Dayton Flyers Ranked #2

The University of Dayton football team has been ranked #2 by the Sports Network in the 1-AA Mid-Major poll. The flyers will face 5 ranked teams this year including the season finale against the San Diego Toreros who happen to be ranked #1 in the same preseason poll.

Mike Kelly and the Flyers football team return 16 starters from last years team that went 9 -1 and finished #2 in the final 2005 Sports Network 1-AA Mid-Major poll. The flyers will have to compete at a high level to equal last year’s success.

Six starters have graduated from the offensive side. Those players will be hard to replace especially 2005 offensive line All-Americans Ross Mroczek and Ryan Winner. However QB Kevin Hoyng will be back behind center to lead a young offense. Kevin set the UD record with 2,547 yards of total offense.

The defense will once again be the anchor for Mike Kelly and his staff. The defense returns all 11 starters including 2005 PFL defensive player of the year LB John Hoppe, who is hoping to have a monster senior year for the flyers. John and DB Casey Klaus (2006 preseason first team All-Americans) are going to lead this year’s defense. Last years defense allowed just 14.1 points a game, so look for the same with this year’s team.

The Flyers open the season on September 2nd against Robert Morris at Welcome Stadium. There are just 16 days left until the season opener. Dayton Insider will preview the game as we get closer to kick off.