Game 1 Indiana Wesleyan 09/03

[JD24]

While no one is asking for Fox to be coach of the year, it's idiotic to be criticizing the job he's done since he's been here. I know there's some sort of internet tough guy rejoinder to this opinion but, at the very least, what's been posted negatively is premature.

PFL records under Fox

1-7
4-2
4-4

Prior to Fox

2-6
5-3
3-5
1-7
2-6

1-7
1-7

[valpofb16]

Dayton up in the 4th on Robert Morris
Georgetown handing it to Marist
Butler down 14-3 to Tommies in the 3rd
14-7 Jacksonville State ahead on Davidson

[valpo64]

VUsupport:  If you are so fed up with the VU program and have nothing positive to say among all the cheap shots you bring to this table, why do you waste your time making these comments on this Board.  I wonder what you have to say about your playing days and the program at the D-1 program or which you were a part.

[valpofb16]

Dayton takes scholarship Robert Morris down. Butler coming back vs. Saint Thomas.

2 wins from last season appear much improved

My bad. This is Saint Thomas D3 not Saint Thomas PFL disregard

[usc4valpo]

Fox is doing a decent job getting players and getting Valpo in the right direction. No way he's on the hot seat. He's no Carlson.

[valpofb16]

Those are the best two throws I've seen a Valpo QB make Hoffman included.

[valpotx]

Hoffman is your benchmark?  It sounds like you weren't around for Macchi?  Macchi puts Hoffman to shame.

Regardless, I like Fox, and I liked the direction that he was taking the program, even prior to where this game sits after 3 quarters.  Our defense was atrocious prior to Fox, where we were routinely blown out against teams that we either beat or barely lose to now. 

[Valpoguy]

What happened to Appel? I may have missed it, but the broadcast doesn't seem to be saying anything.

[valpofb16]

OC put in Kaplan up 17-3 instead of putting them away unless Appel is hurt.

Turner just went down huge huge huge loss. Annis , Hines , Mekky all did not play at LB

[valpotx]

The announcers hinted that Appel might be having shoulder problems, based on their observations

[Valpoguy]

That's a shame. The kid looked good.

[valpotx]

How do the other refs not go talk to the linesmen who blew that catch?  Things like that get sent to an NCAA officiating committee, right?  That is terrible

[valpofb16]

Great win for Fox & company that is a very good NAIA team that will give teams fits.

Thoughts:

O:
-from a limited sample size. Offense has different ceiling with Appel & Kaplan
- Dawson is closer to Washington than Orekoya
- OL is best they have looked in Fox era
- Deep at TE

D:
- won this game without two projected starters at LB
- Deep at corner Franco and Rao played great. Turner is a real dude.
- Defensive line bullied IWU in the run game.

Good team win enjoy. On to the next one

Hopefully pays off in recruiting. Lost some guys to IWU

[Valpoguy]

Bartholomew negated the blown call with an amazing kick. Great win!

[valpotx]

Great win, congrats all around.  Dawson seems to not be too much of a drop-off from Washington, and if Appel can stay healthy, he needs to be QB1 without rotation, in games that matter. 

[David81]

I know it's just one game against a non-DI opponent, but in past disappointing seasons, this is the kind of game VU might've lost, maybe embarrassingly so.

And now there's reason for genuine optimism at the QB and RB positions.

This could be a fun season.

[valpofb16]

IWU smacked Marian last year and beat Saint Francis. Most likely they are a top 4-5 team in PFL.

Would put this right up there with 2020 San Diego as Fox's best win.

[Pgmado]

Players were cramping left and right. Turner is fine.

[valpotx]

I have to give props to the crowd, as well.  It has been a while since we have seen that many folks on both sides of the field.  Harkening back to my days on campus, outside of the Butler game here and there.

[chef]

Maybe the best crowd in both total attendance and enthusiasm in over 30 years. Definitely appeared to be a shoulder that sidelined Appel in the second half. It was mentioned multiple times.

[valpo tundra]

This was the best game day atmosphere in years for Valpo Football. The parents tailgate section was packed and lively long before gametime and the new community tailgate lot was a nice addition. If the two were combined, it would have been quite a deal. I also thought the total attendance would have been the best in years but several, mostly Homecoming games, the past ten years have had a much bigger total. The difference tonight was that the entire crowd was into the game and watching the whole time. The engaged fans were helped by a competitive, fun game. Quarterbacks were athletic, Punter was pro-like, and both lines excelled. Let's do it!

[vu72]

Never happy VUSupport probably didn't watch the game last night.  What a great atmosphere and great win!  Clearly Coach Fox had the team ready. I would have guessed more than 3240 at the game but still, that's more than the basketball team has been drawing.  And somebody said that it wouldn't be a very good draw because Ohio State and Notre Dame were playing at the same time might have forgotten about these fancy recording devices!  How was the pre-game new stuff?

[usc4valpo]

VUSupport is a troll.

I am so glad Valpo has provided a better game experience which was well overdue. also, congrats to Fox and the Beacos for starting the season with a nice win.

[historyman]

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.

Let's have you evaluate the MBB team too. Can it hurt?

[historyman]

My bad. This is Saint Thomas D3 not Saint Thomas PFL disregard

I think the Butler publicity dept was hoping you would make that mistake and there is no reason to correct it. The (under)Bulldogs notch one over St Thomas.