I have been away for the last two weeks and didn't have a chance to do my usual weekly game string for the ISU game. But, upon returning, it was bitter sweet to see us go down 50-13 to the Redbirds, but also to see that Kellen Hughes (DPOW) and Jake Simpson (STPOW) were both recognized by the PFL as players of the week in the loss. http://www.pioneer-football.org/news/archives/2016/1176/pfl-players-of-the-week-week-1/ Considering we were up against the #8 FCS team in the country, a 37 point loss has have some good points to build on. Considering what happened at Alabama v. USC (52-6 -- Sorry, USC4Valpo :() where both teams were "technically" playing on a "level playing field" -- neutral venue, both fully scholarshipped and both supported by affluent alumni -- we didn't do too bad. But that's water under the bridge.
It's on to Sacred Heart this Saturday. As mentioned by others in the "predictions" string, SHU squeaked by Stetson @ Stetson. Don't underestimate the heavy humidity of a late Florida summer night in affecting that score to some degree.
Here is the SHU account of their win:
DeLAND, Fla. – The Sacred Heart football team scored 12 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Stetson Hatters 18-14 in the season opener Saturday night at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. [ED NOTE: The first PAT was blocked; they then tried two 2-pt conversions that failed.]
The Pioneers outgained Stetson 399-295, rushing for 227 yards. SHU's defense held the Hatters to 35 yards in the second half and 5-of-16 on third down for the game. Senior linebacker Kevin Barry had a career-high 13 tackles, including three tackles for loss and a key forced fumble in the fourth quarter. Ose Imeokparia rushed for 112 yards and the go-ahead touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. RJ Noel was 16-for-34 passing for 172 yards and two touchdowns.
Trailing 14-6 at halftime, SHU (1-0) closed to within two with 1:20 to play in the third quarter. On 3rd-and-goal from the Stetson 17-yardline, Noel found Andrew O'Neill in the endzone to make the score 14-12. However, the two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful. After forcing Stetson (0-1) to punt, the Pioneers started the fourth quarter with the ball at their own 20 yardline. On the first play of the drive, Imeokparia ran to the right and past the Hatters defense to go 80 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. With the score 18-14, Sacred Heart once again went for two but was stopped. The SHU defense forced three three-and-outs in the fourth quarter to make the lead hold up for the win.
If our experience last year with these guys is any indicator, they will play VERY physical, up to the point of questionable hits after the whistle. We have to play with composure and do a good job of protecting whoever the starting QB will be. The "D" has to come up with another good effort. We are better than what we showed against SHU last year -- I hope the veteran players still have a foul taste in their mouths about that game.
Have a business trip near by in NYC. I am going to stay an extra day to catch the game. This will be my first game seeing Valpo in person. Looking forward to it.
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 07, 2016, 05:14:45 PM
Considering we were up against the #8 FCS team in the country, a 37 point loss has have some good points to build on. Considering what happened at Alabama v. USC (52-6 -- Sorry, USC4Valpo :() where both teams were "technically" playing on a "level playing field" -- neutral venue, both fully scholarshipped and both supported by affluent alumni -- we didn't do too bad. But that's water under the bridge.
Might also mention that on D versus ISU we were without Tristan De La Rosa -- arguably our best DL, who has bulked up to 295#. Also notable by absence was Kye Hall -- a starter last year. He is also absent from the SHU two-deep this week.
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 07, 2016, 06:26:26 PMQuote from: VULB#62 on September 07, 2016, 05:14:45 PMConsidering we were up against the #8 FCS team in the country, a 37 point loss has have some good points to build on. Considering what happened at Alabama v. USC (52-6 -- Sorry, USC4Valpo :() where both teams were "technically" playing on a "level playing field" -- neutral venue, both fully scholarshipped and both supported by affluent alumni -- we didn't do too bad. But that's water under the bridge.
Might also mention that on D versus ISU we were without Tristan De La Rosa -- arguably our best DL, who has bulked up to 295#. Also notable by absence was Kye Hall -- a starter last year. He is also absent from the SHU two-deep this week.
I don't think Nick Turner played last week and he's been a starter in the past. The two deep is always a bit untelling and he's on there but as a 2 on the two deep. Good to see Nunes on it. Catrine is not on it and I have no idea why you would play him until Davidson at this point.
Need more from the trenches to let the backs get going and the QBs to settle down.
Quote from: VU2624 on September 07, 2016, 07:36:28 PM
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 07, 2016, 06:26:26 PMQuote from: VULB#62 on September 07, 2016, 05:14:45 PMConsidering we were up against the #8 FCS team in the country, a 37 point loss has have some good points to build on. Considering what happened at Alabama v. USC (52-6 -- Sorry, USC4Valpo :() where both teams were "technically" playing on a "level playing field" -- neutral venue, both fully scholarshipped and both supported by affluent alumni -- we didn't do too bad. But that's water under the bridge.
Might also mention that on D versus ISU we were without Tristan De La Rosa -- arguably our best DL, who has bulked up to 295#. Also notable by absence was Kye Hall -- a starter last year. He is also absent from the SHU two-deep this week.
I don't think Nick Turner played last week and he's been a starter in the past. The two deep is always a bit untelling and he's on there but as a 2 on the two deep. Good to see Nunes on it. Catrine is not on it and I have no idea why you would play him until Davidson at this point.
Need more from the trenches to let the backs get going and the QBs to settle down.
That!
SHU 41, Valpo 7.
62 - USC is not ready for elite primetime. They still lack depth resulting from the sanctioning where the punishment did not fit the crime. Alabama's defense like usual was fantastic, and USC on offense for several 3 caused the defense to be out on the field for extended periods. Unlike many teams, I do applaud USC for facing a very difficult schedule this season.
I will say this about college football. With the 4 team playoff, some teams are taking more risk in scheduling challenging opponents early, which is a good thing. I would rather see teams learn by facing elite competition than face ham-and-eggers and get an artificial warm fuzzy.
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 07, 2016, 06:26:26 PM
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 07, 2016, 05:14:45 PM
Considering we were up against the #8 FCS team in the country, a 37 point loss has have some good points to build on. Considering what happened at Alabama v. USC (52-6 -- Sorry, USC4Valpo :() where both teams were "technically" playing on a "level playing field" -- neutral venue, both fully scholarshipped and both supported by affluent alumni -- we didn't do too bad. But that's water under the bridge.
Might also mention that on D versus ISU we were without Tristan De La Rosa -- arguably our best DL, who has bulked up to 295#. Also notable by absence was Kye Hall -- a starter last year. He is also absent from the SHU two-deep this week.
I do remember something about a few suspensions for the first game. Was this the case with these two? Were other also not playing? The line is Valpo -31. I'll take Valpo and the points!
2624 might have more info but I thought De La Rosa was an injury scratch.
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 08, 2016, 08:46:34 AM2624 might have more info but I thought De La Rosa was an injury scratch.
Brandon quoted Coach as De La Rosa being out with a knee injury (for last week).
Ryan Clarke at QB and weak RBs are not giving me good vibes on the offensive side. I take SHU and give the points. I have a feeling the Mad Hatters are getting better in football. We need to see the same with the Saders.
Some mixed news going into the SHU game:
[tweet]773975248102383616[/tweet]
[tweet]773977061425905664[/tweet]
[tweet]773977250232500224[/tweet]
[tweet]773977437856231425[/tweet]
[tweet]773977784490352640[/tweet]
[tweet]773978443113459714[/tweet]
Tough losing Nunes. Terrance Roberts (6-4,325) too.
Ouch.
Sorry to hear about JJ I think he was going to have a big season and Kye hall out 1 or 2 More games Still suspended 👎🤔
Quote from: GOVALPO! on September 08, 2016, 06:59:40 PM
Sorry to hear about JJ I think he was going to have a big season and Kye hall out 1 or 2 More games Still suspended 👎🤔
Campus rule violation or team rules?
Nunes is out which is a bummer. He and his father seem really cool - I met his dad at the Drake game last year.I hope JJ gets better as he has a wonderful future ahead.
After watching the game from this past Sat, the QBs that played are not athletic at all,no speed, I mean I can run faster then these guys. No offensive scoring what so ever, its like they where playing in Denver the mile high city. I hope it is not a blow out. For Nunes , he is such a great kid and sorry to hear him go down so early in the season.
Two players suffer season-ending injuries against a full-scholarship program in the season opener.
It's time to stop playing these ridiculous pay-day games. It doesn't do anyone any good, except the $80,000-plus to VU's budget. There has to be a better way.
Football's reputation is already suffering with the attention on concussions and CTE. If I had a kid playing football for VU, I wouldn't want him playing in the "sacrificial lamb" game to open the season.
Quote from: Valpo89 on September 09, 2016, 10:32:12 AM
Two players suffer season-ending injuries against a full-scholarship program in the season opener.
It's time to stop playing these ridiculous pay-day games. It doesn't do anyone any good, except the $80,000-plus to VU's budget. There has to be a better way.
Football's reputation is already suffering with the attention on concussions and CTE. If I had a kid playing football for VU, I wouldn't want him playing in the "sacrificial lamb" game to open the season.
Completely agree, have for years. When we start being competitive at our level perhaps but not now. The Sacred Heart game killed our season last year. Everyone needs to cross their fingers for Saturday.
Cross your fingers no one gets hurt...
Quote from: footballgods on September 09, 2016, 12:31:22 PM
Cross your fingers no one gets hurt...
Exactly!
Although it is time to beat teams like SHU instead of avoiding getting hurt. I agree with not playing the Illinois States until Valpo football gets better.
Next year it is more of the same: Montana, a perennial FCS top 10. After that I know we drop down a notch to the Ivy League with Dartmouth, but that is not until the 2021 (@ Dartmouth) and 2022 (Brown Field) seasons. We need to challenge ourselves, but it would be better if we could find a Patriot opponent (Lehigh?) or a second NEC team in addition to SHU or an Ivy to replace the MVFC and Big Sky teams. At least the NEC and Patriot teams, though offering FB scholarships, do not (as is my understanding) max out at the full 65 scholarships like the MVFC, Big Sky, or CAA, etc.
I went checking some Ivy FB schedules to see if Valpo was mentioned and noted that Columbia actually had a preseason scrimmage on this September 3rd against Cornell in Schenectady, NY on the campus of Union College. What's with that? :o I thought D-I teams could not scrimmage against another school in preseason.
Have u guys been to any recent practice and seen how they look?
What ever happened to the highly rated QB from Andrean HS?
Quote from: footballgods on September 09, 2016, 09:48:01 AMAfter watching the game from this past Sat, the QBs that played are not athletic at all,no speed, I mean I can run faster then these guys. No offensive scoring what so ever, its like they where playing in Denver the mile high city. I hope it is not a blow out. For Nunes , he is such a great kid and sorry to hear him go down so early in the season.
I agree with some of this however we need to take into consideration that the OL was overpowered by players bigger and faster and really gave the QB no chance. He did make some mistakes of course and gets rattled too easily in my view but this was by no means a match at all. Sacred Heart's not going to be any picnic either.
Quote from: valpo64 on September 09, 2016, 01:22:05 PMWhat ever happened to the highly rated QB from Andrean HS?
Paliga? He decided he wasn't all that thrilled with football. I think he transferred to Purdue.
Quote from: VU2624 on September 09, 2016, 01:27:21 PM
Quote from: valpo64 on September 09, 2016, 01:22:05 PMWhat ever happened to the highly rated QB from Andrean HS?
Paliga? He decided he wasn't all that thrilled with football. I think he transferred to Purdue.
Yeah, Jake Paliga is the kid in question. He did transfer to Purdue and here is what he told the Tribune:
"My love for the game has died down," Paliga said. "College football is a whole new monster compared to high school. After high school, I was thinking about quitting, but I didn't because I didn't want to give up the game yet. As of right now, my love for the game is not the same."
They have the West Cost Kid that had big numbers in High School that comes from a school with 6 NFL rookies this year. and he can run looking at his tape a few months ago.
Quote from: footballgods on September 09, 2016, 01:44:56 PMThey have the West Cost Kid that had big numbers in High School that comes from a school with 6 NFL rookies this year. and he can run looking at his tape a few months ago.
Dalton Stokes can run. He got hurt running last year. He still hurt from running this year.
Quote from: vu72 on September 09, 2016, 01:39:13 PM
Quote from: VU2624 on September 09, 2016, 01:27:21 PM
Quote from: valpo64 on September 09, 2016, 01:22:05 PMWhat ever happened to the highly rated QB from Andrean HS?
Paliga? He decided he wasn't all that thrilled with football. I think he transferred to Purdue.
Yeah, Jake Paliga is the kid in question. He did transfer to Purdue and here is what he told the Tribune:
"My love for the game has died down," Paliga said. "College football is a whole new monster compared to high school. After high school, I was thinking about quitting, but I didn't because I didn't want to give up the game yet. As of right now, my love for the game is not the same."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-football-valparaiso-jake-paliga-st-1227-20151226-story.html
We will see if they put him in.. You know they have a 300 yrd race every summer camp and who was at the top of all the Qbs, WRs etc...
Valpo 17
Sacred Heart 35
Quote from: footballgods on September 09, 2016, 03:48:12 PMWe will see if they put him in.. You know they have a 300 yrd race every summer camp and who was at the top of all the Qbs, WRs etc...
Not sure which player you're referring to but that test is simply a conditioning test to make sure the players don't slack during the season. It means virtually nothing in terms of the actual ability to play unless the plan is to run a 4x400m during the game.
Quote from: covufan on September 09, 2016, 05:22:02 PMValpo 17 Sacred Heart 35
This would probably be considered a positive.
Quote from: IndyValpo on September 09, 2016, 11:45:37 AM
Quote from: Valpo89 on September 09, 2016, 10:32:12 AM
Two players suffer season-ending injuries against a full-scholarship program in the season opener.
It's time to stop playing these ridiculous pay-day games. It doesn't do anyone any good, except the $80,000-plus to VU's budget. There has to be a better way.
Football's reputation is already suffering with the attention on concussions and CTE. If I had a kid playing football for VU, I wouldn't want him playing in the "sacrificial lamb" game to open the season.
Completely agree, have for years. When we start being competitive at our level perhaps but not now. The Sacred Heart game killed our season last year. Everyone needs to cross their fingers for Saturday.
I respectfully have to disagree with you both. Football is a contact sport by nature. Season ending injuries can occur against anyone you schedule, FCS scholarship or otherwise. OK, I'll concede though--maybe it's a bad idea playing programs like Montana, Youngstown, North Dakota State et. al., but as I've said before, I'd rather see us lose 99-0 to a scholarship FCS program than beat a D-III team any day of the week. We're FCS, we have to act like it.
Of course, as a guy removed from my college years it's easy for me to type about scheduling because I'm not the one getting pancaked by a guy 50 lbs. heavier than I am. That said, if the staff and the kids want to continue to play these types of games, I say continue to schedule them.
Quote from: crusaderjoe on September 10, 2016, 09:34:17 AMI respectfully have to disagree with you both. Football is a contact sport by nature. Season ending injuries can occur against anyone you schedule, FCS scholarship or otherwise. OK, I'll concede though--maybe it's a bad idea playing programs like Montana, Youngstown, North Dakota State et. al., but as I've said before, I'd rather see us lose 99-0 to a scholarship FCS program than beat a D-III team any day of the week. We're FCS, we have to act like it. Of course, as a guy removed from my college years it's easy for me to type about scheduling because I'm not the one getting pancaked by a guy 50 lbs. heavier than I am. That said, if the staff and the kids want to continue to play these types of games, I say continue to schedule them.
The Nunes injury was a chance situation. The Roberts injury one a very simple one of playing vs. talent much bigger and faster than you. I get what you're saying but not having the players available to play vs the programs in which the talent level is a lot more equal can't possibly be a good thing for the program. Thus, we end up with a situation such as last year in which within the first two games in which the talent gap was significant Valpo loses key players on both sides of the ball including what likely would have been the starting QB (who is still a longshot to play despite what the coach says) and multiple offensive lineman when the team does play the teams in their league and they play those games with a mostly true freshman line. It's just not a good situation except for perhaps the schools bank account.
If I'm Valpo....and Sacred Heart wants to cheap shot as they did last year....I'm hunting knees. Too bad.
Watching the game, and we're playing well so far, but the camera work is Meh, at best. They did a replay on the first TD pass for us, and you saw more of the linemen running downfield to celebrate, than you saw the actual catch. Have a great view of the game from my laptop to Chromecast, just wish the video wasn't so far behind Todd's audio.
OL and DL getting eaten up.
Good crowd. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160910/ae42977c66dd0888f78edb317c0caa9b.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160910/9a5b75113a7508230bc2442233afce81.jpg)
Guess what - we may have found a QB!
Quote from: usc4valpo on September 10, 2016, 02:18:32 PM
Guess what - we may have found a QB!
Line for the most part is protecting him. Accuracy has been there as well.
Quote from: Dojan123 on September 10, 2016, 02:32:51 PMQuote from: usc4valpo on September 10, 2016, 02:18:32 PMGuess what - we may have found a QB!
Line for the most part is protecting him. Accuracy has been there as well.
Some good movement in the pocket as well. Only one dumbass pass as well.
s/b competitive in the PFL. We'll see.
Maybe new QB.
This QB has potential and they need to put at first string.
I give sacred heart credit fo playing conservatively in the second half and not running up the score.
Hey! We beat the point spread as I predicted. Seriously, I do think we are making progress. Last year we lost the first two games by 118-13 and this year we are 92-27. Jimmy Sewald appears to be very accurate and should only get better with experience. The kids will continue to get bigger and stronger. Progress...
Question is..is Clarke able to play next week. If not and Seewald and either Dalton or one of the other freshman do and play well, then what do you do starting league play?
Stokes' style fits the offense best btw however I'm not sure his arm strength, which is not great anyway, is completely back yet.
This Valpo team is making progress from last year. It is mostly Sophomores and Freshman. You can see the change this year as the Sophomores put on weight and strength. I think we might sneak an unexpected win or two this year in league play.
Even if Clarke can play next week, start Seewald. Seewald wasn't rushing passes, or forcing the ball into double teams to get downfield. We do hurt not having Catrine out there, plus a running game that can sneak in around the passing game effectively. Yes, some of the running game is based on having strong blocking, but even when we have that, the backs aren't creative with footwork to get to the holes before they're stopped. Next week, I hope, will be a chance to grow, and put some fresh looks out there.
Valpo scored more points on Illinois State than Northwestern did today.
I was working and missed the whole darn game (except for two game tracker checks). But viewing post game stats i got the impression that the freshman QB stood in there, did not make a lot of typical starter errors and did not cough up the ball like Ryan did last week. It appeared that the second quarter was a defensive brain fart. Other than that we seemed to play respectably. The stat sheet said Simpson tried a 55 yarder, but the ball was on like the 30 something and when you add 7 for placement that comes to somewhere around 48. That is still pretty good in that he got it off and was wide rt I believe. I think we have upgraded at kicker.
We have survived the two most testing games of the early season. I dont know if the SHU/Stetson score is comparable, but we now have an opponent that will enable us to better prepare for PFL action.
I hope we did not sustain any more bad injuries going into Trinity International.
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 10, 2016, 08:26:21 PMI was working and missed the whole darn game (except for two game tracker checks). But viewing post game stats i got the impression that the freshman QB stood in there, did not make a lot of typical starter errors and did not cough up the ball like Ryan did last week. It appeared that the second quarter was a defensive brain fart. Other than that we seemed to play respectably. The stat sheet said Simpson tried a 55 yarder, but the ball was on like the 30 something and when you add 7 for placement that comes to somewhere around 48. That is still pretty good in that he got it off and was wide rt I believe. I think we have upgraded at kicker. We have survived the two most testing games of the early season. I dont know if the SHU/Stetson score is comparable, but we now have an opponent that will enable us to better prepare for PFL action. I hope we did not sustain any more bad injuries going into Trinity International.
The interior lines of SHU just dominated after the first few drives. They were outsized and quicked. Couldn't really stop the run and had no pass rush which led to wide open receivers. The OL opened no holes nearly at all all game although they did provide some decent protection considering the circumstances.
When Valpo plays teams in which they can match up at least a little with the interior lines, they should be ok. IOW within the PFL.
Quote from: Dojan123 on September 10, 2016, 06:09:33 PM
Valpo scored more points on Illinois State than Northwestern did today.
Holy crap. I just found out that ISU beat NU 9-7 and only allowed less that 100 yards on the ground! NU was previously mentioned as a possible top 25 Fbs team this year. Our loss doesnt seem so bitter right now. Regardless, we were unable to carry the same effort over to SHU today -- the mark of a really good team. We have a way to go, but prospects are still moving in a positive direction I believe.
Northwestern and Iowa State should face each other for the battle of futility.
I watch the second through fourth quarters yesterday, and it is obvious Valpo is more competent in football then they were last year and definitely what they were 3 years ago. I could not assess much in the second half as SHU was playing their reserves for the most part. SHU looks as if they have a good college football atmosphere, and something Valpo should aspire to.
A few things:
1. Valpo's running game is brutal and needs talent.
2. Start Seewald now. There were promising things he was doing our there.
2. On the other hand, the Saders need to air it out early and often. Their receivers and tight ends look promising. Norberg is really good after the catch.
3. It is really difficult to assess the team after facing teams with scholarship talent and treating us like ham and eggers. I think Trinity will be a better assessment.
Quote from: usc4valpo on September 11, 2016, 08:59:18 AM
Northwestern and Iowa State should face each other for the battle of futility.
I watch the second through fourth quarters yesterday, and it is obvious Valpo is more competent in football then they were last year and definitely what they were 3 years ago. I could not assess much in the second half as SHU was playing their reserves for the most part. SHU looks as if they have a good college football atmosphere, and something Valpo should aspire to.
A few things:
1. Valpo's running game is brutal and needs talent.
2. Start Seewald now. There were promising things he was doing our there.
2. On the other hand, the Saders need to air it out early and often. Their receivers and tight ends look promising. Norberg is really good after the catch.
3. It is really difficult to assess the team after facing teams with scholarship talent and treating us like ham and eggers. I think Trinity will be a better assessment.
Agree with your points. The atmosphere at the game appeared good with a marching band and what appeared to be a decent crowd. However, this was their homecoming game and the announced attendance was only 2406! This, for a school with 6500 students. Valpo had crowds of over 3000 on three occasions last year.
Our passing game is pretty solid and we still don't have Frank Catrine back. We had 210 yards passing to their 212. One other thing that is very impressive is our punter. Yesterday he averaged 44.9 after 43.0 in the first game. That's a fair amount better than last year!
Quote from: vu72 on September 11, 2016, 10:26:47 AMHowever, this was their homecoming game and the announced attendance was only 2406!
Just think if they had played a team that wasn't so easy for homecoming. The alumni get upset when they travel so far back to their alma mater and the team loses. Valpo is the perfect homecoming opponent. :-(