Dayton hosts Elko in homecoming game

The way Dayton football coach Rick Walker sees it, things have to change.

"We have to right the ship," Walker said. "We've lost three in a row and it's homecoming. We have to put two halves together. We need to have both sides of the ball play a complete game."

Walker was referring to last week at Wooster when the offense scored two quick touchdowns in the first half and then gave up 24 unanswered points in a 24-21 loss to the Colts.

Dayton (2-4) was minus key starters Houston Berntson and Kyle Onstott, but Walker said both will be at full strength when the Dust Devils host Elko at 7 p.m. today.

Elko (4-1) runs a Wing-T offense, and Walker said this will be the third time his squad has faced it this season.

"They run it pretty well," Walker said of the Indians' offense. "They get off the ball pretty well and get after it. They throw only when the need to. They like to establish the running game."

The Indians' ground game is led by Ty Wilson, who is averaging more than 10 yards a carry thus far. Raymond Schroeder has gained 398 yards. The leading receiver is Anthony Painter, who has eight catches for 148 yards, but three of those grabs have gone for touchdowns. Elko threw just six times last week, and two of those were time-stopping spikes.

With Onstott and Bernston back on the offensive side of the ball, the Dust Devils should have a more balanced attack this week. Onstott's running should take a little pressure off quarterback Kage Walker, who has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards this year.

"Our defense has to come to play and we have to know our coverages and execute on defense," Elko coach Luke Sellers said. "We have to play disciplined defense.

"I think they're similar to Fernley. Fernley threw it 42 times against us. Dayton is well-balanced. They've got a good running back and their quarterback can run the football.

"Defensively, we have to force them into long-yardage situations, second-and-10 or third-and-10. Basically, we need to be productive on first down. Offensively, we have to grind the clock. We've got to control the ball and keep their weapons off the field."

NOTE: Tribe will be without starting quarterback Marcus Leahy and defensive tackle Mitchelle Keaton for the remainder of the season due to a discipline issue ... Dayton will only suit up 22 players as Jacob Patrick has moved.