Game #2 - Duquesne

[VULB#62]

Really excited to start this thread given how well we played in the loss to full scholarship Montana. The Dukes, I don't believe, grant the full allotment (65) but they do give some FB schoarships just like Sacred Heart.

It was good to see both QBs do well. They each have different strengths which can cause opponents some problems.

[valpofb16]

No additional injuries known of from Saturday, and I believe as of 2012 they have 35 full rides

[JD24]

Duquesne is the favorite in the NEC, likely much better than Sacred Heart. They have a new QB but their offense led the league last year and they have a potential All-FCS running back. They were pummeled by South Dakota State which is the #4 ranked FCS program in the country. Drake has the pleasure of playing SDS in a week or so.

It's possible that the Dukes are as good as the Griz. Dayton plays Duquense at home the week after Valpo hosts them. Could be a good way to gauge where the programs are. Stetson visits Marist this week in an early PFL game.

[VUOR63]

Since I brought my family out to the Montana game and talked to some of the players' parents, I feel like I have a vested interest in this 2017 team.  Therefore, I'm going to liberally use "we".

In 2003 after we played Murray State tough, we came back and played an NEC team (Saint Francis).  They had a left tackle that was supposed to be the cat's meow and getting looked at by the Steelers.  He got rolled up and was out for the majority of the game and we beat them 38-6.  Interestingly, there is a Steeler connection: Saint Francis was the summer camp facility used by the Steelers at the time while Duquesne's field is named after Art Rooney.

Duquesne might be a little different as it sounds like they are the class of the NEC but this being first home game, a forecast for great weather and the difficulty level of actually getting to Valpo for the visiting team means our crew will be ready to roll.

I say we win by 2 TDs.

[usc4valpo]

35-17 Dukes. They are getting better, but let's not get over our heads quite yet.

[bbtds]

We will play better than we did last year against Sacred Heart but that is a mighty big leap from losing 42-14 to SH to beating Duquesne.

Duquesne  29
Valpo        17

[talksalot]

Dukes lost at SD State last weekend... here's their write-up.   

http://www.goduquesne.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/083117aaa.html

[vu72]

Last year they lost to Illinois State by 17, we lost to Illinois State by 37.  We have improved, so have the Dukes.  We lose by 2 TDs, 28-14.

[covufan]

I don't think we'll be competitive with FCS teams that offer scholarships for a few years, if ever.

Dukes    38
VALPO    20

[valpofb16]

Well in terms of raw rpi rankings

Montana is #123
South Dakota State is #78

http://realtimerpi.com/college_football/ncaaf_power_rankings_Full.html

That is a substantial difference

[talksalot]

Valpo is 212
Butler is 226

ahhhhhhh... doesn't get much better than that...

[JD24]

Campbell is 246 on that list. I'm not sure how accurate it is overall particularly as you go deeper down the list.

[usc4valpo]

it is way too early to metricize this.

[valpofb16]

Thats why I said raw rpi

[valporun]

Rankings are useless at this time of the season. What's the point of discussing them until October?

[valpofb16]

Freshman that played last week and will not be redshirting:
#14 Cam Kelly DB
#6 Logan Pfizenmayer LB
#25 Dilan Scargle DB
#26 Donny Navarro WR
#29 Julian Benavides DB
#35 Gavin Twigg LB
#37 Laddie Skarecky LB
#38 Jake Poloskey LB
#41 Henry Hebda DB
#62 Nathan Orlandini DT
#66 Sam Vas OL
#82 Deuce Larose WR
#92 Andrew Gerdys DT
#97 Jeremiah Olojo DT

Only 3 on offense vs 11 on defense, 14 of 36 overall. I remember reading something that as a college program you want 8-12 freshman in the mix. Lets hope we stay healthy on defense

[vu72]

Freshman that played last week and will not be redshirting:
#14 Cam Kelly DB
#6 Logan Pfizenmayer LB
#25 Dilan Scargle DB
#26 Donny Navarro WR
#29 Julian Benavides DB
#35 Gavin Twigg LB
#37 Laddie Skarecky LB
#38 Jake Poloskey LB
#41 Henry Hebda DB
#62 Nathan Orlandini DT
#66 Sam Vas OL
#82 Deuce Larose WR
#92 Andrew Gerdys DT
#97 Jeremiah Olojo DT

Only 3 on offense vs 11 on defense, 14 of 36 overall. I remember reading something that as a college program you want 8-12 freshman in the mix. Lets hope we stay healthy on defense

My guess is that the rotation will tighten significantly playing in Valpo at 71 degrees versus playing in Montana at near 100. 

[IndyValpo]

Freshman that played last week and will not be redshirting:
#14 Cam Kelly DB
#6 Logan Pfizenmayer LB
#25 Dilan Scargle DB
#26 Donny Navarro WR
#29 Julian Benavides DB
#35 Gavin Twigg LB
#37 Laddie Skarecky LB
#38 Jake Poloskey LB
#41 Henry Hebda DB
#62 Nathan Orlandini DT
#66 Sam Vas OL
#82 Deuce Larose WR
#92 Andrew Gerdys DT
#97 Jeremiah Olojo DT

Only 3 on offense vs 11 on defense, 14 of 36 overall. I remember reading something that as a college program you want 8-12 freshman in the mix. Lets hope we stay healthy on defense

I have never been a fan of redshirting at this level. For the most part players leave after 4 years. I hope we see more as the season continues

[valpofb16]

Conference champ San Diego has 6, higher end teams that face less attrition in our conference usually have 15-20 srs, 5-6 rssr, valpo hasn't had that number since 14, next year we will have the potential for only 1 5th year which is Simpson the kicker, 2019 will show where we are in terms of attrition as a program as a whole

[valpofb16]

I would LOVE to be at the point where we are looking at Koehler, Iery, Robet, Fox, Lundberg, Messler, Jarnigan, Sullivan, and Horan are all 5th year seniors that season

Having just Jarnigan, Roberts, Lundberg, and Sullivan

That would have to be top oline in conference

[JD24]

There's some legislation which may come for a vote in January which would allow freshmen to play up to 4 games and still retain a redshirt year. It apparently has plenty of support. No idea whether this would grandfather in current freshmen.

[valpofb16]

THAT would be awesome

Game 2 notes

No De La Rosa only real thing I saw with depth chart

[talksalot]

Rankings are useless at this time of the season.

Unless we are ahead of Butler.  Then it matters ALL the time.  Sorta like time of possession in football.... it only matters if we are ahead.

[vu72]

THAT would be awesome

Game 2 notes

No De La Rosa only real thing I saw with depth chart

Sure sounds like he will play!

https://www.facebook.com/valpoathletics/videos/1424147170974329/

[JD24]

THAT would be awesome Game 2 notes No De La Rosa only real thing I saw with depth chart

Sure sounds like he will play! https://www.facebook.com/valpoathletics/videos/1424147170974329/

I don't think that video means anything.

edit: Tristan was in pads today so maybe he's good to go. Let's hope so.