Dayton Holds Off Valparaiso 31-20

Bryce Schondelmyer threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes as Dayton won its fifth straight game and improved to 8-1 overall.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Football

Dayton defeated Valparaiso 31-20 at Welcome Stadium on November 7, 2026. The win extended Dayton's winning streak to five games and moved the Flyers to 5-1 in Pioneer Football League play.

Why it matters

The victory keeps Dayton in the mix for the Pioneer Football League championship as the season nears its end. Dayton trailed 20-17 entering the fourth quarter before scoring two touchdowns to take control.

Schondelmyer completed 23 of 32 passes for 291 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions, while Ethan Thulin caught seven passes for 91 yards. The source does not indicate what remaining schedule Dayton faces before the conference title picture is settled.

The players

Dayton Flyers

The University of Dayton's football program competes in the Pioneer Football League and is based in Dayton, Ohio.

Bryce Schondelmyer

Dayton's quarterback who threw four touchdown passes and three interceptions in the win over Valparaiso.

The details

Schondelmyer threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Michael Mussari with 10 minutes, 29 seconds left in the fourth quarter, then connected with Gavin Lochow on a 34-yard score with 1:38 remaining after Jace Schaefer intercepted a pass and returned it 17 yards. Collin Ansel recorded three sacks in the win.

November 7, 2026: Dayton defeats Valparaiso 31-20 at Welcome Stadium.

Basketball
Nov. 3
Dayton Leads NJIT 47-23 at Halftime

Season Trajectory

Dayton's fifth straight win and 5-1 Pioneer Football League mark place it among the conference's leading contenders as the season reaches its late stage. The result strengthens the Flyers' position in a league race where every conference game carries postseason weight.

Dayton's quarterback Bryce Schondelmyer threw 291 passing yards and four touchdowns in the win, making him a key player for fantasy and campus followers to track. The Flyers' 5-1 Pioneer Football League record means each remaining conference game affects playoff positioning.

The takeaway

Dayton's comeback from a 20-17 deficit shows how the team's late-game passing can change the outcome of a conference matchup. Fans following the Flyers should watch how the offense performs in the remaining Pioneer Football League games.