Complete Schedule 

            Valparaiso will play six home games for the first time since 2004 and open the season under the lights on a Thursday night as Crusader head coach Stacy Adams announced the Brown and Gold’s 2008 football schedule.

            With spring practice concluding on Saturday, the Crusaders are now looking ahead to a Thursday night opener in Joliet, Ill. against Saint Francis (Ill.).  The two schools met for the first time in 2007 with the Crusaders scoring a 28-21 victory.

            Concordia (Wis.) will come to Brown Field on Saturday, September 13 for the Crusaders home opener, and the first game to be played on the new field turf.  It will mark the first meeting ever between the Crusaders and Falcons. 

            The battle with Concordia will also mark the beginning of four home games in five weeks for the Brown and Gold.  The Crusaders will close non-conference play with Marian (Ind.) on September 20 before having a bye week on September 27.

            “This has been the first time in years we have had a bye week in the middle of the season,” Adams said.  “It comes at a good time for us too, right before the PFL season begins.”

            Valpo heads to San Diego on October 4 for the Pioneer Football League opener before returning to Brown Field for Homecoming on October 11 against Davidson.

            Valpo will look to defend The Helmet in the annual battle with instate rival Butler at Brown Field on October 18 before back-to-back road games at Dayton and Morehead State.  Parents’ Weekend is set for November 8 as the Crusaders entertain Jacksonville before going on the road to face the newest PFL member, Campbell a week later.  The regular season ends with Senior Day on November 22 against Drake before the PFL champion faces the Northeast Conference winner on December 6 in the third annual Gridiron Classic.

            All of the Crusaders’ home games will start at 1 p.m. with the exception of the November 22 contest which will start at noon.

            Valpo is coming off of a 5-6 campaign, its best season since 2004, and a 2-5 mark in PFL play.