DAYTON —The University of Dayton honored the 2021 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. 

Jake Chisholm, a two-time First Team All-Pioneer Football League performer, was named the recipient of the White Allen Most Valuable Player Trophy. 

Chisholm led the PFL in rushing (103.3 yards per game), scoring (11.0 points per game) and all-purpose yardage (163.9 yards per game).  Playing behind a brand-new and improving offensive line, he finished the year with 502 yards and 13 touchdowns over the last three games, all Flyer wins.  He leads FCS football in carries per game (23.5) and touchdowns per game (1.8).  He is second nationally in all-purpose yardage.  

The Flyer co-captain is one of 25 finalists for the Stats Perform FCS Walter Payton Award, presented annually to the subdivision's offensive player of the year.  In addition, the Pre-Med major was the 2021 PFL Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

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.

Another co-captain, senior quarterback Jack Cook, was named the recipient of the Sheriff "Beno" Keiter Award, which goes to the senior for the most outstanding contribution to the program over his college career.  

A three-year starter, Cook was a two-time Second Team All-PFL selection.  His name is everywhere in the Flyer football passing records.  He graduates with four records:  Most passing yards in a single game (432 vs. San Diego in 2019) and most TD passes in a game (6 TD passes vs. Jacksonville in 2019), season (33) and career (67).   Career-wise, he is second in passing efficiency, passing yards, passes attempted and completed, and he is third in completion percentage and total offense.  

He was a four-time member of the PFL Academic Honor Roll, and was First Team Academic All-PFL this season.

The team's third co-captain, senior safety Brandon Easterling, was named the winner of the Chief Toscani Hitter Award for the second time.  Easterling led the league in solo tackles (6.1 per game), tied for first in fumbles forced (2) and was third in the PFL in tackles per game (9.3).  He also had five pass breakups, 1.5 TFL, a sack and an interception.  The interception came on the very last play of his college career, and it clinched UD's season-ending win over eventual PFL champion Davidson. 

UD's special teams captain, Joe Bubonics, was the recipient of the Emil Karas Memorial Award.  Originally a starter at cornerback earlier in his career, he missed the 2019 season with an injury.  He mentored the young corners who replaced him so well that he was able to be moved to safety – a position of need – this season where he started all 10 games.  He led Dayton in passes defended (team highs with 9 PBU and 2 interceptions), and was third in solo tackles (34).  The Karas Award is for the most inspirational leadership as chosen by his teammates.

Joe's brother Sam was this season's Most Improved Player Award winner. After redshirting the 2019 season, Sam played in all 10 games and led UD in receptions (34) with 22 of those 34 catches coming in the last five contests.  He averaged 14.0 yards per reception and scored two touchdowns, and was named Honorable Mention All-PFL.

Senior linebacker Danny Meehan was awarded the A.J. Cohen Flyer of the Year award.  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.  Dayton had two players named All-PFL at linebacker this year, and backing up those kind of players did not get in the way of Meehan being a star in his role on the team.

Redshirt freshman offensive tackle Brian Stevens was named the Stan Kurdziel Memorial Trophy winner.  The Kurdziel Trophy goes to the team's top lineman. Stevens was the top performer on a brand-new offensive line, and opened holes for the PFL's top running back.  Stevens was named Honorable Mention All-PFL.  

Third-year wide receiver Derek Willits earned the John L. Macbeth Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award.  Willits is a biochemistry major with a 4.0 GPA.

True freshman defensive end Jerell Lewis was named as the ROTC Cannonball Award winner, which goes to the team's top newcomer. For the season, Lewis had 23 tackles (13 solo), 4.5 TFL, two sacks and two QB hurries.  

Freshman quarterback Shane Hamm was named Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year. Freshman cornerback Joey Guagenti was named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year.

One team award had been previously announced.  Senior wide receiver Cameron Specht was announced as the 2021 winner of the Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy at halftime of the Senior Day game against Davidson.

Student-athletes who earned conference awards were also recognized.

UD had 13 All-Pioneer Football League selections.  Jake Chisholm was named to the first team both as a running back and all-purpose runner.  He was joined on the first team by linebacker Grant Dyer, safety Brandon Easterling and Flyer Zach Rumpke.  Flyers named Second Team All-PFL were quarterback Jack Cook, linebacker Ben Schmiesing and placekicker Sam Webster.  Honorable mention selections from Dayton were wideout Sam Bubonics, defensive tackle Kyle Finnick, long snapper Owen Smith, and offensive tackles Brian Stevens and David Tkatch.  

Aside from success on the field, numerous Flyers enjoyed success in the classroom in 2018.  Nine Flyers were named Academic All-PFL.  Jake Chisholm was selected as the PFL Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was a unanimous pick for First Team Academic All-PFL.  Jack Cook, center Dylan DeMaison, tight end Andrew Holderer, Ben Schmiesing and David Tkatch were also named to the first team.  Brandon Easterling, punter Drew Nieman and cornerback Elijah Smith were named to the second team.

Dayton also had four CoSIDA Academic All-District selections in 2021.  Jake Chisholm, Brandon Easterling, Ben Schmiesing and Elijah Smith all earned the honor, and all four advanced to the national ballot for Academic All-America, which will be named this week.  Dayton's four All-District selections were the most in the Pioneer Football League.  The rest of the PFL had a total of five.  

The Flyers finished the year with three consecutive wins, ending up 6-4 overall and 5-3 in the PFL.

2021 UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS 
•White- Allen MVP – Jake Chisholm
• Beno Keiter 4-Year – Jack Cook
•Chief Toscani Hitter – Brandon Easterling 
•Emil Karis Leadership – Joe Bubonics 
•Stan Kurdziel Lineman – Brian Stevens 
•A.J. Cohen Flyer of the Year – Danny Meehan 
•ROTC Cannonball Newcomer – Jerell Lewis 
•Most Improved – Sam Bubonics 
• John L. Macbeth Scholar-Athlete – Derek Willits 
 •Scout Offensive – Shane Hamm
•Scout Defensive – Joey Guagenti
• Lt. Andy Zulli Character – Cameron Specht