DAYTON — The University of Dayton honored the 2022 Flyer football team today at its annual Football Awards Banquet. The banquet was held at the Kennedy Union Ballroom on campus. 

Jake Chisholm, a three-time First Team All-Pioneer Football League performer, was a repeat winner of the White Allen Most Valuable Player Trophy. 

The Flyer co-captain is just the fifth Flyer to earn multiple Most Valuable Player awards, and just the fifth Dayton player overall.  The others were Jim Overman (1962-63), Steve Keller (1991-92), Kevin Johns (1996-97) and Steve Valentino (2009-10).

Chisholm, a two-time FCS All-American and three-time Academic All-American, gained 1,050 yards this season.  He is the first Dayton football player to have three 1,000-yard seasons.  He ended his Flyer football career as UD's all-time record holder in all-purpose yardage (5,063 yards), second in career touchdowns (47) and third in career rushing (3,276 yards).  

He led the Pioneer Football League in scoring (102 points) and all-purpose yardage (1,320 yards).  Nationally, he was second in carries (233) and tied for fourth in touchdowns (17).

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 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 offensive lineman Brian Stevens was named the Stan Kurdziel Memorial Trophy winner for the second consecutive year.  The Kurdziel Trophy goes to the team's top lineman. Stevens is the eight Dayton lineman to win multiple Kurdziel awards.  Stevens was First Team All-PFL in 2022.  He ended his career with 22 consecutive starts at three different positions on the line.  

The team's third co-captain, graduate linebacker Ben Schmiesing, was named the winner of the Chief Toscani Hitter Award.  Schmiesing was UD's top tackler (89) which was eighth in the PFL.  Schmiesing was also First Team All-Pioneer Football League, and was the PFL's nominee at linebacker for the FCS ADA All-America team is the league's top vote-getter at the position.

UD's special teams captain, Derek Willits, was the recipient of the Emil Karas Memorial Award.  Willits He was one of five UD receivers with at least 15 catches in 2022, and 12 of his 17 receptions came in the last six games.  The Karas Award is for the most inspirational leadership as chosen by his teammates.

Senior cornerback Elijah Smith 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.  Smith was a two-year starter and two-time Academic All-District.  This season he played in nine games with 21 solo tackles.

Senior defensive tackle Drew Robertson 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.  Robertson was a first-time starter this season, with 26 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks and four passes batted down.

Redshirt freshman safety Cole Hildebrand was this season's Most Improved Player Award winner. After redshirting the 2021 season, Hildebrand played in 10 games (eight starts) and was third on the team in tackles with 53.  He also led the Flyers in interceptions with three.  

H-Back Cade Beam and defensive end Mason Henry were the co-winners of the John L. Macbeth Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award.  Both Beam and Henry  have 4.0 GPA's.  Beam is a Finance major; Henry is a Mechanical Engineering major. 

Redshirt sophomore Brian Dolby  was named as the ROTC Cannonball Award winner, which goes to the team's top newcomer. Dolby did not play high school football, and walked on (but did not see game action) at Colorado State.  In his first season at UD, Dolby played in 10 games, mostly on special teams, and was in on three tackles.

Freshman slot receiver Dominic Vrbancic quarterback was named Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Nate Hess was named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year.

One team award had been previously announced.  Senior quarterback Ryan VanSchelven was announced as the 2022 winner of the Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy at halftime of the Senior Day game against Morehead State.

Student-athletes who earned conference awards were also recognized.

UD had 12 All-Pioneer Football League selections. Running back Jake Chisholm, defensive tackle San Schadek, linebacker Ben Schmiesing and offensive tackles Brian Stevens and David Tkatch were all named to the first team.  Linebacker Nathan Arthur was on the second team.  Honorable mention selections from Dayton were wideout Luke Brenner, wideout Sam Bubonics, safety Cole Hildebrand, cornerback Elijah Smith, kicker Sam Webster and wideout Derek Willits.

Aside from success on the field, numerous Flyers enjoyed success in the classroom in 2018.  Eight 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 for the second time.  Joining Chisholm as a PFL First Team All-Academic selection were punter Drew Nieman, linebacker Ben Schmiesing, cornerback Elijah Smith, offensive tackle David Tkatch and wide receiver Derek Willits.  H-Back Cade Beam was on the second team.

Dayton also had eight CoSIDA Academic All-District selections in 2022.  Jake Chisholm, Joe Durham, Ben Schmiesing, Elijah Smith, Brian Stevens, David Tkatch, Sam Webster and Derek Willits all earned the honor, and all eight will appear on the national ballot for Academic All-America, which will be announced Dec. 20.  

The banquet was the final one under UD coach Rick Chamberlin, who announced on Nov. 29 he was retiring after 48 years in the program as a player, assistant coach and head coach.  Chamberlin's record in 14 season as a head coach was 107-48, with a .690 winning percentage in 14 seasons as head coach.  He is third all-time in wins at UD, behind two College Football Hall of Fame members-- Mike Kelly (246 wins) and Harry Baujan (124).   His .690 winning percentage is second behind Kelly's .819. 

The Flyers finished the year 8-3 overall and 6-2 in the PFL, which tied them for second in the league.

2022 UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS 
•White- Allen MVP – Jake Chisholm
• Beno Keiter 4-Year – Elijah Smith
•Chief Toscani Hitter – Ben Schmiesing 
•Emil Karis Leadership – Derek Willits
•Stan Kurdziel Lineman – Brian Stevens 
•A.J. Cohen Flyer of the Year – Drew Robertson 
•ROTC Cannonball Newcomer – Brian Dolby 
•Most Improved – Cole Hildebrand 
• John L. Macbeth Scholar-Athlete – Cade Beam & Mason Henry 
 •Scout Offensive – Dominic Vrbancic
•Scout Defensive – Nate Hess
• Lt. Andy Zulli Character – Ryan VanSchelven