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Stagg Bowl XVII
Dayton 17, Union 7
Phenix City, Ala.
Apart from a 23-23 tie at then-Division II Butler, the Flyers rolled through the regular season with an average winning margin of 34 points. The early rounds of the playoffs were much the same as the Flyers, coached by Mike Kelly, defeated John Carroll 35-10, Millikin 28-16 and St. John's 28-0.
The championship game, played in 38-degree temperatures on a Saturday afternoon in Alabama, was won on the defensive side of the ball. Union took the opening kickoff and scored the first touchdown of the game, including big runs by Ryan Mason and Tom Lombardoni and a big catch by tight end Mario DiLoreta, setting up a short fourth down at the 24, a play which Mason broke for 17 yards and set up goal to go. Mason plowed in for the game's first touchdown. But after that it was all Dayton on the scoreboard.
Lou Loncar was in the Union backfield all day long, and was credited with two sacks and six solo tackles. Linebacker Randy Robison was named the game's Most Valuable Player after making seven solo tackles and 10 assisted hits. Defensive tackle Robert Christy, cornerback Jon Husted and safety Sean Kenneally each had an interception.
Offensively, quarterback Dan Sharley scored both of UD's touchdowns on short runs. He was also 8-of-14 passing for 113 yards with six of the completions to wideout Bill Franks.
Playoff results
First Round
Union 42, Cortland State 14
Montclair State 23, Hofstra 6
Lycoming 21, Dickinson 0
Ferrum 41, Washington and Jefferson 7
Dayton 35, John Carroll 10
Millikin 21, Augustana 12
Central 55, St. Norbert 7
St. John's 42, Central 35
Quarterfinals
Union 45, Montclair State 6
Ferrum 49, Lycoming 24
Dayton 28, Millikin 16
St. John's 27, Central 24
Semifinals
Union 37, Ferrum 21
Dayton 28, St. John's 0
Stagg Bowl XVII
Dayton 17, Union 7, at Phenix City, Ala.