Grit Powers Dayton Football Past 14th-Ranked Indiana State In Season Opener

Atticus Hughes
Contributing Writer

On Sept. 7, your Dayton Flyer football team entered enemy territory to face off against Indiana State, the 14th ranked FCS school in the country. Dayton was facing its highest ranked opponent in their illustrious school history. With the odds stacked against the Flyers, they pulled out a 45-38 win against the Sycamores on their home field.

The offensive attack was led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Jack Cook and senior running back Sean Prophit. Cook built on his productive freshman season, which saw him recognized for numerous awards, compiling 303 total yards and four total touchdowns in a winning effort. Cook was named the Pioneer Football League’s (PFL) Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts. 

Prophit added a much needed boost in the running game after the crucial loss of Tucker Yinger last season, Dayton’s all time leading rusher. The senior picked up right where Yinger left off, rushing for 65 yards on two carries for two touchdowns. Along with Cook and Prophit, Senior tight end Adam Trautman showed why he is drawing attention from NFL scouts. Trautman caught 11 passes for 132 yards.

With the lead changes bouncing back and forth, it was the defense that made the difference in the end. Interceptions from senior Tim Simon and red-shirt freshman Zach Rumpke gave the Flyers the edge they needed in the turnover battle. 

Simon had 11 tackles to add to his interception and was named the PFL Defensive Player of the Week.

A win against the 14th-ranked Sycamores sets the tone for the Flyers season and what we may see in the future. Before the game, head coach Rick Chamberlain preached on this Flyer team’s motto for the season. It can be summed up in one word: Grit. 

Grit is exactly what we saw on display in Dayton’s first game of the season. Despite surrendering over 505 total yards to the Sycamores, the Flyers held strong and relied on their “grit” to pull off the upset victory to start the season.

Dayton was able to maintain a perfect record Sept. 14, with a 34-31 win over Robert Morris on the road.