UD played Ohio University on Saturday in its most important game of the season to date.  The game had extra significance because no player on UD’s roster had ever beaten OU coming into the game.  It was OU’s first league game of the season. UD came in atop the Ohio DII standings at 1-0.

From the opening kickoff, it was clear that UD would rely on technical skills, while OU would focus on physicality.  Dayton managed to pin OU in their own end right from the beginning.  A botched goal line clearance kick landed right in the arms of UD lock Dave Coppiellie and he dove over the line to open the scoring only minutes into the game.  Sophomore Jack Brennan scored minutes later on a play that began around the 40 meter line. Hooker Dave Klug and Fullback Quinn Macali made nice passes to set up the try.  Eightman David Whitney scored the third try after OU failed to win its own 5 meter scrum.  UD kept the pressure up, and it paid off again as flyhalf Dave Koehneman drove over the line with help from forwards Luke McAuliffe and Dan Patek.  OU was flustered with the 26 point deficit because they did not ha chance to establish possession for more than a phase or two at a time. A line break by Koehneman led to a Kevin Corcoran try under the posts.  Senior Jim Paszczykowski had the final try of the first half when he dove over in the corner to make it 38-0.

The first half result for UD did not come without a cost though. OU’s physical style knocked out Jack Brennan and Dave Koehneman. UD also opted to make a few other subs in order to test out their depth. OU made some changes in an attempt to bring their team to life. As a result, the second half was much closer. OU wore down UD and put over two tries before UD opened their second half account. A penalty kick from Quinn Macali and a try from Bob Schuster made it 48-10. OU responded with another try to make it 48-15. UD’s scrumhalf Spencer Marsinek scored to end it at 55-15.

The forty point win was huge for UD’s confidence.  The win keeps UD atop the Ohio standings and puts them in the driver’s seat for playoffs. Up next, UD takes on another rival in Miami University.

The B side struggled with OU’s physical style of play. One large forward in particular had several bulldozing runs. The game was 0-0 for a long time before OU scored two tries. The final was 10-0.