PFL performer. 

The Ada, Ohio product led Dayton in tackles for the second straight season (9.3 per game) last year.  He also led in solo hits (62), and was credited with 8.5 tackles for a loss, four pass break ups, three QB hurries, two sacks, a fumble forced and fumble recovered.

A three-year starter, Pailin caught 14 passes in 2015 and grabbing 13 in 2014.  He was Honorable Mention All-PFL and was named Second Team Academic All-PFL.  The Milwaukee, Wisc. native was the 2015 winner of UD's Beno Keiter Award, which is for contributions to the program over a career.

Toub is two-year starter and the unquestioned leader of a veteran offensive line.  He is a four-time member of the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll.  He is also a football team representative on UD's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.  A graduate of Chicago's Carmel Catholic High School, he has a 17-5 record as a starter.

Just before the opening kickoff, the coaches' choice for special teams captain was also announced.  Chris Hagan, who also plays the Flyer position on defense.  Outstanding in kick coverage, a high percentage of Hagan's 21 tackles in 2015 came on special teams.  Hailing from Lansing, Mich., Hagan was a 2012 Scout Team Player of the Year and the 2015 winner of the A.J. Cohen Flyer of the Year award.

At halftime, the captains of last year's PFL championship team that reached the NCAA FCS playoffs represented their teammates in a championship ring ceremony.  The rest of the team received their rings when they returned to the locker room.

Following the game, the members of the 2016 recruiting class who were in attendance were paired with their "Big Brother."  Each incoming freshman is paired with an upperclassman who helps them adjust to college football heading into their first season on campus.

"It was a good day for Flyer football," head coach Rick Chamberlin said.  "We've had a competitive spring, and we had some good plays on both sides today.  We had a real nice crowd today, and it was good to see so many former players come out as well as the families of our veteran players and our new players.

"Our team motto this year is 'Still Hungry'," Chamberlin continued, "I fully expect that to carry into our summer and that we will return to camp with an edge heading into the 2016 season."

Dayton returns 15 starters – eight offense, seven defense and both kicking specialist – from last season's PFL championship team.  Dayton was 10-2 overall in 2015, making the Flyers' first appearance in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.  UD was the Pioneer Football League co-champions with a 7-1 conference record.  It was the Flyers' 12th PFL crown in the 23-year history of the league.

UD opens the season on Saturday, Sept. 3 at home against Central State.  Game time is 7 p.m. ET.