Dayton Flyers DB Christian Searles has game of dreams at Jacksonville

Opposing quarterbacks have to pick their poison when they throw the ball against the Dayton defense. The Flyers lead the Pioneer Football League with 12 interceptions through seven games. That total ranks second in all of FCS football.

Going into last week's game at Jacksonville, everyone in the secondary had an interception — except Christian Searles. But he certainly made up for it against the Dolphins. The junior from Chicago intercepted three passes, becoming the 10th Flyer with three picks in the same game.

“They’re an option team so I wasn’t going to get much thrown my way and I knew that coming in,” Searles said. “When they did pass, thankfully I was in position to catch the ball.”

Christian knows a lot about being around the ball. He was a two-sport star at Mt. Carmel High School, playing receiver and cornerback. Searles figured out quickly that defending passes would be his ticket to the next level. He tallied 12 interceptions for a team that won back-to-back Illinois state titles.

Sophomore safety David Leisring leads the Flyers with four interceptions. Senior Cameron Stubbs has three, safety Travis Nees and linebacker Jack Crain one each. Searles admits he was the target of some ribbing when he was the only defensive back without an interception this season.

“I was hearing it and I was trying not to press and go outside of the scheme to make plays. I was thinking about it and getting one was the monkey off my back, but getting three, now I’m competing for first and that’s where I want to be.”

Youngsters catching on: The Flyers have a pair of freshmen receivers who have already eclipsed the school record for receptions by a first-year player. True freshman Ryan Skibinski has 25 catches in six games to lead all Dayton receivers, but he's yet to find the end zone.

Redshirt freshman Adam Trautman is second on the team with 19 catches, two for touchdowns. Not bad for a guy who is third on the depth chart at tight end.

On the mend: The Flyers will once again be without Tucker Yinger this week. The sophomore running back suffered a turf toe injury last week in Jacksonville. Jared Ruffing will share carries with freshman Sean Prophit.

Battling Butler: Dayton (5-2, 3-1) makes the quick trip to Butler (3-4, 1-3) this week. The Flyers own 28 wins in the series, the most against any opponent in school history.

It is a 1 p.m. kickoff at the Butler Bowl in Indianapolis. Larry Hansgen and Hall of Fame coach Mike Kelly will have the call NewsTalk 1290 WHIO radio.

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