TODAY’S GAME
Dayton at Morehead State, 1 p.m., 95.7, 1290
When you replace a guy who was one of the best then good is not going to be good enough. That’s the life that Will Bardo has lived the last two seasons leading the Dayton football team to back-to-back 6-5 records.
It looked like more of the same this year. But after starting out 2-2, Bardo and the Flyers take a three-game winning streak to Morehead State today.
That momentum was boosted by the Flyers’ double-overtime win over San Diego last Saturday at Welcome Stadium. Dayton head coach Rick Chamberlin called the game one of Bardo’s best as a Flyer.
“I think Will has gotten into a routine here, into a rhythm confidence-wise with his running and his passing that can only help us win games down the stretch,” Chamberlin said.
Bardo ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more against San Diego. He piled up 361 yards of total offense.
“I don’t think I’m doing anything differently but definitely the confidence is there individually and as a team,” Bardo said. “We felt like anytime we were getting our hands on the ball we were going to score.”
As for those big shoes that Bardo had to fill, he is quickly closing in on the numbers that former Flyer quarterback Steve Valentino put up before him. Bardo is 317 yards shy of passing Valentino for second place on the list for career total offense. With another season of eligibility, Bardo could threaten the all-time record held by his position coach. Kevin Hoyng tops the career list in just about all of Dayton’s passing statistics.
Like the Flyers (5-2), Morehead State (3-4) has also won three games in a row, a streak that snapped a four-game losing skid to start the season. The Eagles are scoring 26 points per game but their defense is giving up an average of 40 points a contest.
Dayton and MSU are tied for second in the Pioneer Football League at 3-1, along with San Diego and Marist. Butler leads the league at 4-0.
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