Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Pioneer Football League & Northeast Conference Champions to meet in

The Pioneer Football League (PFL) and Northeast Conference (NEC) today announced a two-year agreement to meet in the Gridiron Classic, an exempted postseason football game that will match the champions of the two I-AA football conferences. The inaugural Gridiron Classic will take place on Saturday, November 18 with the NEC champion serving as host. The PFL winner will host the 2007 event.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Athletic Director John Parry Announces Retirement from Butler University

John Parry, director of athletics at Butler University since 1990, has announced his decision to retire, ending the longest tenure at one school of any current NCAA Division I athletic director in Indiana. Parry will officially step down no later than Dec. 31, 2006, pending university transition plans.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

PFL Announces 2006 Schedule

For the first time since 2001, all eight Pioneer Football League teams will play one another in a round-robin format in 2006. Each PFL team will play a complete round-robin conference schedule, beginning when Valparaiso visits Morehead State, Saturday, Sept. 16. League expansion in 2001 led to the creation of divisions and team's were required only to play a round-robin schedule within their division. With the departure of Austin Peay after the 2005 season's conclusion, the league consolidated by removing the divisions. Thus, the league championship will be determined by regular-season play in 2006.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Jeff Voris Named Head Football Coach At Butler

Jeff Voris, who guided the football program at Carroll College (Wis.) for the past five seasons, has been named the 24th head football coach at Butler University. He's returning to central Indiana, where he began his collegiate football career as a record-setting quarterback and later as an assistant coach at DePauw University.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

PFL Offseason News Wire

Drake alumnus Cundiff signs with NFL's Green Bay Packers� Valparaiso head coach Adams Receives Four-Year Contract Extension� Davidson's Kinsell Named to Lott Trophy Watch List� Bernardi Returns to Valparaiso Football Staff as Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator� Jim Harbaugh Agrees to Multi-Year Deal With USD Football

Monday, December 5, 2005

Six PFL Student-Athletes named to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Teams

Six Pioneer Football League Student-Athletes received ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Honors, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors Association. The six PFL Academic All-America honorees were part of 17 PFL Academic All-District selections, including nine first-team All-District honorees which each qualified for the All-America ballot.

Monday, December 5, 2005

Thirteen PFL players named to Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major All-America squad

Thirteen players from the Pioneer Football League were among the 27 named to The Sports Network's 2005 I-AA Mid-Major All-America team. Mid-Major champion San Diego and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Duquesne led the way with four All-Americans each. A panel of I-AA media and sports information directors covering the 22 mid-major programs of the MAAC, NEC and Pioneer Leagues selected the team.

Monday, November 21, 2005

Drake, PFL alumnus Billy Cundiff back in the saddle for Cowboys

When former Drake University kicker Billy Cundiff originally suffered a quadriceps tear back in the Dallas Cowboys training camp, the Cowboys knew there would be an opportunity to re-sign him at some point, but it would be well down the road. Twelve weeks later, Cundiff � who set 15 Drake school and five Pioneer Football League records from 1998-2001 � returned and kicked two field goals, including a team-record 56-yarder, to help Dallas remain atop the NFC East standings.

Friday, November 18, 2005

Pioneer Football League Announces 13th Annual Academic All-PFL Teams

The Pioneer Football League announced today its 13th annual Academic All-PFL squads. Fifty student-athletes were named to the two squads, Dayton landing a league-best 11 student-athletes on both teams with San Diego adding 10 student-athletes.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Pioneer Football League Announces 2005 Divisional Post-Season Honors

Pioneer Football League officials announced today the winners of its divisional post-season honors: Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

13th Pioneer Football League All-Conference Team

The Pioneer Football League announced its 13th annual all-conference selections, Wednesday, with 53 players receiving first-team honors. PFL North Champion San Diego fielded eight first-time first-team honorees, senior wide receiver Adam Hannula moved up from honorable mention honors in 2004 to claim first-team recognition in 2005. The PFL South team is led by Morehead State's nine first-time, first-team selections.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

PFL Weekly Release - Nov. 14

San Diego vs. Morehead State for PFL Championship Nov. 19� Both teams are looking for there first PFL Championship� San Diego is making its first-ever title game appearance� Morehead State is making its fourth straight appearance� Saturday's game also first-ever meeting between the two teams� Read more about the week that was in this week's edition of the PFL Weekly Release.

Monday, November 14, 2005

PFL Players of the Week: Nov. 13

San Diego's Jon Polk was tagged for the start against Marist and responded by rushing for four touchdowns to pick up the PFL's weekly offensive honor. Davidson's Alex Arinsmier recorded 16 tackles � his fifth straight double-digit tackle effort � to earn the league's defensive honor. Punters Jonathon Thrasher (Davidson) and Joe Blahowicz (Valparaiso) both helped teams win defensive battles and share the week's special teams honor.

Monday, November 7, 2005

PFL Weekly Release - Nov. 7

Regular-season's final week ahead� San Diego remains consensus mid-major pick, but now receiving votes in I-AA polls too� Morehead State posts largest come-from-behind victory at Missouri-Rolla to remain unbeaten on road� Read more about the week that was in this week's edition of the PFL Weekly Release.

Sunday, November 6, 2005

PFL Players of the Week: Nov. 6

Valparaiso's Jeff Horton rushed for 227 yards � the second-best rushing effort in school history � and picked up the league's weekly offensive honor. Dayton's Casey Klaus picked off two passes, returning one 72 yards for a touchdown to claim the PFL's defensive honors. Drake's Ryan Horvath and Morehead State's Nick Feldman share the conference's weekly special teams honor.

Monday, October 31, 2005

PFL Weekly Release - Oct. 31

San Diego clinches PFL North title and will host 5th PFL Championship against Morehead State, Nov. 19� Toreros remain concensus mid-major No. 1� Jacksonville wins under the lights� Davidson picks 18th pass, remains I-AA's top interception squad� Read more about the week that was in this week's edition of the PFL Weekly Release.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

PFL Players of the Week: Oct. 30

It was Johnson & Johnson for San Diego as the Toreros wrapped up an undefeated PFL North run with a 63-21 victory at Valparaiso. Quarterback Josh Johnson threw for seven touchdowns in the first half to pick up the PFL's weekly offensive honor. Meanwhile, defensive back Mark Johnson returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown and nabbed the league's defensive honor. Dayton's Nick Ruhe picked up the week's special teams honor after returning a punt 64 yards for a touchdown.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

San Diego wins first PFL title in western-style shootout

The USD Toreros (11-1) earned their first-ever PFL Championship title with a hard-fought 47-40 victory over visiting Morehead State (8-4) before 2,883 fans at Torero Stadium. The fans got their money's worth with both teams combining for a total of 1,162 yards of offense. USD quarterback Josh Johnson, who earlier in the week was tabbed the PFL North Offensive Player of the Year, tossed 5 first half touchdowns in helping USD take a 34-20 intermission lead. Morehead State, behind the outstanding performance of QB Brian Yost (106 yards rushing and 1 TD; 265 yards passing and 1 TD), rallied in the final two quarters but came up just shy in an outstanding collegiate football game. The win was USD's 8th straight, and the team's 13th straight at Torero Stadium, matching the school record.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Kit Cartwright Released As Butler Football Coach

Butler head coach Kit Cartwright will not be retained after the 2005 football season, it was announced today by Butler athletics department. Cartwright, in his fourth season as Butler's head coach, will guide the Bulldogs in the final three games of this season.

Monday, October 24, 2005

PFL Weekly Release - Oct. 24

Morehead State claims fourth consecutive PFL South crown� San Diego clinches at least a share of the PFL North title� Jacksonville to play under the lights, Thursday� Dayton awards Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy for 50th time� San Diego remains consensus mid-major No. 1� Read more about the week that was in this week's edition of the PFL Weekly Release.

Sunday, October 23, 2005

PFL Players of the Week: Oct. 23

Dayton and Drake players split the PFL's weekly awards in Week 8. Drake's Scott Phaydavong rushed for a career-best 244 yards � the 8th best rushing performance in I-AA this season � to pick up the week's offensive award. Meanwhile, Dayton's Brandon Cramer returned a fumble 98-yards for a touchdown for the league's defensive honor. Dayton's Ryan Wrobleski and Drake's Ryan Horvath split the PFL's special teams award. Additionally, Jacksonville's Chad Davis earns special mention this week after rushing for 150 yards at Austin Peay � in his first outing since Nov. 15, 2003.

Monday, October 17, 2005

PFL Tiebreaker Scenarios

Monday, October 17, 2005

PFL Weekly Release - Oct. 17

Divisonal races heat up, San Diego hosts Drake in PFL North title showdown, Morehead State hosts Davidson in PFL South showdown� PFL Tiebreakers explained� San Diego new consensus No. 1, Dayton now No.2 in Sports Network Mid-Major Poll� Read more about the week that was in this week's edition of the PFL Weekly Release.

Sunday, October 16, 2005

PFL Players of the Week: Oct. 16

Three San Diego players received "Player of the Week" recognition: running back JT Rogan and quarterback Josh Johnson share the week's offensive honor while linebacker Kyson Hawkins picks up the weekly defensive award, for their efforts in USD's win at Dayton. Meanwhile, Butler's D'Andre Dowdy is the special team's honoree with his I-AA best 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Valparaiso.

Monday, October 10, 2005

PFL Weekly Release - Oct. 10

Davidson leads I-AA in interceptions, turnover margin� Butler scores second-half touchdown to snap San Diego streak� Dayton and San Diego consensus No. 1 and No. 2, respectively and square off Oct. 8� Read more about the week that was in this week's edition of the PFL Weekly Release.

Sunday, October 9, 2005

PFL Players of the Week: Oct. 9

Davidson's Ryan Hubbard put together I-AA's third-best receiving performance against Austin Peay, making five catches for 172 yards and three touchdowns to earn the PFL's weekly offensive honor. Valparaiso's Mike Jones had a hand on three turnovers and recored 10 tackles to pick up the league's defenisve honor. Meanwhile, Davidson's Brad Smith made a career-long 43-yard field goal and finished with nine points, six via field goals, to earn the conference's special teams award.

Monday, October 3, 2005

PFL Weekly Release - Oct. 3

Division play begins this week with four divisional contests on the slate� PFL defenses force 20 turnovers and return four for touchdowns� Dayton No. 1, San Diego No. 2 in all three mid-major polls� Read more about the week that was in this week's edition of the PFL Weekly Release.

Sunday, October 2, 2005

PFL Players of the Week: Oct. 2

PFL Offensive Player of the Week and Drake quarterback Connor Jostes became just the 12th I-AA quarterback to throw for four touchdowns in a game this season. The league's weekly defensive honor goes to Dayton linebacker John Hoppe for his nine tackle, two interception effort that included a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown. Morehead State punt returner Nick Feldman picks up the special teams honor after returning a punt 53 yards for a score.

Monday, September 26, 2005

PFL Weekly Release - Sept. 26

PFL North and PFL South split four interdivisional contests in Week 4� Dayton ranked number one in all three mid-major polls� San Diego ranked second in all three mid-major polls� Read more about the week that was in this week's edition of the PFL Weekly Release.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

PFL Players of the Week: Sept. 25

Davidson's Ryan Alexander just needed two-plus quarters to rack up the 15th best single-game passing performance in I-AA this season and earns the PFL's weekly offensive honor. On defense, Jacksonville Brandon Torre stopped two Butler drives by forcing fumbles and blocked a PAT for the defensive honor. Meanwhile, Drake's Jordan Bontrager opened his team's scoring against Austin Peay with a 60-yard punt return for touchdown to pick up special team's honors.

Monday, September 19, 2005

PFL Weekly Release - Sept. 19

San Diego posts PFL's first-ever victory against an Ivy League member� PFL kickers are hitting two-thirds of their field-goal attempts� Dayton, San Diego ranked No. 1 and 2 in Sports Network Poll, respectively� Read more about the week that was in this week's edition of the PFL Weekly Release.

Sunday, September 18, 2005

PFL Players of the Week: Sept. 18

San Diego's Josh Johnson and Drake's Scott Phaydavong split this week's offensive honor. Johnson threw a game-winning touchdown with six minutes remaining as San Diego became the first PFL school to defeat an Ivy League member. Phaydavong rushed for 234 yards � third best in all I-AA � to set up four touchdowns in Drake's 34-7 victory against Wisconsin-Platteville. Drake lineback James Adams picked up the week's defensive honor and kicker/punter Ryan Horvath earned the league's special team's honor.

Monday, September 12, 2005

PFL Weekly Release - Sept. 12

PFL Members go 5-3 in Week 2� Nine players are ranked among I-AA Top 10 statistically after the season's first two weeks� Dayton No. 1 in Sports Network Poll for 47th time in poll history� Read more about the week that was in this week's edition of the PFL Weekly Release.

Sunday, September 11, 2005

PFL Players of the Week: Sept. 11

Dayton's Kevin Hoyng repeats at the PFL's Offensive Player of the Week after posting 378 yards total offense against Wittenberg. Meanwhile, Davidson's Patrick Fitzgerald became only the second I-AA player this season to nab three interceptions in a single-game, accomplishing the feat against Greensboro, and earns the league's weekly defensive honor. Austin Peay got a 10-point performance from kicker Bradley Wilson who picked up the week's special teams honor.

Wednesday, September 7, 2005

PFL will return to single-division format in 2006

The Pioneer Football League will return to a single-division, round-robin format in 2006, the conference office announced today. The league voted this summer on the move back to a single-division format, which the league used in its first eight seasons. The change resulted from the league's reduction to eight members for the 2006 campaign � Austin Peay State University leaves the conference at the conclusion of the 2005 season. The final round-robin schedule will provide seven league games annually for all teams with alternating seasons of four home/three road and three home/four road.

Tuesday, September 6, 2005

PFL Weekly Release - Sept. 5

Pioneer Football League members went 4-4 in the opening week of the 2005 season. Read more about the week that was in this week's edition of the PFL Weekly Release.

Monday, September 5, 2005

PFL Players of the Week: Sept. 4

The season's first PFL weekly honors span the country. Dayton quarterback Kevin Hoyng picked up the week's offensive honor after completing 12 of 19 passes for 271 yards, part of a league-best 328-yard total offensive effort. On defense, Morehead State's Vincent Hinkle picked up the honor after recording 14 tackles, including two for loss and a quarterback sack. San Diego's Hutch Parker picks up his second consecutive special team's honor � he earned the last award of 2004 � after scoring 12 points, including a trio of field goals.

Sunday, September 4, 2005

2005 Pioneer Football League FINAL standings

Sunday, September 4, 2005

2005 Pioneer Football League Statistics

Friday, September 2, 2005

PFL Recaps: Week 1

Northern Iowa def. Drake, 52-17, Thursday

Thursday, September 1, 2005

Jacksonville-Southeastern Louisiana contest cancelled

The Jacksonville football team's game against Southeastern Louisiana scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1, at 7:30 p.m. has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled, due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. JU will now open the season against Georgia State at D.B. Milne Field next Saturday, Sept. 10, at 12:30 p.m.

Monday, August 29, 2005

All nine teams in action as season begins this week, coaches tab Drake and Morehead State for divisional crowns

The Pioneer Football League's coaches have tabbed Drake and Morehead State to win their respective divisions in the PFL's preseason poll. Drake is picked first for the first time since divisional play began while it is the fourth time in five seasons Morehead State has been chosen as the PFL South winner.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Drake tops Sports Network pre-season top-10

Drake's football team has the bulls-eye firmly painted on its back in 2005 after being named the Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major preseason favorite, August 8. The Bulldogs picked up seven of 17 possible first-place votes and 148 points for its first-ever No. 1 ranking. Dayton (No. 3), San Diego (No. 7) and Morehead State (No. 8) were also ranked among the polls top 10.

Monday, August 1, 2005

Valpo names Stacy Adams head football coach

Valparaiso University Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera has announced the appointment of Stacy Adams as head football coach, effective immediately. Adams, who has served as an assistant football coach at Valpo for the last 14 seasons, succeeds Tom Horne, who resigned for personal reasons after 16 seasons.

Monday, August 1, 2005

Long-time Valparaiso Media Relations Director Rogers resigns

Bill Rogers, who has served as Valparaiso University's Sports Information Director and Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations for the past 18 years, has announced his resignation effective August 5. Ryan Wronkowicz, who has served as Assistant Director of Sports Media Relations for the last five years, has been promoted to succeed Rogers as Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations, announced VU Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera.

Monday, July 25, 2005

Valpo head coach Tom Horne resigns

Tom Horne, who has served as Valparaiso University's head football coach since 1989, has announced his resignation for personal reasons, effective immediately. The University has begun the search process for a successor.

Monday, July 18, 2005

Pioneer Football League Announces Fall 2004 Academic Honor Roll

A league record-tying 299 student-athletes from nine member institutions were named to the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll for the Fall 2004 semester. Bolstered by three school's posting best-ever marks, the 299 members of the 2004 honor roll tied the mark set in 2003. The University of San Diego placed a league record 53 student-athletes on the honor roll.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Drake ranked No. 23 in Street & Smith Preseason Poll

The Drake football team is ranked No. 23 in Street & Smith's College Football 2005 Yearbook Top 1-AA Top 25 poll. The Bulldogs were just one of three nonscholarship programs recognized in the preseason poll, joining Penn from the Ivy League which was ranked No. 22, while LaSalle was ranked No. 25.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

10 PFL athletes named to Sports Network Preseason Mid-Major poll

Ten players from the Pioneer Football League are among the 28 named to The Sports Network's 2005 I-AA Mid-Major Preseason All-America team. Austin Peay, Dayton and Drake each had two players named and were part of seven league members to have athletes selected to the preseason squad.