MOREHEAD, Ky.  – The University of Dayton football team traveled to Morehead State University Saturday afternoon in the 30^th meeting between the two teams and earned an 35-28 win.

The Flyers (4-1, 2-0 PFL) avenged its losses from the last two seasons while the Eagles (2-4, 0-2 PFL) are still winless in Pioneer Football League contests.   

GAME RECAP
1^st Quarter – Dayton 7, Morehead State 0

• UD got the ball first and had a sack fumble that was recovered by the Flyers back at their own five-yard line. Despite the close call, Dayton was able to punt the ball away without further incident.
• The Flyer defense answered the call on their first possession though, and held the Eagles to a three and out.
• Redshirt sophomore Bryce Schondelmyer was able to connect with junior Gavin Lochow for a couple of early catches to get some momentum going in the visitors' favor. The duo highlighted the drive with a tough 3-and-6 conversion where Lochow bounced off a couple of defenders and got the ball inside the 10-yard line.
• At the 6:40 mark, junior Luke Hansen rushed the final four yards to put Dayton up 7-0. It capped off a nine-play, 68-yard drive over 4:39.
• Morehead State countered with a couple of big plays to move the sticks on the ensuing drive, but Dayton forced a fumble of its own and the Eagles recovered to punt it away at the UD 44.
• Schondelmyer hit redshirt sophomore Donovan Weatherly towards the end of the first quarter for a 33-yard gain and moved the ball into enemy territory.

2^nd Quarter – Dayton 28, Morehead State 0

• The Flyers started off the second quarter with good field position at the MSU 41. UD Used a little trickery to catch the Eagles off guard as Lochow hit Weatherly in the back of the end-zone for a 19-yard touchdown pass. That put Dayton head 14-0 early in the quarter.
• Morehead ate up the clock over the next several minutes, but was only able to get the ball to its 47-yard line before an interception by redshirt sophomore Josh Williams gave UD back possession. It was his team-leading third pick of the season.
• Schondelmyer found redshirt sophomore Ethan Thulin in the middle of the field for a 23-yard gain with just under eight on the clock and UD threatening the redzone once again.
• The drive came down to a 4-and-2 yards at the 21-yard line when junior Mason Hackett ran it up the middle to give the Flyers a new set of downs. On the next play, Hansen ran it the rest of the way for his second touchdown and Dayton up three scores.
• On the Eagles' next drive, redshirt sophomore Joe Kingsbury put his helmet on the ball held by the MSU receiver and knocked it lose before the recovery by teammate Cam Cope gave UD the ball back once again with just over two minutes to go in the half.
• Schondelmyer showcased his legs with a 28-yard rush to set up a six-yard touchdown pass to Lochow.
• Dayton outgained Morehead 257-65 in the first half including 100 yards on the ground compared to 18 by the Eagles.

3^rd Quarter – Dayton 28, Morehead State 28

• The Eagles had the ball first in the second half and was able to move the chains into Flyer territory. Morehead managed to hit a big pass play before punching it in on the ground for its first touchdown of the contest at the 11:20 mark. Flyers still led though, 28-7.
• Then it was time for Morehead to try a trick play, getting the ball back after an onside kick and hitting a big passing play right after to put themselves in scoring position less than minute later.
• The Eagles punched it in to make it 28-14, still in favor of the Flyers.
• While Morehead continued to move the ball, Dayton's offense came out of the locker room at the half stagnant, trying to keep its defense on the sidelines to rest.
• MSU scored on its third-straight drive with a 41-yard pass play to make it a one-score game, 28-21.
• Dayton looked like it was going to be able to stop the run, but a fumble returned for a touchdown at the 2:36 mark tied it up at 28-28.

4^th Quarter – Dayton 35, Morehead State 28

• The Eagles had the ball to start the fourth, but the Flyers stopped the bleeding, forcing a Morehead State punt.
• The Flyers managed to move the ball into MSU territory, but were also forced to punt with neither team willing to give up the big play.
• Redshirt sophomore defensive end Brandon Martin pressured the quarterback and recorded a sack with just over eight minutes to go, making it a tough 3^rd-and-15. Morehead was able to convert with a QB sneak.
• Redshirt sophomore Sam Schmiesing added a sack just a few plays later, holding the Eagles to a field goal attempt that was blocked by fellow redshirt sophomore Vincent Firenze.
• Schondelmyer found redshirt sophomore Michael Mussari streaking down the sideline, with the receiver making a contested catch and getting Dayton in the redzone with just under four on the clock.
• The Flyers proceeded to use a heavy dose of Mason Hackett to burn the clock and he was able to punch it in with 1:46 left in the contest. It was UD's first score of the second half.
• It was not time for the Dayton defense to finish it off and it forced Morehead to turn it over on downs.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
14 – Dayton's two early touchdowns surpassed the Flyers' total the past two seasons combined against Morehead Stat, both UD losses.
3 – Josh Williams recorded his third interception of the season in the middle of the second quarter, which now leads Dayton through five games.
10 – Both Joe Kingsbury and Vincent Firenze finished the game with 10 tackles and at least 1.5 tackles for loss.
92 – Mason Hackett led the way with 22 carries for 92 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
2 – Luke Hansen added two more rushing touchdowns, giving him a team-high five on the season.
 
UP NEXT
The Flyers will continue its road stretch at Valparaiso next Saturday, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m.

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