VALPARAISO (0-6) vs. DAVIDSON (3-3)

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19 - noon
WHERE: Brown Field, Valparaiso, Indiana

RADIO: 1500-AM (WAKE) - Todd Ickow announcing. 95.1-FM (WVUR) - Tim Harwood announcing.

TV: (tape-delay) - AT&T Cable - Channel 43 in Valparaiso - Dick Harlan and Bill Koch announcing. Airs Thurs., Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. and Fri., Oct. 25 at 12:30 p.m.

THE COACHES: Valparaiso is guided by Tom Horne, who is 53-87-1 in his 14th season at Valpo. Davidson is led by Mike Toop, who is 8-7 in his 2nd season.

SERIES RECORD: Davidson leads 1-0.
LAST MEETING: 2001 - Davidson won 24-7.

LAST WEEK: Valpo lost to Dayton 52-3 last Saturday in Valparaiso. Davidson lost to Georgetown 25-21 last Saturday in Davidson, North Carolina.

WHAT'S NEXT: Valpo plays at San Diego Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. CST).

VALPO PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Valpo Players of the Week (named by the coaching staff): Offense - Kyle Padgett, So., tackle; Defense - Nick Hausmann, So., tackle; Special Teams - Michael Mroz, Fr.; Offensive Scout Team - Paul Montgomery, So., guard; Defensive Scout Team - James Riker, Fr., end.

On Saturday, Valpo concludes a two-game home stretch by hosting Davidson at noon in a non-conference contest. The Wildcats are members of the Pioneer Football League's South Division. The Crusaders (0-6) are coming off a 52-3 loss against defending PFL Champion Dayton last Saturday. Adam Hudak (Lowell, Ind./HS) provided Valpo's points with a 42-yard field goal. Davidson (3-3) lost to Georgetown 25-21 last Saturday in North Carolina. The game this Saturday will be the second in the all-time series as Davidson protected its home field with a 24-7 victory last season.

MACCHI RANKS 5th NATIONALLY IN TOTAL OFFENSE, 10th IN PASSING YARDAGE

David Macchi ranks 5th in NCAA I-AA in total offense (298.7 ypg.), while standing 2nd in the PFL. The junior from San Jose, Cal./West Valley College leads the PFL and stands 10th in passing yardage (292.0 ypg.). Macchi also ranks 3rd in the league and 15th nationally in pass efficiency (145.3).

VALPO STANDS 5th IN NCAA I-AA IN PASSING OFFENSE, 12th IN PUNT RETURNS

Valpo leads the PFL and ranks 5th nationally in passing offense (298.7 ypg.)......the Crusaders also top the PFL and stand 12th in I-AA in punt return average (15.3 ypr.).....Valpo is 5th in the league in total offense (353.3 ypg.)......David Macchi has completed 103 of 183 passes (56.3%) for 1,752 yards and nine TDs in six games. He needs 671 yards to break Valpo's single-season mark of 2,422.....senior Bryan Hollermeier (Denver, Colo./Mullen) stands 2nd in the PFL and 16th nationally in punt returns (13.9 ypr.).......Rob Giancola ranks 3rd in the PFL and 24th nationally in receiving yards per game (88.7 ypg.). The sophomore is tied for 5th in receptions per game (3.8, 23 rec., 3 TD)......Giancola also ranks 9th in all-purpose yards per game (88.7).......Greg Sommersberger is tied for 9th in the PFL in receptions per game (3.3).......Chris Daniels (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame) is 5th in the league in all-purpose yards (118.2 ypg.) and 5th in kickoff returns (20.5 ypr.).......John Tsahas (Lake Station, Ind./Edison) leads Valpo in total tackles (49) and is tied for the team lead in solo tackles (21) with junior middle linebacker Lawrence Canada (Mequon, Wis./Lane College). Canada, who shared team-high tackle honors (14) with Tsahas against Dayton, has made 45 total stops.....Adam Hudak is 6th in the league in field goals per game (0.8, 5-for-7).......punter Ryan Bateman (Chester, Cal./Shasta JC) ranks 5th in the PFL with 36.5 ypp.

"Valparaiso University Football", head coach Tom Horne's TV Show, airs Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. on Channel 43 in Valpo, Thursdays at 6 p.m. on Channel 44 in Portage and at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 3 in Michigan City and Merrillville. This week's player guest is sophomore defensive tackle Nick Hausmann.

A LOOK AT DAVIDSON:

The Wildcats (3-3) have lost two straight games after winning three of their first four contests. Coach Mike Toop's squad features a well-balanced offense. Senior quarterback Paul Nichols has thrown for 1,101 yards (85-172) and 10 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Tight end Mike Chase has been productive with a team-high six touchdowns. The 6'5" senior shares the team lead in receptions (23) with junior wide reciever Barrett Johnson, who has three touchdowns. Davidson's rushing attack features the duo of Christian Hunt (62 att., 238 yards) and John Leverett (65 att., 237 yards, 3 TDs). Linebacker Jim Carney leads the Wildcats with 59 tackles and senior end Ryan Tennis tops DC with six sacks and 10 tackles for losses.