Dayton adds needed depth, talent for playoffs
June 23, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Dayton Bulldogs News Release
DAYTON, Ohio - Needing to shore-up some positions before the start of the National Indoor Football League playoff run, the Dayton Warbirds Thursday signed four players including former Clemson running back Yusef Kelly.
The Warbirds also added cornerback Kevin Johnson, who played at Clemson and West Georgia State, and receiver-defensive back Milton Bowen out of Miami of Ohio who has indoor football experience.
Dayton (6-6) meets the River City Rage (10-3) Friday at the Nutter Center to close out the regular-season home schedule. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
These players, and several others who have come in during the last two weeks, will give some needed depth to the depleted Warbirds' roster which has lost several to injury. Leading runner Pepe Pearson left to take over the head coaching position with the Daytona Beach Hawgs and outstanding linebacker Joe Cooper was lost to an Achilles injury.
Here are the newcomers to Dayton:
UYSEF KELLY (6-2, 230, RB, Clemson) - Finished his eligibility in 2004.ended four-year career with 997 yards and 12 touchdowns.was the Tigers leading rusher in 2002 as a sophomore.as a freshman, caught three passes for 22 yards against #5-ranked Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl.finished his undergraduate degree in December of 2003.hometown, Waterloo, SC.born Sept. 1, 1982.
KEVIN JOHNSON (6-1, 210, DB, Clemson/West Georgia) - Played one year at Clemson where he started five of six games as a DB.had 17 total tackles and 3 pass breakups.transferred to West Georgia.in 2004 had 44 tackles, 30 unassisted.three interceptions for 100 return yards.8 pass breakups.9 punt returns for 56 yards.hometown, Orangeburg, SC.born April 12, 1980.
MILT BOWEN (6-2, 215, DB, Miami) - Played both wide receiver and defensive back.A leader at Miami on defense.in 12 games in 2002, led team in interceptions with 6 (38 yards). 80 total tackles and 61 solo.two tackles for loss and 2nd on team in pass break ups with 10.4th-ranked kick off return specialist in MAC (23.1 junior year, 21.9 senior season).10 career INTs.32 PBUs in three seasons.hometown, Newfield, NJ.Born Dec. 25, 1978.
RONALD FOLDS (5-10, 200, DB/WR, Toledo) - Utility player but did go at safety.had two interceptions in his first game with Dayton.was in another indoor league previously.
ROBERT AKINDELE (6-6, 285, DL, Northern Illinois)
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National Indoor Football League Stories from June 23, 2005
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- Warbirds to battle top-ranked River City on Friday - Dayton Bulldogs
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