DAYTON - The University of Dayton football team will return home to host Butler University Saturday, Oct. 18 at 12 p.m. at Welcome Stadium. It will be Alumni Day for the Flyers with a halftime ceremony recognizing those in attendance. 

Dayton is riding a five-game winning streak at 5-1 on the season, with the lone loss coming in the season opener at Eastern Illinois. The Flyers are 3-0 in Pioneer League games and sit atop the conference standings. UD is also 2-0 at home this season. 

Butler comes to Dayton with a 4-3 record on the year and 2-1 PFL mark. The Bulldogs are coming off a tough loss at home to No. 23/24 Presbyterian last week, but are 2-2 on the road this season, including a win at St. Thomas in overtime on Oct. 4.

SERIES HISTORY
Dayton and Butler are meeting for the 50th time in program history Saturday with the Flyers holding a 34-14-1 series advantage. UD won last year's showdown on the road at Butler, 21-14, on Oct. 19, 2024. Prior to that, the Bulldogs had won two in a row. 

LAST OUTING
• Dayton won its fifth-straight game after scoring 41 points in the first half alone as the Flyers trounced Valparaiso 41-10. The Flyers dominated all three phases of the game and played the starters just a few minutes into the third quarter before turning it over to reserves. 
• Butler battled No. 23/24 Presbyterian in a 21-25 defeat that went back and forth all game. The Blue Hose led initially, but the Bulldogs answered and took their own lead in the third and carried that over into the fourth, before eventually falling to Presbyterian. 

LEADING THE WAY
• The Flyers currently lead the PFL in numerous categories across all three phases of the game including blocked punts, blocked punts allowed, defensive touchdowns, fumbles lost, fumbles recovered, passes had intercepted, scoring defense, tackles for loss allowed, team tackles for loss, team passing efficiency, turnover margin, turnovers gained, and turnovers lost.
• Dayton also ranks top five nationally in blocked punts allowed (1st), fumbles recovered (4th), team passing efficiency (4th), passes had intercepted (1st), turnover margin (2nd), turnovers gained (2nd), and turnovers lost (2nd). 

MAKING THEIR MARK
• Dayton has multiple student-athletes ranking in the top three individually among PFL players: 
• Gavin Lochow - Ranks third second in receiving touchdowns (7th nationally) and second in receptions per game. 
• Bryce Schondelmyer - Ranks second in completion percentage (18th nationally), third in completions per game, second in passing efficiency (7th nationally), passing touchdowns (8th nationally), second in passing yards, third in passing yards per completion (11th nationally), second in points per game (18th nationally), and third in passing yards per attempt. 
• Michael Mussari - Ranks third in punt returns, third in receiving touchdowns (13th nationally), second in receiving yards (30th nationally), first in receiving yards per game (26th nationally), and third in yards per reception. 
• Josh Williams - Ranks second in forced fumbles (11th nationally) and second in interceptions per game (7th nationally).
• Vincent Firenze - Ranks second in passes defended (12th nationally).
• Brandon Martin - Ranks second in tackles for loss (27th nationally).
• Luke Hansen - Ranks second in total touchdowns (19th nationally) and third in rushing touchdowns (20th nationally). 
• Logan Forcum - Ranks first in punting.

TWO MORE PFL ACCOLADES FOR DAYTON
• Redshirt sophomores Bryce Schondelmyer and Brandon Martin were named PFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week respectively on Oct. 12. Schondelmyer had three touchdowns in the first half while Martin had three tackles for loss in the 48-10 win at Valparaiso. 

NEXT UP
The Flyers remain at home to host No. 19/21 Presbyterian in a battle between the top two teams in the PFL standings. Kick-off will be at 12 p.m. next Saturday, Oct. 25 at Welcome Stadium. 

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