Our players character is still good. Why do I say that? This team has been through a lot this season. We haven’t had the season we expected, we lost several key players due to injuries and still our players continue to give effort. Not only do they give effort, they are a class act. Guys, continue to do your best and continue to represent. We are all proud of you. Here is an e-mail I received after the Jacksonville game:

Dear Coach Adams,

I happened to be in the Atlanta airport Saturday night with a two-hour wait until my flight to St. Louis. My wait overlapped with the football team’s. When I entered the concourse I first noted a group of young men in similar garb. And then I saw more of them, and eventually I saw a big “V” on a shirt or jacket which prompted me to look closer and read “Valpo”. I am a graduate of Valparaiso University (1980) and I had to smile at the realization that I was in the midst of a large group of Valpo students. I suppressed the urge to walk in their midst humming “hail to the brown and gold”, but when I found myself eating near a small sub-group of the team, I did engage them in brief conversation and took their picture to post on Facebook to tell my other Valpo friends who I ran into at the airport. Had I realized how long it was until their departure time I might have talked to them longer as I thoroughly enjoy hearing of the major areas of study and aspirations of young adults.

I mainly write you to say how impressed I was with the team’s decorum while in the airport. I was struck by their behavior including the respectful manner with which they treated one another. I was in hearing distance of numerous conversations and not once did I hear an even remotely unsavory remark. I realize they may have been somewhat subdued after losing the game, but even so there were no scowls. Instead, I saw and heard groups of young men engaging in quiet conversation during a rather lengthy wait for their plane. And, while the professor in me would have liked to see a few heads bent over textbooks during that long wait, I mainly felt a sense of satisfaction and pride that these young men were associated with the University I love and support.

Although I must admit that in the past I haven’t focused on the athletic element at Valpo, I intend to include your team members in my prayers as they finish out the season. I will pray specifically for the recovery for those who were injured, for safety and good sportsmanship for the team as a whole, that the team perform to the best of their abilities, and that each student successfully balance their academic responsibilities with their responsibilities to the team.

Sincerely,
Julia Edgar

“In Thy light we see light”

Julia D. Edgar, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Research Scientist
Department of Otolaryngology
Washington University School of Medicine

Good afternoon and welcome to D.B. Milne Stadium in warm and sunny Jacksonville, Fla.  For the final time this season the Crusaders take to the road as they battle the Jacksonville Dolphins.  Associate AD for Media Relations Ryan Wronkowicz will take over this blog one more time this year to bring you all of the action.

Valpo enters today’s game looking for a PFL victory before returning home for the final two contests of the year.  Jacksonville is 4-4 overall and 3-2 in PFL play entering today.

The Crusaders flew down on Friday, via Atlanta and  had a short walkthrough last night.  It’s a perfect day for football today… sunny skies, 75 degrees, with a slight breeze.  Hit refresh often for the latest in today’s action and I’ll be back shortly with today’s kickoff.

The captains are at midfield for the coin toss.  Valpo is wearing their white jerseys, brown numerals and brown pants with white helmets.  Jacksonville has green jerseys and pants with white numbers and gree helmets.  The Dolphins have won the toss and elected to receive.  Valpo will move right to left from the press box angle.

Kickoff: Chris Smith boots it away and we are underway from the Sunshine State.

14:08 1st – Rudell Small goes 57 yards on the second play from scrimmage for a touchdown.  Jacksonville 7, Valpo 0

12:31 1st – Valpo goes three-and-out on its first possession and has to punt.  Mitch Secrest has a good boot and a penalty aids the Crusaders.  Jacksonville ball at its own 16.

11:13 1st – A 74-yard pass sets Jacksonville up at the 12 and a touchdown pass makes it Jacksonville 14, Valpo 0.

6:39 1st – Nate Goergen completes a pass to Nicholas Henton to move the Crusaders into the red zone, but a 31-yard field goal is wide right.

6:29 1st  – Jacksonville completes a pass but a fumble is recovered by JaVon Welch giving Valpo the ball back at the Jacksonville 34.

3:59 1st – Valpo takes advantage of the miscue.  Goergen finds Ryan Myers from four yards out for a touchdown!!!! Jacksonville 14, Valpo 7

0:07 1st – Jacksonville goes for it on 4th-and-9 at the Valpo 33 but the pass falls incomplete.  Valpo ball 1st-and-10.

End 1st – Jacksonville 14, Valpo 7.  The Dolphins had 202 first quarter yards, 134 through the air, while the Crusaders tallied 101, 77 through the air.  Goergen was 6-of-11 passing for Vapo in the opening 15 minutes.

8:47 2nd – Valpo methodically moves down field, taking advantage of a roughing the passer call and a 24-yard pass to Henton.  Nick Jones caps the drive with a 2-yard plunge.  The PAT is missed.  Jacksonville 14, Valpo 13.

5:35 2nd – Jacksonville converts a 4th-and-11 to move to the 13-yard  line.  Anthony Curry makes his first interception of the year  in the end zone and 11th pick of his career.  Valpo has it 1st-and-10 going the other way.

2:50 2nd – Mitch Secrest has to punt for Valpo after a 3-and-out.  His 40-yarder goes out of bounds at the Dolphin 43.

0:39 2nd – Jacksonville moves the ball down field quickly and J.J. Laster goes in from three yards out for the touchdown.  Jacksonville 21, Valpo 13.

Halftime – Valpo moved down to the Dolphin 39 yardline before the hail mary is intercepted in the end zone.  Jacksonville 21, Valpo 13.

Goergen is 12-of-19 passing for 130 yards, including four to Henton for 64 yards.  Jones has 14 carries for 48 yards to pace Valpo as the Crusaders have 186 yards of total offense.  Jacksonville has 305 total yards, including 113 on the ground by Small.  The second half is right around the corner and Valpo gets the ball first.

13:21 3rd – Valpo is held 3-and-out on its first drive.  Secrest’s 45-yard punt is downed at the Jacksonville 40.

10:34 3rd – McGregor finds tight end Christopher Kuck in the middle of the end zone from 11 yards out for another Jacksonville touchdown.  Jacksonville 28, Valpo 13

10:05 3rd – Jacksonville intercepts a Crusader pass and takes over at its own 33.

7:20 3rd – Curry makes his second interception of the game at the Valpo six for Valpo’s third takeaway of the day.  First and 10 Crusaders.

3:55 3rd – Valpo is forced to punt and Jacksonville takes over on its own 47.

1:10 3rd – McGregor throws his third touchdown pass of the day, this one an 11-yard toss to Rodney Sumter.  Jacksonville 35, Valpo 13

End 3rd – Jacksonville 35, Valpo 13.  Valpo has the ball near midfield.  Jacksonville now has 448 yards of offense, including 278 through the air.  Valpo has 200 total yards, picking up just 17 in the third.

12:56 4th – Valpo is stopped on 4th-and-inches at the Jacksonville 35, turning the ball back over to the Dolphins.

10:25 4th – Small goes right and scores from a yard out.  Jacksonville 42, Valpo 13

7:55 4th – Goergen connects with Sean McCarty in the corner of the end zone from 21 yards out.  Touchdown Valpo!!!!  Jacksonville 42, Valpo 20

3:20 4th – Valpo holds on fourth down and takes over at its own 38 yard line.

2:40 4th – Valpo can’t move the football and Jacksonville takes over.

0:59 4th – Keith Dawson scored from eight yards out for the hosts.  Jacksonville 49, Valpo 20

Final – Jacksonville 49, Valpo 20.  It’s been a pleasure this season bringing you updates from the road.  This team has battled hard throughout the year, despite the outcomes.  Come out and support them at Brown Field each of the next two Saturdays as they close out the season.  Final stats and a recap from today’s game will be online shortly.

Good morning for an overcast, but warm Tenney Stadium in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. as Valpo looks to break into the win column in PFL play taking on league newcomer Marist.  The Crusaders arrived here at the field about 10 a.m. Eastern and are warming up as we speak.  As has been done earlier this year, Ryan Wronkowicz, Valpo Associate AD for Media Relations will take over this live blog to bring you the accounts of today’s game.

Marist joined the PFL prior to the 2009 season and enters today’s game 4-3 overall and 3-2 in conference action.  Valpo enters today’s game 1-6 overall and 0-4 in league play.  The Crusaders arrived in the Hudson Valley yesterday after a long day of travel.  An hour delay at O’Hare awaited the team before they flew into New York’s LaGuardia airport.  After a two-and-a-half hour busride up the Hudson to Poughkeepsie, the team went through a brief walkthrough, had dinner, and went to bed before getting up early for this noon kickoff local time.

The Marist marching band is on the field as the team’s have finished their final warmups.  Valpo is in its traditional white jerseys with brown numerals and pants.  The Crusaders have the white helmest with “Valpo” on them.  Marist is in its home read with white numerals.  The Red Foxes have white helmets with the fox on it and white pants.  I’ll be back in a few moments for kickoff and to get keep you updated on all the action.

The captains are meeting at midfield for the coin toss. Anthony Curry, Zac Griffin, and David Wisniewski are heading out for the Brown and Gold.  Valpo will be receiving and moving right to left from the press box.  We’re set for football.  I hope you enjoy today’s updates.  Keep hitting refresh and I’ll try to provide possession by possession updates.

We’re underway as Marist’s kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.  First and 10 Valpo at the 20.

14:51 1st – The first break of the game goes to the Brown and Gold.  Bobby Wysocki throws an interception, but the drive stays alive as he’s hit late and a roughing the passer gives Valpo the ball at the 35.

10:02 1st – The Crusaders march down field, with Wysocki picking up 15 yards on the ground on a 3rd-and-14 and connecting with Tim Bennett for another 1st down.  A fumble at the Marist 25 though turns the ball over to the hosts.

6:57 1st – Valpo allows just one first down before forcing Marist to punt.  A 62-yard punt with the wind goes for a touchback. 1st and 10 Valpo

2:41 1st – Another roughing the passer on third down moves Valpo into Marist territory before the Crusaders have to punt.  Marist takes over at its own 34.

1:34 1st – JaVon Welch makes a pick at the Crusader 43, ripping it away from a Marist receiver.  Valpo ball going the other way!

End 1st – Valpo has it 2nd-and-7 at the Marist 41.  Wysocki converts another third down with a 10-yard run.  A good opening quarter for the Brown and Gold.  Now they need to finish off a drive with the wind at their back.

13:27 2nd – On 4th-and-2 Wysocki pooch punts it and Ryan Myers gets down to down it at the Marist 1.  Great punt!

11:51 2nd – Valpo’s D is strong, allowing just two yards, making Marist punt from the end zone.  Kyle Himmelwright returns the kick to the Red Foxes 28, first and 10.

9:50 2nd – A Chris Smith field goal from 40 yards out is blocked and the game remains scoreless 20 minutes in.

7:33 2nd – The defense keeps playing well, forcing another 3-and-out from the Marist offense.  After the punt Valpo takes over at its own 28.

4:27 2nd – Valpo gets to midfield before a holding call pushes  the Crusaders back.  After a punt return Marist takes over at its own 41.

0:33 2nd – Marist strikes just before halftime.  A 27-yard option quarterback Chris Debowski makes it first and goal at the 10.  Three plays later Debowski finds Chris Ortner in the end zone from five yards out.  Marist 7, Valpo 0

Halftime – Marist 7, Valpo 0.  Valpo’s defense holds Marist to just 91 yards of offense in the first 15 minutes but offensively cannot put points on the board.  Marist managed just five first downs, and only one until the final drive.  The Crusaders tally 107 total yards with Wysocki completing 9-of-20 for 58 yards.  The Crusaders had the ball for 18 minutes to the Red Foxes’ 12.  I’ll be back in 20 minutes with the second half.

Valpo will kickoff to start the third  quarter and have the wind at its back.  Time to put some points on the board and pick up a win.

11:18 3rd – Marist scores on its opening possession of the second  half.  A 37-yard pass play made it first-and-goal and two plays later O’Neil Anderson scored from six yards out.  Marist 14, Valpo 0

10:28 3rd – An interception turns the ball over to Marist and the Red Foxes take over on their own 46.

9:33 3rd – Two plays after the turnover Debowski finds James LaMacchia down the field for a 48-yard touchdown pass.  Marist 21, Valpo 0

6:21 3rd – Valpo drives into the red zone for the first time today.  Unfortunately Wysocki is picked off at the goal line and  Marist takes over on the Red Foxes 23.

2:23 3rd – Marist adds to its lead with a 27-yard field goal by Jason Myers.  Marist 24, Valpo 0

End 3rd – Valpo has moved the ball out to the 42 as we head to the fourth.  Marist tallied nearly 200 yards of offense in the third quarter while Valpo managed just 45 yards since the break.

14:50 4th – Valpo has to punt and Marist takes over on its own 28.

12:27 4th – The defense gets a stop and forces the Red Foxes to punt.  After a penalty for running into the returner, Valpo takes over at the Marist 49.

11:18 4th – Valpo goes 3-and-out and has to punt, but pins Marist back at its own 15.

9:07 4th – The Crusader defense forces a 3-and-out of its own and takes over on its own 44.

9:00 4th – Nate Goergen is intercepted throwing it down field and Marist gets the ball back at its own 32.

4:42 4th – Valpo forces another punt and takes over on its own 12 yard line.

2:35 4th -  The game has turned into a punting battle with Marist now taking over on the Valpo 43.

Final – Marist 24, Valpo 0.  That’s it for today from New York.  We’ll join you next Saturday from the Sunshine State as Valpo takes on Florida in the final road game of the season.  The wrap-up and final stats will be available on www.valpoathletics.com shortly.

As we continue to make adjustments, we continue to get better. As I met with the Players Council last week, the major topic was to finish up strong and to stay positive. With the string of unfortunate injuries that we have had on our team this year, we find it just amazing how mentally tough our team has to be.

Our first time playing Marist brings a new challenge to our team. That brings excitement to us as we prepare this week. When you have something new that is exciting. The team will leave Friday morning at 7 AM by bus to O’Hare airport to check in two hours before the flight. Then, a two plus hour flight to LaGuardia followed by a two hour bus ride if traffic is not too bad. We will be in the hotel for no more than half an hour before we need to head off to practice and dinner. After returning from dinner, we will have a team meeting and an hour of rest before bed check.

Saturday morning will start at 7 AM as the team gets ready for breakfast and the game. We will return back at Valpo hopefully by midnight. By now all the excitement has worn off and then we do it all again next week when we head to Jacksonville.

Go Crusaders!

For the last three years I have been privileged to play football for the University on Parent’s Day. But this year is very different for me. For the first time in my College Career my mother will be able to attend the game. It is only her second time in the U.S. and the first time she will have the opportunity to see me play the sport that brought me here!

The weather is not looking promising, but I encourage all Crusader fans to come out and show my mom a good time.

GO Crusaders!

This is Patti Nemeth from the Football Office borrowing Coach Adam’s blog for a special announcement about our game this weekend.

This Saturday, our team will be joining with Valparaiso Athletics in the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. The team will be wearing pink wristbands. They will also be taking part in a special pre-game ceremony at mid-field to remember and honor their loved ones affected by this disease. Many of our football family of players and staff have been touched by breast cancer.

We invite you to join us during this Parent’s Weekend in the fight against breast cancer. There will be t-shirts and bracelets for sale. Donations will also be accepted. Any $10 donation or purchase will qualify for entry into a drawing for one of four footballs autographed by the team. All proceeds will be given to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

This is my seventh season working with the Football Program. As a 16-year survivor of breast cancer, I am extremely proud of our team’s effort to do their part to help find a cure!

Hope to see you at the game. Go Crusaders!

Good morning live from the Butler Bowl in Indianapolis as Valparaiso looks to reclaim the Hoosier Helmet from longtime rival Butler.  Associate AD for media relations, Ryan Wronkowicz, will take over this blog from yet another road game to give you updates throughout this PFL affair.  Refresh often for the latest updates!

It’s a cool, crisp morning here in the state capital, but the sun is shining.  Valpo was up early this morning, and stopped for a pregame meal in West Lafayette on the trip down.  After arriving here at Butler around 11 a.m., the Crusaders appear prepared for today’s battle.

Valpo enters the game looking for its first PFL victory of the season while also looking to hand the Bulldogs their first loss of the season.  Butler is one of just six remaining NCAA Division I FCS programs that are still unbeaten.

The teams are out on the field as we’re about 25 minutes away from kickoff.  Valpo, like usual on the road, is wearing white jerseys with brown numerals, brown pants, and white helmets with Valpo on them.  Butler is dressed in its home blue jerseys with white numbers and white pants.  The Bulldogs have white helmets with a blue “B” on them.

Clouds have rolled into the area and temperatures are in the upper 40s with winds out of the north (left to right from the press box).  Stay tuned as we are just minutes from kickoff.

Butler wins today’s coin toss and will defer.  Valpo will get the football and move right to left into the wind in the first quarter.  The ball is on the tee and we’re ready for kickoff.

10:42 1st – Valpo moves the football, picking up a couple of first downs, moving the ball across midfield.  A rush on fourth-and-1 at the Butler 48 is stopped and the ball is turned over on downs.

6:48 1st – Zac Griffin comes up with his first career interception for Valpo on 3-and-12 and the Crusaders take over on their own 20 yard line.

5:14 1st – Valpo can’t take advantage of the turnover, going three-and-out.l  After the punt Butler takes over on Valpo’s 49.

1:56 1st – Butler strikes first on a 38-yard field goal by David Lang.  The Bulldogs had penetrated to the Valpo 12 before a tackle for loss and penalty forced Butler into the field goal try.  Butler 3, Valpo 0

End 1st – The Crusaders pick up a first down and have the ball out to their own 38-yard line as the period ends.  It will be 2nd-and-7 when play resumes.  Valpo has kept the ball on the ground for the most part today, rushing 11 times for 38 yards while completing 2-of-3 passes in the  first quarter.  Butler has 63 total yards through 15 minutes.

12:40 2nd – Valpo converts a 4-and-inches on a Bobby Wysocki quarterback sneak to keep the drive alive, moving the ball to the Butler 32.

10:01 2nd – The drives ends at the Butler 28 and Chris Smith misses a 45-yard field goal attempt, giving the Bulldogs the football back.

9:07 2nd – A big stand by the Valpo defense forces Butler to go 3-and-out.  Valpo ball after the punt at its own 42.

7:05 2nd – The defensive struggle continues as Valpo can’t pick up a first down either.  A good punt by Mitch Secrest gives Butler the ball at its own 16.

4:36 2nd – Griffin nearly has his second pick of the game but Butler is still forced to punt from around midfield.   Valpo takes over at its own 10-yard line.

0:57 2nd – Valpo moves the ball out to the 42 but has to punt.  Secrest again pins the Bulldogs inside the 20 at the 17.

0:48 2nd – Roger Satur picks off the pass giving Valpo the football at the Butler 27.

0:31 2nd – Quinn Schafer is intercepted on the second Crusader play and Butler has  it at its own 26.

Halftime: Butler 3, Valpo 0.  The Crusader defense shines in the opening 30 minutes, holding the Bulldogs, the top ranked PFL offense to just 94 yards in the first half.  Butler is averaging 419 yards per game.  I’ll be back with more updates shortly.

Valpo has kept the ball on the ground most of the day, rushing 26 times for 67 yards.  Isaac Wildermuth leads the way with 12 carries for 30 yards.  Wysocki is 5-of-9 passing for 48 yards, using five different receivers.

Butler, as mentioned, had just 94 yards of offense, 88 of which came on the ground.  Andrew Huck, the league’s leading passer averaging nearly 250 yards per game, was 1-of-7 for just six yards and threw two interceptions.

The Bulldogs will get the ball to start the second half.  Can Valpo’s defense come up with another big stop to keep the momentum going? Check back soon and see!  We’re five minutes away from the start of the third quarter.

13:11 3rd – Eli Crawford intercepts Huck for his third pick of the season and returns it 60 yards for a touchdown!  Andrzej Skiba adds the PAT!  Valpo 7, Butler 3!

10:42 3rd – The defense comes up big again.  After Butler reaches the Valpo 42, the Crusaders force a punt and take over on their own eight-yard line looking to add to its lead.

6:40- 3rd – Schafer connects with Nicholas Henton for 44 yards down to the Bulldog one setting up a first and goal.  One play later Schafer sneaks it in for another Valpo touchdown!!!!  Skiba adds the PAT!  Valpo 14, Butler 3!

2:03 3rd – Butler responds with a scoring drive of its own.  A 3rd-and-18 conversion keeps the drive moving and Ryan Hitchcock scores from four yards out.  Valpo 14, Butler 10

End 3rd – Schafer is sacked on the Butler 42 and fumbles, Bulldogs recover.  Valpo 14, Butler 10

Valpo is outgaining Butler 215-181 through three quarters.  Can they hang on?

12:43 4th – Scott Gray goes up the middle and scores f rom seven yards out to give Butler the lead.  Butler 17, Valpo 14

8:11 4th – Valpo gets to midfield but is forced to punt.  Another Secrest boot lands inside the 20, 1st-and-10 Butler at the 11.

2:03 4th – Butler drives to the Valpo five but Brett Heber recovers a fumble for the Crusaders.  One more drive for the Crusaders with two timeouts left.

1:44 4th – Valpo’s sacked on fourth down and Butler takes over at the Valpo three.

1:40 4th – Hitchcock scores from three yards out.  The PAT is missed.  Butler 23, Valpo 14

Final – Butler 23, Valparaiso 14.  The Crusaders give it a valient effort but the Bulldogs retain the Hoosier Helmet.  Check www.valpoathletics.com shortly for all the final stats and recap.  I’ll be back with you in two weeks from Marist.   We hope to see you next weekend for Parents’ Weekend.  Go Crusaders!

During the season we lift two times a week. Varsity players lift on Mondays and Wednesdays, and JV players lift on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The coaches schedule our lifting times around our class schedule so it is convenient for all players. The times range from 6am to 6pm. The goal of in season lifting is to maintain the strength that we have built during the summer. It is important that we lift because it also helps prevent injuries on the field. The stronger our team is the better chance we have to win.

One thing we preach to our players is that we are family. We are Valpo Football. Before and after each game, we know that we win as a team or lose as a team. With that said, I would like to thank all of the parents for their positive support. The last thing we need is something trying to tear us apart. Like in every family there is love and pain. Right now we are going through the pain. We have yet to play a game at full strength due to game suspensions and injuries. This is allowing us to get other players into the mix. As you know, we have a young team and are getting better each week. As we continue to get better, we will need your help in being positive with the players and coaches. A true fan is one that supports its team with no conditions, just as you would any family member. Thank you and go Crusaders!

Good afternoon from an overcast, cool, crisp, and windy Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.  It’s the PFL opener for the Valparaiso Crusaders, who enter the game 1-2 overall.  Drake, meanwhile, checks into today’s contest 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the PFL after a win against Marist earlier this season.  Associate AD for media relations, Ryan Wronkowicz, will take over this blog again all afternoon to keep you up-to-date with the happenings between the Crusaders and Bulldogs.

The Crusaders arrived in Des Moines about 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon after a 6-hour bus ride from Valparaiso.  A brief stop in Iowa City allowed the Crusaders to practice at Kinnick Stadium, home of the Hawkeyes, for about an hour.  The team was up by eight or so this morning, with breakfast a little before nine.  We arrived at the stadium about 11 and everyone had their game face on.  The was a light mist as we got off of the bus, but it seems to have cleared now, and it is cloudy with temperatures hovering around 50 with winds out of the NNW around 15 mph.  I’ll check back in again as we close in on kickoff to bring you all of the action as the Crusaders look to open Pioneer Football League play on a positive note this afternoon.

Pregame: There’s about 20 minutes until kickoff and the Drake marching band is on the field.  The Crusaders appeared loose and ready to go during pregame warmups, and at the top of the hour we’ll find out for sure.  The rain has stopped, but it remains breezy and overcast.

The Crusaders have taken the field and the captains are being led out to midfield for the coin toss.  Zac Griffin, David Wisniewski, and Anthony Curry represent Valpo in their white jerseys with brown numbers.  Valpo has brown pants today with white helmets.  Drake is wearing blue jerseys with white numbers, blue pants and white helmets.

Valpo has won the toss and will defer.  Drake will receive with the Crusaders moving north to south (left to-right from the pressbox).

Kickoff: Chris Smith has the ball  on the tee and we are under way.   The sun is beginning to peak out of the clouds as Smith boots it away.

12:10 1st – Valpo defense holds after Drake moves the ball to midfield and picks up two first downs.  First and 10 Crusaders at their own 21.

11:10 1st – On 3rd-and-3, the Crusaders fumble the football and Drake takes over at the Valpo 25.

9:34 1st – What a series for Nikko Carson.  A pair of sacks takes the Bulldogs out of field goal range and on 4th and 23 they punt, downing the ball at the Valpo two.

7:21 1st – Valpo pushed the ball from the shadows of the goalline to the 11, but on fourth down punts.  Drake has it at the Crusader 49.

3:26 1st – Drake moves the ball 49 yards in nine plays to score first.  On a 2nd-and-9 from the 10, Michael Piatskowski found tight end Frank Pucher in the left corner of the end zone for a touchdown.  Drake 7, Valpo 0

2:27 1st – An interception at the Crusader 34 on the second play is returned by the Bulldogs to the Valpo 21.  This is the third straight possession Drake has started in Crusader territory.

1:07 1st – James Joos has a sack that helps Valpo limit Drake to a field goal try.  Brandon Wubs 42-yard attempt into the wind just sneaks over the cross bar.  Drake 10, Valpo 0

0:14 1st – Valpo goes 3-and-out and has to punt.  Drake starts the drive at their own 37.

End 1st – Drake 10, Valpo 0.  Some stats…. Drake 63 yards (29 rush, 34 pass), Valpo 15 yards (8 rush, 7 pass)… Drake 6 first downs, Valpo 1.

14:02 2nd – Drake punts and Valpo takes over on their own 39.

9:13 2nd – Valpo marches down field with its first scoring drive of the game.  A 10-play, 61-yard drive over 4:49 is capped as Bobby Wysocki finds Nicholas Henton from 12 yards out.  Henton bobbles the ball along the sidelines, but hauls it in and side-steps his way to the end zone.  Drake 10, Valpo 7

7:05 2nd – The Bulldogs answer with a touchdown of their own.  Joey Orlando caught the ball over the middle and slipped a tackle before racing 39 yards for a score.  Drake 17, Valpo 7

5:30 2nd – Valpo is forced to punt after the drive stalls at their own 41.  1st and 10 Drake at its own 26.

3:02 2nd – Piatkowski rolls out on 3rd-and-goal from the three and races to the pylon for a touchdown.  Drake 24, Valpo 7

1:48 2nd – The Crusaders have to punt on 4th-and-1 at the 41, giving the Bulldogs the ball at their own 36.

0:05 2nd – After Drake drives to the Valpo 6, they settle for a field goal from 27 yards out by Brandon Wubs.  Drake 27, Valpo 7

Halftime – John Popper returns the kick to the Crusader 44 as time expires.  I’ll be back shortly with some halftime numbers.

The  halftime numbers are in.  Drake has 242 total yards, including 179 through the air on 13-of-22 passing.  Valpo has 91 total yards.  Wysocki is 5-of-13 for 41 yards and leads the team with five carries for 34 yards.  Defensively, JaVon Welch has eight tackles for the Crusaders while Nikko Carson has six stops, including three sacks.

13:00 3rd – The Crusaders are stopped on three straight plays to begin the third quarter.  After a punt, Drake takes over on its own 32.

11:12 3rd – Valpo’s defense comes up big on a 3rd-and-1 and forces the Bulldogs to punt.  Valpo takes over on its own 20.

10:12 3rd – A six-yard run by John Popper and two incompletions for Valpo to punt again.  The Bulldogs have it at their own 40 1st-and-10.

9:23 3rd – Drake springs for a 62-yard touchdown pass, but an illegal block nulifies the play.  2nd-and-21 Drake at its own 29.

7:38 3rd – Valpo’s defense takes advantage and forces Drake to punt following the penalty, but following a 59-yard punt out of bounds, the Crusaders take over at their own three.

6:39 3rd – The Crusaders can’t move the ball and punt.  Drake takes over on the Crusader 38-yard line.

5:10 3rd – Valpo’s defense has made some solid adjustments since halftime.  They force another 3-and-out, and take over on their own 9.

3:11 3rd – The Crusaders push the ball out from the shadows of their goal post, but eventually punt, giving Drake the ball at its own 44.  That drive ended a string of five straight between the two teams that were three-and-out.

1:41 3rd – Again Valpo forces a three-and-out from Drake.  Following the punt, the Crusaders start at their own 13.

End 3rd – Valpo’s marching.  A 39-yard pass from Wysocki to Tim Bennett and a roughing the passer call on a 3rd-and-10 has helped the Crusaders move to the Drake 20, where its 1st-and-10 Valpo.

Valpo’s defense allowed just 17 total yards in the 3rd quarter.

14:01 4th – Valpo stalls and on fourth-and-12 goes for it, but the pass falls incomplete, turning the ball over on downs.

11:56 4th – The defense holds again, allowing just one first down, and the Crusaders have it at their own 15.

8:31 4th – The Crusaders have to punt. After moving the ball near midfield, an offensive pass interference penalty sets Valpo back.  Drake has it at their own 42.

7:04 4th – Another punt… the sixth by Drake this half.  Valpo has the ball at the 29.

5:57 4th – An interception returned to the Valpo 44 gives Drake the ball back.  That’s the Crusaders’ third turnover of the day.

4:29 4th – A 30-yard run by quarterback Peter Badovinac sets up a four-yard touchdown run by Tom Kostek.  Drake 34, Valpo 7

4:22 4th – Nate Goergen in at quarterback for Valpo for the first time in his Crusader career.

0:36 4th – Valpo moves the ball down field and Goergen finds Popper in the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the 4 for a touchdown!  Drake 34, Valpo 14

Final score, Drake 34, Valparaiso 14.  A final recap and stats will be updated on www.valpoathletics.com sortly.  I hope you enjoyed the updates yet again.  I’ll join you in two weeks live from the Butler Bowl for the Battle for the Hoosier Helmet.  Remember, next weekend is Homecoming at Brown Field as Valpo hosts San Diego.  Hope to see you out there next weekend! Go Crusaders.