DAYTON - The University of Dayton football team will head out on the road for the first time this season as they travel to Eastern Kentucky University Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. in Richmond, Ky.

Dayton enters the week with a 2-0 record on the year after home wins over Fairmont State and Thomas More. EKU presents the biggest challenge yet this year for the Flyers, who were 4-2 in true road games last year. 

As a team, the Flyers are averaging 36.5 points per game and holding opponents to just 13.5 points each outing. That ranks seventh in the nation while UD also ranks seventh in passing yards allowed, sixth in interceptions, and fifth in passing defense. 

Leading the way for the Flyers is senior quarterback Bryce Schondelmyer with 196.0 yards per game and a 65.4 completion percentage. Senior running backs Mason Hackett and Luke Hansen power the ground game while senior receivers Gavin Lochow and Michael Mussari stretch the field through the air. 

Junior defensive back Javawn Brooks lead the country in interceptions per game while teammate Ben Lavelle leads the nation in punting average and David Maurer leads with field goal percentage. 

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Eastern Kentucky is coming off a 5-7 record in the 2025 season, including a 3-5 record in the UAC. The Colonels are 1-2 so far this season, but celebrating their first win last weekend in their home opener against Chattanooga.

Head coach Walt Wells is in his seventh season leading the Colonels. EKU returns a veteran group led by junior linebacker Kaden Smith, who was named the Preseason UAC Defensive Player of the Year. Senior running back Brayden Latham and fifth-year defensive back Derek Taylor were also named Preseason All-UAC.

The Colonels are averaging 16.7 points per game so far this season, giving up 37.0 points to their opponents. EKU is averaging 178.0 yards per game on the ground, and 171.7 yards through the air. The team has scored seven offensive touchdowns across three games.

Eastern Kentucky is led by quarterback Tyler Travers, the sophomore who has completed 47 of 76 passes so far. In his first year starting for the Colonels, he is leaning on junior running back Brady Hensley who has scored two touchdowns, and senior Elijah Caldwell who is the leading wide receiver in yards and receptions

SERIES HISTORY
Dayton and Eastern Kentucky are meeting for the eighth time in program history with the Colonels leading the series 4-3. The two teams have not faced off since 1981 when EKU handed UD its only loss of the regular season as the Flyers went on to finish the DIII National Finalists.

NEXT UP
Dayton will have its second bye week of the season next Saturday before returning to action on Oct. 3 at Drake. 

LAST OUTING
• Dayton added a second win to its season, dominating Thomas More 30-7 on Sept. 12.
• Eastern Kentucky is coming off their home opener and first win of the season against Chattanooga, 22-17.

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