DetroitFlyer
April 9th, 2008, 12:54 PM
http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/college/ud/2008/04/09/ddn040908spinside.html
By Mark Gokavi
Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Rick Chamberlin doesn't really realize Mike Kelly isn't at spring football practice.
"We are so busy we don't notice that," the new University of Dayton coach said. "He would wholeheartedly agree with that."
But it does strike Chamberlin once per practice that it's a new era.
"Standing before the players and talking to them at the end of practice — being in that position is a little different," he said. "Seeing Mike standing in front of them for 20-some years, that's when I notice it."
The spring Red/Blue game has been changed to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 20, due to scheduling conflicts. The move enables UD to have its cookout, contests and other extracurricular activities start at about noon.
Other football developments:
• Five fifth-year seniors — quarterback Rob Florian, running backs Ben Shappie and James Wade, defensive end Scott Vossler and nickel back Steve McDonald — are back from last year's 11-1 Pioneer Football League champs.
"You're talking about the core there," Chamberlin said. "They all bring something we need. Rob's been Kevin (Hoyng's) backup, but any time we called on him, he was ready."
Florian, who threw for 411 yards (three short of UD's school record) in his first start in Jacksonville in 2006, gets his chance to run the spread offense.
• In part due to Justin Watkins' inability to practice this spring after an ACL injury late last year, the Flyers have moved defensive back James Ward and running back Justin Millio to receiver.
Those two, Nick Collins and others will compete with Watkins and J Michael Jonard to fill the receiver spots this fall.
• The "unofficial, unreleased" 2008 football schedule looks like this: Aug. 31 vs. CSU (at Welcome Stadium); Sept. 13 vs. Fordham; Sept. 20 vs. Robert Morris; Sept. 27 at Duquesne; Oct. 4 vs. Campbell; Oct. 11 vs. Drake; Oct. 18 t Davidson; Oct. 25 vs. Valparaiso; Nov. 1 at San Diego; Nov. 8 at Butler; Nov. 15 vs. Morehead State; Nov. 22 at Jacksonville.
The Flyers play five of their first six at Welcome and three of their last four on the road.
Pretty good schedule. 12 games, 11 FCS games, and one game against a Division II team, Central State. ( A team that is also on Youngstown State's schedule this year by the way ). OOC includes two NEC games and one PL team! I can live with this schedule. Even though CSU is a Division II team, they have a very loyal fan base, and will be one of the best attended games at Welcome Stadium this year!
By Mark Gokavi
Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Rick Chamberlin doesn't really realize Mike Kelly isn't at spring football practice.
"We are so busy we don't notice that," the new University of Dayton coach said. "He would wholeheartedly agree with that."
But it does strike Chamberlin once per practice that it's a new era.
"Standing before the players and talking to them at the end of practice — being in that position is a little different," he said. "Seeing Mike standing in front of them for 20-some years, that's when I notice it."
The spring Red/Blue game has been changed to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 20, due to scheduling conflicts. The move enables UD to have its cookout, contests and other extracurricular activities start at about noon.
Other football developments:
• Five fifth-year seniors — quarterback Rob Florian, running backs Ben Shappie and James Wade, defensive end Scott Vossler and nickel back Steve McDonald — are back from last year's 11-1 Pioneer Football League champs.
"You're talking about the core there," Chamberlin said. "They all bring something we need. Rob's been Kevin (Hoyng's) backup, but any time we called on him, he was ready."
Florian, who threw for 411 yards (three short of UD's school record) in his first start in Jacksonville in 2006, gets his chance to run the spread offense.
• In part due to Justin Watkins' inability to practice this spring after an ACL injury late last year, the Flyers have moved defensive back James Ward and running back Justin Millio to receiver.
Those two, Nick Collins and others will compete with Watkins and J Michael Jonard to fill the receiver spots this fall.
• The "unofficial, unreleased" 2008 football schedule looks like this: Aug. 31 vs. CSU (at Welcome Stadium); Sept. 13 vs. Fordham; Sept. 20 vs. Robert Morris; Sept. 27 at Duquesne; Oct. 4 vs. Campbell; Oct. 11 vs. Drake; Oct. 18 t Davidson; Oct. 25 vs. Valparaiso; Nov. 1 at San Diego; Nov. 8 at Butler; Nov. 15 vs. Morehead State; Nov. 22 at Jacksonville.
The Flyers play five of their first six at Welcome and three of their last four on the road.
Pretty good schedule. 12 games, 11 FCS games, and one game against a Division II team, Central State. ( A team that is also on Youngstown State's schedule this year by the way ). OOC includes two NEC games and one PL team! I can live with this schedule. Even though CSU is a Division II team, they have a very loyal fan base, and will be one of the best attended games at Welcome Stadium this year!