Okay, we survived EKU with no significant injuries that we know of.
Areas of improvement to concentrate on:
ST: LS, FGs, and Punting (basically everything).
Offense: Consistent QB play, OL drive off the ball and pass protection, receiver separation
Defense: stopping the long gains
I hope Brandon and Coach Fox do a post-EKU video during the bye week and then a regular pre-game video the week before the CCSU game. I would like to hear a deeper than usual analysis of the loss.
Typically when you play up in class big plays happen. Better athletes so anyone who gets on the loose is not going to be run down. That's far less likely vs. PFL competition.
I think we need to see more of Boxrucker in a featured role. I've been saying this since he was a freshman. So it's likely a suggestion not heeded again.
I was impressed with Cartales last year when I saw him live at Brown Field a couple of times. Either, he is not getting the same love from this staff as he did from the last one or he is still not at 100%. Don't get me wrong. I also like Boxrucker, so I'd love to see both in the backfield, but no one coaches a two back backfield anymore :(. So if the QB has to rely on a running game to loosen up the defense and the defense needs only to key on one back, it makes it pretty difficult to move the ball.
Quote from: VULB#62 on August 31, 2019, 02:22:08 PMI was impressed with Cartales last year when I saw him live at Brown Field a couple of times. Either, he is not getting the same love from this staff as he did from the last one or he is still not at 100%. Don't get me wrong. I also like Boxrucker, so I'd love to see both in the backfield, but no one coaches a two back backfield anymore :(. So if the QB has to rely on a running game to loosen up the defense and the defense needs only to key on one back, it makes it pretty difficult to move the ball.
Plenty of teams can run the ball with one back including Valpo. I thought it interesting that Cartales and Reese were returning kicks. It almost seemed as if the staff was attempting to limit the number of players who played in the game.
Ccsu playing at Fordham today, up 15-6 at the half. On 9/7 they host Merrimack college.
This isn't supposed to be one of Fordham's better teams rated near Stetson while CCoN is a bit better than Dayton ratings wise.
Game is tied at 23. So Valpo should be at least somewhat competitive. Think back to the Sacred Heart games of a few years ago.
QB was their leading rusher with 135 yards.
Now game is over with Central Connecticut winning on a last second field goal.
Prediction CCSU 48 Valpo 16
Scores around PFL
Morehead St.-Union College (NAIA):44-7
Valpo-EKU:7-53
Jacksonville-Richmond:19-38
Davidson-Georgetown:27-20
Butler-North Dakota State: 10-57
Drake-North Dakota: 7-47
San Diego-Cal Poly: 34-52
Stetson-Pres: Canceled
Feel better about chances after seeing Butler and Drake scores. Jacksonville appears much improved. Holy hell Davidson remarkable turnaround.
Quote from: valpofb16 on September 01, 2019, 04:48:23 PMScores around PFL Morehead St.-Union College (NAIA):44-7 Valpo-EKU:7-53 Jacksonville-Richmond:19-38 Davidson-Georgetown:27-20 Butler-North Dakota State: 10-57 Drake-North Dakota: 7-47 San Diego-Cal Poly: 34-52 Stetson-Pres: Canceled Feel better about chances after seeing Butler and Drake scores. Jacksonville appears much improved. Holy hell Davidson remarkable turnaround.
Not sure margin of victory means all that much but I think NDSU and North Dakota are better than Eastern Kentucky and NDSU would probably tattoo EKU.
Quote from: bbtds on August 31, 2019, 10:55:24 PMPrediction CCSU 48 Valpo 16
I was gauging this game with the Sacred Heart games from a few years ago and had forgotten that the game at Brown Field was a shellacking while the game in Connecticut was more competitive. I think the current defense is better than those teams and the offense is probably worse than the 2016 team unless some guys basically come out of nowhere next week. So I'm not sure we give up 48 but I'm also not sure we get to 16. Also CCoN playing as even as they did with Fordham may indicate they aren't as good as was thought going into the season.
Being from New England, I give less respect for CCSU even though they are NEC. However, if we can't score even after we are able to hold them at bay, we are in trouble. So, right now, two weeks before we play and a week from seeing how CC does next week, I am thinking our game will parallel the Fordham contest. In that context the winning FG could, maybe, be Valpo's. Crap shoot!
But two weeks remain before game time, so I reserve the right to modify my stance 😀
Quote from: JD24 on September 01, 2019, 05:14:31 PM
Quote from: bbtds on August 31, 2019, 10:55:24 PMPrediction CCSU 48 Valpo 16
I was gauging this game with the Sacred Heart games from a few years ago and had forgotten that the game at Brown Field was a shellacking while the game in Connecticut was more competitive. I think the current defense is better than those teams and the offense is probably worse than the 2016 team unless some guys basically come out of nowhere next week. So I'm not sure we give up 48 but I'm also not sure we get to 16. Also CCoN playing as even as they did with Fordham may indicate they aren't as good as was thought going into the season.
The thing is it probably won't be the Valpo defense that gives up 25 to 40% of the points to CCSU.
JD24 - I would certainly agree with your assessment on NDSU, and the Biz(s)on have been phenomenol. however, UND is not close to being in their class. NDSU May be a bowl team if they were in 1-A.
Fargo does not have much, but they have great football, a dome stadium, lots of bars and the best ice fishermen in the US.
Quote from: usc4valpo on September 02, 2019, 12:10:19 AM
JD24 - I would certainly agree with your assessment on NDSU, and the Biz(s)on have been phenomenol. however, UND is not close to being in their class. NDSU May be a bowl team if they were in 1-A.
Fargo does not have much, but they have great football, a dome stadium, lots of bars and the best ice fishermen in the US.
And a famous movie named for them. Yah, der, don't cha know.
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0YzsWVUO-_o/maxresdefault.jpg)
yah - that is a movie that you either really love or really hate don't you know...
Quote from: usc4valpo on September 02, 2019, 12:10:19 AMJD24 - I would certainly agree with your assessment on NDSU, and the Biz(s)on have been phenomenol. however, UND is not close to being in their class.
FCS ratings
1. NDSU15. ND65. EKU
What you stated regarding NDSU is likely correct but you're wrong on North Dakota. The Big Sky Conference is loaded with high end FCS teams. Last year Montana beat the 2nd best team in the PFL 48-16 and North Dakota beat Montana 41-16 or something like that. Eastern Kentucky is no match for ND at all.
Agreed, but NDSU would destroy UND. The coaching and talent level varies a lot. I think the team to watch in the Valley is UNI
Thoughts after valpo football weekly
1) Fox did not use scholarships as a reason for loss. Said they made mistakes and they will work to fix them. Said he would not embrace the loser mentality.
2) said Duncan is there guy,and wanted to get him reps. Seewald still week to week with injuries.
Fox is a no excuse coach and it's becoming more and more evident. From a program standpoint this is outstanding. I will be shocked if Seewald takes a snap this season.
Quote from: valpofb16 on September 02, 2019, 06:22:34 PM
Thoughts after valpo football weekly
1) Fox did not use scholarships as a reason for loss. Said they made mistakes and they will work to fix them. Said he would not embrace the loser mentality.
2) said Duncan is there guy,and wanted to get him reps. Seewald still week to week with injuries.
Fox is a no excuse coach and it's becoming more and more evident. From a program standpoint this is outstanding. I will be shocked if Seewald takes a snap this season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=385&v=dZvJaoyWgrw
I also heard...
O needs consistency.
4
good running backs
Felt we got some good inside D line play but need to work on perimeter defense.
Saying "we did ok except for three long gainers" is a loser's mentality. That is still 3 TDs (see the one just above). His definition of giving up a long gainer is 20 yards max, not 60+..
No serious injuries -- thought kids were in good shape coming into the game. Approaching bye week like an extension of fall camp to improve fundamentals that showed poorly in the game.
Quote from: usc4valpo on September 02, 2019, 12:10:19 AMJD24 - I would certainly agree with your assessment on NDSU, and the Biz(s)on have been phenomenol. however, UND is not close to being in their class. NDSU May be a bowl team if they were in 1-A. Fargo does not have much, but they have great football, a dome stadium, lots of bars and the best ice fishermen in the US.
We'll find out how much better NDSU is than ND as they play today.
38-7 NDSU
Some background on CCSU around today's game vs. Merrimack College (MA). CC is ahead 37-21 in the 4th. But not before being behind 14-3 in the second qtr. CC is now dominating the statistics.
But now a little about Merrimack for context. Moving up to FCS this year, its first in the NEC. Formerly D-II and a middle of the pack member of the NE-10.
That makes a conclusive relative assessment almost impossible right now, given that CC beat a Patriot opponent on the road last week.
Final: CC 39 - MC 23.
CC Off stats: 131 pass, 275 rush.
MC Off stats: 217 pass, 8 rush
So CC is 2-0 coming into our game. Right now, our performance could produce a tight contest like Fordham (and with a break here or there pull out that winning FG) or we could go down like Merrimack. But like I said earlier, I do not respect New England D-II football as much as midwestern D-II, so, I'm thinking we would be stronger than MC, and therefore, this contest would lean more toward a Fordham-like result.
Oh, and for those of us looking forward to our D-II opponents after CCSU, Truman State beat Drake 10-7 today.
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 07, 2019, 08:45:18 PMSome background on CCSU around today's game vs. Merrimack College (MA). CC is ahead 37-21 in the 4th. But not before being behind 14-3 in the second qtr. CC is now dominating the statistics. But now a little about Merrimack for context. Moving up to FCS this year, its first in the NEC. Formerly D-II and a middle of the pack member of the NE-10. That makes a conclusive relative assessment almost impossible right now, given that CC beat a Patriot opponent on the road last week. Final: CC 39 - MC 23. CC Off stats: 131 pass, 275 rush. MC Off stats: 217 pass, 8 rush So CC is 2-0 coming into our game. Right now, our performance could produce a tight contest like Fordham (and with a break here or there pull out that winning FG) or we could go down like Merrimack. But like I said earlier, I do not respect New England D-II football as much as midwestern D-II, so, I'm thinking we would be stronger than MC, and therefore, this contest would lean more toward a Fordham-like result.
Not sure where the above final is coming from but what actually happened is that Central Connecticut, again, won on a last second field goal after letting a big lead slip away. They completely outplayed Merrimack...outgained them by 200 yards....but allowed an onside kick to be recovered along with two 2 point conversions. Score was 40-37. CCSU never had 39 and Merrimack never was at 23.
I've seen some video of Central Connecticut on offense and it's an offense I'm left scratching my head as to how it works because it looks like a mess but ends up down the field. The QB is the leading rusher although they have a couple of decent backs and they complete some passes down the field. It is probably difficult for a DC to gameplan for because the offense appears to be a bit of street ball although this may be planned (much like Davidson).
As to the quality of the football, the NEC is the same conference as Sacred Heart and is an FCS conference not Div II. Valpo's played Sacred Heart (and Duquense) within the last 5 years and got blown out of one completely, was semi competitive for a time in another and played the Dukes tough last year. While not at the level either the MVC or OVC in terms of level of football....and thank goodness for that saving Valpo from another complete beatdown....the level of football in the NEC is still at a higher level overall than the PFL.
I was on the CCSU Game Tracker and followed the scores as they evolved. With 1:58 left it showed the score I posted. With CC running out the clock. Sorry if it was erroneous. Don't know how that happened.
However, what I said regarding MERRIMACK in comparison to CC is totally correct. If you read a bit more carefully the reference to D-II was about Merrimack not CC or the NEC. You know me better than that 24. I stated that Merrimack is in its first year of FCS play as a member of the NEC. My assessment made the point that they, MC, were a D-II team now essentially masquerading as an FCS program even though it was now a first year NEC member. I went on to point out that New England D-II football is, IMO, weaker than midwestern D-II football and drew a conclusion that would, in other words, lessen CC's level of performance in this game. The way it actually ended probably supports that notion.
Watching the Central Connecticut game on ESPN+, I doubt Valpo will be able to run the ball at all. They have a couple of DTs who just control the LOS completely. Merrimack had a decent amount of yards passing 287 but threw it 43 times to do so. Meanwhile Central Connecticut averaged over 7 yards per rush and 8 yards per pass. The QB running around will be a problem for Valpo. Merrimack was in the game because of a pick 6 and the recovery of an onside kick for the most part. They were completely outplayed.
With that said, Merrimack's first Div I FCS's game was vs Virginia University of Lynchburg which is a school which is a bit better than the complete waste of time school Valpo played a few years ago but not much better.
If you go by Sagarin, CCSU is a 26 point favorite over the Crusaders at beautiful Brown Field.
Now that I am into the Sagarin ratings, if USC play Valpo at Brown Field, the now 24th ranked Trojans would be favored by 71.
If Clemson played at Brown Field they would be favored by 89.5 points.
Tell Dabo to put up or shut up!!!
I haven't looked all that closely but if Valpo is a 26 point underdog, I'd take Valpo. 16-17 maybe.
Quote from: valpofb16 on September 02, 2019, 06:22:34 PMThoughts after valpo football weekly 1) Fox did not use scholarships as a reason for loss. Said they made mistakes and they will work to fix them. Said he would not embrace the loser mentality. 2) said Duncan is there guy,and wanted to get him reps. Seewald still week to week with injuries. Fox is a no excuse coach and it's becoming more and more evident. From a program standpoint this is outstanding. I will be shocked if Seewald takes a snap this season.
I'd much rather listen to Coach Fox's no excuse comments over something such as this after a 20 point loss:
Quote"The glimpses are there," Cecchini said. "We're excited as a coaching staff. We see the flashes of brilliance. We see the potential that our guys have. Right now, we're just inexperienced, and not just inexperienced at playing football but inexperienced in the offensive scheme as well. It's a frustrating part of that growing and maturing that needs to take place. At times, it's going to be one step up, two steps back, then it's going to be two steps up, one step back, and then, all of a sudden, we're going to have a quarter where it's all clicking. The more our players grow in our system, the more consistent they'll be at making plays."
Please note that the above was not after one of Valpo's losses over the last 5 years but Saturday's Bucknell loss to Sacred Heart even if the same tired inexperience refrain was repeated.
Week 2 Depth chart changes:
RG: Joe Monahan has been removed, likely a RS season
WR-SLOT: Oscar Lopez has replaced Trey Stablein
QB: No longer Duncan OR Seewald, Duncan is the starter
RB: Boxrucker is listed on DC, looked best of bunch against EKU
CB: Jalen Allen has been listed as a backup, Sherman is now the starter over LeAndre, Stacey Jones has dropped out if DC
KR: Reese has been labeled as an additional return man
Overall things to look for
1) Stability on offense, not looking for an outstanding game but at least the ability to string drives together.
2) Limit big plays on defense, make the opposing team work for points
3) ST's limit errors moving forward. Bounce back game for Latsonas.
Predictions: 24-7 CCSU, Think defense will look better and more similar athletic wise to other team. Not a ton of faith in our offense. Hope I am wrong.
It's a hard call this one. I'm hoping for a close contest. C'mon defense. Keep us in the game into Q4, then it's anyone's game.
It's game day baby - finally!
CCSU 43, Valpo 20
I'm in the middle between 62 and usc
I don't think the defense gives up 43 but it's not going to be close enough to be anyone's game. I'm more concerned with the ability to score for Valpo.
30-17 bad guys
VU up 6-0 on a blocked punt and run by Booker. Great effort. Missed PAT that looked again like a faulty hold but no replay so I may be wrong. Defense held after a long Valpo drive and interception :(
CC 3 and out -- second one in a row.
The scoreboard was hit by lightning earlier in the week - not operating. Time is being kept on the field.
OL is having a difficult time opening holes for Cartales, Boxrucker and Allison. CC is also getting pressure on Duncan as well as he is rushing a lot of throws.
End of Q1
T of P in Q1 - Valpo 12 minutes, CC 3
Observation: Fox is very dynamic on the sidelines.
Cartales is a monster today. Got it down to the CC 9 but missed another FG. What's going on? Latsonas was almost automatic last year from close in.
Replay showed a low snap from the LS that the holder had to scramble to set.
CC comes back with a TD after a long pass completion to get deep inside Valpo territory. 9 yd TD pass off a bootleg to the left corner of the EZ.
Score 7-6 CC
Good KO returned by Reese is wasted on a 3 and out. Punter cranked a 55 yarder that. just barely missed going out of bounds around the 2.
CC ball on their 20.
CC QB keeper for a TD after a series of completed passes moved the ball easily down the field. 14-6 CC. 1:18 left in Q2.
Can the O get anything going?
Nope. After moving the ball very well with passes to Larose, Duncan threw a pic on a 1 &10 inside the 30. End of half. 14-6 CC
Gotta go to work now. Hope I can at least get Gametracker on my phone.
Go Valpo. We are within a score. Make it happen in the second half.
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 14, 2019, 01:46:19 PMCartales is a monster today. Got it down to the CC 9 but missed another FG. What's going on? Latsonas was almost automatic last year from close in. Replay showed a low snap from the LS that the holder had to scramble to set.
Based on the conversation between the ST coach, kicker and holder, there's still a problem there.
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 14, 2019, 02:19:10 PMNope. After moving the ball very well with passes to Larose, Duncan threw a pic on a 1 &10 inside the 30. End of half. 14-6 CC Gotta go to work now. Hope I can at least get Gametracker on my phone. Go Valpo. We are within a score. Make it happen in the second half.
That was a horrible play by the QB. After 3 or 4 really good throws he just seemed to make up his mind he was going to throw it to Larose(I think) who had two guys right with him. He's got to be better than that.
2nd half things. Other than the one run by Cartales, Valpo's got 3 yards on the ground. It's going to be tough sledding on the ground the rest of the way likely. This brings up a problem because the QB has been prone to making mistakes through the air. Defense has to hold early in the 2nd half lest CCSU gets away. This is typically where their QB starts running around all over the place.
Cartales already has 14 touches which is what he would typically have in a full game last year IIRC. Larose has looked like a guy to count on at WR which I think the squad desperately needs.
Yuck. Time for a QB controversy.
Thoughts on the post game interviews: Coach is wired way tighter than Dave. Jumps in to say stuff in front of the players. Not a bad thing--he is passionate but inexperienced in front of the press. Team is young, showing some talent. Duncan can play but....
A ways to go!
Quote from: vu72 on September 14, 2019, 08:15:59 PMThoughts on the post game interviews: Coach is wired way tighter than Dave. Jumps in to say stuff in front of the players. Not a bad thing--he is passionate but inexperienced in front of the press. Team is young, showing some talent. Duncan can play but.... A ways to go!
I don't know who was doing the radio for Valpo today but he was faced with the task of interviewing Coach Limbach which may have been the second worst interview I've heard and exceeded only by the hallway interview Fox gave on media day. I certainly didn't agree with everything Cecchini said post game or in a preview/review but these guys give you less than nothing.
One think I will say as a positive in interviews from Fox is his immediately having his staff take responsibility. Cecchini's habit of virtually never saying that and finger pointing to his players I didn't like at all.
Why, on a sunny beautiful Saturday afternoon, could the Crusaders draw more than 2110 to the game? Sad.
Quote from: vu72 on September 14, 2019, 09:45:37 PMWhy, on a sunny beautiful Saturday afternoon, could the Crusaders draw more than 2110 to the game? Sad.
Just a bit below what the team averages which is more than Drake, San Diego, Stetson, Jacksonville and Marist. Oddly, Davidson and Morehead St. draw the 2 biggest crowds on an average basis with MSU drawing more than twice as many on a weekly basis than all teams save Dayton, Butler and Davidson.
2100 is actually a good attendance consider the results of the football program in the past decade or 2.
Just starting to analyze the box score cuz I missed the second half stream. Initial reaction: This loss has to be laid at the feet of the offense. Q3 and the score is 13-14 CCSU. We throw 3 interceptions in the remainder of the second half - one a pick six.
We have an undersized DL that can't be expected to hold ground forever. The Offense just gave CC too many opportunities to pound us.
Here is the bottom line as I actually saw it in the limited time I was able watch the game (Q1 & Q2). Theoretically we could have gone into the locker room ahead 17-14. But a missed XP and FG along with a dumb pic thrown on 1 & 10 to inside the CC 20 with 1:18 left in the half resulted in a measly 6 points.
Chris is just so inconsistent. He throws some great balls and then throws dumb stuff. But it is incredible that the dumb stuff almost always winds up killing us. Maybe more work and continued support from the staff will help him with slowing down the game and making better decisions, but I am not too optimistic right now.
The offense looked much better yesterday even if the results don't show it. Much more organized and confident looking.
In an odd way, this was the best I've seen Duncan look. He made some really good throws. He does seem to make some throws in which he decides he's throwing it no matter what such as the pick on the fake spike. I also wonder about the play call on the interception when he was throwing to Stablein. That is a tough throw and tough route to get separation on. So we have a guy who's playing his first real action and we run him on a route which the QB demonstrated last year he has trouble throwing to with Jean Rene running the route? Is this kid supposed to be fast or big or physical? Because unless the throw is perfect, it is a setup for an incompletion or pick. How about giving the WR and easy pitch and catch to get his feet on the ground. Cut down on the mistakes and have the coaches put him in winable situations and Duncan may be ok.
I like the personnel with Boxrucker and Cartales with Cartales as more of a wing and receiving threat. I haven't seen any "dynamics" out of the WRs to this point. Larose had a couple of nice catches. Reese I thought was a bit all over the place. I thought at least one or two he should come down with and he didn't. He may have the most pure ability to get the ball down the field based on what I've seen so far.
Defensively, there were times they were just out athleted. Third and long and their receiver pulls one down 25 yards down the field after the QB had all day to throw. Long runs after breakdowns at the point of attack and their guy is just faster than our DBs. There aren't too many PFL teams which will do that to each other.
The team will win games in the PFL. Maybe half of them. Not sure the league is all that great this year based on early results.
"Out atheted" may not be a real term but it works for me ;D. I agree. For instance, their edge rushers were constantly putting pressure on Chris largely because their first step was quicker than our tackles' and, as a result, our tackles could not get proper position on their drop — so they often times wound up pushing the rusher right at Chris instead around him. I was also impressed by CC DBs. Great speed and quick closure compared to our receivers. We couldn't get any real separation. CC was picked third in the NEC preseason balloting. It will be interesting to see where they finally wind up.
It is clear to me at this point that Fox and staff have a huge recruiting task ahead in the next two years to upgrade DL length and size, OL athleticism, QB quality and team speed among other things. That is not a surprise though. He had little time to recruit his own players this cycle.
Like you, 24, I like his straight forward approach to responsibility and his animation on the sideline.
62 & 24 you said all that really needs to be said. Few tidbits from the game
QB: Same Duncan looked confident and threw some nice balls, was interesting Mullen got garbage time snaps, Mullen season debut
RB: Cartales, Boxrucker got lion share of carries, Allison, Haugh, Early played
WR: Cartales targeted more than any, Larose debut 4/60, Koehler 4/43, Lopez had 2/23, Not much Brewer in box score weeks 1&2, Stablein, Berkemeier played
TE: Kluck started, Bittner had a big catch
OL: Played 5, couldn't get a push appears this will be our 5 moving forward (Lundberg,Vas, Jarnigan, Russell, Byrd)
DL: Nice to have Goebel back, wore down in the second half
LB:Lack of tackle #'s in the Box Score Messler had most with five
DB: Booker once again was outstanding ,Blocked kick for touchdown, forced fumble, 8 tackles.
K/P: Latsonas is really struggling here
Season Debuts:
#4 Mullen
#17 Larose
#22 Lopez
#34 Bishop
#91 Goebel
Quote from: valpofb16 on September 15, 2019, 10:37:57 AM
K/P: Latsonas is really struggling
This really bothers me. This should not be happening. As a former long snapper, I keep coming back to the snap and placement pieces. Our LS doesn't seem to have trouble with punt snaps, but the snap and hold on PATs and FGs seems off somehow. I wonder if these snaps are done blind, i.e., the snapper raises his head just before the snap to see who to block and relies on muscle memory to guide the ball. I never raised my head. I always watched the snap go into the holder's hands as my followthrough. I was coached that my guards would always close over me so
my only job was getting the ball perfectly on target.
Quote from: valpofb16 on September 15, 2019, 10:37:57 AM62 & 24 you said all that really needs to be said. Few tidbits from the game QB: Same Duncan looked confident and threw some nice balls, was interesting Mullen got garbage time snaps, Mullen season debut RB: Cartales, Boxrucker got lion share of carries, Allison, Haugh, Early played WR: Cartales targeted more than any, Larose debut 4/60, Koehler 4/43, Lopez had 2/23, Not much Brewer in box score weeks 1&2, Stablein, Berkemeier played TE: Kluck started, Bittner had a big catch OL: Played 5, couldn't get a push appears this will be our 5 moving forward (Lundberg,Vas, Jarnigan, Russell, Byrd) DL: Nice to have Goebel back, wore down in the second half LB:Lack of tackle #'s in the Box Score Messler had most with five DB: Booker once again was outstanding ,Blocked kick for touchdown, forced fumble, 8 tackles. K/P: Latsonas is really struggling here Season Debuts: #4 Mullen #17 Larose #22 Lopez #34 Bishop #91 Goebel
Thanks for this update. Something to look into:
Brewer, Allison and Turner went out with injuries and didn't return. Todd mentioned Brewer in a knee brace, Allison in a boot (I may have that backwards). I can't say I was overwhelmed by either Brewer or Allison during the few times they could be observed during the first two games but both guys looked like they could run which I think this team really needs (the ability to get the ball downfield quickly). So these guys may develop into very useful pieces if they are healthy. Turner, of course, would be a big part of the defense missing if that is the case.
I don't worry about OL and DL play in these games. They are simply going to be overmatched with the typical talent level difference. This also naturally affects other parts of the game as well.
What I would like to see is some more or...more accurately...some big play ability. One reason the score was so close early was the 9 minute 15 play 39 yard (!!!!) "drive" at the start. Keepaway is nice I guess but you have to get the ball down the field better than that. That is really hard to do (15 plays 39 yards) and eventually there is going to be a breakdown.
Whatever the issue with the kicking game is which seems to be more snap/hold than kick at this point based on watching the sideline interaction yesterday, it definitely needs to get fixed quick. I think all of the misses have been pushes to the right.
Just watched the post game presser. Fox was definitely pissed and it showed. 180 degrees from our two previous HCs.
I like his passion and he seems like a real human being. He is also undoubtedly learning on the job.
I like that Fox is mad after losses. You should be mad after losses. He's a competitor
8th year around program and I'll say this. Carlson would say losses were a lot closer than scoreboard and we were close to turning corner. Cecchini would say the team was young until they weren't anymore, then they were injured.
Fox is saying we didn't execute plain and simple. He's visibly upset about loss and saying coaches and players, need to get better.
I think VU is in the beginning stages of being in solid hands
I think Fox might be ok, but right now the talent level is not there at the QB and WR spots.
Quote from: vu72 on September 14, 2019, 09:45:37 PM
Why, on a sunny beautiful Saturday afternoon, could the Crusaders draw more than 2110 to the game? Sad.
When was the last time that students spent four years at VU with a winning football team each season? We have no winning tradition to build a fan base.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Generally, speaking, the student body and the alumni base do not care about the football program. We do on this board but we are the exception rather than the rule. Also, the program has sucked for awhile and you can only ask for patience for so long. 2100 is a very respectable attendance given the situation and status of football at Valparaiso. start winning and provide a decent product, and the attendance will increase.
3 drives in our offense has a whopping 4 yards
Long year is an understatement
17-0 Truman beginning of 2nd
Our offense probably could not put up 21 points in Indiana 6A high school football
Defense, Truman moving ball at will
Special Teams, Punt return for touchdown.
Woah.
Quote from: covufan on September 21, 2019, 10:24:39 AM
Quote from: vu72 on September 14, 2019, 09:45:37 PM
Why, on a sunny beautiful Saturday afternoon, could the Crusaders draw more than 2110 to the game? Sad.
When was the last time that students spent four years at VU with a winning football team each season? We have no winning tradition to build a fan base.
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Pretty much each season when I was on campus ('99-'03 football seasons), which resulted in 3k-5k folks each home game.
Quote from: valpotx on September 22, 2019, 12:44:45 PM
Quote from: covufan on September 21, 2019, 10:24:39 AM
Quote from: vu72 on September 14, 2019, 09:45:37 PM
Why, on a sunny beautiful Saturday afternoon, could the Crusaders draw more than 2110 to the game? Sad.
When was the last time that students spent four years at VU with a winning football team each season? We have no winning tradition to build a fan base.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Pretty much each season when I was on campus ('99-'03 football seasons), which resulted in 3k-5k folks each home game.
I was there for a Macchi QBed game vs. Robert Morris ( a win). No room on the Valpo side. Had to sit on the Morris side.
But you prove the point, Tex. Win and fans show up. Win a lot and even more show up.