Indiana Wesleyan 5-1 in games played last season. Their defensive line and running back were major problems for the Beacons.
Unanimously ranked top 15 in NAIA again (9/14). Will be a tall task for the Beacs but the game is at home.
Thinking 35-18 Wesleyan. But homer pick 24-17 roll Beacs
23-13 IWU
Has QB1 been named?
Quote from: valpotx on August 27, 2022, 10:03:57 PMHas QB1 been named?
Recent and maybe not so recent history and through multiple coaches is that the big reveal isn't revealed even in some cases after its been revealed.
https://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2022-23/21444/season-preview-game-week-is-here-for-valpo-football/
Quote from: JD24 on August 28, 2022, 05:20:51 PM
Quote from: valpotx on August 27, 2022, 10:03:57 PMHas QB1 been named?
Recent and maybe not so recent history and through multiple coaches is that the big reveal isn't revealed even in some cases after its been revealed.
A bit of a surprise here.
Leading into the season, one of the most frequently asked questions has been as follows – who enters the season atop the quarterback depth chart?
After a competitive camp in a deep quarterback room, a pair of redshirt freshmen will see playing time on Saturday. Michael Appel Jr. (Springboro, Ohio / Springboro) and Mason Kaplan (Peachtree Corners, Ga. / Norcross) begin the season as the two quarterbacks on the two-deep. Kaplan saw action in two games last season, while Appel's next snap will mark his collegiate debut.
"Mason is a football junkie who understands the game," Fox said. "He understands the offense and where the ball is supposed to go. He has the ability to be a dual-threat quarterback and he's very strong. He's a good leader within our program. Mikey had a good camp. He has the ability to make all the throws. He's smart and understands our schemes and where the ball is supposed to go. He's a very intelligent football player both on the field and in the classroom, and is another very good leader."
Redshirt senior Jeffrey Jackson (San Diego, Calif. / Bishop's [San Diego]) and redshirt junior Teryn Berry (Redmond, Washington / Redmond [Weber State]) both saw game action a year ago, while true freshman Rowan Keefe (Park Ridge, Ill. / Maine South) rounds out the position group.
"It was a very competitive camp at quarterback, and that brought out the best in all of the guys," Fox said. "You have to show up each and every day trying to win the job. At the same time, you're playing for one team, it's Valpo. They all have the ability to go out there and play well as individuals while doing it within the scheme for our team."
Guys to watch this week for IWU's offense
Dederrian Williams RB MVSU bounce back
Jacquez Carter and Xavier Gordon (Missouri State and Kansas State)
Kaplan Is younger than Xander Stokes but he came up in top level Georgia competition and Xander went to Anderson HS.
After seeing 100% retention in camp and IWU roster , there's optimism for a win
Coach Fox said on his YouTube clip with Brandon. Mikey Appel is the 2022 starter to begin the season.
Was the 5th guy and Scout team POY last season. Downfield thrower. Interesting to say the least
Quote from: valpofb16 on August 29, 2022, 01:34:53 PM
Coach Fox said on his YouTube clip with Brandon. Mikey Appel is the 2022 starter to begin the season.
Was the 5th guy and Scout team POY last season. Downfield thrower. Interesting to say the least
I just looked at some film on him from his senior year and he can definitely make all the throws and also wasn't afraid to tuck it and run. At 6'4" 220# he could be a real load to bring down!
2 Deep Out. Interesting tidbits
QB-Appel beats out more experienced Berry/Jefferson , Kaplan same as #2
RB-Dawson expected , Clarke is the bruiser, expect to see Labus/Mann
WR-Ross/Contreras/Bingham/Maxwell/Davis all as expected Grguric rose up board
TE-Vickers keeps spot over Scholly xfer Pierson
OL-First OL depth chart in seemingly 10 years that doesnt have true freshman
DL-Randall gets start, 2021 grad , somehow still a true FR. Ends are bigger in Spelman/Hafner. Kessen returns
LB-Sciarroni moves into box, Abrams only true FR on two deep. Hines OLB at 240! no Nabers from Fresno
DB-Chilton beat out by Graves, thought he was at all PFL level last season. Former 3* Days a reserve. Unit would have been in tact from 2021
OL Bryce Koteles is a true freshman.
I have no confidence in Fox or this team. Landon has to be in hot seat unless he can finish with 7 wins and be in the top half of the PFL. His arrogance is DI, but unfortunately his mind and skill set is that of a glorified HS coach. Hate to be a Debbie Downer but I just have no confidence in this staff of making this program relevant any time soon.
Quote from: VUSupport on September 02, 2022, 04:54:17 AM
I have no confidence in Fox or this team. Landon has to be in hot seat unless he can finish with 7 wins and be in the top half of the PFL. His arrogance is DI, but unfortunately his mind and skill set is that of a glorified HS coach. Hate to be a Debbie Downer but I just have no confidence in this staff of making this program relevant any time soon.
Why the cheap shot at Coach Fox? You read like either a benched former player or a disgruntled parent. His record in the PFL is improving and, he beat Butler three times in one year! That's enough for me!
If beating a crappy Butler program is your high water mark, then you really need to up your aspirations.
I agree Butler sucks, and we should not be doing handstands over 3-8 seasons. Fox is doing a decent job given the challenges of Div. 3 football.
What's the point spread on this game?
Quote from: vu72 on September 02, 2022, 07:48:11 AMQuote from: VUSupport on September 02, 2022, 04:54:17 AMI have no confidence in Fox or this team. Landon has to be in hot seat unless he can finish with 7 wins and be in the top half of the PFL. His arrogance is DI, but unfortunately his mind and skill set is that of a glorified HS coach. Hate to be a Debbie Downer but I just have no confidence in this staff of making this program relevant any time soon.
Why the cheap shot at Coach Fox? You read like either a benched former player or a disgruntled parent. His record in the PFL is improving and, he beat Butler three times in one year! That's enough for me!
Reading further would indicate "support" has a different meaning to some.
I agree with the above.
Well if you agree to settle to be mediocre that's your prerogative. I'd rather be a competitive program that's battling in the top half of the PFL. If you're fine with only beating a terrible in-state program and not being in the basement you're settling for no goals.
Fox is 8-6 in his last 10 non scholarship games which means he is probably first .500 plus Valpo Coach against likewise talent in 30 years.
The program being a "PFL contender" is a 9-3 , 8-4 season. This is the Sun Belt / Max of FCS football. Unless the University makes the necessary adjustments to go Patriot , Ivy League , or MVC that will be the ceiling. Finances , academics, facilities , and scholarships all go into it.
One could argue Fox has done the best job in the PFL last two season outside of Abel at Davidson. Especially given his resources.
Far from a "High School Coach" the guy can coach defense, the change from 18 to 19 with the roster he inherited had me a believer. However his offense has struggled, he also got hired 2 months after the coaching cycle. Meaning Limbach probably wasn't his 1st,2nd,or 3rd choice.
Happy to have Fox at Valpo 24-14 tomorrow over an NAIA national championship contender
Gotta say, I didn't have "Landon Fox should be on the hot seat" on my 2022 preseason bingo card.
Well if you're good with .310 winning percentage at Valpo then you have low standards. For someone that talk a big game and name drops, Fox surely had suitors for an OC. So I don't buy he was too late in the game with Limbach. He was his dude and it backfired big time. Also his retention of players isn't what I call stellar either. But if you're good with that then by all means enjoy being below the Mendoza line
If our football program had the pedigree of our basketball program (at least historically) I might agree. As someone who has followed the team for a little while now Fox has been a fantastic hirer at least until this point, you have to understand how bad it was before him and Cecchini. Every game pretty much we were blown out, every game. So I get it maybe he hasn't created a dynasty in 3 years but he was 4-4 in league play losing 3 within a score only in his third season. He's crushed that blue and white team and has beaten Drake and Dayton. Given his limited resources, few years, and prior/ historic state of the program it's just unfair to have bigger expectations
Quote from: NotBryceDrew on September 03, 2022, 07:44:13 AMIf our football program had the pedigree of our basketball program (at least historically) I might agree. As someone who has followed the team for a little while now Fox has been a fantastic hirer at least until this point, you have to understand how bad it was before him and Cecchini. Every game pretty much we were blown out, every game. So I get it maybe he hasn't created a dynasty in 3 years but he was 4-4 in league play losing 3 within a score only in his third season. He's crushed that blue and white team and has beaten Drake and Dayton. Given his limited resources, few years, and prior/ historic state of the program it's just unfair to have bigger expectations
Well....if you're happy........ :lol: :lol: :lol:
I agree with the above and valpofb16's take.
The resources excuse is overplayed. There's plenty of schools that are successful with less. That's a bad take, sorry but I put higher expectations for all Valpo teams. Why should I settle for mediocrity?
VUsupport, as someone who played college, went on many recruiting trips, trips for games .
I can say this with all due respect. You have 0 idea of college footballs landscape or Valpos place in that landscape.
I played DI so you have no idea, and I know Valpo a lot more than you think. So if you want to reward Valpo for participation ribbons kudos to you. I don't settle for crap. You can't polish a turd, it's still :censored:
While no one is asking for Fox to be coach of the year, it's idiotic to be criticizing the job he's done since he's been here. I know there's some sort of internet tough guy rejoinder to this opinion but, at the very least, what's been posted negatively is premature.
PFL records under Fox
1-7
4-2
4-4
Prior to Fox
2-6
5-3
3-5
1-7
2-6
1-7
1-7
Dayton up in the 4th on Robert Morris
Georgetown handing it to Marist
Butler down 14-3 to Tommies in the 3rd
14-7 Jacksonville State ahead on Davidson
VUsupport: If you are so fed up with the VU program and have nothing positive to say among all the cheap shots you bring to this table, why do you waste your time making these comments on this Board. I wonder what you have to say about your playing days and the program at the D-1 program or which you were a part.
Dayton takes scholarship Robert Morris down. Butler coming back vs. Saint Thomas.
2 wins from last season appear much improved
My bad. This is Saint Thomas D3 not Saint Thomas PFL disregard
Fox is doing a decent job getting players and getting Valpo in the right direction. No way he's on the hot seat. He's no Carlson.
Those are the best two throws I've seen a Valpo QB make Hoffman included.
Hoffman is your benchmark? It sounds like you weren't around for Macchi? Macchi puts Hoffman to shame.
Regardless, I like Fox, and I liked the direction that he was taking the program, even prior to where this game sits after 3 quarters. Our defense was atrocious prior to Fox, where we were routinely blown out against teams that we either beat or barely lose to now.
What happened to Appel? I may have missed it, but the broadcast doesn't seem to be saying anything.
OC put in Kaplan up 17-3 instead of putting them away unless Appel is hurt.
Turner just went down huge huge huge loss. Annis , Hines , Mekky all did not play at LB
The announcers hinted that Appel might be having shoulder problems, based on their observations
That's a shame. The kid looked good.
How do the other refs not go talk to the linesmen who blew that catch? Things like that get sent to an NCAA officiating committee, right? That is terrible
Great win for Fox & company that is a very good NAIA team that will give teams fits.
Thoughts:
O:
-from a limited sample size. Offense has different ceiling with Appel & Kaplan
- Dawson is closer to Washington than Orekoya
- OL is best they have looked in Fox era
- Deep at TE
D:
- won this game without two projected starters at LB
- Deep at corner Franco and Rao played great. Turner is a real dude.
- Defensive line bullied IWU in the run game.
Good team win enjoy. On to the next one
Hopefully pays off in recruiting. Lost some guys to IWU
Bartholomew negated the blown call with an amazing kick. Great win!
Great win, congrats all around. Dawson seems to not be too much of a drop-off from Washington, and if Appel can stay healthy, he needs to be QB1 without rotation, in games that matter.
I know it's just one game against a non-DI opponent, but in past disappointing seasons, this is the kind of game VU might've lost, maybe embarrassingly so.
And now there's reason for genuine optimism at the QB and RB positions.
This could be a fun season.
IWU smacked Marian last year and beat Saint Francis. Most likely they are a top 4-5 team in PFL.
Would put this right up there with 2020 San Diego as Fox's best win.
Players were cramping left and right. Turner is fine.
I have to give props to the crowd, as well. It has been a while since we have seen that many folks on both sides of the field. Harkening back to my days on campus, outside of the Butler game here and there.
Maybe the best crowd in both total attendance and enthusiasm in over 30 years. Definitely appeared to be a shoulder that sidelined Appel in the second half. It was mentioned multiple times.
This was the best game day atmosphere in years for Valpo Football. The parents tailgate section was packed and lively long before gametime and the new community tailgate lot was a nice addition. If the two were combined, it would have been quite a deal. I also thought the total attendance would have been the best in years but several, mostly Homecoming games, the past ten years have had a much bigger total. The difference tonight was that the entire crowd was into the game and watching the whole time. The engaged fans were helped by a competitive, fun game. Quarterbacks were athletic, Punter was pro-like, and both lines excelled. Let's do it!
Never happy VUSupport probably didn't watch the game last night. What a great atmosphere and great win! Clearly Coach Fox had the team ready. I would have guessed more than 3240 at the game but still, that's more than the basketball team has been drawing. And somebody said that it wouldn't be a very good draw because Ohio State and Notre Dame were playing at the same time might have forgotten about these fancy recording devices! How was the pre-game new stuff?
VUSupport is a troll.
I am so glad Valpo has provided a better game experience which was well overdue. also, congrats to Fox and the Beacos for starting the season with a nice win.
Quote from: VUSupport on September 02, 2022, 04:54:17 AM
I have no confidence in Fox or this team. Landon has to be in hot seat unless he can finish with 7 wins and be in the top half of the PFL. His arrogance is DI, but unfortunately his mind and skill set is that of a glorified HS coach. Hate to be a Debbie Downer but I just have no confidence in this staff of making this program relevant any time soon.
Let's have you evaluate the MBB team too. Can it hurt?
Quote from: valpofb16 on September 03, 2022, 02:23:14 PMMy bad. This is Saint Thomas D3 not Saint Thomas PFL disregard
I think the Butler publicity dept was hoping you would make that mistake and there is no reason to correct it. The (under)Bulldogs notch one over St Thomas.
Quote from: valpofb16 on September 03, 2022, 09:16:39 PMD: - won this game without two projected starters at LB -
Mentioned on the broadcast that Annis is done for the season with a torn ACL.
Quote from: valpofb16 on September 03, 2022, 08:32:34 PM
OC put in Kaplan up 17-3 instead of putting them away unless Appel is hurt.
Turner just went down huge huge huge loss. Annis , Hines , Mekky all did not play at LB
Hines and Nabers switched numbers. Hines played bulk of the game.
Hines was a stud for much of the game
Ahh makes sense was on mute most the game
It was a great game, no doubt about it. For me Dawson is better than Washington, he's more creative in his running manuvers, very smooth. Also thought it was a brilliant move using 2 QB at same time, on same play (where Kaplan scored the TD and I really appreciated it when freshman Jernegan (TE) made an amazing catch giving Valpo a first down on the 50 (which turned out, set it up for the winning field goal) because ref blew a call. Enjoyed the crowd energy and team camaraderie. Overall I'd say Valpo coaching is looking very smart with their creative, unpredictable plays. I'm looking forward to next game already, lol.
The offense looked a ton more coherent than last year and also eliminated much of the side to side motion nonsense from the previous OC. Just get up the field.
Thinking on it, one thing I thoroughly enjoyed was guys like Solomon Davis, James Doerer, Sam Hafner, and Mikey Appel making key plays for the team.
These are all guys who redshirted and bid their time for their success. That is a level of majority in the program Valpo has not seen. Tough for guys to think they are entitled to play when the vets have done their time
In addition to an exciting game with a personal best field goal kick of 50 yds. for the win, which earned conference special teams player honor for the week, the student attendance and atmosphere at the event was admirable. In fact, it was an excellent weekend for VU sports: volleyball is still undefeated and won the Popcorn Tournament, its second championship of the season; women's tennis had a great start to the season with a sweep of two opponents; the leading golfer tied for runner-up in an 81-man field, etc. All have positive narratives that could interest new followers.
Yet, when I read the Times of Northwest Indiana on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, I noticed no VU stories or photos in their sports section about these achievements other than a brief side note in today's "Digest" section. It is unacceptable that a local Northwest Indiana newspaper does not cover the only D-1 college program in the area that also often advertises in its pages. This is unusual since other D-1 programs receive local news coverage. Paul Oren's stories are fine for those who already follow the sports program, but if the university really wants outreach, publicity, and promotion in the region, especially to attract new fans locally and maybe new students in the future, this situation is not helpful.
I believe Paul used to work for the zNorthwest Indiana Times and could provide great insight.
I too wonder why there is a lack of promotion for VU within the city. It's a sleeping giant and only show in town
Quote from: valpofb16 on September 06, 2022, 10:40:46 AM
I believe Paul used to work for the zNorthwest Indiana Times and could provide great insight.
I too wonder why there is a lack of promotion for VU within the city. It's a sleeping giant and only show in town
As a former Times editor (I've been gone since Jan. 1999, so I don't really know too much), I can say that yes it is disappointing. But I can give you some reasons for the lack of coverage.
The Times has only one full-time sports writer, along with about 4 reliable sports correspondents who are paid by the story. The primary focus for the Times writers is on high school sports.
A majority of the subscribers who remain care more about the local high school sports scene than VU athletics. To a certain extent, they may even care about the non-Division I athletics in NWI (such as IUN or PNW) because many of the athletes on those teams are from the area.
Even in our "heyday," the only events that we regularly covered live were home football games and men's basketball. Women's basketball was hit and miss. Paul Oren covered VU sports because it was his passion and the newspaper had the budget and the space to allow him to do that.
Now, I'm not sure if it's in the budget to pay correspondents to cover VU sports (or write feature stories) when they would rather cover preps.
I can honestly say that most kids today could care less about what is in the newspaper. They care more about what is on social media, which is why Paul is so well followed on Twitter.
I'm as old school as anyone, and I don't like the lack of coverage, but unfortunately that's the state of our local media.
I'm pretty sure the Post Tribune stopped covering VU maybe 2 years ago. All they have left is Mike Osipoff, who used to do a good job on VU. His primary focus is also preps.
Quote from: Valpo89 on September 06, 2022, 11:58:11 AM
Quote from: valpofb16 on September 06, 2022, 10:40:46 AM
I believe Paul used to work for the zNorthwest Indiana Times and could provide great insight.
I too wonder why there is a lack of promotion for VU within the city. It's a sleeping giant and only show in town
As a former Times editor (I've been gone since Jan. 1999, so I don't really know too much), I can say that yes it is disappointing. But I can give you some reasons for the lack of coverage.
The Times has only one full-time sports writer, along with about 4 reliable sports correspondents who are paid by the story. The primary focus for the Times writers is on high school sports.
A majority of the subscribers who remain care more about the local high school sports scene than VU athletics. To a certain extent, they may even care about the non-Division I athletics in NWI (such as IUN or PNW) because many of the athletes on those teams are from the area.
Even in our "heyday," the only events that we regularly covered live were home football games and men's basketball. Women's basketball was hit and miss. Paul Oren covered VU sports because it was his passion and the newspaper had the budget and the space to allow him to do that.
Now, I'm not sure if it's in the budget to pay correspondents to cover VU sports (or write feature stories) when they would rather cover preps.
I can honestly say that most kids today could care less about what is in the newspaper. They care more about what is on social media, which is why Paul is so well followed on Twitter.
I'm as old school as anyone, and I don't like the lack of coverage, but unfortunately that's the state of our local media.
I'm pretty sure the Post Tribune stopped covering VU maybe 2 years ago. All they have left is Mike Osipoff, who used to do a good job on VU. His primary focus is also preps.
There seems to be an opportunity here. The NW Indiana papers need content with minimal cost and Valpo's journalism students need experience. Why don't the NW Indiana papers look to partner with Valpo's journalism program?
Honestly, they wouldn't want to pay them.
Also, we used to get students from VU. Many of them, honestly, didn't know how to cover a game and weren't very good.
Probably more hassle than it's worth.
I think its a awesome idea to use VU journalist students photo journalists to cover all VU games. VU students could apply to local papers to be interns (which don't get paid) but instead get crerdit from VU. Plus it would look great on students future resumes when they graduate. Plus they'd get real life work experience and school credit at same time. win win people.
Quote from: JD24 on September 05, 2022, 04:43:29 PM
The offense looked a ton more coherent than last year and also eliminated much of the side to side motion nonsense from the previous OC. Just get up the field.
Exactly. All due respect to Eric Hoffman and Valpofb16, but Hoffman is not our benchmark at QB, which was impressed in this thread. The offense during that time was simply a bunch of WR bubble screen crap, going side-to-side for easy completions, but no real progress (which is why we always lost back then). Hoffman could not make the throws that a David Macchi could, and Appel has already demonstrated more downfield accuracy.
Valpofb16 - it would be awesome to see the community get more engaged in Valpo football, but I doubt it will happen and there is a long way to go to get there. I can see more engagement at the university community perspective but at the Valparaiso community perspective. Valpo is now considered a Chicago suburb and more attention from folks will be on professional and big time football. That being said, improving the game experience is awesome and an enabler - I am presuming basketball will do the same which is imperative.
Played with Hoffman. Lehman and Schafer were actually better. Was a control piece to it.
I am sure Macchi had a better arm having heard stories from previous alumni. Just more a general statement.
Seewald and Stokes both had cannons and got injured early in their careers. I am hoping Appel does not follow suit
Why all the love for Hoffman? How many games did he win over Osteen?
Having been in school during the time of Murrell Shields and David Macchi at QB, those were some solid QBs overall, which is why we won 2 PFL championships during that time (1 Murrell & 1 Macchi). Macchi to Giancola for a TD was a given every single game, as they would just bomb away downfield, and Giancola would catch it in stride almost every time. It is why Macchi had around 38 TDs in his Senior season. I cannot think of a better Valpo QB than David Macchi, in Valpo's entire history. We only got him because larger programs didn't want to take a chance on a 5'8" guy coming out of JuCo. He was listed as taller, but I am 5'10" and he was a few inches shorter than me.
You have to remember that Macchi was a D1-AA All-American after that season.
As the season progresses, this win looks better and better, as IWU is doing well:
https://iwuwildcats.com/sports/football/schedule/2022