DAYTON - The University of Dayton football team heads back out on the road for Halloween weekend as the Flyers take on Stetson University Saturday. Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. ET in DeLand, Fla.

Dayton enters the week atop the Pioneer Football League standings and on a three-game winning streak as the Flyers are 6-1 overall and 3-1 in league play. UD is 2-1 on the road this year with its lone loss coming at Drake Oct. 3.

As a team, the Flyers lead the PFL first down defense, kickoff return defense, net punting, and scoring defense. Dayton is averaging 32.0 points per game while holding opponents to 20.0 points each outing. The Flyers get 149.1 yards per game on the ground and 222.0 yards through the air. 

Dayton's offense is led by senior quarterback Bryce Schondelmyer, who has been consistent with a 66.0% completion percentage, 13 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. He looks for senior wide receivers Michael Mussari (39 catches, 3 TDs) and reigning PFL Offensive Player of the Week Gavin Lochow (48 catches, 5 TDs) in the passing game while handing off to senior running back Mason Hackett (73 carries, 3 TDs) in the back field. 

The defense has had numerous players showcase their talents, including former PFL Defensive Players of the Week Joe Kingsbury (45 tackles, 4.5 TFLs) and Javawn Brooks (4 INTs, 4 BU). Safety Ross Coppock leads the team in tackles with 51 including 33 solo. 

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Stetson is looking to get back on the right track after dropping six straight games, heading into Saturday's contest with a 1-7 record overall and 0-4 PFL mark. The Hatters' lone win this season came at home against Webber International on Sept. 5, 45-10. 

Head coach Mike Jasper is in his second year at Stetson after coming over from his alma mater Bethel.

The Hatters are scoring 23.3 points per game, but giving up 43.1 points to opponents. Stetson accumulates 385.0 yards of offense each outing, including 281.8 passing and 103.3 rushing, but is allowing 443.0 yards to opposing squads. 

Junior quarterback Thomas von Grote has 17 touchdowns on the season, including a five-touchdown performance against Presbyterian this year. There have been 16 different Hatters receivers this season with Wyatt Rogers (53 catches, 623 yards) and Shawn Jones (29 catches, 7 TDs) powering the attack. Troy Flowers has team-highs of 85 carries and 343 rushing yards.

Defensively, Stetson has had trouble getting to the quarterback with just 9.0 sacks in eight games, but senior lineman Casey Bending has two of those to go with 5.5 tackles for loss. Shug Bentley leads the team with 61 tackles, as well as two quarterback hurries and three tackles for loss. 

SERIES HISTORY
Dayton and Stetson are meeting for the eighth time in program history with the Flyers controlling the series at six wins to the Hatters' one. In the match-up last year, Dayton defeated Stetson at home, 48-14, amidst a five-game winning streak.

LAST OUTING
• Dayton powered its way back from an early deficit to earn a 37-32 victory at home over San Diego last weekend. The Flyers trailed 10-0 before a 97-yard kick off return by PFL Special Teams Player of the Week LeRoy Lewis IV sparked a 37-12 the rest of the way as the Flyers rallied.
• Stetson's rally came up short as they fell at Morehead State 38-31 Saturday. Thomas von Grote's three touchdown, 350-yard performance was not enough as the Hatters dropped their fourth league contest. 

NEXT UP
Dayton will return home to host Valparaiso next Saturday, Nov. 7 at 12 p.m. at Welcome Stadium. 

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