DAYTON - The University of Dayton football team returns home to host Valparaiso University Saturday, Nov. 7 at 12 p.m. at Welcome Stadium.

It is Military Appreciation Day Saturday so military personnel can claim their free tickets here. 

SCOUTING THE FLYERS
Dayton enters the week atop the Pioneer Football League standings and on a four-game winning streak as the Flyers are 7-1 overall and 4-1 in league play. UD is 4-0 at home this season.

As a team, Dayton is scoring 33.5 points per game and holding opponents to just 21.8 points each outing. The Flyers are amassing 220.0 yards per game through the air and 162.0 yards per game on the ground, showing the balance of the UD attack that has used 12 different receivers and 13 different ball carriers this season.

Dayton's offense is led by senior quarterback Bryce Schondelmyer who has thrown for 1,701 yards and 16 touchdowns to just five picks at a 66.4 completion rate. Senior running back Luke Hansen just recently went over 2,000 yards for his career while unit mate Mason Hackett has four touchdowns and a team-high 88 carries. Senior receiver Gavin Lochow was last week's PFL Off. Player of the Week and has six touchdowns to move into second all-time in scoring in program history.

The defense looks to rebound from a tough outing at Stetson and back to the ballhawk style that has forced 10 interceptions, six fumbles, and 19 sacks. Junior Ross Coppock leads the way with 58 tackles while senior Joe Kingsbury has chipped in 55 tackles and 5.0 TFLs. Sophomore David Curl III has been a spark as well with 6.0 sacks and four QBHs while junior Jace Schaefer has a team-high 7.5 sacks.

The hero of multiple games for the Flyers has been their special teams. Dayton leads the PFL and ranks ninth in the country in kickoff return defense as well as leading the nation in fewest blocked kicks and punts. UD also ranks 11th in net punting thanks to senior Ben Lavelle who leads the league at 47.4 yards per punt

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Valparaiso is 3-2 in PFL play coming off a bye-week as they travel to Dayton for Saturday's match-up. 4-4 record overall, the Beacons are hoping to continue the momentum of a 17-point win over Presbyterian Oct. 24th, where they had 104 rushing yards and 275 passing yards. 

Head coach Andy Waddle is in his second year with Valpo after completing 12-years as the head coach at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.

The Beacons are scoring 27.0 points per game, and giving up 21.6 points to opponents. Valparaiso has collected 310.4 yards of offense per game, including 206.88 passing and 103.5 rushing, but against opposing squads, have allowed 192.3 rushing yards per game, for 359.3 total per outing. 

Senior quarterback Rowan Keefe has 10 touchdowns on the season, averaging 189.75 yards per game keeping the passing attack productive for the Beacons. However, kicker Luke Scoma is Valparaiso's top scorer with 48 points on the season. Chris Grundy leads the team with 28 completed receptions, four touchdowns and averaging 41.88 yards per game. 

Defensively, Valparaiso emphasized breaking up the pass rush with Max Samuel racking up 8.5 sacks and the team pulling down 11 interceptions. Anthony Feltrinelli leads the team with 58 tackles and 29 solo tackles. The Beacon defense has 215 total yards for loss on the season. 

SERIES HISTORY
This is the 21st meeting in program history for Dayton and Valparaiso with the Flyers controlling the series 18-3, being undefeated 10-0 at home. In the match-up last year, the Flyers defeated the Beacons in Valparaiso, 41-10.

LAST OUTING
• Dayton went down to Florida to take on the 1-7 Stetson Hatters in a trap game, but it was the Flyers that came out on top in a 44-34 thrilling win to stay in control of their postseason destiny. 
• Valparaiso had a bye week last weekend to rest up and prepare for the Flyers. Prior to that, the Crusaders defended their home field on Oct. 24 against Presbyterian. Valpo held its opponents to just seven points en route to its fourth victory of the season.

NEXT UP
Dayton will host Davidson College on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 12 p.m. at Welcome Stadium. It will be Senior Day for the Flyers. 

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