The Dayton Flyer defense forced five turnovers as they defeated the Robert Morris Colonials, 31-14 at Welcome Stadium. UD had four interceptions and recovered a fumble. Matt Smyth intercepted an Erik Cwalinski pass and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown, 57 seconds into the game put Dayton ahead 7-0. The Flyers improved to 3-0 on the season.

Dayton continued to lead 7-0 when WR Steve Valentino returned a punt 37 yards to the Robert Morris 15-yard which led to a Nick Glavin 27-yard field goal to extend UD's lead to 10-0. The Flyers had a chance for more points before the first quarter ended Smyth had his second interception of the quarter and returned it to the Colonial two-yard line. Ben Shappie fumbled the ball at two-yard line and Robert Morris recovered to keep the Flyer lead, 10-0 after one quarter.

UD got their third turnover of the first half when DE Brandon Wingeier recovered a fumble to stop a Robert Morris drive with 10:17 remaining in the first half. The game stayed that way until the second when Cwalinski found James O'Quinn for an 81-yard touchdown pass to cut Dayton's lead to 10-7 with 8:28 left until halftime. The Flyers responded with a 10 play, 60 yard drive as they converted on two critical third downs on the drive. Valentino ran 15 yards on third and three to the Robert Morris 38-yard line. Five plays later, QB Rob Florian threw an 18-yard pass to James to give UD a first and goal at the Colonial one-yard line. Shappie finished the drive a couple of plays later with a one-yard touchdown run to give Dayton a 17-7 halftime lead.

The Flyers began the second half with the ball and got a 48-yard kickoff return by Valentino to have them start at the Robert Morris 40-yard line. It allowed the UD to get their second rushing touchdown of the game by RB Justin Millio to increase their lead to 24-7.

In the final quarter, DB Kevin Burns picked off Cwalinski's desparation pass and gave the Flyers the ball at their own 29-yard line. UD marched 71 yards down the field on seven plays and Florian found Valentino for 26-yard touchdown pass to put the game out of reach, 31-7. Burns intercepted his second pass of the quarter in the back of the end zone for a touchback, the fourth of the game for Dayton. The Colonials added a late touchdown but it was far too late as the Flyers won their third game of the season.

Dayton was outgained by Robert Morris, 368-300, but had 137 yards on punt and kickoff returns. Rob Florian went 18-35 for 186 yards and a touchdown. Steve Valentino caught five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. He also return four punts for 79 yards and one kickoff for 48 yards. Overall, Valentino had 199 all-purpose yards.

The Flyer defense had four sacks and forced five turnovers. Matt Smyth and Kevin Burns each intercepted two passes and Brandon Wingeier had a fumble recovery.

Dayton will play their first game away from Welcome Stadium next Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh, PA where they battle the Duquesne Dukes. The Bud Light pre-game show begins at 12:30 pm and kick-off is at 1 pm. Join Larry Hansgen and Mike McCall for all the action here on the home of the Flyers, AM 1290 and 95.7 FM, NewsTalk Radio WHIO.

by John Tisdell

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