2021 Football Spring Season

[valpotx]

Our chances at having a good season hinge on Washington being ok.  Our offense is crap without him

[valpofb16]

Watched the game

#1 our defense has an opportunity to be elite, relative to competition, but we should be in every game we play in

#2 Duncan is an excellent leader : teammate by all accounts , he is a below average starter in the PFL. I think you let him ride out the season if you don't have anything to build with/on. If you think you can get 2 quality seasons out of Nimz or 4 out of Lawson you open things up

#3 future of the run game is bright but we need need need a vertical threat to keep defenses honest

[JD24]

Nimz looked like he could spin it pretty good but that doesn't always make for a good QB.

[valpofb16]

Nimz was loved by the Cecchini staff, hasnt been given much of a shot with Fox, tbh with Chris running ability he probably gives our OL more of a chance for success. That being said if you think 2021 spring experiences helps set up 2022/2023 with Nimz I think you have to take a look. Either way don't expect our offense to crack 300 yards multiple times this spring regardless of who is back there. Not a shot at them, just think Fox is a run the ball play good D type of guy

[valpotx]

It's a big weekend for several sports against Futler!  Any time that we run into our hated rival, I am reminded of my time on campus.  Even though Mr. Brandon Vickery will say that this is not 'in recent memory,' I think that it is a neat comparison of 2001/2002 and the present, as it relates to Football.

Many of you may be aware that our Baseball program would bring the WWE (then known as WWF) in for a live house show every year, and as players, Coach Twenge would have us work the concessions stand, as well as act as ushers/Security for this event.  The Football players were also acting Security as part of 'Event Staff.'  As an avid wrestling fan (guilty), I loved these events.  Since we helped with the setup for the event, in addition to working the event itself, we got to see many well-known stars practicing in the ring before fans were allowed to enter, and even enter the ring itself for a moment.  John Cena, who is much more well-known now, versus the events in the early 2000s, had it as his shtick at the time, to bash any school/arena that they were participating, by comparing to their rival.  Before one of the events, Cena came over to me, a teammate, and 2 Football players, to have a little small talk (mentioning that he was only a few years out from playing college football at D3 Springfield College in MA), before eventually asking who our key rival was.  My teammate and I quickly said, 'either Butler or Oral Roberts.'  The Football players looked at us like we were aliens, and quickly corrected us to say, 'no, it's Dayton.'  I look at them with a 'seriously wtf' type of glance, as no one at our school, outside of the Football team, would have said such a thing.  They weren't/aren't a rival for our athletics program.  We ASPIRED to beat them in Football, but there was no way that they could be considered a rival.  Needless to say, Cena gets on the mic before his bout, and references something about seeing better fans at the University of Dayton...crickets, as a response.  I bring this up, as our current Head Coach and team seem to understand that our university rival is FUTLER.  I love it.

On another note, tied to this event, we were also tasked with escorting the wrestlers to their cars in the ARC side parking lot, after each was leaving for the night.  I was one of 4-5 guys that had the pleasure of escorting/surrounding The Big Show and 'Mr. A$$' Billy Gunn, as they left the arena.  Can you imagine a bunch of 5'10" to 6'0" guys escorting and providing Security for 6'9"/6'10" and 6'5" guys, that were absolutely huge compared to each of us?  I am sure that they felt really secure lol.  A male fan yelled to The Big Show, 'can you sign my chest?'  Billy Gunn responded, 'not on your life, kid, he does not want to do such a thing.'

[valpofb16]

4th quarter Duncan has made a few crucial mistakes, also his legs have kept us in game.


Maybe a change of OC could help but after 32 games you would think your QB knows to throw to sticks on 3rd down

[JD24]

4th quarter Duncan has made a few crucial mistakes, also his legs have kept us in game. Maybe a change of OC could help but after 32 games you would think your QB knows to throw to sticks on 3rd down

I'd agree. Two wins though.

[valpotx]

If we can keep Duncan between 10-15 pass attempts/game, that is the best mix, when you look at his legs and a non-injured Washington.  He made great decisions on the ground, but still has issues throwing while on the run.  Good win, regardless!

[IndyValpo]

Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't the Hoosier Helmet have a Crusader on our side?

What is better than beating Butler....beating them twice!!

[JD24]

If we can keep Duncan between 10-15 pass attempts/game, that is the best mix, when you look at his legs and a non-injured Washington.  He made great decisions on the ground, but still has issues throwing while on the run.  Good win, regardless!

He misses some very easy throws. He's missed WR screens all year long which should be an easy completion. I think he should be run more.

Drake next week will be coming off what amounts to a bye as their game with Stetson was cancelled for today.

[vu72]

And all is right with the world!  Baseball beats em 7-1.  A pretty solid day!

[valpofb16]

To be honest without the Del Castillo caught ball (heck of a play should have been picked maybe twice) the game is completely different.

2 wins is great! If we can round out with 4 somehow that would be awesome, don't see it though.

We have a very solid class coming in and it looks like we have found some great players in transfer portal, wonder if we use it again

[valpotx]

Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't the Hoosier Helmet have a Crusader on our side?

What is better than beating Butler....beating them twice!!

Yes, it's the older, even more funky brown/blobby-looking one. 

[vu72]

GREAT WIN at Drake!  First win ever at their place and the first win since 2003, the last time we won the title.  I've got an autographed football from the 2003 team on my bookcase.  May need to finally put some air in it as we seem to finally have something to cheer about!  GO VALPO!   

[valpotx]

Yes, great defensive effort, and just enough offense to get the win!  First win against Drake since my last year at Valpo!

[JD24]

Kicking game was phenomenal.

[valpofb16]

Really great win, Fox is one heck, I mean heck, of a defensive coach, whether he is or his staff he assembled , they have the guys playing

Annis and Peifer are really good, Martins really good, Gedrys, Orlandini, Hutcherson, Sciarroni, Turner , Hebdas just give it up for those guys.


Offensively Duncan cut down on turn overs and it was good enough to win. And as long as Fox is here, we can win, as long as the offense plays well enough to win

[valpotx]

I didn't notice during the game, but were the stands mostly full?  I see an attendance of 6,566.

[vu72]

I didn't notice during the game, but were the stands mostly full?  I see an attendance of 6,566.

I guess the cameras were showing the Valpo side because it looks like maybe a hundred, not thousands. 

[Brandon]

I didn't notice during the game, but were the stands mostly full?  I see an attendance of 6,566.

This was a mistake in the initial box score -- they meant to type 656 and typed 6566, so not quite a packed house haha. Regardless of how many were there to see it in person, this was a very good win; I'm thrilled for our team and coaching staff.

[valpofb16]

Maybe Brandon can shed some light on this, Wondering where a few of the seniors have been Germain/Twigg/Stablein, are they doing internships and will be back in the fall? or have they been outperformed/recruited

[Pgmado]

https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/former-four-star-recruit-robert-washington-finds-a-home-at-valparaiso/article_33e449c1-f4d4-5b8a-8507-77713458e256.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

[valpotx]

Good story, and seems like a good kid. Even if he decides to use his last year at a scholarship FCS or FBS program, we can only be thankful that he has followed through on his commitment to Valpo this season.  Maybe he stays next season, and does something phenomenal, becoming one of those non-FBS players to make the NFL.  There are people in the NFL from places like Chadron State, Trinity University (TX, D-3), San Diego, etc, so why not?

[Brandon]

Maybe Brandon can shed some light on this, Wondering where a few of the seniors have been Germain/Twigg/Stablein, are they doing internships and will be back in the fall? or have they been outperformed/recruited

Variety of factors in play, some of which you touched on -- injuries are also a factor for a few of the guys you mentioned. I don't have a clear/complete list of which seniors are expected to return for the additional year of eligibility in the fall as of yet, but I'm hoping to have that by season's end.

[valpofb16]

I think if Robert has serious aspirations of the NFL returning is his best option

1) It will show he can stay committed to something more than 12 months
2) He will be running behind 5 returning offensive linemen
3) He will get North Dakota State and Dartmouth next year to show if he is above average PFL good, or above average FCS good

Still of the guys who have had realistic chances (Wood,Barkley,Kuramata,Guilford,Norberg,Nunes) only Wood has gotten the call to come to mini camp as a punter for the Bears.  That being said it is extremely hard no matter what type of athlete you are to make it. Hoffman and Newman played indoor arena, Nunes played  in the Spring League, Jay Slone in China, Sam Manternach in London.

Hope Washington comes back and leaves his mark at Valpo and gets the degree. If he has a promise to make money for football, then go for it. If not get that piece of paper and start making cash