2021 Dayton Flyers football team

The 2021 Dayton Flyers football team represented the University of Dayton as a member of the Pioneer Football League (PFL) during the 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by 13th-year head coach Rick Chamberlin, the Flyers compiled an overall record of 6–4 with a mark of 5–3 in conference play, tying for fifth place in the PFL. Dayton played home games at Welcome Stadium in Dayton, Ohio.

2021 Dayton Flyers football
Conference	Pioneer Football League
Record	6–4 (5–3 PFL)
Head coach	Rick Chamberlin (13th season)
Offensive coordinator	Jim Collins (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Tee Overman (2nd season)
Home stadium	Welcome Stadium
Seasons ← 2019 2022 →

2021 Pioneer Football League standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Davidson +^		7	–	1					8	–	3
San Diego +		7	–	1					7	–	4
St. Thomas (MN)*		6	–	2					7	–	3
Morehead State		6	–	2					7	–	4
Marist		5	–	3					5	–	5
Dayton		5	–	3					6	–	4
Valparaiso		4	–	4					4	–	7
Stetson		2	–	6					4	–	7
Drake		1	–	7					2	–	9
Butler		1	–	7					3	–	8
Presbyterian		0	–	8					2	–	9
+ – Conference co-champions ^ – FCS playoff participant * – St. Thomas (MN) ineligible for FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division III

Preseason

Preseason coaches' poll

The Pioneer League released their preseason coaches' poll on July 27, 2021. The Flyers were picked to finish in fourth place.^[1]

Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Davidson	97 (8)
2	San Diego	93 (3)
3	Drake	67
4	Dayton	62
5	Presbyterian	59
6	Valparaiso	55
7	Morehead State	51
8	St. Thomas	36
9	Marist	35
	Stetson
11	Butler	15

Preseason All-PFL teams

The Flyers had five players selected to the preseason all–PFL teams.^[2]

Offense First team Jack cook – QB Jake chisholm – RB

Defense First team Brandon easterling – DB Honorable mention Zach rumpke – LB

Special teams Second team Sam webster – PK

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance	Source
September 4	12:00 p.m.	Robert Morris*	Welcome Stadium Dayton, OH		Cancelled		[3]
September 11	1:00 p.m.	Eastern Illinois*	Welcome Stadium Dayton, OH		W 17–10	2,008
September 18	7:00 p.m.	at No. 8 Southern Illinois*	Saluki Stadium Carbondale, IL	ESPN+	L 3–55	7,338
September 25	1:00 p.m.	Presbyterian	Welcome Stadium Dayton, OH	Facebook	W 63–43	4,766
October 2	2:00 p.m.	at Morehead State	Jayne Stadium Morehead, KY	ESPN+	L 38–45 OT	6,145
October 9	1:00 p.m.	at Drake	Drake Stadium Des Moines, IA )rivalry)	ESPN3	W 28–10	2,116
October 16	1:00 p.m.	Marist	Welcome Stadium Dayton, OH		L 17–20	2,299
October 23	1:00 p.m.	at Valparaiso	Brown Field Valparaiso, IN	ESPN3	L 28–45	2,950
October 30	1:00 p.m.	Butler	Welcome Stadium Dayton, OH		W 38–31	2,153
November 6	1:00 p.m.	at Stetson	Spec Martin Stadium DeLand, FL	ESPN3	W 41–13	1,312
November 13	1:00 p.m.	Davidson	Welcome Stadium Dayton, OH		W 38–29	2,233
*Non-conference game Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

^[4][5][6]

• Dayton's game with Robert Morris was cancelled due to a COVID-19 outbreak at Robert Morris. The game was not rescheduled.^[3]