DAYTON — The Dayton Flyers ended the 2021 season defeating the Davidson Wildcats, 38-29, on Senior Day Saturday afternoon at Welcome Stadium. Running back Jake Chisholm ran 34 times for 226 yards and tied a school record with five touchdowns, three rushing and two receiving. UD was outgained by Davidson, 490-302, in total yards in offense but never trailed in the game and scored ten points off three Wildcat turnovers. The Flyers end the season with a 6-4 overall record, 5-3 in the Pioneer Football League and winning their last three games of the season.
- For more Dayton Flyer news, visit the Home of the Flyers Facebook page.
Ben Schmiesing recovered a Wildcat fumble on the game’s first play and on the next play, Jack Cook threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Chisholm to give Dayton a 7-0 lead. Davidson responded with a 28-yard touchdown run by Dylan Sparks but the extra point was missed and UD still led, 7-6. The Wildcats were on the move for the lead but Elijah Smith intercepted Louis Colosimo’s pass and returned 62-yards to Davidson’s 33-yard line setting up a Sam Webster 45-yard field goal as the Flyers led, 10-6, after one.
Chisholm extended the lead to 17-6 with a 73-yard touchdown run in the second quarter but the Wildcats got a 26-yard touchdown run by Aris Hilliard and 37-yard field goal by Caden Bonoffski to cut Dayton’s advantage to 17-16 at halftime.
UD opened the third quarter with a 12 play, 67-yard scoring drive that was capped by a ten-yard touchdown reception by Jake Chisholm to expand the advantage to 24-16. Davidson turned the ball over on downs and the Flyers started their next drive at the Wildcat 49-yard line. Chisholm opened the fourth quarter with a two-yard score to give Dayton a 31-16 lead.
Davidson responded with a six-yard touchdown run by Coy Williams to cut it to 31-23. The Wildcats stopped Dayton on fourth down with 4:41 to play and two plays later, Colosimo ran 49 yards for a touchdown but the two point conversion was missed; UD led 31-29. The Wildcats’ onside kick attempt went out of bounds and the Flyers took over at Davidson’s 43-yard line. Four plays later, Chisholm ran 32-yards for his fifth touchdown of the day to increase it to 38-29. Senior Brandon Easterling sealed the game with an interception with 29 seconds left and Dayton ran out the clock.
During halftime, the University of Dayton presented the Lt. Andy Zulli Award to senior wide receiver Cameron Specht. It is considered the most prestigious award in the UD football program.
Dayton ends the 2021 season with a 6-4 record.
©2021 Cox Media Group
