Massey has us as a 65% chance of winning for this game. Valparaiso is 1-2 vs. IWU last few years (1-1 if you don't count the vacated win from IWU due to ineligible players).
Few thoughts on the game
1. IWU has averaged over 50 PPG with a strong rushing attack which Valparaiso has struggled to contain. Their OL should not be in the same class as Youngstown or UNI
2. Fox briefly mentioned in his postgame presser at Youngstown Mikey Appel is ready to play.
3. Valparaiso had a chance to tie the game at IWU with 6(!) 6 turnovers last season which means....
I think we get a heavy dose of Mansaray and Valparaiso pulls this thing out 31-21 type of game.
Side Bar: With Butler beating Murray, Drake beating Eastern Washington, and UNI needing a 4th quarter come back to beat Saint Thomas. This immediately is a must-win if Valpo is aiming for .500
IWU is rated #6 nationally in the NAIA Top 25.
Fox has a tough decision at QB if Mikey is healthy: possibly better pure passer vs. mobile, dynamic game breaker.
As for IWU’s wins, they scored 59 and 54 in their two wins. Stats from both kinda cancel out any pure rush v. pass trend.
-> Versus Monarch (in their conference) IWU ran for 333 and passed for 297. (Tot: 630)
-> Against St. Francis (IN) they ran for 196 and passed for 355. (Tot: 551)
Valpo 38
Indiana Wesleyan 24
The home season starts Saturday night and I noticed a couple of new things going on. All very positive! First, the general admission seating is now $14 versus $10. Second, there is a concerted effort to make this an "event", rather then just a football game. Those efforts include food trucks, bounce houses, half-time fireworks and premium seating, cash bar, food, etc in the end zone for up to $34. I like it a lot!
Now, go out and win! I think that for one thing we will perhaps be bigger in the line--finally-- and if we get Tyler and Mansaray going, it could be a lot of fun! GO VALPO!
Glad it’s a night game for us far flung alums. Glad it’s also gonna be an event for those attending. Here’s also hoping for another positive ESPN Sports Center highlight. We need this in the win column big time.
Things at Valpo are out of control! They will be selling beer and wine inside Brown Field to the general public, not just inside the premium tent!
Things at Valpo are out of control! They will be selling beer and wine inside Brown Field to the general public, not just inside the premium tent!
I know this is satire, bur Valpo never sold beer and alcohol at their games before this? Quite literally most other colleges sold alcohol at their games for many Many years now.
Things at Valpo are out of control! They will be selling beer and wine inside Brown Field to the general public, not just inside the premium tent!
I know this is satire, bur Valpo never sold beer and alcohol at their games before this? Quite literally most other colleges sold alcohol at their games for many Many years now.
It was a big decision, I think, about 5 years ago, to allow beer sales at the ARC. Others with season tickets will have a more clear memory on this. At Brown Field however, I think this is a first. Just not sure. Inside the donor's tent at homecoming, the beer and wine were complimentary. Perhaps its a licensing thing. Not sure.
I found this from a 2016 article: All beverage options are $2 featuring bottled water, Gatorade, tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. The hot chocolate took 15 minutes to serve ,and it still burned my tongue. Valparaiso University is a dry campus, so there is no alcohol served at Brown Field.
I recall that until Alan Harre's departure in 2008, there wasn't even wine available at alumni events on campus. 2016 is well into the Heckler years and I recall finally being able to buy a beer at a beer tent outside of Brown a few years back. So, this may be the first offering inside the field.
Not only do they sere alcohol in the concessions but they also now have a byob community tailgating lot in the grass where the old hospital was located. There is also a "bar" located on campus where you can by drinks during evening hours, I believe.
Not only do they sere alcohol in the concessions but they also now have a byob community tailgating lot in the grass where the old hospital was located. There is also a "bar" located on campus where you can by drinks during evening hours, I believe.
That would be the Bell and Beacon, located in the Union. The bar feature is a change from the previous dry campus policy, however it is not the first. In fall 2021 Valpo began selling alcohol, to those of age, at sporting events. Similarly, alcoholic beverages were served during President Jose Padilla’s inauguration in Oct. 2021.
I would historically recommend alcohol at Valpo football games to tolerate the futility. We need to win seriously.
Saders 31, IWU 27, as long as Tyler starts.
Usc4Valpo brings up a very good point. This is not a game to bring Mikey Appel back and start him slowly. IWU is a legitimate NAIA team, next week vs. Roosevelt would be the week to do that. I am not sure Caron hasn't shown enough to be the guy moving forward (double negative ah!). Mikey was full of promise in 2022 because he was a RSFR , was very efficient, did not turn the ball over, and could hit the long ball. Last year he really did none of the above and is coming off a major injury. Would stink if Appel could not return to 2022 form because this would be Seewald 2.0
Either we or Youngstown State or both, are overrated as YSU just lost at home to Duquesne.
If yoy are planning to watch the game on ESPN+. Their log in service seems to be either spotty or completely offline at the moment.
@rezynezy if ESPN+ does not work, WVUR is an option for radio - live streaming link on the Valpo Athletics website or in the TuneIn app (95.1)
