Time to put the oh-so-close-it-cuddah-been-us loss behind us and move on to Morehead.
Morehead like Valpo and Davidson have been bottom feeders low these last few years. Can we build on the positives and fix the errors? Will Ben be OK or will Scoot be our starting QB? Will the D keep getting more confidence?
Quote from: VULB#62 on October 18, 2014, 04:17:03 PMTime to put the oh-so-close-it-cuddah-been-us loss behind us and move on to Morehead.
yeah, it's been what...45 minutes?
lol - didn't Morehead State drop 76 on Valpo 2 years ago? But Valpo is actually playing better.
MSU 7 - Dayton 41
From the Dayton web sites:
Led by Connor Kacsor's 232 yards and four touchdowns in just 10 carries, the University of Dayton improved to 3-0 in the Pioneer Football League with a 41-7 win over Morehead State Saturday at Welcome Stadium. Dayton rolled up 443 yards on the ground, and 514 yards in totoal offense, while holding MSU to 136 and 312. MSU may not be able to stop a good ground attack and they could only muster 176 passing yards against Dayton.
Quote from: usc4valpo on October 18, 2014, 05:23:11 PM
lol - didn't Morehead State drop 76 on Valpo 2 years ago? But Valpo is actually playing better.
This team won't allow that to happen,
Agree, the Osteen days are far gone...
I believe Lehman will be OK but doubtful for Saturdays game. So look for Staal the start and drive the team. The defense will continue to play hard and gain a lot more confidence as the weeks go on. Nunes I believe is making big plays on the defensive side and continue to push that defensive unit.
Thinking forward, Singh (Sr/Jr.) is also getting into the D-backfield mix (13 tackles (7 solo, 6 assists).
We lose Dale Cook and Devan Gadson from the secondary but have most of the two deep back. With the new weight room and a full off-season under their belts, they will all be stronger and faster. As will the LBs and DL.
We lose Colin Burke and Ryan Mundy from the LB corps but have 6 of 8 returning from the 2-deep.
We return 3 of 4 DL starters and 6 of 8 on the 2-deep.
I like that this team is still fighting for something in the second half. Althought we have yet to beat an FCS team, we are improved from previous years. The defense has really improved - we have yet (not counting W. Illinois) to give up 40 or more points this year. In the past four years, this was a regular occurance. I think the defense will continue to play well.
Valpo - 34
MHead - 31
Valpo 21
Morehead State 35
Morehead State 34
Saders 14
Valpo 24
Morehead 21
As we enter this game I find my thinking reversed from the start of the season when I thought the defense would need more work than the offense. However, I am being optimistic and hoping the offense can score on a poor Morehead defense, and the defense will step up once again. Indeed, I have been impressed by the advancement of the Crusader defense this season, and I have been pleased to see the contributions by freshmen. On special teams, Jarrett Morgan has had four blocks of field goals or punts. Moreover, the three freshmen in my following photos have been solid on defense and played in all seven games thus far. Perhaps they are an early indication of the recruiting ability of the new coaching staff, which should have an even better chance to recruit for next season.
(http://i59.tinypic.com/24px8jd.jpg)
(http://i57.tinypic.com/xcp0y9.jpg)
(http://i60.tinypic.com/2b8msh.jpg)
Great pics but the fonts do not have a football feel. They look more like something on the Lifetime Network.
Quote from: usc4valpo on October 21, 2014, 08:11:58 PM
Great pics but the fonts do not have a football feel. They look more like something on the Lifetime Network.
Thanks for the comment on the pics. Actually, the font on Kye Hall's photo is the same one often used by
Sports Illustrated. Check "Alabama Football" at the following:
http://www.amazon.com/Sports-Illustrated-Alabama-Football-Editors/dp/1603201491 (http://www.amazon.com/Sports-Illustrated-Alabama-Football-Editors/dp/1603201491)
True, but the other 2 are something you would see on "Dance Moms" or "Say Yes to the Dress." Yes, I have 2 daughters who watch these shows.
Quote from: usc4valpo on October 22, 2014, 06:02:06 AM
True, but the other 2 are something you would see on "Dance Moms" or "Say Yes to the Dress." Yes, I have 2 daughters who watch these shows.
I have to admit I have never seen those shows, but I'll give you that the third one was an artistic stretch, and I took a chance with the looping rope text meant to imitate the shapes seen in his hair and inspired by his name "De La Rosa"; however, the second is a common font similar to that used by various sports teams on their logos, ie, the Brewers and Patriots: http://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/fint0g6oahbn5w0gh69wqdcpm/Milwaukee_Brewers/2000/Wordmark_Logo (http://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/fint0g6oahbn5w0gh69wqdcpm/Milwaukee_Brewers/2000/Wordmark_Logo) and http://americanfootball.wikia.com/wiki/New_England_Patriots (http://americanfootball.wikia.com/wiki/New_England_Patriots)
I really like the way you photoshop your pics. I know you are changing background yet what I really like is your subject color enhancements are great!
In the last two PFL games (Marist and Drake), Valpo has started with a scoring drive on their first possession and then been shut down in the mid first qtr for the rest of both games (regardless of who played QB, RB, or WR).That's the reason for both losses. Add St. Joe into that category too--but that was too far back to remember. Makes you wonder about the play calling. According to one of our coaches, MSU gets beat by long plays. Not in our arsenal yet. Valpo 10, MSU 24.
Quote from: VUDad on October 22, 2014, 05:45:41 PM
According to one of our coaches, MSU gets beat by long plays. Not in our arsenal yet. Valpo 10, MSU 24.
I'm not ready yet to predict this game (hoping to know more about the QB situation), but I can't help noticing that
generally our predictions are taking on a lower Points Against look and reflect closer game score spreads. This indicates to me increased faith in the competitiveness of the 2014 team. That's good to see.
Latest PFL Stats for all games (Both PFL and OOC)
Rush Offense/game - MSU 162.7................Valpo 136.7
Pass Offense /game - MSU 235.7...............Valpo 199.7
Total Offense/game - MSU 398.4...............Valpo 336.4
Scoring Offense/game - MSU 24.1...............Valpo 21.4
Rush Defense/game - MSU 245.0...............Valpo 191.0
Pass Defense/game - MSU 261.0................Valpo 207.1
Total defense/game - MSU 506.0................Valpo 398.1
Scoring Defense - MSU 42.1.......................Valpo 28.4
Sacks against - MSU 8..............................Valpo 3
Penalties By - MSU 53 for 58.7 yds/g..........Valpo 38 for 51 yds/g
Penalties Opponents - MSU 55 for 74 yds/g...Valpo 53 for 81.3 yds/g
Valpo 24
Morhead 21
Btw we really need to put someone on our two deep. The second string defensive tackle on the one last week was listed as Bryson Eppinger, who my son tells me is a middle linebacker who has been out with a concussion for weeks. I understand it's not that important but it just seems unprofessional.
Quote from: Valparent on October 23, 2014, 12:09:25 PMValpo 24
Morhead 21
Btw we really need to put someone on our two deep. The second string defensive tackle on the one last week was listed as Bryson Eppinger, who my son tells me is a middle linebacker who has been out with a concussion for weeks. I understand it's not that important but it just seems unprofessional.
I have been pointing out the poor nature of the two deep for about 3 years. It seems we try to make it as difficult as possible to follow football.
(https://i.imgflip.com/dees7.jpg)
Quote from: IndyValpo on October 23, 2014, 12:46:26 PMI have been pointing out the poor nature of the two deep for about 3 years. It seems we try to make it as difficult as possible to follow football.
Why publish a two deep if it isn't accurate?
dad, something to be aware of - in previous seasons, Valpo scored points when it really did not matter and the score was out of reach. The talent on the roster this year is light, and that is a reality check. Give Cecchini time to recruit and develop some players. They gave Osteen 4 years, I would expect a similar opportunity here.
Melvin Graham III and Kellen Hughes were in sweats on the sideline last game and both were still on the 2 Deep as a starter and back-up respectfully. Yet Ryan Singh actually started last week and will again be starting this week at safety along with JJ. Kellen didn't play but I think I saw that he made a tackle in the box score / recap last week so that's a tad off as well. Honestly, I thought they did the 2 Deep at the beginning of the season and just left it the same all year because I never notice any changes from week to week.
As we fans try to follow the Crusaders and get a substantial feel for how the program is progressing week to week, the lack of an up-to-date 2-Deep is frustrating. Going into MSU Ben is still listed as the #1 QB, but he will probably not even dress unless his concussion is fully healed -- and that is an issue, because the staff would have had to install the game plan on Monday assuming he would not be back, given Scott the lion's share of the reps, and backed him up with freshman Ryan Clark. The same can be said in other cases as well. Bottom line, keep it updated or get rid of it.
The game will be streamed on the OVC Network. Wish I could tune in but I'll be traveling.
http://www.ovcdigitalnetwork.com/watch/ (http://www.ovcdigitalnetwork.com/watch/)
Speaking of watching: Be sure to keep tabs on the Butler @ Drake game. We know how we measured up against Drake and we have Butler at home in two weeks.
Let me get this correct. Because of the issues with background, colors and fonts the discussion was getting two-deep? Wouldn't that be three-deep?
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BmxS9ctIAAAY3xm.jpg:large)
You're right. We could never be really two-deep and neither can our coaches think that far ahead.
With the questionable QB situation and other injuries, the Crusader's will ride the shoulders of the Defensive unit. The D will have another good day, shutting down the MSU rushing attack and keeping MSU receivers in front of the secondary. The offense will focus on the run to control the ball and the clock. Staal will manage the game and protect the ball throwing fewer than 20 times. It will be a close game that will turn on a critical mistake and MSU is the one who makes it -- Jarret Morgan blocks another kick.
Valpo 24
MSU 21
I'll play along.
Valpo 12
Sir Thomas Morehead 10
(http://www.philosophybasics.com/photos/more.jpg)(http://www.head.com/_img/og_head.jpg)(http://blogs.worldbank.org/files/edutech/ten.png)
Sir Thomas is going down again!
This time Valpo is all about Renaissance!!
Henry the VIII we are, we are!!!!
Of course, let's not lose our heads!!!!!
Morehead State will always bring back memories of the one Pioneer Championship game played at Brown Field. They were the South division team playing us as North division champs. Can't recall the year-- -2003? Great offensive game that had Dave Macchi throwing all over the yard.
Yes,........ Valpo had some good seasons in the early 2000s even though they get lost in the blur of so many bad ones before and after. It showed that even with a grass field and garbage facilities, Valpo actually competed when they had the right QB and some good linemen.
I specifically remember the MSU cheerleaders yelling into our faces through their megaphones the chant "Morehead..Morehead..Morehead." My brother's roommate was seeing his first Valpo fb game. He had listened to that all game long and was known as a nice clean cut guy. He turned to me and whispered "I want that too." I fell out of my seat and couldn't stop laughing.
Yes, that was the 2003 season, my last year. We were actually on some regional TV station that game, I forget what it was called, but it had some announcer that was fairly well known.
JERRY GLANVILLE
i'll take valpo trivia for $400, alex.
Wasn't DeMarco Farr working with Jerry Glanville for this game? I just know it was a really cold day at Brown Field.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on October 25, 2014, 07:15:38 AM
JERRY GLANVILLE
i'll take valpo trivia for $400, alex.
WHO WAS Jerry Granville?!!!!!! As on Jeopardy, in the form of a question but actually an answer.
Did Coach Horne leave tickets for Henry Baker Brown for that game?
Quote from: usc4valpo on October 25, 2014, 09:41:55 AM
Did Coach Horne leave tickets for Henry Baker Brown for that game?
If HBB was still in charge there would have never been a football team. I'm sure he's over there in his grave at Graceland Cemetery wondering how his university ever got it's greatest exposure from playing games.
I tuned in with us leading 10-7, and within 5 minutes of watching, we are now up 24-7. Glad to see that Lehman is playing!
With 7:04 to go in the 2nd quarter, the Crusaders lead the Morehead St. Eagles, 24-7. Includes a 42-yard rushing TD by Brandon Hall, and a 79-yard punt return for TD by Joey Gadson. Of course, as I type this, MSU scores on a long TD pass. Going to be 24-14 in the 2nd.
As good a half of a football game as I've seen Valpo play in years. Also really like the quality of the picture and tv coverage. Vastly superior to the butter smeared lens look put out by a Valpo football broadcast.
What a good start to the second half, love the play calling! We get a long pass to Kuramata on the first play, and then a WR pass to Lehman for a TD! The idiot announcers didn't see that he snuck the ball in and tagged the pylon. You can hear them talking about it in the break, and their sideline guy confirmed it was a TD, even though they were freaking out.
Then we get a missed extra point, and a kick out of bounds at the 20. He shanked both badly.
Hopefully that missed EP doesn't cost us like it did the last game. Even though we had a chance to tie in the closing minutes against Drake, having an 8 pt deficit just seems like a large hill to climb, even though you know that you have to score a TD regardless. We are up 30-21 now.
Geez, now a kickoff return for a TD, off a high bounce! Morgan with the take back! 37-21 Valpo!
It almost looks like Newman kicked these last two out of bounds on purpose. Both were literally diagonal kicks.
Where is our defense at this game? Soft zone isn't working that well. We need to tighten that up some as they are going underneath the linebackers and just moving up and down the field.
Clutch kick by Newman on that 37 yard FG. I didn't think that he would make it since we were on the right hash mark, but he booted the heck out of it (looked good from 50). I agree on the soft zone comment as well, as it looks like we are playing 10 yds off each of their WRs. They are dinkin' and dunkin' easily
Our defense is not doing well this half. Now up 40-35, and they are having their way with us. We better not let this one get away. We should have beaten Campbell with how that game went, same for Drake, can't let it happen again when we have been owning them all game...
Dang it, two bad runs right into MSU, and then a throw a bit off target. Need a stop, after a good punt downed at the MSU 4.
Yeah, the D is not doing the job this week. After 3 3&O on their first 5 drives (and another ending in TO on downs), now they have 4 TDs in their last 5 drives, and the one that didn't still gave up 50 yards.
They're pinned deep ... time to make plays.
EDIT: *were* pinned deep
Good coverage leads to a sack, and hopefully a punt!
MSU's defense is cheating up on the run, need a play-action pass again.
KYE HALL !!!!
WE WILL RENAME SOME HALL AFTER YOU!
(PROBABLY NOT DAU-KREINHEDER)
this is looking like Baylor TCU.
There are youngsters that are looking really good for the Crusaders in this year. That is promising.
What a big pickup on 3rd and 5 with Hutson!
Morgan is a dynamic playmaker, glad to see that we are doing things for him!
The clock should have been running there....
Just as I finish typing, Hall breaks to the outside with a clutch TD! What a drive, eating up 6 minutes to give our D a rest! I am loving Coach C's play-calling versus the previous regime's 10 play playbook. Valpo 47-35.
That was clutch. The old Crusaders would have folded their tents watching the lead slip away.
Let's finish!
If I'm on D for Valpo, I sit on the offensive player for an extra 2-3 seconds each time, to buy a few moments rest with how quick their no huddle is.
I don't know if the video clock is synched with the field clock, but if so, the operator is stopping it when he shouldn't be...
Valpo 47-42. We don't need to be conservative when we get the ball with 3:12 left. We need a few first downs, since MSU still has all 3 timeouts left.
i...don't... believe that...
oh Lord.
Damn. We left too much space, and Hall misses on a dive attempt, with MSU getting it. Need stops on 3rd and 4th down here!!!!
WOW, huge INT!!!!!!
THE PICK
GAME, BLOUSES
Need 2 first downs to be safe.
Good play-call, but they played it right. Need one final stop, with MSU out of timeouts.
No clue how that wasn't a block in the back there
oh man. ouch.
i hate life.
How unfortunate. A possession that should have started at their own 27 goes to their 42 because they didn't call that block in the back. Leads to a TD to put MSU up 48-47.
They actually helped us there by kicking it out of bounds, no time off the clock. It is possible to get into FG range
It should be said that this has nothing to do with the missed XP. Sure, down 1, but if we had made it, they'd have just kicked their XP to still be up 1 instead of going for 2.
Also glad that that stupid squib kick turned fumble was erased by the INT.
Last week I said "giving up 10 points should be enough to win you 9 outta 10". This week, "scoring 47 points should be enough to win you 9 outta 10".
This one squarely on the defense, late interception aside. Last week on the offense. Sigh.
Just wow. I didn't like that play-call. Why try to get more space on the throw when you had plenty of time to stay in the pocket for 10-20 yd pass? We needed two long plays, no point trying to get it on one play. Just sad. We should be 4-4 (2-2), but are 2-6 (0-4) now.
That non-call on their punt return was absolutely terrible. I have no idea how a ref could miss that.
The announcer said it best "Valpo played not to lose instead of playing to win."
Not really, though. We made the right call on that third down play, they just guessed correctly. They were stacking the box all second half on the run, and we hadn't run the play-action pass since early in the third quarter. Now, I wouldn't have called the QB sweep, but rather a pass to completely catch them off guard, but it was the right idea in general.
I believe that our games at home against Butler and Davidson are winnable, so even if we lose all the others outside of this, we end up 4-8 (2-6). That is a pretty good year compared to the last 5-6 seasons, especially considering that we really could have 3 other wins (at Campbell with that GL INT late that would have put us ahead, at home against Drake with Lehman getting hurt leading to no offense, and this one).
they did not blow this game, did they? I took a shower after Valpo got the INT thinking the game was done, and ...
When you have a 3rd and 3... I'm not running a QB sweep; I'm handing it to Hall and letting him run between the tackles. Worst case he gets 2 yds and now you have 4 and 1 (or inches) vs. 4th and 7. I'm not leaving the game in the hands of the defense when they've given up over 500 yds and the game is still in the 4th quarter.
Wow
In listening to the postgame, I agree that we have many solid young players that will help us the next few seasons. The only question mark is at QB. If only Lehman had another season, as again, he is a serviceable above-average QB for the PFL. If you have players around a QB like that, you can win games. Hopefully Stokes is what he seemed to be based on the recruiting notes, as we will need him.
I AM PAST FRUSTRATION!
Sir Thomas gets his head back by the thinnest little bit of skin.
(http://www.v2cigs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/frustration.jpg)
No game comes down to one play. But QB keeping the ball to the short side on third and two is mysterious. Box was stacked, just like it was on first and second downs. On the up side, we put up points and unleashed some big plays that the rest of our opponents will need to respect. As for looking to next year, some more guys are getting good time. 37 looked great.
While sitting here In Morehead. VU played well rounded game. Wow!!!! Disappointing lost. Us fan's at the game applauded the players as they walked off the field. Telling them to keep their heads up.
Although a loss is a loss a 1 pt. loss is certainly better than the 30,40,50 pt. losses we've seen in the past. Go Valpo! :thumbsup:
This team and this program is getting better. It is not at the stage where we want it to be, but there is obvious improvement. Rebuilding this program is a challenge - new scheme, a need for more talent and sustainability, getting the right attitude, all that. A four win season would be a great accomplishment and it is in grasp. 2 years ago Valpo lost to these guys 76 to 20 (something close to that). They have some young talent, and if they stay and Cecchini continues to get more talent and depth, I think they will have a 0.500 or better record by 2016.
Quote from: setshot on October 26, 2014, 12:12:47 PM
Although a loss is a loss a 1 pt. loss is certainly better than the 30,40,50 pt. losses we've seen in the past. Go Valpo! :thumbsup:
For new posters and readers this is a huge statement in that setshot is no longer advocating dropping the football program. He's probably been doing that previously for about 15 years. Setshot probably out gives to the athletic program than all other posters combined. That is a big big move in a positive direction. Keep the momentum building. Valpo football will be back!
Special teams going from a struggle to scoring 23 of 47 points yesterday, plus guys like Morgan going from special teams to special player, shows a very appealing possibility--the ability for the coaches to develop players and pull the best out of them. Developing and retaining talent will help turn this program around far more than expecting a new era of recruiting. Valpo has, and will continue to, recruit out of the same talent level as the rest of the PFL due to the scholarship limitation. We have multiple all state HS players, as do the other PFL teams we play. The ability to develop those players, as we might be catching a glimpse of this past weekend, is a tangible sign of turnaround. The Valpo special teams coach deserves a pay raise if this continues.
Quote from: VUDad on October 26, 2014, 05:20:40 PM
Special teams going from a struggle to scoring 23 of 47 points yesterday, plus guys like Morgan going from special teams to special player, shows a very appealing possibility--the ability for the coaches to develop players and pull the best out of them. Developing and retaining talent will help turn this program around far more than expecting a new era of recruiting. Valpo has, and will continue to, recruit out of the same talent level as the rest of the PFL due to the scholarship limitation. We have multiple all state HS players, as do the other PFL teams we play. The ability to develop those players, as we might be catching a glimpse of this past weekend, is a tangible sign of turnaround. The Valpo special teams coach deserves a pay raise if this continues.
Agreed. Clearly some players have stepped up their games and are receiving more playing time as a result. Guys like JJ Nunes played out of their minds yesterday. Although Ben Lehman played a very good game and made some throws (like the perfect throw to Gladney for a TD where only he could have caught it) he is still missing too many (However how many quarterbacks and wide receivers in the same game can say they threw a TD pass and also caught one! :o). If we can find a more accurate thrower this team has lots of promise. If you look at the roster, many of the key guys both on offense and defense return or at least can come back if they choose to play one more year.
I caught some of the game on my phone but missed some of the key plays -- especially near the end. When I saw the final score, I was crushed. I ignored the VU site and the forum until today. Couldn't face them. But now that I have removed the noose from my neck and stepped off the chair, I have to agree with most of you in your assessments.
I asked myself when in the last five previous years have we been so close in so many games? If these games had taken place last year we probably would have been reluctantly OK with giving Carlson the last year of his contract. Last year we won 1 game in OT against Campbell and for some strange reason played Drake tough. But we were so miserable against every other PFL team it was outright embarrassing. This year we could have/should have beaten Campbell, Drake and Morehead so far and might give Butler a run for their money and maybe hand them a loss. And we should be able to walk off the field with our heads up against Dayton and USD as well just as long as we can keep the scores fairly close even though we are real long shots for an upset. And we have a very decent shot at a win against Davidson.
We are seeing the gradual infusion of new players and their immediate contributions at a rate we did not see in the past while at the same time vetreran players are making plays and contributing regularly. By all previous measures we are seeing the overall improvement in the program we were so desperately seeking. While frustrating in its continued losses, it finally is pointing us in the right direction. Yes, we can second guess play calling and the mistakes, but at least right now, that criticism is in the context of possibly winning instead of avoiding 40+ point blowouts.
We are slowly gaining respectability. We have 4 more games. We could go 0-4, but it won't be without a fight -- again, unlike the last few years. More realistically, we will be in a competitive game with Davidson and could pull out a win. And then maybe hopefully, we will find a way to upset Butler. Any way you cut it, this a vastly different Valpo football team from its predecessors.
Yeah, hard to imagine a more crushing defeat lately.
But for the record--the last time we were involved in back-to-back games that were decided by one score (<9 points) was the end of 2007, when we lost to Morehead 16-14 and beat Jax 29-27.
It's taken us SEVEN years to get to the point where we could play two close games in a row. #moralvictories
Quote from: bbtds on October 26, 2014, 04:10:27 PM
Quote from: setshot on October 26, 2014, 12:12:47 PM
Although a loss is a loss a 1 pt. loss is certainly better than the 30,40,50 pt. losses we've seen in the past. Go Valpo! :thumbsup:
For new posters and readers this is a huge statement in that setshot is no longer advocating dropping the football program. He's probably been doing that previously for about 15 years. Setshot probably out gives to the athletic program than all other posters combined. That is a big big move in a positive direction. Keep the momentum building. Valpo football will be back!
Was thinking the same thing - most positive football post by setshot in some time. Thanks setshot!