MOON TOWNSHIP, PA — The Dayton Flyers began the 2022 season with a come from behind, 22-20, victory at Robert Morris Saturday afternoon at Joe Walton Stadium in Moon Township, PA outside of Pittsburgh.
The win was Rick Chamberin’s 100th as head coach.
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The Colonials responded by scoring 14 unanswered points in the second quarter.
UD led, 6-0, after a pair of Sam Webster field goals. His first was from 36-yards out with 4:17 left in the first quarter and the second came with over 14 minutes remaining the first half.
Parker Fetterman scored from two yards out to give them a 7-6 advantage and following a Dakari Cabell interception, Anthony Chiccitt threw a five-yard touchdown pass Devon Moody to increase the lead to 14-6 at halftime.
The Flyers began the second half with the ball and drove to the Robert Morris 12-yard line but were stopped on fourth down and turned the ball over on downs.
After forcing a Robert Morris punt, Dayton drove to the Colonial 25-yard line and Webster’s third field of the game, 42 yards, cut the deficit to 14-9.
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RMU went three-and-out and UD took over at their 37-yard line. On the next play, Luke Brenner ran 63-yards for a touchdown to put the Flyers ahead, 15-14.
Dayton’s defense stepped up again when Ben Schmiesing intercepted a pass and returned it 29-yards to the Robert Morris 2-yard line. Four plays later, quarterback Dante Casciola scored from a yard out and UD led, 22-14, after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, Robert Morris drove to the Flyer 35-yard line but was stopped on fourth down to turn the ball over on downs.
Dayton went three-and-out and the Colonials drove to UD’s one-yard line where Anthony Page scored to cut it 22-20. Robert Morris went for the two-point conversion but missed and the Flyers retained the lead.
After forcing a Dayton three-and-out, the Colonials drove to UD’s 48-yard line. But Jake Simmons’ pass to Demonte Martin fell incomplete and UD ran out the clock to win the game.
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In his first start at quarter, Dante Casciola went 10-19 for 89 yards and an interception. He led Dayton in rushing with 96 yards and a score. Jake Chisholm had 75 yards and Luke Brenner ran for 63 yards.
Dayton’s improves to 1-0 on the season and will be on the road in Youngstown to play Youngtown State at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 10.