Nov. 3, 2007

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DAYTON, Ohio - Senior running back Ben Shappie ran for two touchdowns and senior quarterback Kevin Hoyng threw for two scores and rushed for one TD as the Dayton Flyers rolled to a 61-0 victory over the Butler Bulldogs on Senior Day.

On the defensive side senior Scott Vossler had seven tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, junior Kevin Burns returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown and senior Steve McDonald ran back a fumble 41 yards for a score.

The Flyer defense was stellar once again, allowing 69 total yards against Butler's offense, recording four sacks, forcing two turnovers (scoring on both of them) and allowing only six first downs.

Dayton's offense controlled play throughout rushing for 246 total yards, converting 29 first downs and gained 530 yards of total offense.

UD, ranked No. 1 in the FCS Mid-Major football poll, won its fifth in a row and improved to 9-1 overall and 5-1 in the PFL. The Flyers need to win next week on the road against the Drake Bulldogs and a loss by Morehead State against San Diego to advance to the Gridiron Classic.

Dayton opened the scoring barrage when Shappie took the option from Hoyng and scampered 11-yards to put the Flyers ahead 7-0. On the next drive, Hoyng found Matt Champa over the middle for a 19-yard score to put the Flyers ahead 14-0.

Hoyng then capped the scoring in the first quarter when he added a 28-yard touchdown run to give the Flyers a 20-0 cushion with a failed kick on the point after attempt.

After Butler's offense punted away the football on its next drive, Dayton's quick strike offense produced once again when Hoyng found Justin Watkins for a 29-yard score putting the Flyers ahead 27-0.

With 12:59 left in the first half, Hoyng's day was done. He was 15 of 18 passing for 227 yards and two TD's, and was UD second-leading rusher with three carries for 39 yards. In just 27 plays, Hoyng accumulated 266 yards in total offense with three TD's.

The UD defense got in on the action when McDonald recovered a Butler fumble 20 seconds later and extended the Flyer advantage to 34-0.

The Flyers continued to convert against the Butler defense with a 10-play 71-yard drive capped by Shappie's second TD run of the day. Shappie finished the game with six carries for 56 yards, while O'Dell tallied six catches for 58 yards and a score.

The 41-0 lead at the half wasn't the only highlight for the Flyers. During halftime David Walbright, a senior defensive end for the University of Dayton, was named the winner of the 52nd presentation of the Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy.

In the second half, the Flyers kept rolling on the offensive end when freshman Andrew Zapinski scored from seven yards out to finish a 13-play, 77-yard drive and give UD a 48-0 lead.

On the ensuing Butler drive, Burns picked off a pass on the left side of the side field and returned it back for his first career touchdown giving Dayton a 55-0 cushion. The Flyers completed the scoring on a four-yard TD run from Steve Valentino.

The game was called with 53 seconds remaining on when one of the chain gang officials had a medical emergency.

Other contributors for the Flyers included senior Nick Ruhe with seven catches for 65 yards and seniors Brian Kelly and Scott Vossler with seven tackles.

Dayton improves to 9-1 overall, and 5-1 in the Pioneer Football League. The Flyers are tied for first in the PFL. Butler is now 4-6, and 0-6 in league play.

Dayton closes out the regular season next week at Drake. Game time is 2:00 p.m. ET. A UD win will clinch a share of the PFL title for the Flyers, and a Dayton win and a Morehead State loss (at home against San Diego) will qualify UD to be the PFL representative in the Gridiron Classic on December 1.