VALPARAISO (0-3) at SAINT JOSEPH'S (2-2)

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28 - noon CT.
WHERE: Alumni Stadium, Rensselaer, Indiana.

RADIO: 1500-AM (WAKE) - Todd Ickow and Steve Rhodes announcing. 95.1-FM (WVUR) - Tim Harwood and Andrew Stem announcing.

TV: (tape-delay) - AT&T Cable - Channel 43 in Valparaiso - Dick Harlan and Bill Koch announcing. Airs Thurs., Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. and Fri., Oct. 4 at 12:30 p.m.

THE COACHES: Valparaiso is guided by Tom Horne, who is 53-84-1 in his 14th season at Valpo. Saint Joseph's is led by Tom Riva, who is 22-35 in his 6th season.

SERIES RECORD: Tied 28-28-2

LAST WEEK: Valpo lost to Tennessee Tech 62-10 last Saturday in Cookeville, Tenn. Saint Joseph's lost to Gannon 41-17 last Saturday in Rensselaer, Ind..

WHAT'S NEXT: Valpo plays at Drake Oct. 5 at 1 p.m..

VALPO PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Valpo Players of the Week (named by the coaching staff): Offense - Rob Giancola, So., wide receiver; Defense - John Tsahas, Jr., strong safety; Special Teams - Ryan Bateman, Jr., punter; Offensive Scout Team - Steve Gage, Fr., fullback; Defensive Scout Team - Xavier Freeman, Fr., defensive line.


On Saturday, Valpo and Saint Joseph's renew their hotly-contested geographic rivalry in Rensselaer, Ind. The game, which will kick off at noon, will be the 59th in the all-time series. Throughout the years, the series has epitomized parity as each school has 28 wins, 28 losses and two ties.

The two schools, which began playing 81 years ago in 1921, have met in each of the last four years. During that span, each team owns a 2-2 mark in the series, winning both games at home.

Valpo (0-3) is coming off a loss at Tennessee Tech. Quarterback David Macchi continued to impress by completing 10 of 12 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown - a 9-yard pass to Ryan Barno.

Saint Joseph's (2-2) fell to Gannon 41-17 last Saturday in Rensselaer. Puma quarterback Lewis Scott ran for a touchdown and passed for another.

MACCHI LEADS PFL IN PASSING YARDAGE PER GAME

Quarterback David Macchi leads the Pioneer Football League in passing yardage per game (256.3). The junior from San Jose, Cal./West Valley College stands 2nd in the PFL and ranks 17th in NCAA I-AA in total offense (256.0 ypg.).

MORE CRUSADER HIGHLIGHTS....

David Macchi has completed 51 of 78 passes (65.4%) for 769 yards and three TDs in his first three games. He stands 3rd in the PFL in passing efficiency (158.3) and 10th in I-AA....Macchi has completed passes to 11 different players in the two games…Rob Giancola (Whiting, Ind./HS) leads the Crusaders and ranks tied for 5th in the PFL with 12 receptions (4.0 pg.) for 222 yards (74.0 ypg.) and one touchdown….junior Ryan Barno (Milwaukee, Wis./Marquette) has caught nine passes for 175 yards (6th in PFL) and leads the team with two TDs…John Tsahas (Lake Station, Ind./Edison) leads Valpo in solo tackles (10) and pass breakups (4). Tsahas is second to junior middle linebacker Lawrence Canada (Mequon, Wis./Lane College) with 22 tackles. Canada leads Valpo and stands tied for 7th in the PFL with 25 stops......Adam Hudak is 3rd in the league and stands 14th in I-AA in field goals per game (1.3, 4-for-5). He also stands 7th in scoring offense (5.7 ppg.)…senior Bryan Hollermeier (Denver, Colo./Mullen stands 2nd in the PFL and 14th nationally in punt returns (16.7 ypr.)...Valpo punt returners lead the PFL and rank 7th in I-AA with 20.2 yards on nine returns…Chris Daniels (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame) is 6th in the league in kickoff returns (18.6 ypr.)......punter Ryan Bateman (Chester, Cal./Shasta JC) ranks 5th in the PFL with 38.5 ypp...Valpo stands 2nd in the PFL and 22nd nationally in passing offense (261.7 ypg.).

"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 offensive tackle Casey Losiniecki.

A LOOK AT SAINT JOSEPH'S:

The Pumas (2-2), coached by Tom Riva, feature a very productive rushing attack. Saint Joseph's, which competes as an independent at the NCAA Division II level, has averaged 169.5 rushing yards per game. Marlin Murphy, a 5'7", 155-pound senior halfback, leads SJC with 231 rushing yards (1 TD) on 47 carries. Junior quarterback Lewis Scott is also an effective runner, amassing 147 yards (1 TD) on 33 carries. Scott has also been an efficient passer, completing 26 of 39 passes (67 percent) for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Murphy has demonstrated his ability as a complete back by leading the Pumas with seven receptions for 99 yards. Tight end Justin Long leads SJC with three touchdown receptions. Outside linebacker Matt Abel tops the team with 35 tackles. Free safety James Perkins ranks second on the team with 33 tackles and four pass breakups. Linebacker Erik Wolfe also stands second with 33 stops. Aaron Jackson, a cornerback, has made a team-high two interceptions and five pass breakups.