4 Dayton Flyers named preseason All-Pioneer Football League
Pictured are (top row, l-r) linebacker Nathan Arthur and safety Cole Hildebrand and (bottom row, l-r) defensive tackle Sam Schadek and offensive tackle David Tkatch. (University of Dayton photos)
The Pioneer Football League announced its preseason all-conference team last week, and four University of Dayton Flyers were named to the squad. Dayton's selections consisted of linebacker Nathan Arthur, safety Cole Hildebrand, defensive tackle Sam Schadek and offensive tackle David Tkatch.
The Flyers' four selections were second only to defending champion St. Thomas' six picks.
Arthur is a linebacker from Cincinnati St. Xavier High School. He was second on the team in tackles (73) and tackles for a loss (8.5), and led UD in fumbles forced (3) in 2022. was named Second Team All-Pioneer Football League last season and is one of Dayton's four team captains.
Hildebrand was Honorable Mention All-PFL. He was third on the team in tackles (53) and led UD with three interceptions in 2022. He was fifth in the PFL in passes intercepted. He also had 3.5 TFL, three passes broken up, and had one fumble forced, one fumble recovered and a blocked kick. The redshirt junior safety is from Cincinnati.
Schadek is a graduate student from Columbus. A First Team All-Pioneer Football selection in 2022, Schadek led the Flyers in sacks (7) and TFL (11.5), which was fourth and ninth respectively in the PFL. He also recorded 44 tackles and batted two passes down at the line.
Tkatch is also a graduate student and one of UD's team captains. He is a two-year starter from Harmony, Pa. He is a two-time All-PFL selection, including First Team All-PFL last season.
Phil Steele's College Football also picked eight Flyers to its All-PFL teams. In addition to Arthur, Hildebrand, Schadek and Tkatch, four others were also named. Luke Brenner was a second team kick returner, Sam Webster was a second team placekicker, Sam Bubonics was a third team wide receiver and Michael Neel was a third team running back.
Dayton was picked third in the 2023 PFL Coaches Poll. UD was 8-3 overall in 2022, including 6-2 in the PFL, which tied for second place in the league.
The Flyers' first game under new coach Trevor Andrews will be Saturday, Sept. 2, when the UD opens the 2023 season at Illinois State. The home opener will be the following Saturday at 1 p.m. ET against Central State. For ticket information, please visit DaytonFlyers.com.