VALPARAISO (0-7, 0-2 PFL) at SAN DIEGO (3-3, 1-0 PFL)

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 26 - 7 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. CDT).
WHERE: Torero Stadium, San Diego, California.

RADIO: 95.9-FM (WEFM) - Todd Ickow and Drew Wolf announcing. 95.1-FM (WVUR) - Tim Harwood and Ed Schillinger announcing.

TV: (tape-delay) - AT&T Cable - Channel 43 in Valparaiso - Dick Harlan announcing. Airs Thurs., Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. and Fri., Nov. 1 at 12:30 p.m.

THE COACHES: Valparaiso is guided by Tom Horne, who is 53-88-1 in his 14th season at Valpo. San Diego is led by Kevin McGarry, who is 32-34 in his 7th season.

SERIES RECORD: San Diego leads 5-4.
LAST MEETING: 2001 - San Diego won 20-17.

LAST WEEK: Valpo lost to Davidson 49-32 last Saturday in Valparaiso. San Diego defeated Butler 35-26 last Saturday in Indianapolis.

WHAT'S NEXT: Valpo hosts Butler Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. CST on Parents' Day.

VALPO PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Valpo Players of the Week (named by the coaching staff): Offense - Ryan Barno, Jr., wide receiver; Defense - John Tsahas, Jr., strong safety; Special Teams - Brandon Sturman, Fr.; Offensive Scout Team - Brandon Shreve, Fr., wide receiver; Defensive Scout Team - Anthony Stross, Fr., defensive back.

Valpo will conclude the road portion of its schedule on Saturday night when it faces San Diego in a Pioneer Football League game. The Crusaders (0-7, 0-2 PFL) finish the campaign with three home games in November. Last Saturday, Valpo lost an offensive slugfest to Davidson 49-32. David Macchi passed for 305 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Rob Giancola. Macchi needs 366 passing yards to eclipse Valpo's single-season record, set by Scott Lange in 1983. San Diego (3-3, 1-0 PFL), which has alternated wins and losses every week this season, defeated Butler 35-26 last Saturday in Indianapolis.

Macchi Ranks 2nd Nationally in Passing Yardage, 5th in Total Offense

David Macchi leads the PFL and ranks 5th in NCAA I-AA in passing yardage (293.9 ypg.). The junior from San Jose, Cal./West Valley College stands 5th in total offense (301.4 ypg.), while standing 2nd in the PFL. Macchi also ranks 4th in the league and 20th nationally in pass efficiency (139.8).

Valpo Stands 5th in NCAA I-AA in Passing Offense, 15th in Punt Returns

Valpo leads the PFL and ranks 5th nationally in passing offense (300.7 ypg.)......the Crusaders also top the PFL and stand 15th in I-AA in punt return average (13.9 ypr.).....Valpo is 5th in the league in total offense (354.4 ypg.)......David Macchi has completed 130 of 232 passes (56.0%) for 2,057 yards and 12 TDs in seven games. He needs nine touchdown passes to break Valpo's single-season record of 20 (Scott Lange, 1983).....senior Bryan Hollermeier (Denver, Colo./Mullen) stands 3rd in the PFL and 20th nationally in punt returns (13.1 ypr.).......Rob Giancola (Whiting, Ind./HS) ranks 3rd in the PFL and 24th nationally in receiving yards per game (86.7 ypg.). The sophomore is tied for 6th in receptions per game (3.9, 27 rec., 5 TD)......Chris Daniels (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame) is 3rd in the league in all-purpose yards (118.9 ypg.) and 5th in kickoff returns (20.5 ypr.).......junior middle linebacker Lawrence Canada (Mequon, Wis./Lane College) stands 7th in the PFL in tackles per game (8.17). Canada is second on the Crusaders with 49 tackles....John Tsahas (Lake Station, Ind./Edison) ranks 8th in the league in tackles per game (8.14). Tsahas leads the team with 57 tackles and eight pass breakups. Both Canada and Tsahas made interceptions against Davidson ......Adam Hudak (Lowell, Ind./HS) is 6th in the league in field goals per game (0.7, 5-for-7).......punter Ryan Bateman (Chester, Cal./Shasta JC) ranks 5th in the PFL with 35.6 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 junior strong safety John Tsahas.

A LOOK AT SAN DIEGO:

The Toreros (3-3, 1-0 PFL) are an offensively-explosive team. Coach Kevin McGarry's squad has the league's pass efficiency leader (157.1) in Eric Rasmussen. A 6'3", 219-pound junior, Rasmussen has passed for 11 touchdowns and has not thrown an interception in 152 attempts this season. He has completed 61 percent (92) of his passes. Rasmussen's favorite target is wide receiver Michael Gasperson, who ranks third in the PFL with 31 receptions for 480 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Phillip Thrash has rushed 87 times for 381 yards and two scores, while senior fullback Ken Villalobos has carried 62 times for 345 yards and four touchdowns. Linebackers Andy Guzenski and Michael DiPasquale lead USD with 47 and 45 tackles, respectively. Safety Bryan Newbrough has three interceptions.