Sun, Sep 12, 2021

Senior Safety Comes Up With Two Big Plays That Led To UD’s Last 10 Points

ST. LOUIS – University of Dayton senior safety Brandon Easterling was named the Pioneer Football League’s Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the Flyers’ season opening 17-10 win over Eastern Illinois on Saturday.

Easterling led Dayton with eight tackles (four solo) and he made two big plays in the third quarter that led to a touchdown and a field goal in Dayton’s seven-point win.  After UD took the second-half kickoff and drove to take a 7-3 lead, Easterling forced a fumble on EIU’s first play and gave Dayton the ball on the Panther 43-yard line.  After the Flyers scored another touchdown, the Dayton D forced a three and out, the Fairborn native’s 29-yard punt return set Dayton up at the EIU 31-yard line, leading to a Dayton field goal for a 17-3 advantage. Easterling was also credited with a half tackle for loss and had another tackle for no gain.

The Flyer co-captain shared this week’s PFL defensive honor with St. Thomas defensive back Johnson Fallah.

A consensus FCS All-American in 2019, Easterling is on the watch list for the Stats Perform Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented annually to the FCS defensive player of the year.

Dayton goes on the road next Saturday, visiting eighth-ranked Southern Illinois at 7 p.m. ET.

COURTESY DAYTON MEDIA RELATIONS