By Malcolm Price
DAYTON – The University of Dayton football team will host Thomas More University on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 12 p.m. at Welcome Stadium. It will be the home opener for the Flyers as well as Youth Day with post-game autographs after the game.
Home games this season will be streamed live on YouTube. Click on the link above to watch.
SERIES HISTORY
Dayton and Thomas More are meeting for just the second time in program history and first time since 1992. On Oct. 24 that year, the Flyers were victorious at home, 18-7.
NEXT UP
The Flyers will have a bye week on Sept. 13 before returning to action on the road at Robert Morris on Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. in Moon Township, Pa.
WELCOME MAT
• UD moved to Welcome Stadium in 1974.
• The word “Welcome” implies hospitality, but UD has been anything but to its opponents, where it is 251-61-2 (.805).
• The “Welcome” is not a greeting, but an homage to the late Percival Welcome, longtime AD for the Dayton Public Schools.
SCOUTING THE FLYERS
• Dayton enters the 2025 season under the direction of third-year head coach Trevor Andrews, who has guided the Flyers to a 10-13 record so far and looks to improve on its win total once again this fall.
• The Flyers return a veteran group on offense including their top passer, rusher, and receiver. Juniors Drew VanVleet, Mason Hackett, and Gavin Lochow will power the offensive attack for Dayton while seniors and team captains Ryan Iiams and Ben Huefner will anchor the offensive line.
• Redshirt sophomore quarterback Bryce Schondelmyer made his collegiate debut in the road contest at Eastern Illinois to start the year.
•A transfer from Youngstown State, Schondelmyer earned the start and was 17-of-31 passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
• The defense will see a lot of new faces however in the starting line-up, but has a talented group of newcomers to mix with the returning players with expectations still high for the Flyers. UD held opposing teams to just 17.0 points per game in 2024 while limiting opponents to just 242.9 yards per outing.
• The special teams unit stayed mostly intact with seniors Robby Smart and David Maurer handling placekicking duties while junior Logan Forcum will be the main punter. Breakout returnmen Gavin Lochow and Paul Kelly will join junior transfer Michael Mussari on kick and punt return responsibilities.
• Dayton was picked to finish to fifth in the Pioneer Football League poll behind preseason favorites San Diego, Drake, St. Thomas, and Butler. The Flyers were tabbed to finish ahead of the likes of Morehead St., Presbyterian, and Davidson.
• The PFL Preseason All-Conference teams were announced as well with three Flyers recognized on offense and one on defense. Running back Mason Hackett, all-purpose player Gavin Lochow, and offensive lineman Ryan Iiams were chosen on the offensive side of the ball while cornerback Cam Cope was selected on the defensive side.
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COURTESY DAYTON MEDIA RELATIONS
