Monday, October 24, 2005

THE WEEK'S OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES
OFFENSE
VAL WR Steve Ogden: 3 receptions for 129 yards, including 62-yard TD reception
MSU QB Brian Yost: 15-of-20 for 243 yards and all four MSU touchdowns
JAX WR Brett Dioguardi: 6 receptions for 82 yards, TD
DAY OT Ryan Winner: captain of offensive line which helped offense average 7.2 yards per carry and 5 TDs
USD RB JT Rogan: 31 carries for 176 yards and 9 receptions for 92 yards
USD QB Josh Johnson: 26-of-32 for 240 yards, 3 TDs and 12 carries for 81 yards, TD

DEFENSE
VAL DB Josh Bintzler: 12 tackles (6 solo), incl. TFL, forced fumble
BUT LB Mike Marzotto: game-best 13 tackles, his sixth-straight double-digit tackle effort
MSU CB Ricky Stautberg: 8 tackles (5 solo), one INT
DAV LB Alex Arinsmier: team-high 12 tackles (5 solo), �TFL, fumble recovery
USD DE Eric Bakhtiari: 8 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFLs
DRA DB Andy Green: redshirt freshman intercepted a pass for third consecutive game, 12 tackles

SPECIAL TEAMS
MSU PK Adam Jones: 21-yard FG and 4-for-4 PATs, 6 kickoffs with average opponent start at 17-yard line
JAX PR Nathan Connor: 67-yard punt return for TD, 4 returns for 86 yards (21.5 yards per return)
DRA DE Jake Ramos: blocked 43-yard field goal attempt

PFL WEEKLY STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points Scored: 12, by Scott Phaydavong (DRA), Matt Mong (DAY) and Ryan Wrobleski (DAY)
Total Offense: 321 yds, by Josh Johnson (USD)
Rushing Yardage: 240 yds, by Scott Phaydavong (DRA)
Passing Yardage: 243 yds, by Brian Yost (MSU)
Receiving Yardage: 129 yds, by Steve Ogden (VAL)
All-Purpose Yardage: 268 yds, by JT Rogan (USD)
Punting Average (min. 5 punts): 43.2 ypp, by Bradley Wilson (APSU)
Interceptions: 1, by several players
Tackles: 16.0, by David Haskins (APSU)
Sacks: 2.0, by Neil Andrews (DAV)
Tackles for Loss: 4.0, by Neil Andrews (DAV)

NATIONAL STATISTICAL TOP 10s
DAY QB Kevin Hoyng: 5th in passing efficiency (162.38)
DRA RB Scott Phaydavong: 3rd in rushing (148.57 ypg), 7th in all-purpose yardage (155.43 ypg)
DRA DB Andy Green: 8th in interceptions (0.57 int/pg)
MSU RS Nick Feldman: 2nd in punt returns (17.67 ypr)
USD QB Josh Johnson: 9th in passing efficiency (156.90)

DAYTON TEAM [6]: 5th in rushing offense (260.38 ypg), 5th in scoring offense (39.63 ppg); 7th in scoring offense (14.88 ppg); 7th in total offense (464.25 ypg); 8th in pass efficiency (162.72); 9th pass defense (142.38 yapg).
DAVIDSON TEAM [1]: 6th in turnover margin (+1.13 topg).
MOREHEAD STATE TEAM [1]: 7th in rushing offense (256.38 ypg).
SAN DIEGO TEAM [6]: 2nd in scoring defense (12.13 papg); 4th in pass efficiency defense (88.67); 5th in total offense (471.38 ypg); 7th in total defense (253.88 yapg); 10th in scoring offense (39.63 ppg); 10th in pass defense (143.00 yapg).

MOREHEAD STATE SECURES FOURTH STRAIGHT PFL CHAMPIONSHIP BID: Morehead State secured its fourth straight PFL Championship bid with a 31-13 victory over Davidson, Saturday. The Eagles completed a perfect run through the PFL South and will face the PFL North winner, Nov. 19.

SAN DIEGO'S FATE IN ITS OWN HANDS: San Diego clinched a share of the PFL North title, defeating Drake, 31-26, Saturday. The Toreros will look to complete an unbeaten run through the PFL North when they travel to Valparaiso this weekend. It would be the second divisional crown for USD, they shared the 2003 title with Valparaiso. However, Valparaiso is looking to play spoiler and keeps its own hopes of a share of the PFL North crown alive. The Crusaders are 1-1 entering this weekend's contest, but need home victories against San Diego and Drake to pick up a share.

2005 PFL CHAMPIONSHIP: The 2005 PFL Championship will be hosted by the PFL North champion, Nov. 19. It is the 5th PFL Championship since the beginning of the divisional era in 2000. The PFL North is undefeated in the four previous championships.

PFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ENDS AFTER 2005: With the 2006 change in regular-season scheduling, the PFL Championship will be discontinued after this season's championship game hosted by the PFL North champion, Nov. 19.

PFL TO 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, Sept. 7. 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 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.

DOLPHINS PLAY UNDER THE LIGHTS: Jacksonville will host a night game for the first time in school history, Thursday, when they host North Greenville. However, the Dolphins _ who don't have lights at their own D.B. Milne Field _ will host the game at Bolles High School in Jacksonville.

SECOND-HALF HUGE FOR MOREHEAD STATE: Morehead State has turned its last two outings around in the second half. The Eagles were already up 14-12 at halftime against Austin Peay, Oct. 15, but used a 30-0 second half to blow open the contest. This week, MSU was down at halftime, 7-3, but roared back with a 28-6 second half outburst to secure the PFL South title.

DAYTON AWARDS CHARACTER: Dayton backup quarterback Robert Dence was named the winner of the school's Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy at halftime of its game against Valparaiso. In its 50th season, the award is a character-driven honor that is the most meaningful award for the Flyer football program.

PICK HAPPY DAVIDSON ON DEFENSE: Davidson's did not nab an interception against Morehead State, Saturday, but remains I-AAs top INT threat. The Wildcats have picked off 17 passes this season, one more than second-place Wagner. Davidson also ranks among the I-AA top ten in turnover margin, with a +1.13 turnover margin per game, sixth best in I-AA.

FG TRIFECTA: Kickers are getting a toehold in the PFL this season, with 50-of-77 (.649) field goal attempts being made this season. In fact, four PFL kickers have recorded three field goals in a contest this season and one _ San Diego's Hutch Parker _ has hit three in a game twice this season. The list of three-goal kickers:
� Hutch Parker (USD) vs Azusa Pacific, Sept. 3 (4 attempts)
� Bradley Wilson (APSU) vs Cumberland, Sept. 10 (4 attempts)
� Brad Smith (DAV) vs Lenoir-Rhyne, Sept. 17 (4 attempts)
� Hutch Parker (USD) vs Yale, Sept. 17 (4 attempts)
� Adam Jones (MSU) vs. Butler, Oct. 1 (3 attempts)

SAN DIEGO AND THE SPORTS NETWORK POLL: San Diego remains in the top spot of the Sports Network Mid-Major poll, their first appearance in the top spot in poll history. The Toreros knocked off previous No. 1 Dayton, Oct. 15, and picked up all 28 first-place votes. USD was No. 2 in the poll the previous five weeks.

DAYTON AND THE SPORTS NETWORK POLL: Dayton, meanwhile, remains ranked No. 2 this week in the Sports Network Mid-Major poll . The move downward endeds Dayton's six-week reign as the mid-majors top team. The Flyers have been ranked either first or second in the Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major poll for 53 of a possible 62 weeks the Sports Network poll has been in existence.

PFL DEFENSES MAKE STAND: PFL teams combined to force 20 turnovers, Oct. 1, with eight fumbles lost and 12 interceptions in the five games on the league slate. More impressive were the four turnovers returned for touchdowns:
� John Hoppe (DAY) 47-yard INT return vs. Jacksonville
� Randell Odell (APSU) 57-yard INT return vs. Valparaiso
� Philip Bretsch (USD) 28-yard INT return vs. Menlo
� Brian Conway (DRA) 29-yard fumble recovery vs. Davidson

DAYTON EXTENDS STREAK: Dayton returned to its winning ways against Valparaiso, Saturday, and in doing so extended its streak of games without being shutout to 328. The Flyers were last shut out, Oct. 16, 1976, a 9-0 loss to Marshall.

NFL CONNECTIONS: San Diego head coach Jim Harbaugh isn't the only person with an NFL connection in the PFL. Davidson sophomore Beaux Jones is the son of former NFL quarterback Bert Jones, who played for the Baltimore Colts from 1973-1981.
Also, former Dallas Cowboy's kicker Billy Cundiff is a Drake alumnus. He was cut prior to the start of the 2005 season, but has three years of experience. Cundiff is in the NFL record books, with seven field goals made in a Monday Night overtime victory at the New York Giants last season.
Dayton's contribution to the NFL resides in Tampa Bay where head coach Jon Gruden, a 1986 graduate, became the second Dayton alumnus to coach a Super Bowl winner (XXXVII). He joined 1953 UD graduate and 1993 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Chuck Noll who won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XII & XIV) as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

CONSTRUCTION MADNESS: Two PFL members are playing away from their friendly confines due to renovations at their on-campus facilities, a third just completed renovations to its facility and another has plans in the works for stadium improvements.
Butler will play its first game this season at the Butler Bowl when it hosts Morehead State this weekend. The Bulldogs opened their season at the University of Indianapolis' Key Stadium due to renovations at the Butler Bowl _ the first time since 1928 that the Bulldogs have played a home-opener away from the Butler Bowl.
Drake will play its entire 2005 home schedule away from 79-year old Drake Stadium which is getting a complete facelift which should be completed in time for the school's internationally-known Drake Relays. Drake will host its four home games at high school campuses in the Des Moines area.
Davidson dedicated the newest additions to its football venue, Richardson Stadium, during a halftime ceremony, Sept. 10. Among the upgraded amenities are expanded stadium seating, new press box, weight room and visitors' locker room.
Dayton, Dayton Public Schools and the Dayton-Montgomery County Port Authority signed an agreement to work together to renovate Welcome Stadium. Thanks to the agreement, the Port Authority was able to acquire $1 million in this fiscal year and potentially another $1 million next year from the State of Ohio. Safety improvements, painting and new seating are scheduled to happen in the program's first phase, with a new FieldTurf playing surface and a new press box to follow.

PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATION: the Pioneer Football League's coaches 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.

PFL NORTH POLL RESULTS: Drake, the 2004 PFL Champion, received five of the nine possible first-place votes in the PFL North. Dayton and San Diego split the four remaining first-place votes and were picked second and third, respectively. Valparaiso and Butler round out the five-team PFL North, the two teams selected in a fourth-place tie.

PFL SOUTH POLL RESULTS: Morehead State, the three-time PFL North defending champion, received five first-place votes. Second-place Jacksonville picked up three first-place votes while Austin Peay, which was picked third, claimed one first-place vote. Davidson rounds out the four-team PFL South.