6/11/2015
Puetz on NFF College Football Hall of Fame Ballot
Former football standout and Valparaiso Hall of Fame member Garry Puetz ('72) has once again graced the National Football Foundation's (NFF) ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Puetz is one of two former Valpo football players to earn a Super Bowl ring (1982).
6/4/2015
Cecchini Puts Finishing Touches on Recruiting Class
The ink has at last dried on the final Letters of Agreement (LoA) for Dave Cecchini and his coaching staff. The latest recruiting class touts 53 players from 14 different states. "It is a big class numerically, but we are also thrilled with the quality of the class. I expect a lot of these young men to make an immediate impact on the gridiron for us this fall," Cecchini said.
4/30/2015
Barkley Named to NFF Hampshire Honor Society
Valpo football graduated senior Stuart Barkley was among the 826 total players selected nationwide as members of the 2015 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society.
4/20/2015
Champions in the Classroom: Robotic Football Touches Down in Valpo
Three Valpo football players have put their heads - and hands - together to establish the University's first robotic football team. See how Hayden Hast, Jake Hutson, and J.T. Rotroff's intelligence and resourcefulness have made them Champions in the Classroom.
4/18/2015
Hutson’s Two Touchdowns Highlight High-Scoring Spring Game
Jake Hutson ran for two touchdowns while Frank Catrine dazzled the crowd with his speed and moves down the sideline on a 47 screen pass that went for six in the 15th annual Brown and Gold Game on Saturday afternoon at Brown Field.
4/16/2015
Spring Football Game Set for Saturday Morning
The annual Brown vs. Gold spring game is slated for Saturday, April 18th at 11:00 am as head football coach Dave Cecchini's rebuilding project is in its next phase. Cecchini is expecting around 95 players to report camp this summer; however, only 54 of those are on campus right now. As a result, this year's exhibition will deviate from last spring's draft style game.
4/14/2015
Valpo Football Preview: Spring Edition
Valpo head football coach Dave Cecchini sat down with Todd Ickow to talk about his team's progress over the last few weeks, preview Saturday's spring game, and discuss this year's recruiting class.
3/23/2015
Football Adds Two Coaches for 2015 Season
Head football coach Dave Cecchini announced the addition of Kurt Mattix, a 1999 Valparaiso graduate, and Sami Caygoz to the Crusader coaching staff on Monday.
2/10/2015
Football Announces Program Award Winners
Head coach Dave Cecchini announced Tanner Kuramata as the team's Offensive MVP, junior John Guilford as Defensive MVP, and freshman Jarrett Morgan as Special Teams' Most Valuable Player in a season that saw the Crusaders achieve four wins for the first time since 2007.
2/5/2015
41 Crusaders Named to PFL Academic Honor Roll
The Pioneer Football League released its Academic Honor Roll Thursday afternoon and Valparaiso boasts 41 players on the selective list. The PFL as a whole named 568 student-athletes to its Honor Roll, a new record.
2/4/2015
Valpo Football Announces Recruiting Class
Head football coach Dave Cecchini announced the 2015 recruiting class. The Brown and Gold officially inked 28 players on Wednesday, the first day student-athletes are able to sign National Letters of Intent with their respective institutions.
2/3/2015
2015 Football Schedule Released
Head football coach Dave Cecchini announced his team's 2015 schedule Tuesday morning. Valparaiso will open the season at Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 3rd before welcoming Sacred Heart to Brown Field in the home opener on Sept. 12th. San Diego visits Valpo two weeks later to open the PFL schedule.
1/14/2015
Barkley Named to 2014 FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team
Senior Stuart Barkley (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley Northwest) was one of just 50 student-athletes named to the 17th Annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Star Team.
12/16/2014
Fuzzy Thurston: 1933-2014
Legendary Valparaiso football player, Fuzzy Thurston, who starred on the Crusader football team from 1953-1955 and later went on to win six NFL Championships, passed away Sunday evening at the age of 80.
12/9/2014
Green, Decker Named Athletes of the Month
Alex Green (football) and Torrie Decker (bowling) have been named the Valparaiso athletic department's Student-Athletes of the Month for November.
12/3/2014
Green Elected to Academic All-PFL First Team; Four Named to Second Team
For the second straight season, junior linebacker Alex Green received Academic All-Pioneer Football League First Team nod. The mechanical engineering major led the Crusader defense in tackles (108) while boasting a 3.53 grade-point average. Barkley, Guilford, Hutson, Lang voted to Second Team.
12/2/2014
Ten Crusaders Named to All-PFL Teams
Tanner Kuramata and Stuart Barkley represent the Valpo offense on the All-PFL Second Team, while Alex Green and John Guilford earn Second Team accolades on the defensive side of the ball. Graham III, Hall, Koeneman, Morgan, Nunes, Pennington receive Honorable Mention nods as announced by the league office Monday.
11/24/2014
Valpo Football Preview: Week 14
Head football coach Dave Cecchini chatted with Todd Ickow on Monday in the season's final installment of the Valpo Football Preview. Cecchini recapped the season finale win over Davidson, assessed the Crusaders' 2014 campaign, and discussed the task ahead for his coaching staff heading into the off-season.
11/23/2014
Lehman Named PFL Offensive Player of the Week
Quarterback Ben Lehman became the second Crusader in three weeks to receive a PFL Player of the Week award as the senior was recognized for his 26-for-33 afternoon on Saturday. Lehman fired two touchdowns and recorded a season-high 78.8% completion percentage in Valpo's 27-13 victory over Davidson.
11/22/2014
Crusaders Tame Wildcats 27-13 in Season Finale
Dave Cecchini's first season as head football coach ended in celebration Saturday as Valparaiso knocked off Davidson 27-13 at Brown Field. The Crusaders (4-8, 2-6 PFL) put up points in every quarter and amassed 427 yards of total offense in their season finale victory. Tanner Kuramata hauled in ten passes for 122 yards as he concluded his Valparaiso career fifth all-time in receiving yards (2,315).
11/20/2014
2014 Campaign Comes to a Close Saturday at Brown Field
A season chock full of progress comes to a close Saturday afternoon as Valpo welcomes Davidson to Brown Field in a 1:00 pm kickoff. Senior QB Ben Lehman needs just 20 passing yards to reach 2,000 for the season, while junior linebacker Alex Green requires three stops for his second consecutive 100-tackle campaign.
11/17/2014
Valpo Football Preview: Week 13
Valpo head football coach Dave Cecchini and Todd Ickow reviewed Saturday's gut-wrenching loss to San Diego, noted the team's increased confidence level, and look ahead to season finale this Saturday at home versus Davidson.
11/15/2014
Crusaders Fall to San Diego in Heartbreaker
The Crusaders fell on the road to San Diego on Saturday afternoon on a last-second Hail Mary, 32-27. Ben Lehman went 20-of-30 for 221 yards and two touchdowns, while Tanner Kuramata returned to action today with eight catches for 77 yards.
11/12/2014
Crusaders Seek to Spoil San Diego's Title Hopes on Saturday
Valparaiso invades Southern California on Saturday for its penultimate game of the 2014 campaign. The Crusaders will carry the momentum of last week's 17-3 win over Butler into San Diego as the Toreros (8-1, 6-1 PFL) aim to clinch at least a share of the Pioneer Football League title.
11/10/2014
Valpo Football Preview: Week 12
Valpo head football coach Dave Cecchini joined Todd Ickow for this week's edition of the Valpo Football Preview. The two recapped Valpo's 17-3 statement win over Butler as well as what lies ahead for the Crusaders heading into their final road game of 2014.
11/9/2014
Guilford Rewarded with PFL Defensive Player of the Week Honors
Junior defensive end accumulated three sacks as part of a seven-tackle performance that propelled Valpo to a 17-3 victory over Butler. The win brought the Hoosier Helmet back to Valparaiso for the first time since 2007.
11/8/2014
Hoosier Helmet Returns to Valpo Following 17-3 Victory
Valpo's defense yielded its lowest point total versus Butler in 69 years as the Crusaders rolled to a 17-3 triumph at Brown Field on Saturday. Senior Ben Lehman threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns and added 45 yards on the ground while John Guilford netted three sacks. For the Brown and Gold, it was their first victory over Butler since 2007.
11/6/2014
Guilford Named to CoSIDA Academic All-District Team
Crusader junior John Guilford was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District 5 First Team for his performance on the field and in the classroom. The defensive end's nomination makes him eligible for Academic All-American recognition.
11/5/2014
Butler Comes to Town for Battle of Hoosier Helmet
After two weeks on the road, Valparaiso returns home to face off against Butler in the battle for the Hoosier Helmet. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 pm CT at Brown Field. 1,000 Crusader Scholarship Challenge points are up for grabs in what will be the Brown and Gold's second-to-last home game of the 2014 season.
11/3/2014
Valpo Football Preview: Week 11
Valpo head football coach Dave Cecchini and announcer Todd Ickow got together Monday for this week's edition of the Valpo Football Preview. The two looked back at this past Saturday's game at Dayton, looked ahead to Saturday's game versus Butler, and looked at some major contributions from true freshmen.
11/1/2014
Flyers Hand Crusaders 42-19 Defeat
Valpo outgained Dayton 433-366 in total yards Saturday, but the Flyers sent the Crusaders into a tailspin with 28 unanswered points. Brandon Hall had his third 100-yard game in four weeks as the junior amassed 108 yards on 20 carries.
10/30/2014
Football Opens November at Dayton
For the eighth time in the last nine seasons, Valpo opens the month of November away from Brown Field. The Dayton Flyers (5-0, 3-1 PFL) play host to the Brown and Gold on Saturday afternoon inside Welcome Stadium. The Flyers have enjoyed a 195-40-2 home record since moving there in 1974.
10/27/2014
Valpo Football Preview: Week 10
Valparaiso football head coach Dave Cecchini sits down with Todd Ickow on this week's edition of Valpo Football Preview, looking at the team's improved play last week at Morehead State, the emergence of Jarrett Morgan as a multi-faceted weapon, and the matchup this weekend at Dayton.
10/25/2014
Crusaders Drop 48-47 Heartbreaker to Morehead State
Valparaiso led Morehead State for over 59 minutes Saturday at Jayne Stadium. However, a four-yard touchdown run from Brandon Bornhauser with 17 seconds remaining gave the Eagles a 48-47 victory. The comeback spoiled Jarrett Morgan's thrilling debut on offense and special teams as well as outstanding efforts from Brandon Hall, J.J. Nunes, Alex Green, and Charles Carter.
10/23/2014
Football Treks to Morehead State Saturday
The Crusaders hit the road for the first time in 29 days as they head to the Bluegrass State to take on the Morehead State Eagles. The last four meetings have all been shootouts with Valpo and Morehead State combining for no fewer than 52 points.
10/20/2014
Valpo Football Preview: Week 9
Head football coach Dave Cecchini and Todd Ickow talked about the Crusaders' defensive performance this past Saturday, the quarterback scenario heading into Morehead State, as well as the re-emergence of running back Jake Hutson in this week's edition of Valpo Football Preview.
10/19/2014
Football Postgame Press Conference
Head football coach Dave Cecchini, wide receiver Ryan Shea, and cornerback Dale Cook address the media following yesterday's game versus Drake.
10/18/2014
Upset Bid over Drake Stalls in 4th Quarter
For the second straight season, a fourth-quarter lead over Drake escaped Valpo. A QB sneak and an interception returned for a touchdown gave the Bulldogs a 17-9 win Saturday at Brown Field.
10/17/2014
Drake Wraps Up Three-Game Homestand for Football
Saturday will be a battle of first-year head coaches as Rick Fox guides his Bulldogs into Valparaiso versus the Dave Cecchini-led Crusaders. Drake's defensive line touts 12.5 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss through the team's first six games. Meanwhile, Valpo's offensive line has yielded just two sacks all season, the second-fewest in the nation.
10/13/2014
Valpo Football Preview: Week 8
Head football coach Dave Cecchini joined Todd Ickow on the Valpo Football Preview Monday. The two revisited the Crusaders' 55-7 victory over Missouri Baptist, touched upon wide receiver Andrew Cassara's status, and discussed what the Brown and Gold need to do to knock off a 3-3 Drake squad on Saturday.
10/11/2014
Crusaders Explode for 55 Points in Homecoming Rout
Valpo football gave a packed Homecoming crowd at Brown Field Saturday afternoon quite the show, recording the highest point total by a Crusader team in over 18 years as they rolled to a 55-7 victory over Missouri Baptist.
10/9/2014
Crusaders Welcome Upstart Spartans to Town for Homecoming Game
Saturday's Homecoming football game will represent the first-ever athletic contest between Valparaiso and Missouri Baptist. The Brown and Gold are looking to give head coach Dave Cecchini his first home victory while the Spartans aim for their inaugural win as a football program. 1400 Crusader Scholarship Challenge points are up for grabs in the 1 pm tilt at Brown Field.
10/6/2014
Valpo Football Preview: Week 7
Todd Ickow caught up with head football coach Dave Cecchini Monday afternoon. Ickow and Cecchini recapped Saturday's loss to Marist, discussed receiver Tanner Kuramata's role in the offense, and looked ahead to what fans expect this week with Missouri Baptist coming to town for Homecoming.
10/4/2014
Crusaders Drop PFL Contest to Marist
Marist continued its winning ways over the Brown and Gold Saturday afternoon with a 35-7 victory at Brown Field. The Red Foxes took advantage of a pair of gaffes on Valpo's special teams while yielding just 239 yards of total offense.
10/2/2014
Football Opens Three-Game Homestand Saturday vs. Marist
The Crusaders played three of their first four games away from Brown Field. Saturday's noon kickoff represents the start of a three-game set at home as Marist comes to town in search of its first win. At halftime, Valparaiso University will recognize the 1964 Indiana Collegiate Conference Co-Champion team led by Hall of Famers Emory G. Bauer and Walt Reiner.
9/29/2014
Valpo Football Preview: Week 6
Head football coach Dave Cecchini and Todd Ickow reviewed Saturday's game at Campbell, and discussed the challenge ahead versus Marist in this week's edition of Valpo Football Preview.
9/27/2014
Red Zone Woes, Turnovers Cost Crusaders in 34-24 Loss to Campbell
Seniors Ben Lehman and Andrew Cassara tallied career offensive numbers. Fellow senior Tanner Kuramata turned in a monster 2014 PFL debut as well, as he snagged six catches for 151 yards, but two critical turnovers proved too much to overcome for the Crusaders Saturday night in Buies Creek, N.C.
9/24/2014
Crusaders Aim to Make it Four Straight Wins over Camels on Saturday
Valpo football will play under the lights for the third time in a month Saturday night when Campbell plays host to the Brown and Gold at Barker-Lane Stadium in Buies Creek, N.C. at 6 pm ET/5 pm CT. It will represent the seventh straight season the two teams have faced each other, with the Crusaders having won the last three meetings.
9/22/2014
Valpo Football Preview: Week 5
Head football coach Dave Cecchini sat down with Todd Ickow, the Voice of the Crusaders, on Monday. Cecchini and Ickow revisited Valpo's win last Saturday at William Jewell, the defense's role in the Crusader comeback, and what his team can expect from Campbell.
9/20/2014
Defense Fuels Second Half Comeback in 39-30 Win over William Jewell
Trailing 22-7 after thirty minutes, Valparaiso rattled off 32 unanswered points to collect its first non-conference victory since Sept. 12th, 2009. Junior John Guilford piled up 13 tackles - 3.5 for a loss - and a sack as the Crusader defense recorded three takeaways over the final two quarters.
9/17/2014
Football Heads to Show-Me State for Showdown with William Jewell
The Crusaders invade Liberty, Missouri this weekend seeking revenge for a 36-34 loss to William Jewell last September. Tanner Kuramata leads NCAA Division I FCS in receptions per game with 10.5 and is 8th in receiving yards per game (112).
9/15/2014
Valpo Football Preview: Week 4
Head football coach Dave Cecchini chatted with the Voice of the Crusaders, Todd Ickow, on Monday. The pair discussed how the team handled its bye week, Valpo's upcoming matchup versus William Jewell, and the team's confidence level heading into this weekend.
9/7/2014
Valpo Football Postgame Press Conference - Saint Joseph's
Valparaiso football head coach Dave Cecchini is joined by Tanner Kuramata and Grayson Bastin in the postgame press conference following the Crusaders' loss to Saint Joseph's on Saturday night.
9/6/2014
Career Night from Kuramata Not Enough for Crusaders in Home Opener
Behind running backs Mike Anderson and Braxton Shelton, Saint Joseph's spoiled Valpo's home opener Saturday night with a 31-10 win over the Brown and Gold. Though the Crusaders manufactured just ten points, senior wide receiver Tanner Kuramata snagged a career-high 14 passes as part of a monster game.
9/4/2014
Brown Field to Host Cecchini, Valpo's Home Opener Saturday
Head coach Dave Cecchini's first game on Brown Field will be the 66th meeting between Valparaiso and Saint Joseph's. A victory Saturday night would not only snap a seven-game losing skid versus the Pumas, but it would signal the Crusaders' first win in a home opener since 2008.
9/1/2014
Valpo Football Preview: Week 2
Play-by-play announcer Todd Ickow sat down with head football coach Dave Cecchini ahead of the home opener Saturday versus Saint Joseph's. The two reflected on the season opener at Western Illinois, the quarterback play, and the long-standing rivalry between the Pumas and Crusaders.
8/28/2014
Valpo Falls to Western Illinois in Season Opener
Freshman Kye Hall shined in his Crusader debut, leading the Valpo defense with 10 tackles - including one for a loss. But a speedy, strong Western Illinois squad prevailed with a 45-6 victory in its home opener. Tanner Kuramata hauled in seven catches for 76 yards as the senior wide receiver set game highs in both categories.
8/26/2014
Crusaders Open Season Thursday Night in Macomb
The last time Dave Cecchini was in Macomb, he helped lead Lehigh to a convincing 37-7 win over Western Illinois in the NCAA Div. I-AA playoffs on Nov. 25th, 2000. The first-year head coach looks to deliver similar results as the Crusaders and Leathernecks face each other for the second time in four years.
8/25/2014
Valpo Football Preview: Week 1
The Voice of the Crusaders, Todd Ickow, talked with head football coach Dave Cecchini in the first Valpo Football Preview of 2014. The two discussed the culture change within the program, the quarterback situation, and Coach Cecchini's last trip to Macomb.
8/20/2014
2014 Football Media Day
With the 2014 football season just eight days away, Brad Collignon chatted with head coach Dave Cecchini, junior linebacker Alex Green, redshirt junior RB Jake Hutson, junior defensive end John Guilford, and senior wide receiver Tanner Kuramata as the Crusaders embark on a new chapter. Click on the video to see what they had to say about how this team has progressed since the spring, the transition to a new playbook, and goals for the upcoming season.
8/15/2014
Rouse, Logan Round Out Cecchini's Coaching Staff
Head football coach Dave Cecchini announced the hiring of Tony Rouse and Adam Logan to the coaching staff Friday. Rouse will serve as the defensive line/strength and conditioning coach while Logan will take over as defensive backs coach.
8/15/2014
Mic'd Up With Dave Cecchini
As the Valparaiso football team prepares for its season opener at Western Illinois Aug. 28, catch a glimpse of a Crusader practice with first-year head coach Dave Cecchini as he gets Mic'd Up for Inside Valpo Athletics.
8/11/2014
What You Need to Know: Valpo Football
The 2014 football season opener is less than three weeks away. As energy in camp remains high, new coaching staff seeks to take advantage of a deep receiving corps heading into Aug. 28th debut in Macomb.
7/16/2014
Four Crusaders Named USA College Football Division I-AA FCS Pre-Season All-Americans
Kuramata, Barkley elected to Offensive Second Team; Green voted to Defensive Third Team, while Guilford announced as an Defensive Honorable Mention
