Last year, after beating Campbell at Campbell and then barely losing in OT to Davidson 27-28, the Crusaders closed the season by getting thrashed at Morehead 24-76.
As FloridaFB said in the Mercer string, they are beatable this year. Hopefully, there is a revenge factor going, and the game is at home. On the other hand, MSU is coming off their bye week, which they won convincingly.
Morehead snapshot:
2-4, but beat Campbell and Davidson for a 2 win win streak coming into the VU game.
Lost to Pikeville (who?)
Gave up 67, 69, 56 points to YSU, Jacksonville and Eastern Kentucky respectively. Outscored Campbell 45-36.
They start a freshman QB who went 25-36-292 against Davidson and 26-34-334 vs. Campbell. RB is by committee with no one getting large totals.
Looks like a match between two team who can't stop anyone. Look for 45-42 Morehead win in regulation.
I can't believe I actually bothered to look this up, but Valpo is averaging 21pts per in conference games. So going with that I'll say Valpo will hit their average. Then I figure that Morehead is worse than last year, so they won't hit 76 again...I'll say 56. Additionally, Morehead is unlikely to borrow the Campbell uniforms, so we know Valpo won't win.
Morehead State 56 Valpo 21.
Our running game, even without JH, has to emerge soon. This is the week. 38-31 Valpo win.
--Or--
Our running game doesn't emerge, and we lose 35-21.
I'll predict the win.
Quote from: milanmiracle on October 13, 2013, 01:53:10 PM
I can't believe I actually bothered to look this up, but Valpo is averaging 21pts per in conference games. So going with that I'll say Valpo will hit their average. Then I figure that Morehead is worse than last year, so they won't hit 76 again...I'll say 56. Additionally, Morehead is unlikely to borrow the Campbell uniforms, so we know Valpo won't win.
Morehead State 56 Valpo 21.
If we lose 56-21 to Morehead, I will personally begin warming up the tar.
New group of RB's will be there to help get the running game going and then lanes for Hoffman seam, skinny post and deep x routes will be there!
On D...can't get beat deep or have mix ups in basic coverages...or give the long 90+ yard drives. Need some picks, big hits and forced fumbles to slow that down ASAP.
Kicking game is coming on. VALPO 31-28
Correct me if I am wrong, but Morehead State record wise is about the same as last year. Last year, MSU won in blowout fashion. Why would this be any different?
MSU 48
Valpo 28
I'm thinking Morehead is closer to Valpo this season. Still Valpo's defense will give up too many points for Valpo's offense to make up.
Morehead State 31
Valpo 24
You really can't use last season's game to make a score prediction for this season's game because they play the games on different fields and in front of different home fans.
I like a prediction that is much closer than last year.
Morehead State 42
Valparaiso 34
Actually, I was at the MSU game 2 years ago at Brown Field. It was kind of competitive until the 4th qtr. Final was 14-38. Starting there, and assuming Hoffman is more mature and the MSU freshman QB still needs seasoning, I'll revise my prediction: MSU 38 - VU 31.
Quote from: milanmiracle on October 13, 2013, 01:53:10 PMAdditionally, Morehead is unlikely to borrow the Campbell uniforms, so we know Valpo won't win.
Maybe this is the new way to win home games! Steal their uni's and leave Campbell uniforms in the visiting lockerroom! There might actually be some merit in this approach!
Quote from: covufan on October 14, 2013, 11:15:18 AM
Quote from: milanmiracle on October 13, 2013, 01:53:10 PMAdditionally, Morehead is unlikely to borrow the Campbell uniforms, so we know Valpo won't win.
Maybe this is the new way to win home games! Steal their uni's and leave Campbell uniforms in the visiting lockerroom! There might actually be some merit in this approach!
Speaking of Campbell. I would have thought that in their first year under Minter's firey leadership they'd be better than they've shown.
Quote from: vu72 on October 13, 2013, 05:45:34 PMQuote from: milanmiracle on October 13, 2013, 01:53:10 PMI can't believe I actually bothered to look this up, but Valpo is averaging 21pts per in conference games. So going with that I'll say Valpo will hit their average. Then I figure that Morehead is worse than last year, so they won't hit 76 again...I'll say 56. Additionally, Morehead is unlikely to borrow the Campbell uniforms, so we know Valpo won't win. Morehead State 56 Valpo 21.
If we lose 56-21 to Morehead, I will personally begin warming up the tar.
VU72, I think you are too late with the tar. The tar is already hot, the feathers have been collected and the villagers have been amassed and awaiting the formal ceremony.
Valposter, maybe it's time to warm up the 'tar'-mac, and send this coaching staff all on a one-way ticket to anywhere, and their inflight entertainment would be reading this message board, or watching Joel Osteen read DC's Twitter feed full of his quotes, as long as that plane doesn't get hijacked, they can go off into the sunset where we won't hear from any of them again.
I predict that this one will be closer than last year as well.
Morehead State 42
Valpo 24
Quote from: bluehorseshoe on October 13, 2013, 05:51:00 PM
On D...can't get beat deep or have mix ups in basic coverages...or give the long 90+ yard drives. Need some picks, big hits and forced fumbles to slow that down ASAP.
There just has been no improvement in the defense in these areas since Carlson became coach except the defensive line this year. I just don't see it happening soon.
I really believe the only way to win is to outscore the opponent. Until Hoffman manages to get the offense fine tuned enough to overcome the lapses on defense Valpo doesn't win while Carlson is head coach.
The defense is giving up an average of 487 yards a game. Our opponents are averaging 230 yards a game rushing while we are averaging 77. I Don't see another victory on the schedule with the other team being able to control the ball and us being so one dimensional.
Morehead State 45
Valpo 21
Great first half....keep the offense going!!
Loss -- 28-42
VU ahead 28-19 at the half. Shut out in 2nd half while giving up 23 unanswered points
MSU QB goes 41/52/458 that's a completion %age of 78.8% :o
No adjustments. Derbak and Green had 26 tackles between them. But the secondary gave up big gainers to a different 2nd half MSU team.
And...kerplunk.
Morehead State 42 Valpo 28
I guess giving up 627 yards of offense isn't a recipe for success? Hmm...who knew? On a positive note, the halftime score was 28 to 19 in favor of Valpo. I gues those halftime adjustments didn't really help since they were outscored 23-0 in the second half. And the debacle continues. In fairness, in the first two years of Joel Osteen, the games were over by halftime. At least now they can randomly be in games, sometimes even in the second half. I guess new players for Morehead State means only scoring 42 instead of 76. "You can see them finding their rhythm on offense as they replaced the majority of their offense from last year." Eh, nevermind, what does it matter.
Quote from: usc4valpo on October 13, 2013, 08:51:13 PMCorrect me if I am wrong, but Morehead State record wise is about the same as last year. Last year, MSU won in blowout fashion. Why would this be any different? MSU 48 Valpo 28
I was closest to the pin this week! First time!
What a choke job. Valpo was up by 9 at half, 28-19, and took advantage of 3 MSU turnovers. And then...depression set in.
So I visited FoxSports between Masses and found, to my FIRST surprise, VU on the first six scores listed on the bar.
My SECOND surprise was that we were up 28-19 at half.
My NON surprise was going back after the next Mass and finding the final score.
But I wish I'd taken a screenshot, because the stats were ALL whacked out.
For one, it had Jake Hutson as 76 carries for 313 yards, and Morehead had thrown for nearly 800 yards, etc., etc.
OK, well, ONE of those things surprised me :/
I listened to the game on WVUR. It was evident that Iclow's enthusiasm was dropping throughout the game, particularly after Valpo was up 14-0. My feeling is that Morehead State was turning the ball over in the first half and Valpo take advantage of the opportunities. In the second half, the MSU offense took complete control.
Iclow mentioned that VU's defensive line has been "outstanding" this year. I think he listens too much to Lou Holtz. Improved yes, but outstanding?
Quote from: valpotx on October 14, 2013, 12:28:29 PMI predict that this one will be closer than last year as well. Morehead State 42 Valpo 24
I believe valpotx was only off by 4 points while you were off by 6 points. [/size]Quote from: usc4valpo on October 19, 2013, 05:09:22 PMQuote from: usc4valpo on October 13, 2013, 08:51:13 PM Correct me if I am wrong, but Morehead State record wise is about the same as last year. Last year, MSU won in blowout fashion. Why would this be any different? MSU 48 Valpo 28
I was closest to the pin this week! First time! What a choke job. Valpo was up by 9 at half, 28-19, and took advantage of 3 MSU turnovers. And then...depression set in[size=78%][/size].[size=78%][/size]
sorry, bad counting.
As everyone else has suggested, the first half of the game was entertaining with a number of big plays that energized the team. Therefore, despite the history of this season, the complete turnaround in the second half seemed somewhat of a surprise and disappointing.
Below are some of my photos from the game, and I invite everyone to view a set of 21 photos containing most of the Valpo highlights at the following: http://www.flickr.com/photos/96208998@N05/sets/72157636741176233/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/96208998@N05/sets/72157636741176233/)
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2po6q8x.jpg)
(http://i41.tinypic.com/msos3r.jpg)
(http://i39.tinypic.com/2lctmw0.jpg)
(http://i40.tinypic.com/23wm8nm.jpg)
Quote from: usc4valpo on October 19, 2013, 09:07:27 PM
I listened to the game on WVUR. It was evident that Iclow's enthusiasm was dropping throughout the game, particularly after Valpo was up 14-0. My feeling is that Morehead State was turning the ball over in the first half and Valpo take advantage of the opportunities. In the second half, the MSU offense took complete control.
Iclow mentioned that VU's defensive line has been "outstanding" this year. I think he listens too much to Lou Holtz. Improved yes, but outstanding?
For The record I don't think the defensive line has been outstanding this year, but has played better of late, and has been much better than they were a year ago.
Hard to win when we convert 3 of 14 3rd downs and they go 10 of 14 (stats on Valpo's web site).
PEOPLE WHY HAS NO ONE COMMENTED ON THIS YETQuoteMorehead State running back Rob Harden gave the Eagles (3-4, 3-1) a 35-28 lead late in the third on a 1-yard touchdown run, his second score of the game.
ROB HARDEN STICKS IT TO VALPO ONCE AGAIN
could it be his son? some of you might see a resemblance:
http://www.msueagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2756&path=football (http://www.msueagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2756&path=football)
yes, I heard that name and wanted to forget about Mr. Congeneality. Back in 1983-84, coach Tom Smith's biggest mistake was bringing in a slow 5'10" guard with extraordinary shooting skills, an extraordinary ego and social skills that would make Dale Carnegie want to cringe. He was a VHS legend who would turn the program around; however, his presense led us backwards.
A dark moment in Valpo basketball was an early January game in 1984 against a weak Eastern Kentucky team, where the Crusaders were down, Harden was off and Greg Mostello could not save the day. I do not remember all the details, but I think he was having pleasantries with assistant coach Dick Fick and there was as slight disagreement, including a one finger salute. The next day, Rob was driving on I-80 to Reno, and no one on campus was disappointed.
Quote from: usc4valpo on October 20, 2013, 10:35:31 PMA dark moment in Valpo basketball was an early January game in 1984 against a weak Eastern Kentucky team, where the Crusaders were down, Harden was off and Greg Mostello could not save the day. I do not remember all the details, but I think he was having pleasantries with assistant coach Dick Fick and there was as slight disagreement, including a one finger salute. The next day, Rob was driving on I-80 to Reno, and no one on campus was disappointed.
Well if we were expecting Gregg Mostello to the save the day we were in real trouble. Perhaps the Boone Grove graduate you are thinking of was John Meyne who basically carried us for his two seasons here.
Sorry, I was joking about Mostello. Mostello has opportunities to improve, let's put it that way. John Meyne was a decent player and a nice person. He was the anti Rob Harden.
The slogan in 1983-84 was "Next Year is Here." Valpo won 8 or 9 games that year. The Valpo community was attending the games because of Harden and Meyne, but the season was a bust, especially after the incident. Based on expectations, it was probably Tom Smith's worst year at Valpo.
Quote from: VUdad on October 20, 2013, 10:28:24 AMHard to win when we convert 3 of 14 3rd downs and they go 10 of 14 (stats on Valpo's web site).
At some point Valpo has to want to win the game. It's great to have such a high completion percentage but that will not win you the game. I'm tired of watching us throw a six yard completion when its third and twelve. Players and coaches need to make decissions at crucial junctures in the game that will lead the team to victory. I have watched us slide short of the first down marker twice this season that I think has cost us games,once at St. Joes and once on Saturday. After each the opponent has gotten the ball marched downfield and taken the lead for good and won the game. At some point you have to make a play to WIN the game for your team.
Quote from: willy on October 21, 2013, 09:26:42 AM
Quote from: VUdad on October 20, 2013, 10:28:24 AMHard to win when we convert 3 of 14 3rd downs and they go 10 of 14 (stats on Valpo's web site).
At some point Valpo has to want to win the game. It's great to have such a high completion percentage but that will not win you the game. I'm tired of watching us throw a six yard completion when its third and twelve. Players and coaches need to make decissions at crucial junctures in the game that will lead the team to victory. I have watched us slide short of the first down marker twice this season that I think has cost us games,once at St. Joes and once on Saturday. After each the opponent has gotten the ball marched downfield and taken the lead for good and won the game. At some point you have to make a play to WIN the game for your team.
And that is the biggest thing lacking with both this staff and this team. Knowing how to win. I'll just leave it at that.