First of all: I am a solid supporter of the current staff. I was ecstatic about the 4 wins in the first year. I loved that with a couple of exceptions we were competitive in at Least 7 of the 12 games we played (I would love to have the MSU and USD games back).
Now with the spring game in the past and we will have a 2015 roster that will be 50% newbies, where will we be come Thanksgiving? I will not post a poll yet --- too early.
But,,,,,,
Pluses:
Strong returning running attack
Experienced defense
Year 2 of the system
Issues:
New untested QB
Lack of experienced depth
New receiver unit
Other:
Open at EKU followed by SHU -- both FCS scholarship programs.
We could win 1 and just miss out on 5 others or win any bunch of 5 other games. At this early point in time, what opinions (not necessarily predictions) do you have about how our 2015 squad will perform?
Tough schedule and 50% newbies = Challenging season
There will always be injuries so many of the freshman will probably have to play this year. 3 weeks of camp before EKU won't give them a lot of time to learn the system so I wouldn't expect much early in the season. If we can win 4 games again playing a much tougher schedule than last year than I'd consider that a successful year with such a young team.
Is there a link to the schedule? It does not appear to be on the valpoathletics site.
Quote from: covufan on April 21, 2015, 09:43:30 AM
Is there a link to the schedule? It does not appear to be on the valpoathletics site.
Here it is:
http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/schedule/2015-16/#.VTaCSGRVikp (http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/schedule/2015-16/#.VTaCSGRVikp)
I would venture to say that 50% freshmen is typical for FCS Nonscholarship. In my class we had 14 guys left from an original class of 55. That said, I think this coaching staff is good. Really good. And that means they know how to figure out their strengths, emphasize them and put the team in a position to win. 6 wins should be the goal and I wouldn't be surprised to see the team make a run for the league title.
From Mark's June Crusader Report....
Thanks to a lead gift from former football player Joe Gillen and his wife Jeanne, we will completely renovate the football locker room over the summer. Located in the ARC just south of the main arena, this renovation will directly benefit our current team and improve recruiting for future seasons. The renovation includes the removal of concrete pads to create more open space in both halves of the room, the replacement of all existing lockers with 100 wooden lockers, and new flooring. The diagrams above showcase the new layout and locker design. In conjunction with the creation of the "KB" Biel Center weight room this project represents another major step toward our goal of being one of the top programs in the Pioneer Football League.
I can remember a while back during the past 3 and 41 era participating in several discussions about the support facilities for FB and the poor quality of the locker room compared to other programs. This should offset that concern. And if it is anything like the new weight room, it will be impressive to potential recruits.
So what will a recruit who comes on campus next fall see that did not exist just two years ago?
> New dedicated weight room
> New locker room
> Brown Field surrounded by a new track, storage building and fencing that makes it look like a real stadium.
> 4 wins under the belt in just the first season under Coach Cecchini
"Where do I sign, Coach?"
I agree that all of those improvements will be attractive for recruiting but the major selling point is the intensity with which the players approach the program. I'm pretty far removed from my time at Valpo (10 years this year), but I remember seeing spring practice and thinking how different the intensity level was from other programs I visited.
We'll win more than 4 this year. Don't worry about the # of freshmen--that's par for the course for a program like this.
Here's an update from the VU Athletics Twitter post showing construction progress on the renovated locker room:
https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/621351705234534400
Nice attention to detail. Still more to do.
New lockers video
https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/621785739466899457
Checked out the 2015-16 Team Roster posted on the FB website. The new locker room is gonna be bulging (I believe they only built 100 lockers). There are 115 names on it broken down as follows:
13 Seniors/RS Srs.
17 Juniors/RS Jrs.
28 Sophomores/RS Sophs
57 Freshmen/RS Fr.
115
This is a really young squad with 85 freshmen and sophomores. There are 22 freshmen from Illinois and Indiana. Shows that this staff is working hard at getting local talent to come here.
But, like last year, we have to see who actually shows up for pre-season. And the reporting date is two weeks away, August 6th.
It hurts to have only 30 upperclassmen, but by this stage of their careers, unless they are starters or key players in specific packages, we have to hope these 30 guys know the playbook well enough to prep the 85 freshmen and sophomores to be ready for their time to shine and step in to make a difference in the program's growth. I'd rather see that in 2 years, the 85 freshmen and sophomores are still there, and doing the same thing for the next set of 85 freshmen and sophomores to be ready for their time in the depth/growth chart.
Some additional roster breakdown by position groups:
OFFENSE
QB - 5
RB - 9
OL - 19
TE - 6
WR - 17
TOT: 56
DEFENSE
DL - 17
LB - 17
DB - 19
TOT: 53
SPECIAL TEAMS
P/K - 6
Quote from: VULB#62 on July 23, 2015, 12:48:16 PM
Some additional roster breakdown by position groups:
OFFENSE
QB - 5
RB - 9
OL - 19
TE - 6
WR - 17
TOT: 56
DEFENSE
DL - 17
LB - 17
DB - 19
TOT: 53
SPECIAL TEAMS
P/K - 6
I don't think getting down to 100 will be an issue. First, probably 5-10 will change their minds--either upper classmen who decide to focus on academics, or freshman who rethink coming to the tundra. Next, as an example, if I am sitting sixth on the depth chart for kicker, I think I would focus my attention to studying and/or co-eds rather then working really hard to move up to fourth.
Here is the PFL coaches pre-season poll released today. Still in the bottom third. Lots of incentive to fight our way upward -- Respect only comes after you've earned it and we haven't done that yet.
http://www.pioneer-football.org/media/pdf/2015%20PFL%20Coaches%20Poll.pdf (http://www.pioneer-football.org/media/pdf/2015%20PFL%20Coaches%20Poll.pdf)
Heres the VU article
http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2015-16/14747/valpo-picked-9th-in-pfl-preseason-coaches-poll/#.Vbf3qMa4ko8 (http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2015-16/14747/valpo-picked-9th-in-pfl-preseason-coaches-poll/#.Vbf3qMa4ko8)
Pioneer Football League
2015 Preseason Coaches' Poll Team Points
1. San Diego (7) 89
2. Dayton (3) 87
3. Drake (1) 86
4. Campbell 71
5. Butler 59
6. Stetson 54
7. Marist 50
8. Morehead State 40
9. Valparaiso 37
10. Davidson 22
Jacksonville —
Here's what they wrote about VU:
In his first season, Valparaiso head coach Dave Cecchini led his team to two-win PFL effort for the first time since 2008 and its first four-win campaign since 2007. Losses at quarterback and wide receiver are tempered by the return of its three leading running backs that combined for more than a third of the team's offense – senior Brandon Hall (173 carries, 885 yards, 10 TD), junior Grayson Bastin (95 carries, 308 yards) and redshirt senior Jake Hutson (65 carries, 237 yards). A considerably improved defensive unit gave up 100 fewer yards per game last season and is again anchored by senior linebacker Alex Green who has posted 108 and 110 tackles in his last two seasons.
Hard to react but I'm guessing this will be bulletin board material. Although we are young, those sophomores so a lot of action last year. Having the system in place for a full year has got to help. I'm hoping for a winning season for the first time since, what? 2003???
Despite the marked growth in the program, I think our schedule works against a winning season. We face 4 of the top 5 preseason leaders and Jacksonville. We also open against 2 FCS scholarship teams with both EKU and SHU coming off NCAA FCS playoff appearances.
My "early-preseason-I-don't-know-our-players-well-enough-yet" guess at what is winnable and losable (Probable Ls are the losses that might also be squeakers our way):
9/3 @ EKU L
9/12 Sacred Heart L
9/19 College of Faith (ARK) W
9/26 USD (Homecoming) (#1) L
10/3 @ Davidson (#10) W
10/10 @ Drake (#3) Probable L
1017 Dayton (#2) L
1024 Stetson (#6) W
11/7 @ Butler (#5) Probable L
11/14 Morehead State (#8) W
11/21 @ Jacksonville (--) L
Last year we coulda/shouda beaten USD, MSU and Campbell, but we didn't and teams will play a little more attention to us this season -- you know Butler will. So we sneak up on no one. I'm thinking 4 wins again, but even closer more competitive losses to the power PFL teams. In the OOC games, I'd like us to do better than Morehead did against EKU last year (lost 13-55), and I'd also hope we show better than Marist did against SHU (lost 7-28) last year as well. It's an 11 game season, so we need 6 Ws. Wonder if the new locker room is worth a TD a game? :crazy:
Quote from: VULB#62 on July 28, 2015, 04:44:53 PM
Despite the marked growth in the program, I think our schedule works against a winning season. We face 4 of the top 5 preseason leaders and Jacksonville. We also open against 2 FCS scholarship teams with both EKU and SHU coming off NCAA FCS playoff appearances.
My "early-preseason-I-don't-know-our-players-well-enough-yet" guess at what is winnable and losable (Probable Ls are the losses that might also be squeakers our way):
9/3 @ EKU L
9/12 Sacred Heart L
9/19 College of Faith (ARK) W
9/26 USD (Homecoming) (#1) L
10/3 @ Davidson (#10) W
10/10 @ Drake (#3) Probable L
1017 Dayton (#2) L
1024 Stetson (#6) W
11/7 @ Butler (#5) Probable L
11/14 Morehead State (#8) W
11/21 @ Jacksonville (--) L
Last year we coulda/shouda beaten USD, MSU and Campbell, but we didn't and teams will play a little more attention to us this season -- you know Butler will. So we sneak up on no one. I'm thinking 4 wins again, but even closer more competitive losses to the power PFL teams. In the OOC games, I'd like us to do better than Morehead did against EKU last year (lost 13-55), and I'd also hope we show better than Marist did against SHU (lost 7-28) last year as well. It's an 11 game season, so we need 6 Ws. Wonder if the new locker room is worth a TD a game? :crazy:
I tend to agree that it will be tough to get to six wins - tough but possible. Massey has us winning the same games:
http://www.masseyratings.com/team.php?t=8361&s=279541 (http://www.masseyratings.com/team.php?t=8361&s=279541)
From 2013 to 2014 we improved about 20 points per game - doubt we will see that much improvement this year. I do feel that Coach Cecchini will continue to improve the offense, thereby controlling the ball more and keeping the defense off the field. If we improve another 10 points per game, we could see six wins this year. The San Diego, Dayton and Butler games would be our other possible wins.
5 and 6 - they will beat Drake
Alex Green is a PFL pre-season pick at LB. Well deserved after two years of triple digit tackles. John Guilford should have made the team as well IMO.
http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2015-16/14748/green-named-preseason-all-pfl-linebacker/#.VbkbTsa4ko8 (http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2015-16/14748/green-named-preseason-all-pfl-linebacker/#.VbkbTsa4ko8)
Good luck to Valpo Football this year! I will miss being in the stands!
David Gadson - (Devan Gadson)
I just noticed something - why is Valpo only playing 11 games this year? Couldn't Alabama get them in for their SEC late November game?
Hoping for 6-5. But my math tells me otherwise:
Good coaching staff +
Confidence from last year's results +
Better special teams play +
Updated facilities +
Better defensive play -
Tougher schedule -
Inexperienced QB and receivers -
Not enough upperclassmen -
Opponents who no longer look past us =
Win 4, Lose 7
Paul
Here is the PFL release (August 2) that includes the Pre-season Coaches audio interviews. I have only listened to Dave Cecchini's, but I eventually will try to hear everyone.
http://www.pioneer-football.org/news/archives/2015/1065/preseason-pfl-coaches-teleconference-audio/ (http://www.pioneer-football.org/news/archives/2015/1065/preseason-pfl-coaches-teleconference-audio/)
No real surprises among the players Dave mentioned and he acknowledged the QB/receiver question marks. RBs are the strength. Defense was cited as the most experienced segment and the foundation of the entire team. On D he did mention that Vince McPherson (6-1, 200) and Jay Sone (6-2, 205), both RS-Sophs, were looking good at LB. Looks like the MLBs will be Green and Kye Hall.
The staff feels that the offense, even with the question marks, will be better than last year. The D will be even faster to the ball. Players report on Thursday. Gonna be interesting to see who emerges to fill the shoes of graduated seniors or if some talented freshmen push their way into prominence.
Quote from: usc4valpo on August 02, 2015, 07:49:22 PM
I just noticed something - why is Valpo only playing 11 games this year? Couldn't Alabama get them in for their SEC late November game?
Alabama was too scared:
By transitivity, this 19 game path shows that Valparaiso dominates Alabama by 248 points.
# Date Winner Scr Loser Scr
1 2014-11-08 @ Valparaiso # 506 (4-8) 17 Butler# 478 (4-7) 3
2 2014-10-04 Butler# 478 (4-7) 49 @ Stetson# 493 (5-7) 41
3 2014-11-08 @ Stetson# 493 (5-7) 22 Marist# 432 (4-7) 14
4 2014-11-01 @ Marist# 432 (4-7) 17 Jacksonville# 291 (9-2) 16
5 2014-09-13 @ Jacksonville# 291 (9-2) 35 San Diego# 313 (9-3) 18
6 2014-09-06 @ San Diego# 313 (9-3) 23 W New Mexico# 372 (5-6) 17
7 2014-10-04 @ W New Mexico# 372 (5-6) 24 Ft Lewis# 413 (3-8) 17
8 2014-10-11 @ Ft Lewis# 413 (3-8) 23 CSU-Pueblo# 131 (12-1) 22
9 2014-09-13 CSU-Pueblo# 131 (12-1) 47 @ Sam Houston St# 98 (10-4) 21
10 2014-11-22 @ Sam Houston St# 98 (10-4) 38 Cent Arkansas# 158 (6-6) 31
11 2014-10-25 @ Cent Arkansas# 158 (6-6) 58 Northwestern LA# 144 (6-6) 35
12 2014-09-20 Northwestern LA# 144 (6-6) 30 @ Louisiana Tech# 69 (8-5) 27
13 2014-11-01 @ Louisiana Tech# 69 (8-5) 59 W Kentucky# 79 (7-5) 10
14 2014-08-29 @ W Kentucky# 79 (7-5) 59 Bowling Green# 116 (7-6) 31
15 2014-09-13 @ Bowling Green# 116 (7-6) 45 Indiana# 89 (4-8) 42
16 2014-09-20 Indiana# 89 (4-8) 31 @ Missouri# 16 (10-3) 27
17 2014-11-28 @ Missouri# 16 (10-3) 21 Arkansas# 19 (6-6) 14
18 2014-11-22 @ Arkansas# 19 (6-6) 30 Mississippi# 8 (9-3) 0
19 2014-10-04 @ Mississippi# 8 (9-3) 23 Alabama# 1 (12-1) 17
16 2014-09-20 Indiana# 89 (4-8) 31 @ Missouri# 16 (10-3) 27
Still hard to believe that Indiana went on the road and beat Missouri.
goes to show how weak the SEC is!
Valpo Athletic site release for the first day of pre-season camp (today):
http://valpoathletics.com/football/news/2015-16/14756/crusaders-open-2015-camp-with-a-fresh-tone/#.VcOSVfvn_4Y (http://valpoathletics.com/football/news/2015-16/14756/crusaders-open-2015-camp-with-a-fresh-tone/#.VcOSVfvn_4Y)
Player names mentioned are essentially the same as Cecchini's PFL Coaches audio interview. One comment he made, however, that points to the need to sort out who will be the starting QB going into the PFL season is that as many as 3 QBs could see action in the OOC games. And my guess it could be all of the QBs if the College of Faith game reaches mercy rule status.
I like the idea that he is willing to experiment against the likes of EKU and SHU. The temptation is to do everything in order to minimize the scoring spread, but we need to find the right guy to be competitive in the PFL. If that means sacrificing a closer loss to, say, EKU for a better understanding of who will be the eventual starting QB, so be it. SHU, might be closer to a possible upset, but even there, the objective is to be ready for the PFL schedule.
This is going to be an interesting next 27 days before the EKU game. Good luck to all the kids and I hope that we stay injury free going into that first test.
Jason Miran (OC)and Ernest Moore (DC) miked up during a practice.
http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2015-16/14760/micd-up-with-valpo-football/#.VcpMA8a4ko8 (http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2015-16/14760/micd-up-with-valpo-football/#.VcpMA8a4ko8)
Love the teaching that's going on in this short (2:30) video.
I stopped by to check out practice yesterday and to get back to taking some photos. After speaking with a few players and coaches, I noticed the tone and atmosphere appear different this year. The players seem more positive, relaxed, and confident. The coaches sound upbeat as well. Last year when I attended preseason practice, even the veteran players acted a bit hesitant and uncertain, a couple asking me if the team looked better than in the past, as if they were hopeful but had doubts. Also, last year's preseason practices were held at the open site near the baseball field because the track was still under construction and the atmosphere felt almost informal, but this year practice at Brown Field feels more formal and official. I liked what I saw. Here are a few of the images I captured.
(http://i60.tinypic.com/zr806.jpg)
(http://i62.tinypic.com/x29njk.jpg)
(http://i59.tinypic.com/6p5e7t.jpg)
Interesting observations Pal. Familiarity with each other, the staff and the system breeds confidence and a belief in what they are doing. That's a big factor. So does knowing that they are actually capable of winning games now - that has a lot to do with it too.
Pics are as good as ever, BTW.
Great pictures. Kids look focused and you can see the intensity in their eyes. Thanks for sharing.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Caught today's full squad scrimmage. Not good. Some likely offensive starters on the sidelines and not playing but a step backwards from Spring.
Agreed. Aside from a few snaps it was pretty much all freshmen today. Looked nothing like spring.
I was there also today..... If the upperclassman don't stay healthy it's going to be a long season. I was impressed with the freshman running back #24. He looks pretty good.
I didn't have a chance to stay for the entire scrimmage, but I have to agree with the previous observations. The players looked okay in individual drills, but there was a lack of unity in the team play. Obviously, practices only began a little more than a week ago, and not all the upperclassmen participated. For instance, Brandon Hall was on the sideline. However, as mentioned, it was hard not to notice that there were so many freshmen. In fact, as I was going through the photos I snapped, almost all were of newcomers. They seem talented, but will need more time to work into the system.
In some areas, Valpo already has depth, but in positions vacated by graduating seniors, there will be a learning curve. Here are pictures I took of a few freshmen. The first two display passes caught by Ryan Moore and Mason Sutter, who are among the players who will need to fill spots that opened when Kuramata and Cassara graduated. The third photo shows Legend Choudhry, who impressed me with his quickness and speed. However, he likely will be competing at running back, a place that already does have some depth with Bastin, Hutson, Hall, and Catrine. I hope the coaches find playing time for Legend.
(http://i60.tinypic.com/2mqu4b5.jpg)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/ei7a76.jpg)
(http://i62.tinypic.com/9la2ch.jpg)
I agree that the freshman involvement was a big factor and I can only imagine how it makes practice slow to a crawl at this point. I think 2 WRs (Catrine is a WR not a RB) who will likely start, leading RB and an OL were out on offense. QBs were a bit flatfooted across the board which can come from an inexperienced WR crew running non committed routes. 24 did look good. Not sure how you evaluate the defense with a lot of muck on offense. In the spring, the offense moved the ball down the field fairly easily.
I agree that Catrine is a wide receiver, but on the depth chart, if Hutson, Bastin, and Hall are unavailable, then Catrine becomes a rushing option because of his versatility and experience. I'm hoping the coaches see that versatility in Legend as well, and possibly use him as a spot receiver or returner at times if he can't get in the backfield because the running back position is clogged with veteran players.
Morgan might be more of an option at RB at this point. Catrine is pretty well entrenched as the guy taking over for Kuramata.
Anyone see the second scrimmage of the preseason yesterday? Saw where it might have been broadcast via Periscope but haven't seen any links yet.
Check on either the Valpo Athletics Facebook or Twitter accounts, but I'm not sure if there were links there either. I haven't watched it myself, but I don't have enough space on my phone for an app I won't use a lot, based on available time for the things I would use it for.
Yep. Got the app and watched some of the drills prior to the actual scrimmage. Will pick up later.
Check out the new FB uniforms on the Valpo FB Twitter site. Pants have "Crusaders" down the leg. Quite a media day as well.
Anyone have pics of the new unis for posting here?
Checked out Brad Collignon's Twitter page as well about media day. Two things stand out: 1) Stokes and Stall are sharing 1st team reps, and 2) the 2 deep has a lot of freshmen spinkled in.
@bradcollignon
@valpoufootball ---- you can see the unis on this site.
Stokes (6' 1") is a lot like Ben was last year -- mobile, can run the option, and can throw on the run. Scott (6' 5") is more a classic pocket passer and less mobile. Versus EKU, their pass rush might require Stokes' agility to get outside and make the passing game viable. Scott might be better suited for PFL level teams whose rush might not be as intense thus giving him the time he needs to go deep wIth his stronger arm. And behind them there are three pretty good underclassmen too.
Here's Brandon Vickrey's article on QB Dalton Stokes who is the apparent front-runner for starting QB. Scott Staal is also listed as a 1st stringer. I'm sure both will see lots of action vs. EKU.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-football-valparaiso-st-0826-20150825-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-football-valparaiso-st-0826-20150825-story.html)
Tidbits:
Paligia has demonstrated good mechanics and arm strength, but there is so much to learn for him that Cecchini is looking at Spring Ball for him to compete for playing time.
Brandon Hall is now going full speed after ankle surgery in the off season :)
Bad News on the QB Front (from somewhere I can't find but I am sure I saw):
Conner Smith has had a labrum injury and will be lost for the season :( Poor kid -- can't buy a break. He signed with us for last year, then backed out, but enrolled at the semester. So this'll be a medical redshirt or he will unenroll (is that a word) for the semester or something. I feel for the kid. I watched is HS video clips and was really impressed.
Quote from: valpo64 on August 25, 2015, 08:57:29 PM
Anyone have pics of the new unis for posting here?
Link to pics from the ValpoAthletics site on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/valpoathletics/photos/a.167497749972617.58630.113914928664233/889087214480330/?type=1&theater (https://www.facebook.com/valpoathletics/photos/a.167497749972617.58630.113914928664233/889087214480330/?type=1&theater)
What is the deal with our teams staying away from using BROWN and GOLD for uniforms???? I know that last year MLaB said Bryce wanted black instead of brown, but com'on, who is in charge here? If they don't like just brown and gold, add a third color or something. Remember "Hail To The BROWN and GOLD"? Do people think that using black as a second color is something unique?
These are the all-white away unis and to me it looks like the dark trim around the metallic gold striping and numbers is brown along with the crusader lettering. I could be wrong. Waiting for the home jerseys and thinking they will be brown with the metallic gold striping and numbers.
I am not a big fan of brown either, but there is a national trend to modify uniforms of late.
I do not like the all white but probably something to get used. I like our new logos for sure.
I'm seeing more brown showing up in our uniforms, like men's soccer -- all brown with white trim (see the pic of Jordan Aiduod in the article of MSO ranking #2 in the HL poll).
http://valpoathletics.com/msoccer/news/2015-16/14791/mens-soccer-tabbed-second-in-preseason-poll/#.VeCepPso74Y (http://valpoathletics.com/msoccer/news/2015-16/14791/mens-soccer-tabbed-second-in-preseason-poll/#.VeCepPso74Y)
Quote from: VULB#62 on August 26, 2015, 04:53:02 PM
Here's Brandon Vickrey's article on QB Dalton Stokes who is the apparent front-runner for starting QB. Scott Staal is also listed as a 1st stringer. I'm sure both will see lots of action vs. EKU.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-football-valparaiso-st-0826-20150825-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-football-valparaiso-st-0826-20150825-story.html)
Tidbits:
Paligia has demonstrated good mechanics and arm strength, but there is so much to learn for him that Cecchini is looking at Spring Ball for him to compete for playing time.
Brandon Hall is now going full speed after ankle surgery in the off season :)
Bad News on the QB Front (from somewhere I can't find but I am sure I saw):
Conner Smith has had a labrum injury and will be lost for the season :( Poor kid -- can't buy a break. He signed with us for last year, then backed out, but enrolled at the semester. So this'll be a medical redshirt or he will unenroll (is that a word) for the semester or something. I feel for the kid. I watched is HS video clips and was really impressed.
Could you please copy and paste the article? Won't let me see it without a subscription.
STOKED ON STOKES
Redshirt freshman Dalton Stokes has watched from the sidelines for long enough. The Valparaiso quarterback looked on for all of last season, with starter Ben Lehman, backup Scott Staal and third-stringer Ryan Clarke all in front of him on the depth chart.
Stokes sat out his freshman season. An untimely elbow injury during preseason camp caused him to fall behind, and he was never able to recover.
Until now.
As preparations for the 2015 season continue, Stokes has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed the graduated Lehman under center. "You can sometimes get mopey when you're not playing," Stokes said. "I learned in the middle of the season to take it for what it is, work your butt off and compete."
Stokes, who is from Florida, took first-team reps during preseason practices last week. Staal and Clarke are the other top quarterback candidates, with freshmen Conner Smith and Jake Paliga also seeing time.
Paliga, an Andrean graduate, is unlikely to be in the starting mix this season. "He's shown he can make all the throws, and he's got great feet," Valparaiso coach Dave Cecchini said of Paliga. "He's got a chance to be a very good quarterback. With the complexity of our offense right now, more likely than not it will be spring ball when he's going to push for playing time."
According to Cecchini, all five quarterbacks underperformed in the team's first intrasquad scrimmage. Inexperienced receivers may have played a role, as Frank Catrine and Ryan Shea both sat out, and freshmen accounted for all but one of the team's receptions.
Although Stokes is currently the front-runner to start, Cecchini has not ruled out playing multiple quarterbacks in the season opener on Sept. 3 at Eastern Kentucky. The Crusaders are in the process of narrowing down the quarterback competition from five to two by the end of preseason camp.
Hall returns from ankle injury:
Brandon Hall has returned to the practice field after missing the spring season due to a high ankle sprain. The injury, which lingered throughout the 2014 season, caused Hall to undergo offseason surgery. He saw live action in last week's practices for the first time during camp. Hall, the team's leading returning rusher, averaged 71.2 yards as a junior last year.
"He's got some rust to shake off," Cecchini said. "It's about making that mental adjustment to trust that ankle to be able to cut like he did prior to the injury. From a cardiovascular standpoint, it's about making sure that he's in football shape."
New faces plentiful for Crusaders:
Half of Valparaiso's roster is made up of true freshmen, creating a learning curve in preseason practices.
"You have a lot of guys jumping offside, not knowing what formation to line up in, forgetting who they are blocking," Cecchini said. "Practice on a whole has gone a little bit slower because of the number of freshmen that have been out there. It's a great freshmen class, but they're all freshmen. That's the problem."
Since much of the team's youth comes on the offensive side of the ball, added pressure falls on an experienced defense.
"We're going to be the pillars to our success," senior linebacker Alex Green said. "This defense is going to have to step up and make some plays."
Quote from: VULB#62 on August 28, 2015, 12:05:36 PM
These are the all-white away unis and to me it looks like the dark trim around the metallic gold striping and numbers is brown along with the crusader lettering. I could be wrong. Waiting for the home jerseys and thinking they will be brown with the metallic gold striping and numbers.
They are not getting new home jerseys. FYI last year the team always wore all white unis (their old ones) to their away games.
Knew that about the white away jerseys. We're talking color here, and I also recall a "goldish" jersey and a brown jersey. Last year's Brown, then for home games??
Brown and gold jerseys at home I'm guessing. Doubt we will ever see the brown pants. They were never worn last year. My guess is new white pants every game. Really hope they can replace the home uniforms next year.
Brandon Vikrey's article on the new crop of wide receivers.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-football-valparaiso-university-st-0901-20150831-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-football-valparaiso-university-st-0901-20150831-story.html)
All I can say is I'm really glad our founder's name was not Henry Baker Pink.
His wife's name would have been Geneva Axe Pink.
It is true that the route on the CTA that has the greater percentage of women train operators is the Pink Line.