The summer is upon us, the new track is being constructed around venerable Brown Field, we have a new HFBC and a brand new recruiting class with some interesting and promising talent. This winter and spring, there were a number of separate FB strings that we were all previously adding to. As we head into the next season, I thought it appropriate to start a new string just for the new season where we could begin to speculate ??? , theorize :twocents: , wish ::) , hope :banghead: , anguish :'( and articulate :o our thoughts about a new era in Crusader Football. I also anticipate that, as in the past, we'll have a new string for each game.
To prime the pump, here are a few morsels to stimulate the summer-focused mind:
# I'm encouraged by the fact that the staff is still recruiting for 2014 -- we just signed a 6'1" 255 OL out of Peru Meridian, IN (yes, another in-state kid). This on the heels of getting Steven Kelly, a 6'4" receiver out of Maryland.
# I'm hoping for a respectable showing against WIU. Respectable to me at this point is like a 45-13 loss.
# I'm excited to attend the first home game vs. St Joe's on September 6th. With the new track installed, the place should look like a really respectable small college (because that is what we are) venue.
# I'm heartened by comments on other strings by posters like VUDad and FloridaFootball that noticed the defensive side is tightening up
# I'm impressed by Dave Cecchini's presence and ability to communicate, having met him at a UWM MBB pre-game function in Milwaukee.
# I'm also pleased that Cecchini is also the QB coach (but Jason Miran, the Receivers Coach is the OC), which better allows 1-on-1 QB coaching during games. Carlson was OC, play caller and QB coach :crazy:.
I just looked at the 2014 Football schedule and it looks like we have 12 games, with a Homecoming Game against Missouri Baptist. Don't bother looking up what MOBaptist did last year, it is their inaugural season in 2014. Somehow, I don't think this team will be any comparison to Mercer last year.
I created this graphic of the football schedule for reference on the thread. I am not ready to predict a number of wins yet, but I'm optimistic we will see a definite beginning of a turnaround for the program this season.
(http://i59.tinypic.com/vcum42.jpg)
:thumbsup:
Quote from: covufan on June 13, 2014, 06:27:07 PM
I just looked at the 2014 Football schedule and it looks like we have 12 games, with a Homecoming Game against Missouri Baptist. Don't bother looking up what MOBaptist did last year, it is their inaugural season in 2014. Somehow, I don't think this team will be any comparison to Mercer last year.
It's been a while but the fact that Missouri Baptist is a first year program was discussed before.
It was discussed in the "2014 Football Schedule" thread from January and February.
I feel optimistic about what Cecchini can do in turning this football debacle around. If this team wins 4 games, that would be an outstanding start. My feeling is that he will do well, have success and move on. As for the Valpo football program and its committment from the university, that is an optimally realistic scenario.
I love all your work, pal, and this may be the first nit I've ever picked with you...or will...but could you please maybe make a version with a more manly font and not purple italics?
Like IMPACT or something. With BOLD and brown or gold font.
Something that screams FOOBAW!! and that I will make my desktop wallpaper until September while my wife says "you do have an extremely cute toddler you could put up there instead, you know."
Here you go, Apostle! I have worked in editing and publishing, selecting fonts and artwork for decades, and I was going for a contrast between the two sides of the graphic. However, I understand your valid point and like your suggestion. Also, I appreciate anyone with a sensitivity to fonts.
The new top font is used by Cooper Tires, and the lower font is used by Sports Illustrated. That should be "manly" enough. Just glad you didn't ask for a change on the player side, since I'm sure VULB#62 would have objected. ;)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/10e4y2p.jpg)
If only I had that much hair ;D
the beard could use some help however. Most hockey player beards in the Stanley Cup looked better than that!!
Happened to be checking the 2014-15 FB roster. Conspicuous by his absence was Bama Powell. That kid was a load as a freshman and played some solid minutes. At 6'3" and 320 he would have been a big presence in the middle of the D-Line.
Yes, I was sorry when I learned 'Bama won't be back with the team. He is a great character who was a presence on the field and on the bench. He gave all he had and always seemed spent when he came to the sidelines—red-faced and breathing heavily. Also, he was a great subject for my photos!
(http://i62.tinypic.com/1zgvpsg.jpg)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/x27a5x.jpg)
Where did he go?
Reached out to him via Twitter today. He isn't playing football anywhere. Taking classes back home and then likely heading to Alabama.
Quote from: Pgmado on June 17, 2014, 06:53:19 PM
Reached out to him via Twitter today. He isn't playing football anywhere. Taking classes back home and then likely heading to Alabama.
[/b]
You mean home right? Or is he thinking if he can start at Valpo why not the Crimson Tide???
Interesting. In the Pioneer League, you have to pay to play. Maybe it wasn't worth it for him - he is an engineering major and that is a big time committment!
Thank you for the kind words of support for my son. We will miss our Crusader family very much; what a great group of young men to be associated with. Go Cru!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ballmom, we are going to miss Bama too. No opportunity for reconsideration, huh? :(
No darlin I'm afraid it's out of our hands. Y'all be sweet and take care! GoCru!! [emoji458][emoji172][emoji471]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Love the uniform! Now if the baseball program would just wake up and improve theirs.
BTW They just signed another P/K specialist. Jacob Simpson from Wyandotte, MI. Hudl tapes show KOs to the 5 and end zone from the 40. No info on longest or consistency from 30+ yards on FGs.
https://twitter.com/valpoufootball/status/484419257086668800
There are now 4 on the 2014-15 roster:
Josh Young 5' 9'' 170 - Soph
Mike Pando 5'11" 170 Sr.
And...
Jacob Newman, also a Soph, from last year who came on board as an Indiana High School Football Associated Press All-State First Team Selection in 2012...Indiana High School Football Coaches Association All-State Senior Team member in 2012.
Nothing brings out the best in all players as competition. And we NEED good special teams. Now if we could only clone Greg Wood for a couple of years.
Quote from: valpopal on July 06, 2014, 10:43:58 AM
[tweet]485787578671443968[/tweet]
What a great photo!
However, IMO, if they wear black socks with that cool uni, it'll go south real fast.
White socks! White socks!!
I'd add one more thought about the future of Valpo FB. Coach Cecchini and his staff have got to retain the really good players going into 2015 and 2016 seasons. We can't lose the Bama Powell's (DT, 6'3', 320) and the Jalen Johnson's (DE, 6'8', 225 - played in 2012) after just one year. RETENTION of top grade talent must be a high priority. Maybe the new performance room and the new Brown Field setting will help. But it usually comes down to $$. Jalen Xferred to a state school where the cost is lower from the get go. I don't know about Bama, but I'm guessing that cost is a factor. In my mind Bama, if he had stayed, might have been an FCS All-American by his senior year -- AND .... a VU engineering major!
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Nice! :thumbsup:
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Any idea who our leading QB is with Hoffman gone?
My guess is that it'll be a war in pre-season between the returning QBs and the set of QBs recruited in this class. Those rookies have some great credentials. I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the vets be the starter at WIU but by game 3 or 4 a freshman gets the starting slot for the rest of the season.
For QB, many guys say Staal is the one to watch. Missed all last season, and had a big spring game, and has a huge arm. He's likely the reason the other two veteran QBs left. Looking at his recruiting video and stats, he was a big time recruit. A true freshman QB starting would mean I adjust my prediction for wins down a lot. Another bright spot to watch for is the return of a receiver named Warren. Big, fast, and is back this year after injury last season. He'll be hard to bring down when he has the ball.
Nice comments about Staal (full disclosure--he's my son). Scott's one of several players who stayed at Valpo this summer and are working out a lot--conditioning, weights, and throwing. It's encouraging to hear how the players believe a big turnaround will happen this year; confidence is the starting point for success.
Looking forward to watching the preseason competition and how the season progresses. For most of us, all we've seen is Eric Hoffman for 3 years with a little Ben Lehman in the mix every now and again. Scott is listed as a junior with sophomore eligibility -- there's nothing like a little maturity under center. Given his size and what VUDad says about his arm, I have to modify my speculation below and give more weight to the vets. Regardless, it looks like there is some good depth at QB going forward. Also hope the VU QBs have the benefit of a better run game than in the past. If we can bring some balance to the attack, I think we'll be able to sustain more drives, stay on the field and score.
You have to think right now that all starting positions are up for grabs, especially with a new coach and 3-41 record.
Things will better this year. Not 6-5 better, but better. They need more talent and depth.
The players report at the end of this week and the new weight room (along with the track around the playing field) is nearing completion.
Here is the HammerStrength site. They supplied the equipment.
http://instagram.com/hammerstrengthofficial (http://instagram.com/hammerstrengthofficial)
It's certainly not your father's weight room. Very impressive. Pics of their machines at Stanford, Wisconsin, Rutgers and Dickenson College. Valpo is getting the kind of facility that will help to improve our players and one that will help attract recruits in the future. Glad this is happening. Sidebar: Even though the facility is in Kroenke, the FB lockers are in the basement of the ARC, so there's a short commute.
I'm gonna be on campus Friday morning, and will get a tour of some of our new athletic/academic/residence hall facilities. I will take photos if you guys want and post them here. Can someone tell me how I post pics on this forum?
Thanks, Paul
:thumbsup: Cool.
When I try adding jpg files they attach but have a small size limit. I'd also like to know how a lot of photos I see get embedded in a post (rather than attached or linked).
To post a photo embedded in your message, you must first upload your photo to a free image hosting site. I use TinyPic: http://tinypic.com/ (http://tinypic.com/) Be sure to re-size to "Message Board." Then use the "Message Board" URL designated for your photo to post here. When composing your post, click on the "Insert Image" icon at the top of your message box and copy the image host URL there. That should do it. I hope this is helpful.
Paul, please post some shots of the new residence hall and of the Chapel addition if you get the chance. :thumbsup:
I so am glad to see that Valpo is investing in there football program and is the point that I had brought up in another posting. Things like this along with new uniforms, helmets, shoes etc.. Is what recruits are looking for.. I hope this is the start of something new with the coach and staff..
So the new coach has gotten his new weight room, new uniforms and helmets among other things. All good. I actually can't wait for the season to begin. We have several key guys back, some from injury. For example, Cotton, Green, Kuramata, Gladney, Cook, Hall, Kelly, Hutson, Koeneman, three kickers and as talented a freshman class as we've had in a while (according to their clippings!) I'm looking for 5 wins.
What does 110 helmets cost??
Quote from: vu72 on July 30, 2014, 07:18:12 PMWhat does 110 helmets cost??
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/24538862/helmet-hustle-a-look-at-how-schools-buy-and-sell-pricey-headgear (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/24538862/helmet-hustle-a-look-at-how-schools-buy-and-sell-pricey-headgear)
The 140 Riddell Speed helmets cost $300 a piece, or $42,000 for a batch of 140, That's $33,000 for 110 helmets.
Quote from: historyman on July 30, 2014, 07:32:04 PM
Quote from: vu72 on July 30, 2014, 07:18:12 PMWhat does 110 helmets cost??
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/24538862/helmet-hustle-a-look-at-how-schools-buy-and-sell-pricey-headgear (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/24538862/helmet-hustle-a-look-at-how-schools-buy-and-sell-pricey-headgear)
The 140 Riddell Speed helmets cost $300 a piece, or $42,000 for a batch of 140,
That's $33,000 for 110 helmets.
Well there goes one tuition!!
vu72 - you have players returning, but they also played for a 1-10 team. Be wary of Cub fan optimism. If these guys win 5 games next season, Cecchini may be offered tenure after one season.
OK, new weight room, helmets --- now officially allow beer at the tailgate site and get the fans and students ready to rock!
Hoping the three years of airline tickets, rental cars & hotels pay off this year. Of course, a quality education is the most important factor, but damn, I want some W's. Good luck to Devan Gadson (son), Colin Burke (Second son) and that secondary on D! No 45 yard over the middle plays this year!! Valpo will not finish last in the PFL. Davidson is the new doormat! Don't count on a win at Campbell. They have gotten better, plus they are gunning for us. Lets go Valpo!!
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has anyone seen any of the first couple practices.
The team begins two-a-days today, and the home season starts one month from today!
(http://i61.tinypic.com/anyf7d.jpg)
That ...is awesome.
But perhaps I show my bias when I say that looks like more of a Viking than a Crusader : )
I was giving a campus tour to a family with a prospective student yesterday, and we stopped briefly to watch the football team practice. Since work is continuing on the track, practice was being held at the open area adjacent to the baseball field. I wasn't there long and couldn't make any evaluation. In fact, it would be difficult to do so at this stage anyway, and I hope the team can get on the football field sometime soon. However, if the enthusiasm and attitude displayed by players is an indication, the preseason camp is off to a good start.
That's what I thought. If you check out the MSO OneValpo YouTube interview of Mike Avery, you can see the FB team practicing at East Gate in the background.
I stopped by practice for an extended look yesterday, and I liked what I saw. The players appeared still in early stages of skills training interspersed with intervals of running sets of plays while I was there, but an intensity and excitement seemed present. Fortunately, the fair weather has been good for practices and temperatures have remained in the 70s, so we have avoided any real midsummer heat thus far. I took a few photos while at the practice, including the following of Austin Etzler catching a sideline pass.
(http://i61.tinypic.com/1zppa92.jpg)
Quote from: valpopal on August 08, 2014, 10:37:25 AM
I liked what I saw. The players appeared still in early stages of skills training interspersed with intervals of running sets of plays while I was there, but an intensity and excitement seemed present. ]
Great photo (as always). Pal, when you say "intensity and excitement" are you saying that i
n comparison to previous years or just observing that the kids are practicing with intensity and excitement? If it is the former, then we might have a clue about past teams.
Quote from: VULB#62 on August 08, 2014, 10:50:31 AM
Quote from: valpopal on August 08, 2014, 10:37:25 AM
I liked what I saw. The players appeared still in early stages of skills training interspersed with intervals of running sets of plays while I was there, but an intensity and excitement seemed present. ]
Great photo (as always). Pal, when you say "intensity and excitement" are you saying that in comparison to previous years or just observing that the kids are practicing with intensity and excitement? If it is the former, then we might have a clue about past teams.
No, I'm not making a comparison or comment about past teams. I was just observing the tone of what I was watching yesterday. I enjoyed witnessing the attitude of the players and coaches while I took photos.
Scrimmage today. Hopefully a lot of people go watch and let us know how thay look. We will be up there next week to watch scrimmage bringing a ton of enthusiasm and at least one loud and rowdy fan. Just got my plane ticket to W Illinois game. Can't wait you never know we may shock the world. Hard work and Determination guys! Goooooo Valpo!!!!!!
Do anyone know if this game with be accessible via streaming on the Internet ?
I don't think it is that kind of scrimmage.
Sorry I meant if the WIU will be streamed via the Internet?
Dude, easy
Quote from: GOVALPO! on August 09, 2014, 08:48:35 AMScrimmage today. Hopefully a lot of people go watch and let us know how thay look. We will be up there next week to watch scrimmage bringing a ton of enthusiasm and at least one loud and rowdy fan. Just got my plane ticket to W Illinois game. Can't wait you never know we may shock the world. Hard work and Determination guys! Goooooo Valpo!!!!!!
Dude, easy on the Brown and Gold Koolaid. These guys have a lot of growing to do.
What better way to start off the new season than with some
JOEL OSTEEN!
This is for all y'all Lutherans especially. (I think the idea is better than the execution, though.)
Martyrs Read Joel Osteen Tweets! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA_wWmVlypg#ws)
Planet ticket to the W. Illinois game? Had to be kidding. :crazy:
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on August 09, 2014, 05:04:31 PM
What better way to start off the new season than with some
JOEL OSTEEN!
This is for all y'all Lutherans especially. (I think the idea is better than the execution, though.)
Martyrs Read Joel Osteen Tweets! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA_wWmVlypg#ws)
Apostle, you are amazing! You clearly should be doing something other than playing the organ at a Catholic church! Perhaps you could launch the Lutheran effort to show disapproval for the "prosperity gospel"!! ;)
You know, I think you guys really hate me...arggghh!!!!!!!!!!
Osteen and the trophy wife and the $11M mansion - I need to find a better way to roll in cash...
Quote from: crusadermoe on August 09, 2014, 07:56:50 PM
Plane ticket to the W. Illinois game? Had to be kidding. :crazy:
Especially Macomb, IL. It's got to be the farthest place from anywhere. It's an hour and a half from both Peoria and the Quad Cities (Moline) airports.
Remember when NFL teams used to do training camp in the remotest of places with good training facilities because they wanted the players not to be distracted? The Bears were in Platteville, WI and the Colts were in Terre Haute at Rose Hulman and now the Colts are at Anderson U. For a while the Rams were at Western Illinois in Macomb. But after a while even the coaches starting complaining that it was too far away from anywhere. The Rams finally built their own training facilities in Earth City, MO, a suburb of St Louis.
That is interesting... there used to be several NFL teams having training camps at small state schools in Wisconsin. Now the Bears are less than an hour away from Chitown. I think the training camp situation in the NFL has changed some in the past 20 years.
So are the TSA properly trained at the Macomb airport?
The Bears used to always train at St. Joe's back in the day of Brian's Song (St Joe's used to get their older helmets and the SJC uniforms were suspiciously similar to the Bears back in the 60's). But now, it's about branding and exposure. The Pats have an average of 8-10K at every practice in Foxboro. In Richmond this week the Pats and the Washington Football Club saw over 20,000 at their combined practices. Green Bay has always trainied in GB -- same scenario. It is pure merchandizing. Distraction? No, just the opposite: use training camp to learn how to deal with the distractions.
Quote from: usc4valpo on August 09, 2014, 08:21:59 PM
You know, I think you guys really hate me...arggghh!!!!!!!!!!
Osteen and the trophy wife and the $11M mansion - I need to find a better way to roll in cash...
"According to reports, Osteen hasn't drawn a salary from the church since 2005. His income comes from best-selling books and related products, such as calendars, daybooks and inspirational pamphlets."
The average attendance at a Sunday church service at Osteen's church is 45,000. If I were a member there knowing that not 1 dime of my tithes were going to support his salary, the last thing I would be critical of would be the kind of house he lives in. As to his wife, they met 23 years ago before he even became a minister. That's hardly fits the definition of a "trophy" wife."
C'mon, wh, surely you can admit an 11m house seems a LITTLE osteentatious.
72, I didn't make that myself, in case you were thinking that. some guys named "lutheran satire".
BACK TO FOOBAW
I think Justin Bieber or Britney Spears can get more than 45000 at a venue.
One of the best parts about watching the preseason practices has been the opportunity to see key players who were lost to season-ending injuries early in last year's schedule now fully healed, playing at full speed again. One of those players is receiver Kent Warren, who blew out his knee in the third game last year. Some might remember the photo I shared at the time of him sitting on a stretcher being consoled on the sideline by a few other teammates in the receiving corps. Kent's recovery was long, requiring dedicated and disciplined rehabilitation. It is great to see him catching passes on the field once again and seemingly with full mobility, as displayed in this photo of him making a one-handed grab that I took at practice on Thursday.
(http://i57.tinypic.com/11hvrxz.jpg)
Nice shot! I was reading through the player bios last night and came across a number of players, like Kent Warren, who had little to nothing in their bios. Your post reinforced that perhaps among those players returning that we may have a few difference makers and greater depth than we may have thought, Scott Staal come to mind. Add to that the return of known players like Jake Hutson and Fred Gladney and there is some reason for a little optimism on that front.
Nice 2014 early outlook on the VU Athletic site. Nothing eye-opening, but the mention of a few freshmen as potential starters/backups, is encouraging. We'll see how things evolve in the next 18 days. A lot can happen.
http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2014-15/13803/what-you-need-to-know-valpo-football/#.U-kQxlYXKgF (http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2014-15/13803/what-you-need-to-know-valpo-football/#.U-kQxlYXKgF)
One issue is placekicking. Without Brown Field due to the construction, there are no college width goal posts at East Gate. VHS goal posts are wider. Therefore the kickers can't really practice and the coaches can't properly evaluate. PATs and FGs have always been a risky affair the past couple of years (although Jacob Newman seemed to be coming on in the second half of last season). Would be helpful to get that part of the game nailed down.
An interesting read. What hit me was the number of seniors who hold key positions both on offense and defense. I also saw that many of those key guys are from places like Florida and California, not that good football players can't be found in Indiana and illinois.
As 62 has said, the key is at quarterback. We have a lot of depth at receiver but if we can't get them the ball it won't mean anything. I have been known to drink the cool aid from time to time and perhaps my enthusiasm comes from such a long time without Valpo athletics. Still, count me among those who see good things coming from this football team, including a decent showing at WIU. By decent showing I'll say we keep it within 28 points, say, 35-7, then beat St. Joes.
I think expectations and analysis against a scholarship school with a new team and coach in a first game is not a reasonable assessment.
However, St. Joe, William Jewell and the other ham and egger will be fair assessments, particularly to see if we have improvement in coaching and some true optimism
Quote from: VULB#62 on August 11, 2014, 08:05:37 AM
Nice shot! I was reading through the player bios last night and came across a number of players, like Kent Warren, who had little to nothing in their bios. Your post reinforced that perhaps among those players returning that we may have a few difference makers and greater depth than we may have thought, Scott Staal come to mind. Add to that the return of known players like Jake Hutson and Fred Gladney and there is some reason for a little optimism on that front.
I am pleased you mention the other players coming back from injury who could be important contributors. As I watched practice the other day, I was particularly impressed by Jake Hutson, who is running well again, but who also is active as captain of offense and a vocal leader of the team. Hutson seems one of the crucial sparks needed to ignite the engine of the offense. Let's hope he stays healthy this season.
(http://i58.tinypic.com/a2xl4j.jpg)
Things are heating up in a good natured way. Andy Coen, HFBC at Lehigh met the ALS ice bucket challenge hurled at him by the Lafayette College head coach. He then turned around and issued his challenge to Dave Cecchini. Coach Cecchini has 24 hours to respond. Check out the embedded YouTube of the drenching, but also check out the Lehigh FB preseason piece that follows.
https://twitter.com/CoachAndyCoen
Wonder if games with Patriot League teams might be in Valpo's future?
Coach Cecchini accepts the challenge:
http://youtu.be/x2TCYVadTjA (http://youtu.be/x2TCYVadTjA)
My primary hope is that the team not suffer any injuries at Western Illinois, so they can enter the winnable portion of the schedule completely healthy. With opening night game now only 14 days away, here's #14 Andrew Cassara:
(http://i59.tinypic.com/2qmndpe.jpg)
I was just checking the WIU football site and saw that they beat Quincy (D2) last year, 34-6. Should this give us hope for a similar result?? I think yes!
Here's why: They (Quincy) also lost to St. Joes 34-26 (we lost 34-31). They lost to William Jewell 19-17 (we lost 36-34)
So, if we keep it to a similar result (34-6) we are at the 28 point margin I predicted earlier! ;D
Four in the hunt for starting VU quarterback spot
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/29243574-556/college-football-four-in-the-hunt-for-starting-vu-quarterback-spot.html#.U-zHrFYtlfM (http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/29243574-556/college-football-four-in-the-hunt-for-starting-vu-quarterback-spot.html#.U-zHrFYtlfM)
I'll just be happy if we don't give up 3-4 plays of 60+ yards each game, like we seemed to average last year. That is painful to watch!
Though the Brown & Gold scrimmage today was more a series of pre-determined sets rather than an actual game, the action was entertaining. It is difficult to gauge completely the quality of the team in such a session, but I found the play engaging and the enthusiasm high. In fact, I spoke to some of the veteran players, and they assured me there has been a very positive tone throughout preseason camp. In addition, they were encouraged that key figures on the squad are again healthy. Also, the coaching staff appears to be doing a good job of motivating the team and instilling confidence.
Brown Field definitely has a different look with the track around it, though the football field will have even greater definition once the track is completed and lane stripes painted. In addition, I noticed the land across from the Victory Bell, where the new sorority dorm is going to be built, has been cleared of its trees, and it may soon be ready for the scheduled start of construction this fall.
As usual, I took some photographs, including the following that displays Jake Hutson with a rushing touchdown. As you can see, he seems to be back to full health.
(http://i59.tinypic.com/2aahwes.jpg)
I am looking forward to this season, as we do still have some offensive talent. Our season will hinge on how much our defense improves, though, and our ability to get stops.
Too lazy to look at other threads, but is the new sorority dorm going where the University Park Apartments used to be? I believe that is what they were called, across from the ARC.
I am glad to see Jake Hutson back in action - the running game for the Crusader was a huge gap (to see it ever so politely) last season and it looks like it is improved with some depth.
Quote from: valpotx on August 16, 2014, 11:34:02 PMToo lazy to look at other threads, but is the new sorority dorm going where the University Park Apartments used to be? I believe that is what they were called, across from the ARC.
Yes.
Quote from: usc4valpo on August 17, 2014, 10:10:51 AM
I am glad to see Jake Hutson back in action - the running game for the Crusader was a huge gap (to see it ever so politely) last season and it looks like it is improved with some depth.
Anyone in addition to ValpoPal at the Brown and Gold scrimmage Saturday? Would love to hear more about:
-- What they are running on defense.
-- What the offensive scheme is.
-- How intense the play was.
-- Who the standout players were.
-- Who looks like the #1 QB for the WIU game
I'm not sure anyone could give much of an answer about how the team looked at the scrimmage since the play was fragmented and many of the key players expected to contribute didn't dress for action. In fact, I spoke with a few of the starters on the sidelines who hadn't put on pads and were in shorts because the coaches wanted to evaluate new and supporting players while also not wanting to chance any injuries to those starters. Because of that Etzler got more time receiving and caught a nice touchdown pass, as can be seen in my photo below. He seems to have good hands.
Of the starters who did play, Hutson looked good running the ball, and Gladney impressed everyone, especially when running back kicks in the open field. However, there was one moment when all held their breaths because Gladney was making a terrific long run down the field and he got crushed by a tackle that sent him into the players on the sideline—perhaps, evidence of the intensity. Fortunately, he was okay, and the team seemed to avoid any injuries. Let's hope avoiding injuries continues throughout the season.
(http://i61.tinypic.com/90zha9.jpg)
valpopal.
Excellent analysis and your photography is outstanding.
Got my first look at the team over the Weekend Thought they looked pretty good Practice was well-organized and upbeat Running game Looked good Quarterbacks seem to be competing well number 12 I think he's from Vero Beach didn't play because of a sore elbow but the rest of them I thought did pretty good Receivers seem to be a little inconsistent but that's expected this early on Had some great catches and some drops Defense Was pretty good Had Some missed assignments but I thought the effort was great On both sides of the ball Coaches are definitely moving people around trying to find the right mix it seems But overall I liked what I saw and I'm very excited for the season Western Illinois will be tough But you never know Can't wait to see it and yes I was serious about the plane tickets flying to St. Louis Thursday morning from Florida Then driving to The game hopefully there will be a lot of Val Po Fans there But if you can't make The game it will be on ESPN 3. Go Valpo. Hardwork determination!!!!!
12 is QB Scott Staal -- Red shirt Soph from Grand Haven, MI. Dalton Stokes (Fr) from Vero Beach is #13. Good to see the staff moving kids around and looking for the best fit. Got the impression during the previous regime that kids were pigeon holed and once there they were stuck, whether it was the right pigeon hole or not. But now it's time to set your two-deep and start getting ready for WIU (that's on a different string).
For practice and scrimmages, Scott Staal wears #13 and Dalton Stokes wears #12. In games that will reverse. Had to do with the shirt size of the jersey. Scott played Saturday, Dalton didn't. Great efforts and competition across the roster.
Quote from: GOVALPO! on August 19, 2014, 11:21:21 AMCan't wait to see it and yes I was serious about the plane tickets flying to St. Louis Thursday morning from Florida
When you drive across I-270 east in North St Louis County don't get off at West Florissant. Wait till Illinois. Way too many protesters and bad apples!
Good interviews by Brad Collignon with Coach Cecchini and some of the key players:
2014 Valpo Football Media Day (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3Z1YdsZC78#ws)
Brad is no little guy. A couple of our guys are BIG. Very impressed with Alex Green both physically (6'3" 225 lbs.) and via what he did on the field last year.
Did you see ml trying to sneek a peek there at the end of the video?
Your correct, Collignon is a huge dude.
LET'S GO! VALAPO!!
Paul did a piece on the QB battle between Lehman and Staal.
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/lehman-and-staal-battling-to-be-valparaiso-s-quarterback/article_1618236b-b767-5884-aecb-4be4b9b52db1.html (http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/lehman-and-staal-battling-to-be-valparaiso-s-quarterback/article_1618236b-b767-5884-aecb-4be4b9b52db1.html)
His summary: Regardless of which quarterback ultimately wins the position, the Valparaiso offense will look different than the no-huddle offense which was employed during Dale Carlson's tenure. Cecchini talked about using a West Coast type offense Tuesday from the shotgun and also mentioned the use of a fullback, a position that was largely invisible under Carlson.
[ Key Cecchini quote: ] "You're going to see a little more variety offensively," Cecchini said. "We're going to change tempos. We're going to work to get the turnovers down. Because there's a little more it's taking some time for our players to truly get comfortable. Execution will take place over diversity."
I like that. The no huddle approach just got us off the field faster after a 3 and out.
There are 252 D-I football programs rated by Sagarin
For reference, here is a look at where we and other PFL schools stand going into this football weekend (as of 9/3). Starting this weekend, this is actually the "real" part of our schedule. I have also included OOC opponents of interest plus Lehigh.
103 SE Louisiana* (Beat JU last week)
107 YSU* (Plays Butler next week)
119 Princeton (Plays at USD in two weeks)
121 Richmond* (Beat Morehead State last week)
146 Eastern KY* (Plays Morehead next week)
151 Appalachian State ** (Plays Campbell this Saturday)
155 USD
170 Lehigh*
171 Penn (Plays JU in two weeks)
177 WIU* (Beat VU and plays Drake next week)
181 Charleston Southern* (Plays Campbell next week)
190 Dayton
217 Butler
220 Drake
223 Jacksonville
242 Marist
247 Morehead state
249 Campbell
250 Stetson
251 Davidson
252 Valpo
* FCS Scholarship programs
** FBS
Well, the RPI is in very familiar territory.
Looking at this, the Pioneer Football conference is incredibly weak.
USD, Butler and Dayton have not played a game yet, so their ratings are questionable at this point. We'll know more after this weekend:
USD plays @ Western NM (D-II) - USD beat WNM 38-35 at home last year. WNM had a 4-6 record in 2013. USD home game again. First game for both.
Butler plays @ Wittenberg (D-III) - Butler won last year 49-24, Wittenberg went on to a 10-2 record, losing to Mount Union in the D-III playoffs (I believe).
Dayton hosts Georgetown (FCS) of the Patriot League. Last week GU lost to Wagner of the NEC 21-3. GU was 2-9 last year. Davidson was one of the two wins (42-6)
Quote from: usc4valpo on September 04, 2014, 06:59:48 PM
Well, the RPI is in very familiar territory.
Looking at this, the Pioneer Football conference is incredibly weak.
Sagarin's Conference ratings confirm that the Pioneer is the SECOND worse conference in the FCS (
Bold). It also shows that the MVFC, who we play pretty regularly as a guarantee game, is better than 4 FBS conferences. I included the ratings for the Ivy and Patriot Leagues, the bottom feeders and the MVFC (quite a jump from the PFL rating).
1 SEC-WEST
2 PAC-12(NORTH)
3 PAC-12(SOUTH)
4 BIG 12
5 SEC-EAST
6 BIG TEN-EAST
7 ACC-ATLANTIC
8 ACC-COASTAL
9 I-A INDEPENDENTS
10 BIG TEN-WEST
11 AMERICAN ATHLETIC (OLD BIG EAST)
12 MWC-WEST
13 MWC-MOUNTAIN
14 MAC-WEST
15 MISSOURI VALLEY 60.86 16 CONFERENCE USA-WEST
17 CONFERENCE USA-EAST
18 MAC-EAST
19 SUN BELT
20 COLONIAL
21 OHIO VALLEY
22 BIG SKY
23 SOUTHLAND
24 IVY LEAGUE 49.33
25 SOUTHERN
26 BIG SOUTH
27 PATRIOT 43.11
28 MID-EASTERN
29 NORTHEAST 38.15
30 I-AA INDEPENDENTS
31 SWAC-EAST 35.47
32 PIONEER 30.97
33 SWAC-WEST 30.60I think we will continue with the MVFC because they have the greatest capacity to pay a guarantee. Big Sky schools like UND, Montana State, and Montana also get great attendance so that is also a possibility. I do not know if the Ivy League or the Patriot League schools are in a position to pay guarantees (probably not), so we'd be looking for a Home and Home deal there.
More information upon which to have a little fun with speculation (with the understanding that comparative scores are not a very valid method of assessment): :coffeetime:
Drake has an OOC schedule similar to ours.
>> We played and lost (45-6) to WIU. Drake plays WIU next week after WIU goes against Wisconsin in Madison.
>> This Saturday Drake hosts Truman State from the Great Lakes Valley Conference (same conference as St. Joe's)
>> Valpo hosts St. Joe's.
>> Last year Truman lost to St. Joe's 6-3 and had a 7-4 record compared to St. Joe's at 8-3.
>> For both GLVC teams this is their opening game and it's on the road. Both Drake and Valpo already have losing games under their belt.
If Drake loses to WIU by 30+ points and has a comparable score against Truman as we have with St. Joe's (win or lose), it should give us an indication of whether we will be on a competitive level with Drake (or not) at least on paper. Yes? ::)
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 05, 2014, 12:58:24 PM
If Drake loses to WIU by 30+ points and has a comparable score against Truman as we have with St. Joe's (win or lose), it should give us an indication of whether we will be on a competitive level with Drake (or not) at least on paper. Yes? ::)
So do you think Drake will lose to Truman by 21 or more points?
Valpo doesn't have a chance in the PFL if they don't have a huge turn around. I wonder how bad VU will lose to Butler. Butler people! They were seriously thinking about discontinuing their football program. I'm beginning to think in the end this may be the better option. Did Butler's basketball success somehow turn their football program around? There are many schools that are great academically, are successful in other sports and don't have a football program.
Quote from: historyman on September 07, 2014, 03:19:12 AM
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 05, 2014, 12:58:24 PM
If Drake loses to WIU by 30+ points and has a comparable score against Truman as we have with St. Joe's (win or lose), it should give us an indication of whether we will be on a competitive level with Drake (or not) at least on paper. Yes? ::)
So do you think Drake will lose to Truman by 21 or more points? {You obviously knew the score (13-7 Drake in OT) when you asked the question as the game was in the books 5 hours before your post.}
Valpo doesn't have a chance in the PFL if they don't have a huge turn around. I wonder how bad VU will lose to Butler. Butler people! They were seriously thinking about discontinuing their football program. I'm beginning to think in the end this may be the better option. Did Butler's basketball success somehow turn their football program around? There are many schools that are great academically, are successful in other sports and don't have a football program.
I posted this as some fun with speculation on what similar games might possibly tell us, not to justify the existence of a program. It almost sounds like you are taking joy in the fact that Valpo lost by 21 to prove your point. The fact is, we got beat by a better team with 25 football scholarships (but I think our admission standards are higher).
Now, back to trying to have some speculative fun with similar games. Assuming Drake loses to WIU, who is coming off a not-disgraceful loss at Wisconsin (37-3), by 30+ points, that might mean that while losing to Drake at home (by maybe 14?) it should be a pretty hard fought game. Of course all bets are off if Drake makes it a game against WIU. Like I said, just speculating. We'll know a bit more next week and the final score on 10/18 will prove out any speculation.
Quote from: historyman on September 07, 2014, 03:19:12 AM
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 05, 2014, 12:58:24 PM
If Drake loses to WIU by 30+ points and has a comparable score against Truman as we have with St. Joe's (win or lose), it should give us an indication of whether we will be on a competitive level with Drake (or not) at least on paper. Yes? ::)
So do you think Drake will lose to Truman by 21 or more points?
Valpo doesn't have a chance in the PFL if they don't have a huge turn around. I wonder how bad VU will lose to Butler. Butler people! They were seriously thinking about discontinuing their football program. I'm beginning to think in the end this may be the better option. Did Butler's basketball success somehow turn their football program around? There are many schools that are great academically, are successful in other sports and don't have a football program.
Amazing us with more facts...when was Butler seriously thinking about dropping football?
I think Butler laid 72 on us last year. I doubt they do that again, but.....
I don't think anyone here thinks we have a chance to do much damage in the PFL.
They also recently (2010) rebuilt Butler Bowl. From their website:
Now seating 5,647 after a $2.6 million renovation in 2010, the Bowl now features bleacher seating for 5,039 across the west side of the field - including 250 chairback seats - as well as capacity for 434 for visitors along the east sideline.
The pressbox provides a great view for the Bulldogs coaches, gameday staff and Butler supporters. The pressbox, is 3,330 square feet and stretches between the field's 30-yard lines. It seats 100 and was made from 145,000 bricks sourced from the Indiana Brick Corporation.
The pressbox, which cost $1.5 million, is the home of Butler's Champions Room, a gameday hospitality area, as well as working space for staff, home and visiting radio and home and visiting coaches. There is also a 2,400 square foot observation deck on the top for video cameras.