April 9, 2006

Defense ruled the day at Welcome Stadium on Sunday as the University of Dayton football team concluded its 2006 spring season with the inaugural "Flyer Bowl." Under a scoring system that awarded points for successful plays for the offense and the defense, the Dayton D prevailed in the scrimmage 24-8.

A change in Pioneer Football League regulations permitted full contact workouts for the first time this year, and this was UD's first spring game since going non-scholarship in 1977.

The Flyers finished 9-1 overall, and 3-1 in the Pioneer Football League's North Division last season. UD had its school-record 29h straight winning season, extending the Flyers' school record. That ties Dayton with Florida State with the longest such streak among Division I football-playing schools. UD was ranked second in the nation in the final Sports Network and Football Gazette NCAA Division I-AA Mid-Major rankings.

Dayton will open the 2006 season on Saturday, September 2, when the Robert Morris Colonials visit Welcome Stadium.