2018 Football Non-Game Thread

[vu72]

RSFR QB Ryan Markoff moving to WR, looks to be in the mix

Presumably as an ex-quarterback he has good hands and at 6'2" 190#, he should presumably be an excellent target.

[JD24]

I guess there are at least 3 QBs ahead of Markoff (and maybe 4) plus a recruit so if he can show at another position, he's a bigger asset there. He's fast and has the size to play outside but let's see if he can run a route. Dalton made the same move last year and ended up not on the roster at all.

There is a lot more to playing the position than running quickly and catching a pass. More often than not, it is those other things which get you on or take you off the field.

[Lurking Dog]

Do any of you have connections at Augustana (SD)?  They are supposedly looking at a move to D-I...Summit League or WAC.  Wondering if they would move football to the PFL.

[VULB#62]

Do any of you have connections at Augustana (SD)?  They are supposedly looking at a move to D-I...Summit League or WAC.  Wondering if they would move football to the PFL.

Hey L-Dog!  Good to to see you here on our board. I personally have no clue about that Augustana (there are so many). But the SD version going from D-II to D-I  would make sense in that they could save Scholly bucks by going D-I FB in the PFL without having to go Big Sky or MVFC. The PFL footprint is the entire freakin country so the appeal of national travel annually could be an offset to the scholarship thing. But the big question in my mind is which sport is the bell cow?  MBB or FB?

[Lurking Dog]

Augie won the 2016 D-II basketball championship, so I think that's their big sport.  Football has about 30 scholarships and a smallish, but modern, stadium. Not sure they would be able to support 63 fb scholarships.  Hoping they might become the Valpo of the West with PFL ball.  ;-)

[vu72]

If they came to the PFL is would add another Lutheran school!  Currently there are only two in D1.

[bbtds]

Augustana SD is also one of the schools that gets a regular visit whenever the king and queen of Norway come to America. Augustana has some very old connections to the Lutheran Church in Norway which is officially headed by the king and queen of Norway. With the university mascot being the Viking and their connections to Norway this school is by far the closest thing to Norway in America except for maybe Luther College (the Norse) in Decorah, Iowa.

https://decorahnewspapers.com/Content/Social/Social/Article/Norway-king--queen-get-royal-reception-in-Decorah/-2/-2/26542

Harald (King of Norway) acknowledged the spirit of the Nobel Peace Prize is reflected at Luther and its four sister colleges in the Midwest, all founded by Norwegian immigrants, during the Nobel Peace Prize forum. In addition to Luther the annual event is sponsored by Augsburg, Augustana, Concordia and St. Olaf colleges.

[VULB#62]

Augie won the 2016 D-II basketball championship, so I think that's their big sport.  Football has about 30 scholarships and a smallish, but modern, stadium. Not sure they would be able to support 63 fb scholarships.  Hoping they might become the Valpo of the West with PFL ball.  ;-)

Their fb stadium is fairly modern (opened in 2009)  and realistically rated at 6,500 capacity. It is set in a bowl and of the 6,500 seats with something like 2,200 being chairbacks. Two level pressbox. Grass seating on the endzone banks. Not bad for a 1,800-1,900 enrollment. It would immediately rank ahead of the following PFL stadiums, IMO:  Valpo, Davidson, Jacksonville, Stetson, Marist, Butler. Morehead has more seats but is very old in comparison.

[JD24]

Augie won the 2016 D-II basketball championship, so I think that's their big sport.  Football has about 30 scholarships and a smallish, but modern, stadium. Not sure they would be able to support 63 fb scholarships.  Hoping they might become the Valpo of the West with PFL ball.  ;-)

Their fb stadium is fairly modern (opened in 2009)  and realistically rated at 6,500 capacity. It is set in a bowl and of the 6,500 seats with something like 2,200 being chairbacks. Two level pressbox. Grass seating on the endzone banks. Not bad for a 1,800-1,900 enrollment. It would immediately rank ahead of the following PFL stadiums, IMO:  Valpo, Davidson, Jacksonville, Stetson, Marist, Butler. Morehead has more seats but is very old in comparison.

Athletic site lists 1800 seats. Looks nice but, seating wise, pretty small.

[VULB#62]

You might be looking at the wrong Augustana.  There's also an Aiugustana College, but that's in Rock Island, IL.  They are D-III,

"The anchor of Augustana's on-campus athletic facilities, Kirkeby-Over Stadium serves as the home of Vikings football and gives the program one of the premiere football venues in all of NCAA Division II.

TKDA, a specialty architecture and engineering based in the Twin Cities, designed Kirkeby-Over Stadium, while the Winkels Group in Sioux Falls managed the project. The facility features a FieldTurf surface in a bowl venue with seating for approximately 6,500, including 2,200 chairback seats. Fans can also choose to watch the action from grass berms in the end zones."

http://goaugie.com/facilities/?id=13

They have a entirely dedicated FB complex:  The Hall Football Complex

http://goaugie.com/facilities/?id=35

They have a 62,000 sq. ft. indoor turf practice facility.

http://goaugie.com/facilities/?id=43

They play M/WBB at the 4,000 seat Souix Fall Arena.

http://goaugie.com/facilities/?id=5

[valpotx]

I have a cousin who graduated from Augie.  He seemed to enjoy the school

[bbtds]

Augie won the 2016 D-II basketball championship, so I think that's their big sport.  Football has about 30 scholarships and a smallish, but modern, stadium. Not sure they would be able to support 63 fb scholarships.  Hoping they might become the Valpo of the West with PFL ball.  ;-)

Their fb stadium is fairly modern (opened in 2009)  and realistically rated at 6,500 capacity. It is set in a bowl and of the 6,500 seats with something like 2,200 being chairbacks. Two level pressbox. Grass seating on the endzone banks. Not bad for a 1,800-1,900 enrollment. It would immediately rank ahead of the following PFL stadiums, IMO:  Valpo, Davidson, Jacksonville, Stetson, Marist, Butler. Morehead has more seats but is very old in comparison.

Athletic site lists 1800 seats. Looks nice but, seating wise, pretty small.

You might have got it confused with Augustana in Rock Island, IL (Quad Cities). Both schools use the Viking mascot.

http://athletics.augustana.edu/sports/2013/7/24/FB_0724130427.aspx?id=476

[VULB#62]

Some other facts -  obtained from "Ole the Viking":

Affiliation: ELCA
Established:1860
Endowment: $67 million (2016)
Largest private college in SD
Enrollmeny (2017): 1917
Tuition: $31,960

Being the reigning D-II NCAA MBB champs should give them some cred in the Summit after having lost IUPUI.  They'd have to go through the qualifying process, of course, but their schedule of visiting opponents would leap upward -- 4 guaranteed home games against the 4 top Dakota schools alone.  Having been through Souix Falls on my way out to the Valpo/Montana FB game, I can see where that would make Augustana Big Time in the eyes of the local population.  They'd fill the Souix Falls Arena regularly.

Football-wise, they play very competitive D-II scholarship football (about 30 scholarships, I think) in the Northern Sun conference that includes:

Team                    W  L  T  For Opp   Pct    W  L  T  For Opp   Pct
  ----                    -  -  -  --- ---   ---    -  -  -  --- ---   ---
  Minnesota State.....   11  0  0  462 150 1.000   13  1  0  562 215  .929
  Winona State........   10  1  0  394 155  .909   10  2  0  400 175  .833
  Minnesota Duluth....    9  2  0  365 184  .818    9  3  0  393 222  .750
  Sioux Falls.........    9  2  0  293 126  .818    9  3  0  313 150  .750
  Bemidji State.......    8  3  0  388 190  .727    8  3  0  388 190  .727
  St. Cloud State.....    6  5  0  310 231  .545    6  5  0  310 231  .545
  Wayne State.........    6  5  0  272 254  .545    6  5  0  272 254  .545
  Upper Iowa..........    6  5  0  271 273  .545    6  5  0  271 273  .545
  Northern State......    6  5  0  265 301  .545    6  5  0  265 301  .545
  MSU Moorhead........    5  6  0  285 289  .455    5  6  0  285 289  .455
  Augustana...........    4  7  0  226 284  .364    4  7  0  226 284  .364
  Minot State.........    3  8  0  188 320  .273    3  8  0  188 320  .273
  Concordia-St. Paul..    2  9  0  213 342  .182    2  9  0  213 342  .182
  Southwest Minnesota.    2  9  0  205 377  .182    2  9  0  205 377  .182
  University of Mary..    1 10  0  180 469  .091    1 10  0  180 469  .091
  Minnesota Crookston.    0 11  0  141 513  .000    0 11  0  141 513  .000

As I mentioned, if they decide to join the Summit, they could actually go non-scholarship in the PFL and actually play at or a shade above where they are now -- plus travel outside of their Minnesota/Dakota/Iowa footprint.

I know one thing:  I'd trade pretty much all of their facilities for Valpo's in a heartbeat (although the 4K seat Souix Fall Arena is about 1500 seats too small.).

http://goaugie.com/facilities/

[Lurking Dog]

This man is rumored to be the donor who will get the ball rolling on D-I.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._Denny_Sanford

He has already established the "Sanford Institute of Philanthropy" at Augustana.

[VULB#62]

This man is rumored to be the donor who will get the ball rolling on D-I.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._Denny_Sanford

He has already established the "Sanford Institute of Philanthropy" at Augustana.

And his name is on the Sanford Field House -- their 62,000 sq.ft. indoor turf facility.

[JD24]

Augie won the 2016 D-II basketball championship, so I think that's their big sport.  Football has about 30 scholarships and a smallish, but modern, stadium. Not sure they would be able to support 63 fb scholarships.  Hoping they might become the Valpo of the West with PFL ball.  ;-)

Their fb stadium is fairly modern (opened in 2009)  and realistically rated at 6,500 capacity. It is set in a bowl and of the 6,500 seats with something like 2,200 being chairbacks. Two level pressbox. Grass seating on the endzone banks. Not bad for a 1,800-1,900 enrollment. It would immediately rank ahead of the following PFL stadiums, IMO:  Valpo, Davidson, Jacksonville, Stetson, Marist, Butler. Morehead has more seats but is very old in comparison.

Athletic site lists 1800 seats. Looks nice but, seating wise, pretty small.

You might have got it confused with Augustana in Rock Island, IL (Quad Cities). Both schools use the Viking mascot. http://athletics.augustana.edu/sports/2013/7/24/FB_0724130427.aspx?id=476

Yeah. I had the wrong place. The Sioux Falls version looks much nicer. Reminds one of Campbell's facility.

[JD24]

Welcome to Coach Smith. Looks like he can help the program. Not sure of the Snyder move.

http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2017-18/18213/cecchini-announces-addition-of-jerome-smith-to-coaching-staff/

Head coach Dave Cecchini has announced the addition of Jerome Smith to the Valparaiso University football staff as the team's running backs coach.

[VULB#62]

The past TE coach is gone. This might be a good move for coach Snyder.  He is P/T I believe and I do not think he ever was a RB.  But he is a "coach" and he does a vey good job keeping the STs well organized. He is intense and will do well regardless of where he works. The new guy might add another dimension to the RBs.

[valpofb16]

Massey has us going 7-4

Favorites (+60%):
09-29-2018 vs. Davidson
10-20-2018 at Morehead St.
11-03-2018 at Marist
11-10-2018 vs. Jacksonville
11-17-2018 at Stetson

Toss ups (40-60%)
09-22-2018 vs. Truman St.
10-13-2018 vs. Butler

Underdogs (-40%)
2018-09-08 at Duquesne
2018-09-15 at Youngstown St.
10-06-2018 at Dayton
10-27-2018 vs. Drake

Agree with the underdogs. Duquesne will be a close game but also our first game with a game under their belt. Youngstown St. is probably going to be rough I'd be happy with a similar result as Montana. We have not beat Drake in a long time, they were our second worst loss last year. Dayton is interesting with it being away. Think we are trending in the better direction but being on the road is a factor.

Butler being a toss up will depend how we start season. If we start hot I could see a blowout potentially. Truman St. is interesting to me. They started out last year hot before falling apart. Theoretically this should be a win at home.

I think Davidson and Stetson we have separated from. ( I know Stetson games were close but we played bad on offense in both and still won). Morehead St. and Marist were both down last year and after beating them handily we go to their place. Jacksonville should have been a win. Plain and Simple.

Final prediction 8-3: I think we beat all the expected teams and finally get Drake at home.

[valpofb16]

Also FWIW

Donny Navarro transferred to Illinois (D1) as a PWO
Dilan Scargle transferred to South Florida(D1) as a WO
Logan Pfizenmayer transferred to Dension (D3)
Josh Baker transferred to College of Dupage (JUCO)
Kevin Wright transferred to Snow College (JUCO)

[78crusader]

The first two games of the season are -- @Duquesne and @Youngstown State.  It is likely we lose both those games (Duquesne might be winnable but they beat us last year, at home).  I think the key to the season is how respond to what promises to be an 0-2 start. 

Paul

[JD24]

Massey has us going 7-4 Favorites (+60%): 09-29-2018 vs. Davidson 10-20-2018 at Morehead St. 11-03-2018 at Marist 11-10-2018 vs. Jacksonville 11-17-2018 at Stetson Toss ups (40-60%) 09-22-2018 vs. Truman St. 10-13-2018 vs. Butler Underdogs (-40%) 2018-09-08 at Duquesne 2018-09-15 at Youngstown St. 10-06-2018 at Dayton 10-27-2018 vs. Drake Agree with the underdogs. Duquesne will be a close game but also our first game with a game under their belt. Youngstown St. is probably going to be rough I'd be happy with a similar result as Montana. We have not beat Drake in a long time, they were our second worst loss last year. Dayton is interesting with it being away. Think we are trending in the better direction but being on the road is a factor. Butler being a toss up will depend how we start season. If we start hot I could see a blowout potentially. Truman St. is interesting to me. They started out last year hot before falling apart. Theoretically this should be a win at home. I think Davidson and Stetson we have separated from. ( I know Stetson games were close but we played bad on offense in both and still won). Morehead St. and Marist were both down last year and after beating them handily we go to their place. Jacksonville should have been a win. Plain and Simple. Final prediction 8-3: I think we beat all the expected teams and finally get Drake at home.

I think both Dayton and Jacksonville should fall in the toss up section. Butler has most of their roster back IIRC. They'll be tough. The only game Valpo should likely be "out" of is YSU.

[IndyValpo]

Also FWIW

Donny Navarro transferred to Illinois (D1) as a PWO
Dilan Scargle transferred to South Florida(D1) as a WO
Logan Pfizenmayer transferred to Dension (D3)
Josh Baker transferred to College of Dupage (JUCO)
Kevin Wright transferred to Snow College (JUCO)

Navarro and Scargle both had good freshman seasons would have had excellent 4 year careers. Everybody is replaceable but they will be missed. Navarro was probably overlooked the first time around in recruiting. If you are going to walk-on Illinois is probably a good place as the program stinks. I honestly shake my head at Scargle as I question his PT over the next few years (but what do I know). Pfizenmeyer had a role but this is probably a good move. Baker wasn't going to play much. I thought on paper Wright might have been a player when we signed him.

[JD24]

Also FWIW Donny Navarro transferred to Illinois (D1) as a PWO Dilan Scargle transferred to South Florida(D1) as a WO Logan Pfizenmayer transferred to Dension (D3) Josh Baker transferred to College of Dupage (JUCO) Kevin Wright transferred to Snow College (JUCO)

Navarro and Scargle both had good freshman seasons would have had excellent 4 year careers. Everybody is replaceable but they will be missed. Navarro was probably overlooked the first time around in recruiting. If you are going to walk-on Illinois is probably a good place as the program stinks. I honestly shake my head at Scargle as I question his PT over the next few years (but what do I know). Pfizenmeyer had a role but this is probably a good move. Baker wasn't going to play much. I thought on paper Wright might have been a player when we signed him.

Scargle basically went home. He'll likely be a practice player at best. Walk on is a concept at this point. Dropped the cost of his education by about 75%.

I can see Navarro eventually earning some snaps. The others I don't know much about.

Mentioned at some point some time back that the history of Valpo players who go the transfer route isn't great. 

[vu72]

Coaches pick us tied fourth!

http://valpoathletics.com/football/news/2018-19/18318/valpo-picked-to-finish-tied-for-fourth-in-pfl/

So we beat both Butler and Dayton last year and return 18 starters?  Still, a lot better than 10th of 11 last year.  The respect is starting to come.