Dayton, Ohio - Matt Smyth intercepted senior quarterback Erik Cwalinski (Jacobsburg, Ohio / Shadyside) and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown 57 seconds into the game to help propel Dayton to a 31-14 victory over the Robert Morris University football team Saturday afternoon at Welcome Stadium. The Colonials fall to 1-2 overall on the 2008 campaign, while the Flyers improve to 3-0.  

Dayton took a 10-0 lead with 4:28 to go in the first quarter when Nick Glavin connected on a 27-yard field goal. The trifecta was set up Steve Valentino of the Flyers, who returned a punt 37 yards down to the RMU 15-yard line. However, the Colonial defense stiffened, forcing Dayton to settle for Glavin's field goal.

Smyth intercepted Cwalinski again on RMU's next drive, returning the pick down to the Colonial two-yard line before being knocked out of bounds. However, the Robert Morris defense came up big, as junior linebacker Adam Lawrence (Big Run, Pa. / Dubois Area) forced a fumble by Dayton's Ben Shappie on third-and-goal. Sophomore defensive lineman Chris Roberts (Bear, Del. / Caravel Academy) pounced on the loose ball for Robert Morris. 

The Colonials got on the board in the second quarter when on the first play of the drive Cwalinski hooked up with freshman James O'Quinn (Vandergrift, Pa. / Kiski Area) for an 81-yard touchdown pass to pull RMU within three, 10-7.

The Flyers answered on their next possession, marching 60 yards on 10 plays and capping it with a one-yard touchdown plunge from Ben Shappie to bolster Dayton to a 17-7 halftime advantage. 

Valentino opened the second half with a 48-yard kickoff return to the Robert Morris 40-yard line, and five plays later Justin Millio scored from three yards out to give the Flyers a commanding 24-7 advantage.

Valentino added a 26-yard touchdown reception from Dayton signal caller Rob Florian with seven minutes to play, and Robert Morris added a late touchdown when junior quarterback Camdin Crouse (Snow Shoe, Pa. / Bald Eagle) hit sophomore wide receiver T.J. Green (Stamford, Conn. / Milford Academy) for a 30-yard touchdown pass.   

Cwalinski was sacked four times and was intercepted four times on the afternoon, finishing 13-for-39 passing for 223 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore halfback Myles Russ (Boca Raton, Fla. / West Boca) carried 14 times for 68 yards to pace the RMU ground game, while O'Quinn hauled in six catches for 137 yards and a score.

Defensively, sophomore linebacker Alex DiMichele (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Sto-Rox) recorded 11 tackles, while Lawrence posted seven tackles, including a sack. Sophomore cornerback Rolf Bathold (Naples, Fla. / Lely) also contributed seven takedowns and three pass breakups.  

Robert Morris returns home to Joe Walton Stadium to open its 2008 Northeast Conference schedule when it hosts Monmouth Saturday, Sept. 27, for a 1:00 p.m. contest.