Dayton primed for another big season

Apr 24, 2016 - 9:46 PM (STATS) - Members of last year's Dayton squad received their 2015 Pioneer Football League championship rings Sunday.

They were the Flyers' 12th PFL champions in the 23-year history of the league, but that team will be remembered more for being the program's first to make the FCS playoffs.

That's where the Flyers want to go again this year - they could become the league's first back-to-back qualifier - and they hope the foundation was set during spring practices, which concluded Sunday with the Red squad beating the White 35-15 in the intrasquad game at Welcome Stadium.

Quarterback Alex Jeske passed for two touchdowns and running back Tucker Yinger scored twice to spark the Red.

"It was a good day for Flyer football," head coach Rick Chamberlin said. "We've had a competitive spring, and we had some good plays on both sides today. We had a real nice crowd today, and it was good to see so many former players come out as well as the families of our veteran players and our new players.

"Our team motto this year is 'Still Hungry,'" Chamberlin continued. "I fully expect that to carry into our summer and that we will return to camp with an edge heading into the 2016 season."

Dayton won its first 10 games in a 10-2 finish last year, tying San Diego for the PFL title and falling to Western Illinois in the first round of the playoffs.

With a number of key fifth-year seniors returning, the Flyers are highly experienced - there are eight starters on offense and seven on defense plus the two kickers return.

Standout linebacker Chris Beaschler sat out the spring after having ankle surgery, but is expected to healthy for the start of the season.

Dayton kicks off the new campaign by hosting Central State on Sept. 3.