November 02, 2013
Butler 33, Dayton 30
Campbell 19, Stetson 18
San Diego 58, Valparaiso 14
Mercer 51, Davidson 26
Marist 42, Jacksonville 35
Drake 56, Morehead State 14
We crawled to within 37-14 then gave up 21 unanswered pts in Q4 against USD. This week we enter Indianapolis against a team that needs to win out to share the title after beating Dayton. As mentioned in one of the USD posts, our D is really banged up. Not looking good for the Olde Towne Team.
And BTW, check out this week's scores. Campbell hurdles over VU in the standings with a 1 point win over Stetson. FCS scholarship Mercer (well, soon to be) buries Davidson. Marist takes down a perennial contender. Drake, who we took to the wire, killed MSU, who killed us. What a crazy, mixed-up world we live in (I must add that this was penned in dripping sarcasim lest anyone take me seriously).
Post-It Note: it really pisses me off that Mercer is even in the league. It is now blatantly clear that:
(1) They fully intended to go scholarship after one year (note the friggin stadium and fieldhouse they built before the first year), but played the PFL like a fiddle.
(2) They told every recruit they'd be vying for a FB scholarship in Year 2.
(3) They are laughing at what they were able to accomplish.
No respect for the Bears here.
EDIT: (from the Mercer site) that supports the sentence above.
"The Bears (8-1, 4-1) win their second straight road contest and continue their unprecedented first-year run through the PFL as Davidson (0-9, 0-6) remains winless on the season. With the win, Mercer stays a half game behind the conference leaders and even in the loss column with three weeks remaining in the regular season."
IMO every ounce of PFL energy should be devoted to ensuring that Mercer is not ever mentioned in the same breath as our ligitimately competing teams; their remaining schedule is:
Jacksonville
@ Marist
Stetson
Looking for 1-2 record out of that and good-freaking-by.
I agree with you 62. Did the PFL realize Mercer's intentions? If so, why did allow them to join? Mercer could have been an independent at their infancy.
Mercer has also had an easy path to get to their gaudy record - a lot of ham and eggers on their schedule.
i believe they should be called "Mercernaries"
Based on today's Sagarin ratings, Butler is a 28 1/2 favorite at Nap Town. Butler is ranked 215 (30 spots below San Diego), Valparaiso is at 249. Butler is also in the running for the PFL.
I wonder what brilliant words of wsidom and hope will come from the Valpo coaching staff this week...I have to assume the players are ready to get this season mercifully over with.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on November 02, 2013, 09:48:47 PMi believe they should be called "Mercernaries"
If that is the case we should hire them to play Butler in our place next Saturday.
Quote from: historyman on November 03, 2013, 09:17:46 AMIf that is the case we should hire them to play Butler in our place next Saturday.
best not to go messin' with hessians
Two for 11 3rd down conversions vs. San Diego--our defense spends way too much time on the field. My prediction 50-10. Butler will play hard to keep their season going.
Quote from: VUdad on November 03, 2013, 07:45:42 PMTwo for 11 3rd down conversions vs. San Diego--our defense spends way too much time on the field. My prediction 50-10. Butler will play hard to keep their season going.
VUDad, you are so correct. You can tell in the third and fourth quarter that the defense was getting tired and frustrated. I am not sure how the players are going to react after the San Diego game.
Butler 49
Valpo 14
Butler 55
Valpo 7
Valpo 0
Butler 49
I don't see the use in attending this game until Valpo replaces their coach which seems inevitable.
I have to wonder if something is actually happen regarding a coaching change. I watched Ickow's preview and it sounded and felt very forced like they had to get this bogus discussion over with. Neither showed any enthusiaism during that interview. I am thinking they have given up this season.
Quote from: bbtds on November 03, 2013, 10:58:06 PM
Valpo 0
Butler 49
I don't see the use in attending this game until Valpo replaces their coach which seems inevitable.
Now more than ever the players need some fans in the stands. I will be there on Saturday.
Quote from: IndyValpo on November 04, 2013, 07:09:13 PM
Quote from: bbtds on November 03, 2013, 10:58:06 PM
Valpo 0
Butler 49
I don't see the use in attending this game until Valpo replaces their coach which seems inevitable.
Now more than ever the players need some fans in the stands. I will be there on Saturday.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
Quote from: VULB#62 on November 04, 2013, 07:20:57 PM
Quote from: IndyValpo on November 04, 2013, 07:09:13 PM
Quote from: bbtds on November 03, 2013, 10:58:06 PM
Valpo 0
Butler 49
I don't see the use in attending this game until Valpo replaces their coach which seems inevitable.
Now more than ever the players need some fans in the stands. I will be there on Saturday.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
Add to that: :thewave: Go Valpo!!
Quote from: IndyValpo on November 04, 2013, 07:09:13 PM
Quote from: bbtds on November 03, 2013, 10:58:06 PM
Valpo 0
Butler 49
I don't see the use in attending this game until Valpo replaces their coach which seems inevitable.
Now more than ever the players need some fans in the stands. I will be there on Saturday.
I really hope you enjoy it. When Carlson starts calling running plays with a minute or two on the clock you will understand that Valpo is no longer playing to win and only playing to not lose by more than 40 or 50. It's extremely frustrating. I doubt you stay till the end unless you have friends meeting you who decide to stay till the bitter end.
Correct me if I am off here...
We are about a four touchdown dog in this game. Some folks, including me, predict it will be more.
There is no way Butler has that better a talent base than we do. We are similar schools, similar sizes, similar football facilitieis, and the quality of athlete cannot be that significant. Both schools have fan bases that are lackidaisical.
Why should a potential bum kicking going to happen? Please explain.
Quote from: usc4valpo on November 05, 2013, 04:59:11 PM
Correct me if I am off here...
We are about a four touchdown dog in this game. Some folks, including me, predict it will be more.
There is no way Butler has that better a talent base than we do. We are similar schools, similar sizes, similar football facilitieis, and the quality of athlete cannot be that significant. Both schools have fan bases that are lackidaisical.
Why should a potential bum kicking going to happen? Please explain.
Not sure there is an explanation, other than the obvious. By all accounts, the quality of incoming football talent has risen during Carlson's four years. Has the rest of the PFL risen that much above our talent? I don't think so. Valpo football should be able to compete with teams in the PFL. For the most part, Valpo is not even close to being in the game by halftime. And this is year four. What appears to be lacking is evaluation of talent within the program, and the ability to adapt playing styles to match the talent at hand. Does not matter how talented the team may be if the play called has the players out of position for the opposition, and with no ability to adapt on the field. Game after game.
Quote from: covufan on November 05, 2013, 05:45:26 PM
Quote from: usc4valpo on November 05, 2013, 04:59:11 PM
Correct me if I am off here...
There is no way Butler has that better a talent base than we do. We are similar schools, similar sizes, similar football facilitieis, and the quality of athlete cannot be that significant. Both schools have fan bases that are lackidaisical.
And this is year four. What appears to be lacking is evaluation of talent within the program, and the ability to adapt playing styles to match the talent at hand. Does not matter how talented the team may be if the play called has the players out of position for the opposition, and with no ability to adapt on the field. Game after game.
These are two attributes (rettributes?) that characterize the 4 years of this coaching administration. Good intentions aside, great ideas on program off-field management aside, nation-wide recruiting organization aside, top drawer values aside, Valpo football is in dire need of a program manager (aka football coach) who (1) gets the best possible talent that will come VU's way, (2) assesses that talent in the context of the PFL competition environment, and (3) constructs an offensive system and a defensive system that optimizes that talent on both sides of the ball. Falling short of the "both sides of the ball" threshhold, the program should use what talents are available to be competitive despite W-L record. At our level, it is virtually impossible to bring in a particular system and then hand pick the players by position (who might not be really suited) to meet the requirements of that system regardless of individual talent or skill.
The next coach must be a person who, first, accurately assesses the remaining talent and then builds a program around them -- not one who seeks to make them into players they may not be or fit them into a system that does not suit them.
I keep coming back to my reintroduction to Valpo FB during Stacey's watch. They lost most games (sometimes by a large margin), but in comparison to the last few years his kids hit and they played tackle football. He had, by all reports, no way near the present budget and couldn't physically recuit outside a 100 mile radius from Valpo (I exaggerate to make my point). There were no inspirational Tweets, no blogs, no Facebook -- and few excuses.
When things get difficult in life or sport, my mantra has always been "simplfy, simplify, simplify." When Arron Rodgers went down last night, the Packers simplified their attack for Seneca Wallace, who hadn't taken a snap in a long while, and stayed within striking distance of a win though most of the game. Lose your MVP QB? Adapt: hand off to Lacey and Starks. But that's not my point. My point is that the Packer "system" allows for that kind of adaptation (as does most well conceived programs). But my real point is that a fenesse system can't survive unless the talent is superior. When the talent is average, it's gotta come down to a lunch bucket bunch of hardnosed kids who don't know how not to play at 100%.
I think we've had that lunch bucket bunch of kids. I also think that over the past 4 years those kids have, unfortunately, been asked to hone their fenessing skills. They just can't do it. They just want to play football.
Take the running attack. Currently, most rushes are at an angle to the LOS. Finesse. Where is the isolation that springs a runner north and south? Passing? "The 4 yard pass is like a run. " Yeah, if it's not an INC or PIC. I go back to MERCER (who I now despise). Run first, pass second, play tough basic defense. YEAR ONE: Mainly freshmen and sophomores (Quotes from another building program: "we're still young and make rookie mistakes," "we just were inconsistent out there today") RESULT 8-1 and they beat Drake.
Wow, no love for the Dale Carlson 3-39 express this week. The Hoosier helmet is on the line.
Shields Up Baby!!! And make sure the steel meets standards this week.
i think we misheard them saying "heels up"
I will comment and confirm that this 2017 class seems loaded with talent; These recruits came from some incredible HS programs ...what have they seen so far???
As mentioned, no adaptability...and certainly ...no accountability. Same issues and gaps week after week. Not tough for even a mediocre program to scheme against VALPO...
VALPO could be at .500 or better.
Butler has a video feed set up for this game at this website:
http://www.butlersports.com/landing/Live_Video (http://www.butlersports.com/landing/Live_Video)
Sweep! Sweep! Sweep! Valpo is not a doormat let's do a sweep instead!
Shields Up baby!!! Ron English just got canned from EMU and looking to rebuild a program.
wow. he would be amazing. not sure he would want to go right back to an underfunded, underappreciated program with a history of getting stuffing kicked, though.
And welcome sports fans to Valpo wide "Save Your Job Day"!! A win against the Bulldogs and all is forgiven. A smothering loss and whatever happens next week is irrelevant.
Four to go in the first half and we are down 48-6. We surrender! Carlson should be canned after this week. Name an interim for next week and begin the search. This guy cannot coach!
C'mon, it's only 38-6 in the first half. Carlson is showing coaching brilliance here. Give him tenure, Shields Up Baby!!
What happened to Hoffman? I just got back from taking my daughter to class and Butler scored 14 in 15 minutes.
OMG, 45-12 with 6 minutes left in the half. This last touchdown play was absolutely depressing. Ickow is asking for a mercy rule.
My bad about that 48-6. 45-12 is much, much better! Watching the Butler video feed. Our team seriously looked like they just wanted to get on the bus and head up 65. This is humiliating for all involved.
Why doesn't this team try to give the ball to Tiabi more. Bubble city.
Butler 72 Valpo 12
Are you freaking kidding me? Were they playing the Colts? How on earth do you lose by 60 to another non scholarship program in a supposed rivalry game. That's pathetic. Butler put up 717 yards of total offense, and 328 on the ground. Seriously? The funny part to all that is despite being out gained by over 300 yards, Valpo ran more plays.
I'll predict here there will be no football blog next week, as Joel Osteen doesn't like to blog when he loses big. :-X
If you listen closely...wait...there it is..."beep...beep...beep", ah yes, the sound of the Two Dogs and a Cat moving van backing up to former Coach Carlson's home.
Carlson should be "Kiffined" upon his return to Valpo. It is past time and he quit on the team at the end of each half.
We played based defense on every play today. We don't blitz, we never went with an extra DB. We ended up with LB's trying to cover speed which led to 2-3 TDs.
How can we continue to miss kicks?
We run the wrong plays at the wrong time with the wrong personnel.
This final one just floors me. Down 60, under a minute remaining we punted on 4th and one from about our 40. The crowd was actually chanting "go for it".
Kudos to the fans and the players not dressed who came out in support today.
It will undoubtedly take a long long time to rebuild the football program. Why bother? DROP FOOTBALL!
This performance is embarrassing and the status of this football program is a detriment to the university. There is no way I can believe that Butler on a talent level is 60 points better than Valpo. At a coaching level they are 60 points better. The excuse on this being a rebuilding program and all the other excuses have become stale. The program need attention from the Valpo suitors now and serious decisions need to be made.
Also - all players and coaches should closely watch the Stanford-Oregon game. Stanford's fundamentals and coaching a exemplify how to play the right way.
Quote from: setshot on November 09, 2013, 04:42:50 PMIt will undoubtedly take a long long time to rebuild the football program. Why bother? DROP FOOTBALL!
I would rather drop football than have a current program like this where there is no committment and you have university administrators appreciating their leather bound books and acting as if all is well.
Quote from: usc4valpo on November 09, 2013, 09:30:40 AMRon English just got canned from EMU and looking to rebuild a program.
er... on second thought...maybe not such a good @#$%ing idea
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131109/SPORTS0203/311090049/-How-did-many-young-guys-go-bad-Listen-tirade-by-ex-EMU-coach-Ron-English?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Sports|p (http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131109/SPORTS0203/311090049/-How-did-many-young-guys-go-bad-Listen-tirade-by-ex-EMU-coach-Ron-English?odyssey=mod)
How many 20+ yard plays can you give up in one game??? Good lord...
Once again, our beloved Crusaders need to stay out of Walmart and Target to buy these defective shields. I hope they held on to their receipts for a proper refund!
BTW, during today's broadcast, Ickow's enthusiasm for the future of the Valpo program was a little overboard. I am assuming he gets paid by the university to avoid critiquing them. He has a tough job broadcasting these games. It would be great to have a beer with him somewhere to get an off-the-record, true feel on what is happening...
I'm always up for a beer and a chat with a Valpo sports enthusiast. It's definitely a slippery slope when the mic turns on. Unless you're Harry Caray you won't last long in this profession by ripping the team that pays your bills.
Quote from: chef on November 09, 2013, 09:47:51 PMI'm always up for a beer and a chat with a Valpo sports enthusiast. It's definitely a slippery slope when the mic turns on. Unless you're Harry Caray you won't last long in this profession by ripping the team that pays your bills.
I am sure Ickow is a decent guy. He has a tough job broadcasting this team and he is digging very deep in the well looking for positives, and it is turning into phony optimism.
USC, chef is Ickow ;)
Yes, but is he really a decent guy ;D
When players use descriptors like "embarassing" and "humiliating," and they (and their parents) pay a large amount of money to play for a program that made big promises to recruit them, then the time has come for substantial change. Many of these guys turned down offers to play elsewhere, believing they could help turnaround a D1 football team. Reality: run the same plays, line up in the same formations, with the same players, against the same teams. Valpo's issue is not a lack of talent, it's refusal to change anything. The lone two bright spots in yesterday's game were a fake punt (oh my, a trick play, isn't that too risky?) and a few more players getting reps. Coaches arguing. Parents yelling. C'mon. This. Is. Wrong.
Quote from: valpotx on November 10, 2013, 02:37:35 AMUSC, chef is Ickow ;)
well, just call me %#$%@^#. I thought chef was reincarnated from a cafeteria cook in South Park, CO.
Quote from: usc4valpo on November 10, 2013, 07:08:00 AMwell, just call me %#$%@^#.
i had the same reaction when i was told the same info :)
VUdad, God bless you. I can't imagine how that must feel.
Quote from: valpotx on November 10, 2013, 02:37:35 AM
USC, chef is Ickow ;)
Great. Another cover blown! The next thing you know people will start thinking agibson is a member of the faculty!! ;)
Quote from: VUdad on November 10, 2013, 07:06:12 AM
When players use descriptors like "embarassing" and "humiliating," and they (and their parents) pay a large amount of money to play for a program that made big promises to recruit them, then the time has come for substantial change. Many of these guys turned down offers to play elsewhere, believing they could help turnaround a D1 football team. Reality: run the same plays, line up in the same formations, with the same players, against the same teams. Valpo's issue is not a lack of talent, it's refusal to change anything. The lone two bright spots in yesterday's game were a fake punt (oh my, a trick play, isn't that too risky?) and a few more players getting reps. Coaches arguing. Parents yelling. C'mon. This. Is. Wrong.
Yes. It. Is.
I was watching in and out on the Butler feed. At one point in the 3rd quarter, I believe after Butler scored the 65th point midway through the 3rd quarter, the Butler announcers talked about the Valpo program under Carlson, and even they mentioned that there should be something to show for 4 years of effort and that this program is far from doing that. In the 4th quarter, they, on the other hand commended the kids who were on the field for their heart and that they were still fighting. Both these 'neutral' observations serve to reinforce what VUDad stated - good kids, bad program.
I was a Carlson proponent for the first 2-3 years. I saw some of the good things he instituted (not the motivational tweets though) and had faith that it would eventually all come together. I misjudged the trappings for substance. It is time for Mark to make an affirmative statement in the form of action to parents like VUDad, alums like us, and all future athletes contemplating Valpo (not just football players), that the athletic department and the university administration stands behind its kids and when coaching incompetence is regularly demonstrated to the point of repeated humiliation, it will act. Tomorrow morning he needs to relieve Dale Carlson of his coaching duties, appoint an interim HFBC for the last game, and immediately begin a search for a coach who can turn this program around -- fast. Anything less, IMO, is mirroring what VUDad points out is the issue -- unwillingness to change and adapt.
VUDad - while I feel horrible for what you, the other parents and most importantly the players are going through, I'm not sure I would have bought into a program that had managed just two wins in three years under this HC. The HUGE red flags were there with this guy long ago. The revolving door of assistant coaches the most alarming. Any respected head coach has "his guys" that are there for him and ready to step up to the next challenge. Seems that he has spent his time at Valpo scrambling to replace members of his staff who saw the light. Definitely not a good sign. He does seem to excel at sales though. Maybe a new career choice?
I agree that the talent is there. Parents unite and go to administration to fight for this program. Valpo will not drop football for the obvious reasons that have been debated here over and over again. Time for a young coach with an actual vision and the ability to change it up when it's just not working. There is hope if we can keep this team from bolting (a tall order I'm sure) and give them an HC they can believe in! Agree 62, Carlson needs to be out now. Show everyone that this embarrassment will not be allowed to represent Valpo any longer.
Quote from: VULB#62 on November 10, 2013, 08:19:59 AM
Couldn't agree more. This is WAY beyond humiliating. Make a STATEMENT!! This is NOT acceptable.
VUdad - I feel bad for what you and these young men have been going through with this football program. I feel the players and parents are good people and not expecting the world regarding what this football program provides. I would, however, count your blessings that they are going to a wonderful school and getting an excellent education - those experiences are more important than what happens on the football field. All is not lost that your kid went to Valpo. Also, things will get better because there will likely be a coaching change in the very near future (if not there will be many upset folks - the Valpo suitors will not want to engage with this).
I have been critical of Carlson for awhie, and I have found following this situation very sad yet interesting. On decision making, Valpo is overly patient and conservative, not just including the athletics programs. Carlson has been rather pompous and never has blamed himself on the situation. We need to have a coach who will experiment, make decisions to best align with the team's strengths, and more importantly, take risks, make mistakes, and learn and improve from these mistakes.
Besides a coaching change, there needs to be a well-defined and agreed upon plan between MLB and the administration on the goals of this football program and the necessary steps to get this situation turned around.
Quote from: usc4valpo on November 10, 2013, 07:08:00 AM
Quote from: valpotx on November 10, 2013, 02:37:35 AMUSC, chef is Ickow ;)
well, just call me %#$%@^#. I thought chef was reincarnated from a cafeteria cook in South Park, CO.
Hello there, children!
Ironically speaking of large point spreads,
Chef was coaching the South Park Cows against Middle Park Cowboys, who were a 72 point favorite. The Cows were down 72-0, but and on the final play of the game Stan Marsh came in to replace Kyle Broslowski at QB and throwa TD pass. South Park beat the spread and Chef became a coaching legend.
ok, so it was not topic related. Need to have a little fun like Ed Orgeron...
Quote from: usc4valpo on November 10, 2013, 09:09:44 AMVUdad - I feel bad for what you and these young men have been going through with this football program. I feel the players and parents are good people and not expecting the world regarding what this football program provides. I would, however, count your blessings that they are going to a wonderful school and getting an excellent education - those experiences are more important than what happens on the football field. All is not lost that your kid went to Valpo. Also, things will get better because there will likely be a coaching change in the very near future (if not there will be many upset folks - the Valpo suitors will not want to engage with this). I have been critical of Carlson for awhie, and I have found following this situation very sad yet interesting. On decision making, Valpo is overly patient and conservative, not just including the athletics programs. Carlson has been rather pompous and never has blamed himself on the situation. We need to have a coach who will experiment, make decisions to best align with the team's strengths, and more importantly, take risks, make mistakes, and learn and improve from these mistakes. Besides a coaching change, there needs to be a well-defined and agreed upon plan between MLB and the administration on the goals of this football program and the necessary steps to get this situation turned around.
I attended last Saturdays home game against San Diego and had the chance to talk with several current players. They admitted that they are tired of being embaressed and don't know if being humiliated playing football for Valpo is worth sticking around for a Valpo education. Some of the kids brought up last years seniors and how well their doing and what great job offers they have recieved after graduating from Valpo. These young men can see what a quality University Valpo is but are forced to make a choice between self dignity and education. This whole situation makes me sad and I feel for the boys on the team. You're right USC the players and the parents on this team are good people and are not expecting the world with this football program. The kids just want a chance to be competitive and be proud of Valparaiso football not embaressed. I pray MLB and the people in charge will do the right thing and stop the hurt these young men are experiencing and make Valpo football something they can say they were proud to be a part of!
Quote from: vu72 on November 10, 2013, 08:14:15 AMQuote from: valpotx on November 10, 2013, 02:37:35 AMUSC, chef is Ickow
Great. Another cover blown! The next thing you know people will start thinking agibson is a member of the faculty!!
Or that a Heckler and members of the board of directors are part of this dialog----hint! hint!