By Burt Leeson

Aiden McKinley Led The Flyer Defensive Effort With A Game-High 15 Tackles

FINAL STATS (pdf)

https://daytonflyers.com/documents/2023/11/4/FB_110423_Dayton.pdf

VALPARAISO, Ind. — The University of Dayton football team fell on the road, Saturday, losing 21-7 at Valparaiso.

UD was led by Aiden McKinley , who had a game-high 15 tackles, including nine solo hits and 5.5 tackles for a loss.

GAME RECAP
1st Quarter – Valparaiso 7, Dayton 0
•    Field position played a huge role in the quarter.
•    Dayton’s average starting drive began at its own 15, while Valparaiso average start came on the Dayton 43.
•    A fumble on a punt gave Valpo the ball on the Dayton 11, setting up the only score of the quarter.
•    The Beacons gained four first downs in the quarter, while holding the Flyer to one.
2nd Quarter – Valparaiso 14, Dayton 0
•    VU ran four plays in the first quarter, and another three in the second to drive 53 yards to make the score 14-0 with 13:30 left in the half.
•    UD’s deepest penetration in to Valparaiso territory ended on downs at the 35-yard line.
•    The Beacons gained 98 yards in the first half, the Flyers 44.
3rd Quarter – Valparaiso 14, Dayton 7
•    Great kick coverage pinned Valparaiso at its own 11-yard line, and after a three-and-out Dayton got the ball at its own 43.
•    The Flyers drove 57 yards in 12 plays to get on the board when Luke Hansen scored on a five-yard run.
•    Dayton out-gained Valpo 66 to 20 in the quarter.
4th Quarter – Valparaiso 21, Dayton 7
•    On the first play of the fourth, VU struck big on a thrd-and-10 from the Dayton 42, gaining 30 yards on a screen pass to set up the final score of the game.
•    After an exchange of punts, the Flyers embarked on the longest drive by either team, a 92-yard drive that started on the moving the UD three and ended at the Valpo five where Dayton turned it over on downs.
•    The Beacons were able to run out the final 2:32 of the game for the win, on the strength of another chunk play, a 35-yard run on third-and-four.
•    Dayton gained half of its 12 first downs in the fourth quarter.

BY THE NUMBERS
•    Field position continued to be a factor throughout the game.  Dayton started six drives inside its own 18, while Valparaiso had six drive starts at its own 47 or better.
•    Total offense was 219 to 175 in favor of Valparaiso.
•    Both teams ran 60 plays, and both teams were six-for16 on third down.
•    The Flyers had a season-high six sacks, led by Jack Wardzala’s two.
•    Aiden McKinley had a game-high 15 tackles.  His nine solo tackles were also a game high.
•    McKinley’s 5.5 tackles for a loss were the most in the Pioneer football League this season by two TFL.
•    He also forced a fumble and was in on half a sack.
•    Nathan Arthur recovered a fumble, and also tallied nine tackles (six solo).
•    A trio of freshmen led UD offensively.
•    Running back Luke Hansen carried the ball 15 times for 55 yards.
•    Quarterback Drew Van Vleet was 16 of 27 for 107 yards.
•    Gavin Lochow caught five of those passes for 30 yards.
•    Dayton is now 2-7, and 0-6 in the PFL.  Valparaiso is also 2-7 and 1-5.

UP NEXT
•    The Flyers return to Dayton for Senior Day against Marist.
•    UD’s seniors and their families will be recognized before the game and the Lt. Andy Zulli Award, will be presented at halftime.
•    Game time is 1 p.m. ET.

COURTESY DAYTON MEDIA RELATIONS