DAYTON — The University of Dayton honored the 2024 Flyer football team Saturday at its annual Football Awards Banquet. The banquet was held at Curran Place on campus. 

Gideon Lampron, a redshirt sophomore from LaGrange, Ohio, was named the winner of the White Allen Most Valuable Player Trophy. 

Lampron was named First Team All-Pioneer Football League for the first time in his career.  He was also named First Team Academic All-PFL.

Lampron, whose legal middle name is ESPN, is the most productive player on the team that has allowed fewest yards (242.9), the fewest passing yards (122.9) and the fewest first downs (12.9) in FCS football this season.   He leads FCS in tackles in the backfield (2.13 per game).  Nationally, he is also tied for sixth in blocked kicks (two total), tied for 13th in fumbles recovered (two total) and tied for 13th in solo tackles (5.1 per game).  He also led UD, and was sixth in the Pioneer Football League, in total tackles (9.0).

Safety Ca'ron Coleman was the 2023 White Allen MVP.  Coleman and Lampron are the first back-to-back defensive players at Dayton to be named MVP.

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.

Redshirt senior offensive lineman Dylan DeMaison was named the Stan Kurdziel Memorial Trophy winner for the second year in a row.  The Kurdziel Trophy goes to the team's top lineman.  DeMaison was a three-time First Team Academic All-Pioneer Football League selection, and a two-time All-PFL selection.   He was a 2024 Flyer co-captain.
 

which goes to the senior for the most outstanding contribution to the program over his college career.  A four-year impact player and three-year starter, Coleman was Second Team All-PFL in 2024.  He was third on the team in tackles (65), and second in TFL (12.0) and solo tackles (38).

Redshirt junior linebacker Aiden McKinley was named the winner of the Chief Toscani Hitter Award.  McKinley was second on the team in tackles (77) and sacks (4), and third in TFL (10.0) and solo tackles (33).  

Redshirt junior defensive tackle Nate Hess was the recipient of the Emil Karas Memorial Award.  Hess started all 11 games for the Flyers, and had 35 tackles, 3.0 TFL and 1.5 sacks.  He was Second Team Academic All PFL.  The Karas Award is for the most inspirational leadership as chosen by his teammates.

Redshirt junior linebacker Logan Foody 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.  

The Offensive Most Improved Player Award went to redshirt junior offensive tackle Colin Koennecke. Last season, Koennecke played in 10 games.  This season, he played in all 11 games, with eight starts.

Redshirt sophomore defensive end Chase Brown earned the Defensive Most Improved Player Award.  Brown was in on 19 tackles in 2023.  This season Brown started all 11 games, with 19 tackles and 3.0 TFL.

The Special Teams Most Improved Player was awarded to redshirt sophomore Logan Forcum.  In 2023, Forcum averaged 35.6 yards per punt.  This year, he averaged 41.9, was fourth in the Pioneer Football League in punting average and was named Honorable Mention All-PFL.

The Mike Kelly/Rick Chamberlin Mental Toughness Award had co-winners this season – senior offensive guard Ryan Iiams and redshirt sophomore cornerback Josh Anderson.  The award is named for Flyer head coach Trevor Andrews' two immediate predecessors as UD's head coach, who also happen to be the two winningest coaches PFL history.  

True freshman Paul Kelly was named as the ROTC Cannonball Award winner, which goes to the team's top newcomer. Kelly led the Pioneer Football League and was fourth in FCS in punt return average (15.4  yards per punt).  In league play he averaged 17.7 yards per punt return.  Kelly was also averaged 20.5 yards per kickoff return on the season, which was fourth in the PFL.

Freshman receiver Leroy Lewis IV was named Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year. Freshman defensive end Filip Rolek was named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year.

Redshirt senior H-back Cade Beam won the John L. Macbeth Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award for the second time in his career.  A three-time Second Team Academic All-PFL selection, Beam has a 3.97 GPA while majoring in Finance. 

One annual award had already been presented.  Redshirt junior safety Logan Miller had already been announced as the 2024 winner of the Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy at halftime of the Senior Day game against Valparaiso.  

The Flyers finished the year 6-5 overall and 4-4 in the PFL, a two-game improvement over 2023.  The Flyers have had 44 winning season in the last 47 campaigns.  


2024 UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS 
•White- Allen MVP – Gideon Lampron
• Beno Keiter 4-Year – Ca'ron Coleman
•Chief Toscani Hitter – Aiden McKinley
•Emil Karis Leadership – Nate Hess
•Stan Kurdziel Lineman – Dylan DeMaison
•A.J. Cohen Flyer of the Year – Logan Foody
•ROTC Cannonball Newcomer – Paul Kelly
•Mike Kelly/Rick Chamberlin Mental Toughness Award – Ryan Iiams & Josh Anderson
•Most Improved Offensive Player of the Year – Colin Koennecke
•Most Improved Defensive Player of the Year – Chase Brown
•Most Improved Special Teams Player of the Year – Logan Forcum
• John L. Macbeth Scholar-Athlete – Cade Beam
•Scout Offensive – LeRoy Lewis IV
•Scout Defensive – Filip Rolek
• Lt. Andy Zulli Character – Logan Miller