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The coach's video comments make me feel like I over estimated the points we will score.

If the defense tackles better and Green blitzes more, Hutsons knee tweak was no big deal, and QB Stahl get a chance to bring the O to life, then Valpo 35-St Joe 14.

To be more specific--in football, "giving away the game" happens when a team turns the ball over that results in points. No pic-sixes last night, no fumbles lost, blocked punts, or punt/kick returns for TDs. The coach will be pleased with progress in this area.

The big hope coming out of last nights game: we didn't give the game away as has happened so many times over the previous few years. St Joe will be a better read on this years team.

Defensive coverage was much better, but the biggest challenge of the night was basic tackling. Would've liked to see more pressure on their QB--but he was pretty good at picking us up. Special teams played okay, and had none of the miscues so common before. On offense, can't imagine the coach learned much other than Hall can pick up reliable short gains. Lehman played nearly the whole game, but didn't get us downfield except for one long drive in Q4 and had an int--Stahl looked decent, but only played two real series in Q2. Kuramata played well. Gladney was too quiet and needs the ball more. Fewer mistakes though, so some reason for optimism.

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.

My guess: 5 wins. Some guys who missed most or all of last season with injuries will be fully back, meaning we have more talent than most know about. Add in the new coach and a very favorable schedule. Seems like the St Joe game will be the most important of the season. A win gives confidence to take against into the next couple of winnable games. A loss, though, deflates morale in a big way. If we come out of Western IL healthy and score a couple of times, it's a win that sets us up for St Joe well.

In checking on other teams, seems as though everyone won their spring game. Just like everyone has promising, talented recruits. And now every team has two important milemarkers ahead. Who returns for camp in August, and how does the team look in their first game--no matter the opponent.   

Agree with Florida about the kicking game. All the kickoffs laid short or went out. Needs resolution or we give good field position. As for QB, the coach highlighted the QBs along with the running backs as looking strong--in the Valpo athletics video--the passes and decisions looked good. On D the coverages need tightening, especially in the seams. Short coverages looked good, though, as did the tackling. Good pass rushing, too. Any observations on the O line?

The Spring game provided many reasons to feel positive about the direction football is taking. The running game as delivered by three talented backs (Hall, Bastin, and Hutson)--in addition to strong yardage and 5 rushing TDs, there were no fumbles. An impressive number of different receivers proved to be attractie targets, although they didn't pick up as many yards after the catch as in previous years--a plus for the open field tackling by the D-backs that looked much better. Both QBs played well and threw downfield instead of across field--Staal was impressive leading the final drive the entire length of the field with no timeouts. The D-ends played big, especially Guilford. Green and the LBs hit well and covered short routes strong; looked like some very new stuff happening in assignments between the LBs and the DBs. Best observation--big energy on the field that spilled over into the stands. It appears we have a very new football program.   

Interesting PFL preview:
http://www.wearecentralpa.com/story/d/story/in-the-fcs-huddle-pioneer-football-league-spring-p/27443/h2hQIcM3vEejVrWsP-j1rQ

Guessing that Easter on April 20 (week before) and finals starting May 8 (1.5 weeks after) impacted the timing.

I believe the spring game is April 26.

From Twitter this evening, here are the positions recruited in the class of 17 players shown: 3 DBs, 3 LBs, 2 QBs, 2 DEs, and 1 each of OL, WR, Ath, TE, DL, RB, FB. The next round of recruiting starts now because a lot of players holding out hope for a D1 scholarship that didn't happen will now consider a non-scholarship D1 school like Valpo rather than go to D2, D3, or NAIA.

For most of January, the coaches were on recruiting trips, so limited interaction with the players--means there's no real morale read yet. As for the workouts, a strength/conditioning consultant was brought in that has worked with NFL players. They're ramping up on workouts now, so a little early on a read for that too. All that said, some signs of enthusiasm and commitment by players to working out, running pass routes, and doing all the "voluntary" stuff that helps a team succeed. Heard that spring workouts will start later than previous years. Still looking for the date of the spring scrimmage. Looking forward to seeing what the O looks like under Coach C -- and for which players to build our hopes on. Can't imagine all of us on this forum being okay with anything less than a solid number of wins next year! The players putting in the extra work now are the ones who will make that happen. But that's nothing new...

Heard that retention has been pretty good--6 guys not returning, which includes QB Hoffman and one of the redshirt freshman QBs, and a couple of injury-related nonreturns.

Meanwhile, most of the team is back and already working out together in organized sessions, the weight room, and in smaller groups getting extra reps catching passes. Would they like new equipment, new cleats, new facilities, etc.? Of course; they are 19-22 year old young men! They receive a fair amount of stuff now.  Does it matter to them right now? Nope. Only doing what it takes to get wins does. I'll post updates when I can.

Hearing now that Teegarden and Donovan will be the returning coaches, possibly one more. Not sure about assignments. No unit proved consistently strong this year, so change is due in all areas. As for the comments about a kicker--sure would be great to see someone emerge as a 3-point threat.  Between the two, Young's ball had better FG trajectory from what I saw than Newman. We also need deeper kickoffs, so maybe one can focus on the uprights and one can work on a big foot. 

I agree #62. The most effective recruiting weapon, though, will be some wins next year.

Heard only 1 or 2 assistants made the cut. Headcount for returning players will happen this week. Hope we don't lose many--incoming recruits are exciting to speculate on, but they miss spring practice and don't start playing at the next level until August.

Heard Hoffman made his decision prior to the new coach announcement. He graduates after amassing great numbers and appeared to still be pretty healthy--seems like a smart move for him. Remembering back to the spring game, some younger QBs also played well. Any word on any other guys' decisions? Coaches? 

I admit to irrational optimism. Just would enjoy a surprise from football (for the good). 

Six or seven wins, with a few different players emerging as key difference makers on both sides of the ball. Two important indicators coming up fast--new staff hires and player decisions to return or not.

New enthusiasm in the players will result in renewed enthusiasm for putting in hard work on the off-season. A great choice by MLB. We might even snag some unexpected recruits.

Good point, VU72. But Michigan State showed Saturday night that stopping another team's offense will win games. I believe our defense will improve with an offense that controls more of the game. Just my opinion though.