DAVIDSON (1-2, 0-0 PFL South) at VALPARAISO (1-2, 0-0 PFL North)

WHEN: Saturday, September 24, 2005, 12 p.m. CDT.

WHERE: Brown Field (5,000), Valparaiso, Ind.

RADIO: Valpo Sports Radio Network (WVUR, 95.1-FM, Valparaiso; WAKE, 1500-AM, Valparaiso; Relevant Radio 1270-AM, Gary; and WE-FM, 95.9-FM, Michigan City). Also available on the web at www.valpo.edu/athletics. Todd Ickow will handle the play-by-play with Brent Whitlock providing the color commentary.

TV: None.

THE COACHES: Valparaiso is led by Stacy Adams, who is in his 1st season as the Crusader head coach. He is 1-2 overall and at Valpo. Davidson is led by Tripp Merritt, who is 1-2 in his 1st season overall and with the Wildcats.

SERIES RECORD: Davidson leads the all-time series with the Crusaders 2-0 in a series that began in 2001. The Wildcats are 1-0 all-time at Brown Field.

LAST MEETING: Davidson defeated the Crusaders at Brown Field 49-32 on October 19, 2002.

Valparaiso looks to bounce back from back-to-back losses on Saturday afternoon as the Crusaders host Davidson in a PFL inter-division game at Brown Field. The Crusaders fell 48-7 to Morehead State last Saturday.

LOOKING FOR FIRST PASSING TD: Valparaiso is still looking for its first passing touchdown of the season. All three Crusader scores have come via the ground, as Jeff Horton has rushed for every touchdown. Last season, Valpo threw for 16 touchdowns and rushed for 14 scores.

BUSY DAY FOR BLAHOWITZ: Joe Blahowitz had one of the busiest afternoons last Saturday for the Crusaders. The wide receiver and punter caught a team-high four passes for 29 yards for the Brown and Gold offensively. Blahowitz also punted eight times for a 37.4 yard average, including a long of 47 yards.

AKINPELU RETURNS FOR FIRST TIME: Mount SAC transfer Andrew Akinpelu made his first major mark on the Crusader football program against Morehead State returning kickoffs. He had four returns for 101 yards, including one of 41 yards late in the third quarter.

HORTON AMONG NATION'S BEST: Jeff Horton ranks sixth among all NCAA Division I-AA schools in rushing, averaging 123.7 yards per game. Horton also ranks 16th in the country with 154.3 all-purpose yards per game.

McCAWLEY NEARLY PERFECT THIS SEASON: Andrew McCawley has made nearly every kick he has attempted thus far this season. The redshirt-junior is a perfect 3-of-3 on extra points and is 3-of-4 on field goal attempts, including a long of 46 yards at South Dakota State.

HOWARD FOR LOSS: Sophomore Doug Howard has made the most of his nine tackles this season. He has three tackles for loss, including two and a half sacks. In addition, he has also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble for the Crusaders.

TEAM PLAYERS OF THE WEEK...
Offensive:
9/3 - Jeff Horton
9/10 - Joe Blahowicz
9/17 - Ryan Palonka
Defensive:
9/3 - Mike Jones
9/10 - Brandon Sturman
9/17 - Brandon Sturman
Special Teams:
9/3 - Sal Washington
9/10 - Andrew McCawley
9/17 - Andrew Akinpelu
Offensive Scout:
9/3 - Rob Clark
9/10 - Brett Maynard
9/17 - John Coffey
Defensive Scout:
9/3 - Steve Lyons
9/10 - Daniel Engelhardt
9/17 - Josh Bintzler

DOWN THE ROAD: Valparaiso will head back out on the road next Saturday afternoon as the Crusaders travel to Clarksville, Tenn. to battle Austin Peay. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. Valpo will return home on October 8 for Homecoming against Saint Joseph's (Ind.). Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.