Game 1 Indiana Wesleyan 09/03

[valpofb16]

Indiana Wesleyan 5-1 in games played last season. Their defensive line and running back were major problems for the Beacons.

Unanimously ranked top 15 in NAIA again (9/14). Will be a tall task for the Beacs but the game is at home.

Thinking 35-18 Wesleyan. But homer pick 24-17 roll Beacs

[usc4valpo]

23-13 IWU

[valpotx]

Has QB1 been named? 

[JD24]

Has QB1 been named?

Recent and maybe not so recent history and through multiple coaches is that the big reveal isn't revealed even in some cases after its been revealed.

[Brandon]

https://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2022-23/21444/season-preview-game-week-is-here-for-valpo-football/

[vu72]

Has QB1 been named?

Recent and maybe not so recent history and through multiple coaches is that the big reveal isn't revealed even in some cases after its been revealed.

A bit of a surprise here.

Leading into the season, one of the most frequently asked questions has been as follows – who enters the season atop the quarterback depth chart?

After a competitive camp in a deep quarterback room, a pair of redshirt freshmen will see playing time on Saturday. Michael Appel Jr. (Springboro, Ohio / Springboro) and Mason Kaplan (Peachtree Corners, Ga. / Norcross) begin the season as the two quarterbacks on the two-deep. Kaplan saw action in two games last season, while Appel's next snap will mark his collegiate debut.

"Mason is a football junkie who understands the game," Fox said. "He understands the offense and where the ball is supposed to go. He has the ability to be a dual-threat quarterback and he's very strong. He's a good leader within our program. Mikey had a good camp. He has the ability to make all the throws. He's smart and understands our schemes and where the ball is supposed to go. He's a very intelligent football player both on the field and in the classroom, and is another very good leader."

Redshirt senior Jeffrey Jackson (San Diego, Calif. / Bishop's [San Diego]) and redshirt junior Teryn Berry (Redmond, Washington / Redmond [Weber State]) both saw game action a year ago, while true freshman Rowan Keefe (Park Ridge, Ill. / Maine South) rounds out the position group.

"It was a very competitive camp at quarterback, and that brought out the best in all of the guys," Fox said. "You have to show up each and every day trying to win the job. At the same time, you're playing for one team, it's Valpo. They all have the ability to go out there and play well as individuals while doing it within the scheme for our team."

[valpofb16]

Guys to watch this week for IWU's offense

Dederrian Williams RB MVSU bounce back

Jacquez Carter and Xavier Gordon (Missouri State and Kansas State)

Kaplan Is younger than Xander Stokes but he came up in top level Georgia competition and Xander went to Anderson HS.

After seeing 100% retention in camp and IWU roster , there's optimism for a win

[valpofb16]

Coach Fox said on his YouTube clip with Brandon. Mikey Appel is the 2022 starter to begin the season.

Was the 5th guy and Scout team POY last season. Downfield thrower. Interesting to say the least

[vu72]

Coach Fox said on his YouTube clip with Brandon. Mikey Appel is the 2022 starter to begin the season.

Was the 5th guy and Scout team POY last season. Downfield thrower. Interesting to say the least

I just looked at some film on him from his senior year and he can definitely make all the throws and also wasn't afraid to tuck it and run. At 6'4" 220# he could be a real load to bring down!

[valpofb16]

2 Deep Out. Interesting tidbits

QB-Appel beats out more experienced Berry/Jefferson , Kaplan same as #2
RB-Dawson expected , Clarke is the bruiser, expect to see Labus/Mann
WR-Ross/Contreras/Bingham/Maxwell/Davis all as expected Grguric rose up board
TE-Vickers keeps spot over Scholly xfer Pierson
OL-First OL depth chart in seemingly 10 years that doesnt have true freshman

DL-Randall gets start, 2021 grad , somehow still a true FR. Ends are bigger in Spelman/Hafner. Kessen returns
LB-Sciarroni moves into box, Abrams only true FR on two deep. Hines OLB at 240! no Nabers from Fresno
DB-Chilton beat out by Graves, thought he was at all PFL level last season. Former 3* Days a reserve.  Unit would have been in tact from 2021

[valpo tundra]

OL Bryce Koteles is a true freshman.

[VUSupport]

I have no confidence in Fox or this team. Landon has to be in hot seat unless he can finish with 7 wins and be in the top half of the PFL. His arrogance is DI, but unfortunately his mind and skill set is that of a glorified HS coach. Hate to be a Debbie Downer but I just have no confidence in this staff of making this program relevant any time soon.

[vu72]

I have no confidence in Fox or this team. Landon has to be in hot seat unless he can finish with 7 wins and be in the top half of the PFL. His arrogance is DI, but unfortunately his mind and skill set is that of a glorified HS coach. Hate to be a Debbie Downer but I just have no confidence in this staff of making this program relevant any time soon.

Why the cheap shot at Coach Fox?  You read like either a benched former player or a disgruntled parent. His record in the PFL is improving and, he beat Butler three times in one year!  That's enough for me!

[VUSupport]

If beating a crappy Butler program is your high water mark, then you really need to up your aspirations.

[usc4valpo]

I agree Butler sucks, and we should not be doing handstands over 3-8 seasons. Fox is doing a decent job given the challenges of Div. 3 football.

What's the point spread on this game?

[JD24]

I have no confidence in Fox or this team. Landon has to be in hot seat unless he can finish with 7 wins and be in the top half of the PFL. His arrogance is DI, but unfortunately his mind and skill set is that of a glorified HS coach. Hate to be a Debbie Downer but I just have no confidence in this staff of making this program relevant any time soon.

Why the cheap shot at Coach Fox?  You read like either a benched former player or a disgruntled parent. His record in the PFL is improving and, he beat Butler three times in one year!  That's enough for me!

Reading further would indicate "support" has a different meaning to some.

I agree with the above.

[VUSupport]

Well if you agree to settle to be mediocre that's your prerogative. I'd rather be a competitive program that's battling in the top half of the PFL. If you're fine with only beating a terrible in-state program and not being in the basement you're settling for no goals.

[valpofb16]

Fox is 8-6 in his last 10 non scholarship games which means he is probably first .500 plus Valpo Coach against likewise talent in 30 years.

The program being a "PFL contender" is a 9-3 , 8-4 season. This is the Sun Belt / Max of FCS football. Unless the University makes the necessary adjustments to go Patriot , Ivy League , or MVC that will be the ceiling. Finances , academics, facilities , and scholarships all go into it.

One could argue Fox has done the best job in the PFL last two season outside of Abel at Davidson. Especially given his resources.

Far from a "High School Coach" the guy can coach defense, the change from 18 to 19 with the roster he inherited had me a believer. However his offense has struggled, he also got hired 2 months after the coaching cycle. Meaning Limbach probably wasn't his 1st,2nd,or 3rd choice.


Happy to have Fox at Valpo 24-14 tomorrow over an NAIA national championship contender

[Pgmado]

Gotta say, I didn't have "Landon Fox should be on the hot seat" on my 2022 preseason bingo card.

[VUSupport]

Well if you're good with .310 winning percentage at Valpo then you have low standards. For someone that talk a big game and name drops, Fox surely had suitors for an OC. So I don't buy he was too late in the game with Limbach. He was his dude and it backfired big time. Also his retention of players isn't what I call stellar either. But if you're good with that then by all means enjoy being below the Mendoza line

[NotBryceDrew]

If our football program had the pedigree of our basketball program (at least historically) I might agree. As someone who has followed the team for a little while now Fox has been a fantastic hirer at least until this point, you have to understand how bad it was before him and Cecchini. Every game pretty much we were blown out, every game. So I get it maybe he hasn't created a dynasty in 3 years but he was 4-4 in league play losing 3 within a score only in his third season. He's crushed that blue and white team and has beaten Drake and Dayton. Given his limited resources, few years, and prior/ historic state of the program it's just unfair to have bigger expectations

[JD24]

If our football program had the pedigree of our basketball program (at least historically) I might agree. As someone who has followed the team for a little while now Fox has been a fantastic hirer at least until this point, you have to understand how bad it was before him and Cecchini. Every game pretty much we were blown out, every game. So I get it maybe he hasn't created a dynasty in 3 years but he was 4-4 in league play losing 3 within a score only in his third season. He's crushed that blue and white team and has beaten Drake and Dayton. Given his limited resources, few years, and prior/ historic state of the program it's just unfair to have bigger expectations

Well....if you're happy........
I agree with the above and valpofb16's take.

[VUSupport]

The resources excuse is overplayed. There's plenty of schools that are successful with less. That's a bad take, sorry but I put higher expectations for all Valpo teams. Why should I settle for mediocrity?

[valpofb16]

VUsupport, as someone who played college, went on many recruiting trips, trips for games .

I can say this with all due respect. You have 0 idea of college footballs landscape or Valpos place in that landscape.

[VUSupport]

I played DI so you have no idea, and I know Valpo a lot more than you think. So if you want to reward Valpo for participation ribbons kudos to you. I don't settle for crap. You can't polish a turd, it's still