Monday, October 31, 2005

THE WEEK's OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES
OFFENSE
VAL WR Joe Blahowicz: 3 receptions for 57 yards, 2 TDs
JAX QB Christopher Horton: 12-of-19 for 207 yards, 3 TDs and 5 carries for 55 yards
DAV WR Brett Dioguardi: 5 receptions for 125 yards, including 88-yard TD catch
DRA RB Scott Phaydavong: 11 carries for 142 yards, played only first half
DAY WR Ryan Wrobleski: 5 receptions for 87 yards

DEFENSE
JAX DE Jason Bense: 7 tackles (all solo), 3.0 sacks, four QB hurries
MSU LB Andrew Sturzenbecker: 15 tackles (6 solo), 3 TFLs, including one sack
DAV LB Alex Arinsmier: 14 tackles (8 solo), TFL
DAY S Brandon Cramer: 6 tackles (4 solo), INT in end zone on opponent's opening drive

SPECIAL TEAMS
JAX P Ryan Feely: 4 punts for 187 yards (46.8 ypp), 56-yard long punt and one inside-20
DRA P Ryan Horvath: 5 punts for 217 yards (43.4 ypp), 49-yard long punt and three inside-20
USD K Hutch Parker: 9-9 PATs, USD school-record
BUT P Phil Buchanan: 7 punts for 306 yards (43.7 ypp), 64-yard long punt

PFL WEEKLY STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points Scored: 24, Adam Hannula (USD)
Total Offense: 355 yds, Josh Johnson (USD)
Rushing Yardage: 143 yds, Jeff Horton (VAL)
Passing Yardage: 345 yds, Josh Johnson (USD)
Receiving Yardage: 172 yds, Adam Hannula (USD)
All-Purpose Yardage: 179 yds, Jeff Horton (VAL)
Punting Average (min. 5 punts): 43.7 ypp, Phil Buchanan (BUT)
Interceptions: 1, by several players
Tackles: 15.0, Andrew Sturzenbecker (MSU)
Sacks: 3.0, Jason Bense (JAX)
Tackles for Loss: 3.0, Andrew Sturzenbecker (MSU) and Jason Bense (JAX)

NATIONAL STATISTICAL TOP 10s
DAY QB Kevin Hoyng: 9th in passing efficiency (160.81)
DRA RB Scott Phaydavong: 3rd in rushing (147.75 ypg), 8th in all-purpose yardage (153.75 ypg)
MSU WR David Hyland: 9th in interceptions (0.56 int/pg)
MSU RS Nick Feldman: 2nd in punt returns (16.92 ypr)
USD QB Josh Johnson: 7th in passing efficiency (168.19)
VAL RB Jeff Horton: 10th in all-purpose yardage (144.33 ypg)

DAYTON TEAM [6]: 3rd in scoring offense (40.22 ppg); 5th in rushing offense (255.67 ypg), 6th in total offense (469.33 ypg); 7th in scoring defense (14.89 ppg); 9th in pass efficiency (159.50); 10th pass defense (147.44 yapg).
DRAKE TEAM [1]: 7th in rushing offense (250.88 ypg).
MOREHEAD STATE TEAM [2]: 8th in rushing offense (249.99 ypg), 10th in punt return yardage (14.76 ypr).
SAN DIEGO TEAM [6]: 3rd in scoring offense (40.22 ppg); 3rd in scoring defense (13.11 papg); 3rd in pass efficiency defense (91.37); 4th in total offense (473.56 ypg); 6th in total defense (261.33 yapg); 8th in pass efficiency (164.31).

2005 PFL CHAMPIONSHIP: The final PFL Championship is set with PFL North champion San Diego hosting PFL South Champion Morehead State, Nov. 19. The championship kickoff time will be determined at a later time. 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.

SAN DIEGO CLAIMS PFL NORTH CROWN: San Diego clinched its first-ever solo PFL North title with an undefeated run through divisional play. It is their second PFL North title, they shared the 2003 championship with Valparaiso. The Toreros will attempt to claim their first-ever PFL Championship when they host the PFL Championship, Nov. 19.

MOREHEAD STATE WINS FOURTH-STRAIGHT PFL SOUTH TITLE: Morehead State will make its fourth consecutive PFL Championship appearance after posting an unbeaten mark in PFL South divisional action. The Eagles are winless in their previous three tries in the PFL Championship, but will look to end that streak, Nov. 19, at San Diego.

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.

CARTWRIGHT'S NOT RETAINED AT BUTLER: Butler announced that Kit Cartwright will not be retained as head football coach following the 2005 season. Cartwright will coach Butler's remaining games against Dayton and Missouri-Rolla.

DOLPHINS WIN UNDER THE LIGHTS: Jacksonville hosted a night game for the first time in school history, Thursday, Oct. 27, and defeated North Greenville, 52-13. The second-largest home crowd in Jacksonville history _ 3,328 strong _ saw senior linebacker Brandon Torre put a charge into the nighttime air with a 12 tackle-effort that made him the Dolphins all-time tackles leader.

SECOND-HALF HUGE FOR MOREHEAD STATE: Morehead State almost made it three weeks in a row with a second-half turnaround, but couldn't complete the effort against Tiffin. The Eagles have outscored their opponents, 65-6, in the second half of their last three outings. However, MSU couldn't overcome a 17-7 halftime deficit against Tiffin, Saturday, scoring only one second-half touchdown on the way to a 17-14 loss that snapped a four-game win streak.

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 Oct. 23 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: Freshman Peter Bakke nabbed his first career interception in Davidson's loss to Dayton, the 18th interception for the Wildcats this season. The Wildcats are tied a top the I-AA interception rankings with Wagner. Davidson also ranks among the I-AA top 20 in turnover margin, with a +0.78 turnover margin per game, 15th best in I-AA.

FG TRIFECTA: Kickers are getting a toehold in the PFL this season, with 54-of-88 (.614) 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: For the third straight week, 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 ended 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 extended its streak of games without being shutout to 328 with a interdivisional victory at Davidson, Saturday. 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.