Marist is winless so far but hung in with preseason favorite, USD losing only 20-16. However this is USD's second cross-country trip in two weeks west-to-east and they got beat pretty handily by JU. Maybe they weren't as good as people thought. 16 points is a lot for Marist to score this season so far. We get them on our turf on Saturday. If we continue to improve in all areas and work hard to correct the mistakes that have haunted us, this could be a close win. Marist ALWAYS plays tough defense. We need to be ready.
I think Marist has improved more than Valpo, to this point of the season. It should be close.
Marist 27
Valpo 20
As much as I want VU to win, they beat us handily last year 37–0 and even though we are improved and they are not, I just don't see us closing an obvious talent gap that quickly. Hope I'm wrong. Paul
Saders 24, Marist 21. Gotta go with my formula.
I think that we win this one, with the key factor being at home. If we were in NY, we would lose by a few TDs, but I see us winning by a FG at home:
Valpo 31
Marist 28
Here's the Marist schedule so far:
@ Sacred Heart (NEC - FCS) LOSS 7-28
Bucknell (FCS - Patriot) LOSS 7-27
Georgetown )FCS Patriot) LOSS 6-21
@ Drake (PFL) LOSS 6-20
USD (PFL) LOSS 16 - 20
@ VALPO ? - ?
Dayton
The Marist D has kept them in games (PA = 23 ppg) but they have trouble scoring (PF = 8.4 ppg). Yet, at home, they actually had USD on the ropes, but USD pulled out a win with only 5 second left on the clock -- very deflating. Marist is a young team and is subject to the same emotional swings our rebuilding program is suffering through. I see Marist looking past VU, based on the easy wins they've chalked up the past 4 years, plus they are on the road to Indiana and our little bandbox stadium.
Valpo wins if:
+ Our Defense shuts down the Marist attack. The D seems to be jelling a little bit more with every game.
+ On O, we eliminate the bad decisions in the passing attack and only take what is given. Keep the RB committee pounding away for at least 150 combined yards. Protect Ben and the ball.
+ Our special teams get better disciplined and contain returns.
Marist wins if:
- They snuff our RBs and force us into a pass heavy attack.
- They mount a strong rushing attack that overwhelms our OLBs.
- They take advantage of our lack of discipline in the return game.
Early Prediction:
Valpo 24
Marist 21
I'll be at that game along with teammates from the 1964 ICC Championship FB team
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 29, 2014, 12:28:08 PM
Here's the MArist schecule so far:
@ Sacred Heart (NEC - FCS) LOSS 7-28
Bucknell (FCS - Patriot) LOSS 7-27
Georgetown )FCS Patriot) LOSS 6-21
@ Drake (PFL) LOSS 6-20
USD (PFL) LOSS 16 - 20
@ VALPO ???
Dayton
Marist D has kept them in games (PA = 23 ppt) but they have trouble scoring (PF = 8.4 ppg). Yet, at home, they actually had USD on the ropes, but USD pulled out a win with only 5 second left on the clock -- very deflating. Marist is a young team and is subject to the same emotional swings our rebuilding program is suffering through. I see Marist looking past VU, based on the easy wins they've chalked up the past 4 years, plus they are on the road to Indiana and our little bandbox stadium.
Valpo wins if:
+ Our Defense shuts down the Marist attack. The D seems to be jelling a little bit more with every game.
+ On O, we eliminate the bad decisions in the passing attack and only take what is given. Keep the RB committee pounding away for at least 150 combined yards. Protect Ben and the ball.
+ Our special teams get better disciplined and contain returns.
Marist wins if:
- They snuff our RBs and force us into a pass heavy attack.
- They mount a strong rushing attack that overwhelms our OLBs.
- They take advantage of our lack of discipline in the return game.
Early Prediction:
Valpo 24
Marist 21
I'll be at that game along with teammates from the 1964 IIC Championship FB team
[/b]
Hope you have a great time. I know several guys from that team--Rich Soeken, Don Werling, Bob MacNamara, and others. Some terrific people. Was Dave Adams and Mark Goldberg part of that team?
All familiar names 72. Actually, Rich, Don and Mack will be there (along with Dave Lass, Bill Steinbrecher, Bill Koch, and Walt Reiner's wife and a few more) .... and Mark and Dave were a part of that team as best as I can remember. BTW - That should have been "ICC" not IIC -- fat fingers getting in the way.
This get-together, and half-time honoring ceremony, hopefully, is another motivator for the current Crusader team to beat Marist.
Here's the Monday retrospective and preview. Coaches took blame for one of the calls that led to a red zone pick. Refreshing. Marist returns 9 of 11 starters on D.
Valpo Football Preview 9|29|14 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuaGHmNTLiU#ws)
Well, if you go by Sagarin, Marist would be a 7 pt favorite. I will go with the dog, and stick with the Saders for the 24-21 upset.
FYI -- Selected stats from the PFL site for all games (OOC + PFL) for Valpo and Marist:
TEAM
Scoring offense: Valpo #8, Marist #11
Scoring Defense: Marist #2, Valpo #8
Total Offense: Valpo #5, Marist #11
Total Defense: Marist #3, Valpo #9
Rushing Offense: Valpo #8, Marist #11
Rushing Defense: Marist #3, Valpo #9
Pass Offense: Valpo #5, Marist #9
Pass Defense: Marist #5, Valpo #7
Pass Efficiency: Valpo #7, Marist #10
Pass Defense Efficiency: Marist #4, Valpo #8
Sacks by: Valpo #8, Marist #8
Sacks against: Valpo #1, Marist #11
First Downs: Valpo #5, Marist #10
Opponent First Downs: Valpo #9, Marist #11
Interceptions: Marist #2, Valpo #11
Penalties: Valpo #3, Marist #6
Opponent Penalties: Valpo #1, Marist #6
3rd Down Conversion: Valpo #3, Marist #10
Opp 3rd Dn Conversions: Valpo #2, Marist #10
4th Dn Conv: Valpo #2, Marist #8
Opp 4th Dn Convert: Marist #8, Valpo #10
Time of Possession: Valpo #5, Marist #11
Turnover Margin: Marist #4, Valpo #8
Red Zone Off: Valpo #3, Marist #11
Red Zone Def: Marist #5, Valpo #11
INDIVIDUAL
Rushing: #7 Lucas (M) 60.8 ypg, #10 Bastin (V)
Passing: #5 Lehman (V) 218 ypg, #9 Achziger (M) 135 ypg
Passing Efficiency: #6 Lehman (V) 110.4, #10 Francis (M) 100.8
Receptions/Game: #1 Kuramata (V) 8.0, #5 Tralli (M) 5.4
Rec Yds/Game: #1 Kuramata (V) 111.2, #7 Tralli (M) 57.2
Total Offense: #5 Lehman (V) 236.2, (M) none
Scoring: #5 Hall (V) 6.0 pts/g, (M) none
Scoring (TDs): #4 Hall (V) 6.0 av/g, (M) none
Scoring (Kick): #8 Newman (V) 4.2 p/g, #10 Maccarone (M) 2.4 p/g
Punting: #7 Koslowski (V) 38.0 Av., #10 Maccarone(M) 35.9 Av.
Tackles: #5 Adler (M) 9.2/game, #6 Green (V) 8.5,/g, #11 Graham III (V) 7.8/g
Sacks/g: #9 Giovenco (V) 0.5, #16 Sakowski (M) 0.4, #18 Guilford/Cotton (V) 0.38
Tackles for Loss: #1 Guilford (V) 1.50/g, #10 Moore (M) 0.90/g, #13 Cotton/Giovenco 0.75
Here's the link:
http://www.pioneer-football.org/media/stats/PDF/2014_PFL_Overall_stats.pdf (http://www.pioneer-football.org/media/stats/PDF/2014_PFL_Overall_stats.pdf)
If you're coming to the game... bundle up... High of 47 heading down to 37 overnight with 50% chance of rain and 19-mph winds out of the west.
Have I mentioned how much I enjoy being in the Press Box?
Quote from: talksalot on October 02, 2014, 04:47:41 PM
If you're coming to the game... bundle up... High of 47 heading down to 37 overnight with 50% chance of rain and 19-mph winds out of the west.
Have I mentioned how much I enjoy being in the Press Box?
This is when the Florida, Texas, Arizona and California players start wondering what the heck they have gotten themselves into! ;)
So what is the status of the press box? Is it heated with wifi, restrooms, etc? Just curious.
THIS IS FOOTBAW WEATHER FERGODSAKES
(http://maizeandgoblue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/The-Great-Wet-Hoke.jpg)
Quote from: talksalot on October 02, 2014, 04:47:41 PM
If you're coming to the game... bundle up... High of 47 heading down to 37 overnight with 50% chance of rain and 19-mph winds out of the west.
Have I mentioned how much I enjoy being in the Press Box?
I've already packed my foulie. That is "sailing speak" for rain coat. But I am gonna be there.
I know our defense can contain Marist. Our front 7 is getting more involved each week. On O, we were able to negate the WJC blitzing D (similar to Marist). If we can do that against Marist, we have a better than 50/50 chance to beat them.
I am genuinely exciting about possibly seeing my first VU home win and a win against someone other than Campbell. Keep the Faith!
Quote from: usc4valpo on October 02, 2014, 05:48:52 PM
So what is the status of the press box? Is it heated with wifi, restrooms, etc? Just curious.
.... not mention the free catered food and the dancing girls.
I have not been at a Valpo home football game since the 80's. Is it the same press box? No heat? That pressbox had that treehouse, Little Rascals club house sort of feel.
Is the Marist game being shown on line?
The game is not being video streamed this week, but it seems that the WVUR audio stream is not working! Can someone please fix this ASAP!
No audio yet--we called the radio station!!!! But they say we're up 7-0. Who scored the touchdown?
Great... it appears that the studio music is coming through loud and clear when they go to break, but total silence on both TuneIn radio app and the website's Windows Media Player stream the rest of the time. Please fix this!!!
Quote from: GOVALPO! on October 04, 2014, 12:24:10 PM
No audio yet--we called the radio station!!!! But they say we're up 7-0. Who scored the touchdown?
Watching the stats. Kuramata scored on a 14 yard pass. Now 7-7 with Marist driving after recovering a fumble at their 49.
Playing conditions must be awful. Rain, cold and 20 MPH winds. Ugh...
Down 14-7 after a 1 play 55 yard pass. We have a muffed punt and a fumble that led to their points...
Our Special Teams are horrible. A blocked punt gives Marist another great opportunity at our 30
This game is over because of a mishandled punt, fumble on a kickoff return, and a blocked punt. Our Special Teams are once again giving absolutely no chance to our Defense
Come on guys! No video, no audio! Come on people.
Then we get a pass interference call on 3rd down, to give them another great chance from our 25. Just way too many self-inflicted wounds last week and this week.
Holy crap, then another pass interference call on 3rd and GL from the 10, to give them 1st and GL from our 2. Only to have them fumble and advance it to our 1, then punch it in on the next play. What a cluster f of a game...
28-7 at half. We must be going into a very stiff breeze as our punts are going in the area of 20 or 30 yards. Time to regroup.
Audio is finally working with 4 to go in the third.
Notes from game:
1. Marist did not seem to have as much talent as Valpo, but was far more disciplined and dominated special teams. These should be our strength!
2. We have to tackle
3. Quarterback play was inconsistent
4. Where are Patrick McArdle and Tristan De La Rosa. Both were highly touted recruits coming in and are on the two deep but neither saw the field. I don't think our defensive line rotated at all.
5. Our running backs were the only bright spot
I was working on the yard, but what happened?
Quote from: Valparent on October 04, 2014, 04:13:47 PM
Notes from game:
4. Where are Patrick McArdle and Tristan De La Rosa. Both were highly touted recruits coming in and are on the two deep but neither saw the field. I don't think our defensive line rotated at all.
First off, the Valpo football 2 deep is a joke and has been for several years. Honestly I don't know why we even publish one as little attempt to make it accurate as is done. Not as bad as our special teams but pretty bad.
Valparent, thanks for the report. I am a little surprised and disappointed.
1500 fans at the game? C'mon the weather was not that bad.
Today's loss came down to two issues that will hopefully attract some serious changes...1. Special teams errors, which opponents don't seem to experience. 2. An offense that can't score when needed, or sometimes (today) at all. Our running game is solid but not dominating. Other than last week (ignoring the three INTs), the passing game just doesn't cut it. Overall, are we improving as the season progresses? In a few key spots, no. Marist coach gets credit for making some key personnel shifts that paid off big today.
As well as the game began, I didn't expect this 14-yard touchdown catch by Tanner Kuramata, scored right in front of a group of the 1964 championship team on the sideline, would wind up being the sole highlight of the afternoon for the Crusaders.
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2q3x4k7.jpg)
Despite the disappointing game and poor weather, I enjoyed attending and meeting members of the 1964 ICC championship team (including our own VULB62), who were honored at halftime for their achievement 50 years ago. I have posted 40 photos of the '64 team members at the following link that I invite all to check out: https://www.flickr.com/photos/96208998@N05/sets/72157647974387249/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96208998@N05/sets/72157647974387249/)
Pal, those are outstanding pictures.
Wow, wild and rough day in football. Valpo loses, SC loses on a Hail Mary against a very good ASU team, and the Pac 12 is a complete competitive mess.
I listened to the press conference and I was impressed by Coach Cecchini and the players in their comments. They laid an egg on Saturday and they pretty much addressed that clear and simple. The team needs more talent, more depth and time to set up a foundation for success.
Tinkers to Evers to Chance was a great winning combination but Valpo's ACC version (Adams to Carlson to Cecehini) sure is a stinker. Should we lose to Missouri Baptist (I hope not) I'm going to start a petition to DROP FOOTBALL. Will anyone join me? :o
No, I hope not.
Good points USC, especially your last one. The coach showed some of his big picture intentions in the post game interview when he talked about major contribution happening as a senior--which is a long term building perspective. Although, "wait your turn" is a tough recruiting message. Does keep the fire burning for several talented juniors and sophs down a level or two on the depth chart.
An upside not mentioned enough--O line protection. Valpo has allowed fewest sacks in PFL.
setshot - I do not drink the Brown and Gold Kool-Aid. I think 4 wins would be a great first year for Cecchini given the lack of talent, consistency and the mess his predecessor left him. I still think this program can be successful. You need to give this guy 3 seasons to clean this up and see improvement. If he cannot clean it up after 3 years and we see the same thing, then you have a problem with the system - and at that stage then dropping football should be seriously considered.
I was there. It was freakin cold, drizzly, and the wind was very gusty. Hi ValpoPal, great meeting you.
Plain and simple, we imploded on long snaps (1 punt snap and 1 direct to the QB) and punt protection (the block). Had a great KO runback only to fumble around midfield -- in defense of the returner, he got clocked. Had a first down and had a drive rolling only to kill it with a fumble. We gift wrapped Marist's field position in the first half. The pass interference in the end zone in the first half was definitely an offensive PI but the refs did not see it that way -- our kid was being pushed off big time as the Marist pass sailed 5 yards over his head.
Lehman was off pretty much all day. His release was side-armish, especially on the quick outs. Kuramata was doubled anytime he was out wide by himself. But he ran the inside reverse a number of times and was effective -- scoring a TD. Staal came in in the 4th. I believe he threw 3 passes; wobbly quick out, then a nice tight spiral to the left follow by a pick near the end zone going in on a pass that was too flat instead of more of a fade. But it was good to see him in there. If we get a decent lead, I would like to see more of him. He has two more years of eligibility after this season. Also, I don't know why they can't get Fred Gladney more involved.
Cecchini, in his post-game, alluded to the "2013 eyes" in some of the players when things went south. He will address that, I'm sure. He doesn't put up with nonsense. Based on my chats with various other people, the new staff is a lot tougher on these kids, creates higher expectations and makes practices harder.
This was more of a big speed bump than a hic-cup in their progress. The bad things that happened (mentioned above) only served to compound the situation as, for instance, attempts at 4th down conversions (that normally would not even be considered) increased the risk factors and put even more pressure on the D with a short field to defend.
IMO this was the worst performance of the season for our side.
Saw this on Yahoo's front page, and felt it best to put in with the Marist commentary:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/dayton-kicker-scores-touchdown-on-his-own-kickoff--video-001031287.html (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/dayton-kicker-scores-touchdown-on-his-own-kickoff--video-001031287.html)