University of Dayton football announces team captains

University of Dayton football coach Trevor Andrews has named safety Ca'ron Coleman and center Dylan DeMaison the Flyer team captains for the 2024 season. The results of the team vote were announced after Sunday's spring game.

Coleman is a junior safety from Piqua. The team's White Allen Most Valuable player in 2023, he was third on the team in total tackles (77), solo tackles (34), tackles for loss (8.0), sacks (2.0) and QB hurries (2). He led the Flyers in fumbles forced (3) last season and was one of four player on the team who recovered two fumbles. He was named Honorable Mention All-Pioneer Football League.

DeMaison was named First Team All-Pioneer Football League last season. He was named UD's Offensive Player of the Week three times during the year, and earned UD's Stan Kurdziel Award as the top lineman on the team. A three-year starter, he enters 2024 with 30 starts to his credit. The Cincinnati La Salle product is a two-time First Team Academic All-PFL selection, and last year he was also named academic all-district.

The Flyer spring game was a controlled offense vs. defense scrimmage. An evenly played contest, the offense drove to field goal range twice in the first half with no points. In the third quarter Drew Van Vleet led a drive that ended on a scoring pass to Gavin Lochow, and in the fourth, Liam Poronsky hit Jack Tess on another touchdown. The Flyer defense came up with three interceptions, including one on the final play of each half.

"Unlike last year, we have a better idea of who we are heading into today's game," Andrews said. "Our main goal this spring was to develop quality depth, and I think we've done that. I saw good individual plays from guys who are competing for those spots on both sides of the ball. It's been a good spring."

Dayton opens the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31 at home against Saint Francis. 

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