Dayton runs for 240 yards and 6 TDs as the Flyers take care of Valparaiso 48-14

Dayton defeats Valparaiso 48-14

DAYTON, Ohio — Taylor Harris ran for three touchdowns and Andrew Zapinski added two more rushing scores as Dayton blew out Valparaiso 48-14 on Saturday.

With the score tied 7-7 in the opening quarter, the Flyers (4-1, 2-0 Pioneer League) took the lead on an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Gary Hunter — Dayton’s first kickoff return for a touchdown since 1998.

Quarterback Steve Valentino then scored on a 1-yard run to give Dayton a 21-7 halftime lead.

Harris scored on touchdown runs of 1 and 5 yards in the third quarter to extend the Flyers’ lead to 35-7.

After a 2-yard touchdown run by Zapinski gave Dayton a 42-7 lead with 10:50 remaining in the fourth quarter, Valparaiso’s Bobby Wysocki scored on a 1-yard run to cut the deficit for the Crusaders (0-5, 0-2) to 42-14.

Zapinski capped the scoring with a 69-yard touchdown run before Dayton missed the extra point.