The Valparaiso University football team looked like the group fans saw the first three weeks of the season in the first half of Saturday’s Pioneer Football League opener at Drake, but a veteran Bulldogs team pulled away after halftime for a 38-13 victory over the Crusaders. After amassing 237 first-half yards and trailing just 17-13 at the break, the Valpo offense was stymied in the second half.

Head coach Dave Cecchini joins the voice of the Crusaders Todd Ickow to discuss Saturday's win over Trinity International and preview this week's Pioneer Football League opener against Drake.

Pioneer Football League play will get underway on Saturday as the Valparaiso University football team begins the league slate with a trip to Drake. The Crusaders enter this week with a chance to do something no Valpo football team has done before – earn a win at Drake. They’ll also attempt to spoil Drake’s homecoming game.

The Valparaiso University football team entered the win column in resounding fashion on Saturday afternoon, pulling away for a 44-10 victory over Trinity International at Leslie Frazier Field in Deerfield, Ill. Sophomore Cody Boxrucker had three touchdown runs, senior Frank Catrine scored twice and senior Jarrett Morgan shattered a career high with 127 rushing yards. The Crusaders utilized a balanced attack, rushing for 266 yards and passing for 252 to total 511 yards of offense.

Head coach Dave Cecchini chats with Todd Ickow about last week's thrilling game against Duquesne and previews this week's trip to Trinity International.

The Valparaiso University football team will round out nonleague play with one final tune-up before Pioneer Football League action kicks off next week. It’s the back end of a home-and-home as the Crusaders look to repeat their success from last year’s Brown Field meeting with Trinity International. The Crusaders enter this game ranked second in the nation in passing offense at 377 yards per game.

Valparaiso University will hold a Valpo Alumni Reception prior to Saturday’s football game at Trinity International University.

The Valparaiso University football team surpassed 500 yards of offense and put together a late rally to give scholarship foe Duquesne everything it could handle on Saturday afternoon at Brown Field, as the Dukes held on for dear life to secure a heart-pounding 45-40 win over the Crusaders. Valpo’s record may show 0-2, but a closer look at the outcomes reveals the best start to a Valpo football season in recent memory.

Valparaiso University Athletics has announced an exciting slate of promotions for the 2017 football season, beginning with the home opener on Saturday against Duquesne. All five home games kick off at 1 p.m. CT.