DAVIDSON, NC — The Dayton Flyers 2022 football season came to an end losing to the Davidson Wildcats, 24-23, Saturday afternoon in Davidson, NC.
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UD trailed, 24-17, in the fourth quarter and got within one point following a 17-yard touchdown run by quarterback Shane Hamm but the extra point attempt by Sam Webster was low and wide with 14:18 left.
The Flyers also had a chance to win driving to the Wildcat 23-yard line but Webster’s 40-yard field goal was blocked with 5:09 remaining. Dayton had one last chance to with under two minutes but turned it over on downs.
The game was tight throughout. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the first quarter. Running back Jake Chisholm ran in from 15-yards out to put Dayton ahead, 7-0. But the Wildcats responded with a 72-yard run by Dylan Sparks. Coy Williams scored from three yards away four plays tie it at 7-7 after one quarter.
Both teams got field goals in the second quarter. Caden Bonoffski made one from 35-yards away and Webster’s 28-yarder tied it at 10-10 at halftime.
Jeremy Jonozzo’s third quarter interception stopped Davidson’s drive to begin the third quarter. Chisholm scored his second touchdown of the day from three yards out to put UD up, 17-10.
The lead lasted only 12 seconds as Sparks’ 75-yard touchdown run tied it at 17-17. Maxwell Weaver’s 35-yard touchdown catch gave Davidson a 24-17 advantage after three.
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Hamm’s touchdown run capped a seven play, 85-yard drive to cut it to 24-23. After Webster missed the extra point, the Wildcats drove downfield to Flyer 23-yard line but Bonoffski missed a 44-yard field goal.
Dayton drove to the Wildcat 23-yard line but could not get any closer. Tyreece White blocked Webster’s field goal attempt with just over five minutes to play. The Wildcats converted on fourth and one and forced UD to use their timeouts before getting the ball back with 1:05 remaining. The Flyers ran six plays before being stopped on fourth down and the Wildcats ran out the clock.
In his final game as a Flyer, Chisholm ran for 90 yards and two touchdown to finish over 1,000 yards for the third straight season. Hamm passed 123 yards and rushed for 32 yards.
Davidson ran for 281 yards, including 99 yards each by Sparks and Williams.
UD finishes the season with an 8-3 overall record, including 5-3 in the Pioneer Football League. The Flyers finish tied for second place with Davidson behind St. Thomas but they are not eligible for the FCS playoffs as a transitional institution.
Davidson receives the PFL’s automatic bid into the playoffs.