RFC Summer Semester--Pioneer Football League (PFL)--(FCS)

Looking back: Although both teams finished the 2010 season with identical 10-1 overall, and 8-0 conference records, respectively, neither Dayton nor Jacksonville played against each other.  Both teams ended up sharing the Pioneer Football League championship with undefeated marks in league action.

Looking ahead:  To make up for not playing last year, Dayton will head south to face Jacksonville, in Florida, on October 8.  That game could very well decide who wins the PFL title in 2011.

In off-the-field news, two institutions based in the South; Mercer University from Macon, Georgia, and Stetson University out of DeLand, Florida, both announced their intentions to start football programs earlier this year, and will join the PFL in 2013.

Website: http://www.pioneer-football.org/

Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. Dayton (10-1):  Flyers hope to add yet another conference crown under fourth-year head coach Rick Chamberlain.  Their season opener is on September 3 against defending Northeast Conference champion Robert Morris (Pa.) on the road.

2. Jacksonville (10-1):  Dolphins will play a much tougher non-conference schedule in hopes of landing their first-ever FCS playoff berth.  They open the season on September 3 at the Citadel, followed by a contest at FCS playoff participant Western Illinois the following weekend.


3. Butler (4-7):  Bulldogs won a program record 11 games in 2009, only to struggle to disappointing 2-6 mark in PFL play in 2010.  They hope to get back on top in 2011.


4. San Diego (5-6):  The Toreros went winless outside of the PFL in 2010, finishing 0-3 in that department.


5. Drake (7-4):  The Bulldogs bring back 10 offensive starters, as well as seven defensive starters, from the team the finished 6-2 in PFL play last season.


6. Davidson (3-8):  The Wildcats were outscored 335-163 in their 11 games last season.


7. Morehead State (5-6):  The Eagles non-conference slate includes away games at Illinois State and St. Francis (Pa.).


8. Marist (3-8):  Six of the Red Foxes eight losses last year came by seven points or less. 


9. Campbell (3-8):  The Fighting Camels started the 2010 season with a 3-2 mark, but stumbled to a season-ending six-game skid down down the stretch.


10. Valparaiso (0-11):  Speaking of losing streaks, the Crusaders enter the 2011 campaign having lost 20 straight games.  Their last win came on September 12, 2009, when they won at NCAA Division III Concordia (Wis.), 20-17.