4/27/2016
Record Five Crusaders Named to 2016 NFF Hampshire Society
For the first time in program history, five members of the Valparaiso University football team were selected to the 2016 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society. Alex Green, John Guilford, Jake Hutson, Sam Manternach, and Scott Staal were named to the 2016 Hampshire Honor Society in its tenth year of existence.
4/23/2016
#ChampionsinCommunity: Crusaders Clean It Up
The Valpo football team took advantage of a beautiful spring day to make its surrounding community a better place to live Saturday. The team, led by head coach Dave Cecchini, polished up a derelict overpass on Indiana 49 that had been splashed with graffiti. All in all, the 2015-16 football squad has accumulated over 1,000 hours of community service hours.
4/16/2016
Saturday's Spring Game a Success
On a perfect and beautiful Saturday afternoon at Brown Field, fans got to snag a glimpse of the future and what to expect next fall for the Valparaiso football team. After last season’s high-scoring affair, this Saturday’s game was a tale of two halves for the Crusaders.The home White offensive team defeated the visiting Brown defensive team, 20-18.
4/14/2016
Valparaiso Spring Football Game Slated for Saturday
The winter weather that crashed the better part of spring practices will evacuate Northwest Indiana just in time for the 2016 Brown vs. Gold spring football game. The exhibition, which will feature modified scoring just as it did in 2015, is scheduled for Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. As always, Saturday's event is free and open to the public.
3/23/2016
Spring Practices Begin Wednesday for Valpo Football
The Valpo football team will kick off its first of 15 spring practices Wednesday afternoon. Head football coach Dave Cecchini and his club will conduct practices every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday leading up to the April 16th spring game. All practices are held at Brown Field and are open to the public. Follow @valpoufootball for the latest news and updates.
2/5/2016
47 Crusaders Recognized on PFL Academic Honor Roll
The Pioneer Football League announced its Academic Honor Roll Friday afternoon and Valparaiso claimed 47 players on the annual academic acclaim. The PFL as a whole boasted a record 616 student-athletes to its 2015 Honor Roll.
2/4/2016
2016 Valpo Football Recruiting Class Unveiled
Head football coach Dave Cecchini announced another strong, well-balanced recruiting class Thursday. 27 players officially signed Letters of Agreement between Wednesday's National Signing Day and Thursday morning.
1/29/2016
Cecchini Adds Manalac to Coaching Staff
Head football coach Dave Cecchini announced the addition of Ryan Manalac as linebackers coach Friday morning. Manalac, a four-year letterwinner at University of Cincinnati, spent the last five seasons with the Michigan State football program.
1/28/2016
2016 Football Schedule Announced
Head football coach Dave Cecchini revealed his team's 2016 schedule Thursday. The Crusaders will open on the road at Illinois State on Saturday, Sept. 3rd. Valpo will welcome Trinity International to Brown Field for the home opener on Sept. 17th before PFL play kicks off the next weekend at home versus Davidson.
12/2/2015
Valpo Football Lands Four on Academic All-PFL Teams
Redshirt sophomore Brian Lang earned a spot on the 2015 Academic All-PFL First Team as announced by the league office Wednesday. Lang, the owner of a 3.94 grade point average as an accounting major, has been an integral part of the Crusader offensive line the past two seasons. Alex Green, John Guilford, and Jarrett Morgan received All-PFL Second Team honors.
12/1/2015
Green Named All-PFL First Team; Four Others Earn Honorable Mention Nods
On Tuesday, senior linebacker Alex Green became the first Valpo defensive player to be named to the All-Pioneer Football League First Team since defensive lineman Jimmy Riker earned top honors in 2006. For Green, it was his third All-PFL award. John Guilford, J.J. Nunes, Cody Cotton, and Griffin Norberg received All-PFL Honorable Mention nods as well.
11/21/2015
Crusaders Drop Season Finale to Dolphins
The 2015 football season came to a close Saturday with Valpo falling to Jacksonville, 58-13 at D.B. Milne Field in Florida. Scott Staal connected with Ryan Dugan for an 11-yard score for a Crusader touchdown. Jacob Newman was 2-for-2 on field goals, splitting the uprights on attempts from 33 and 39 yards.
11/18/2015
Football Flies South for Season Finale at Jacksonville
The 2015 football season comes to a close Saturday afternoon in the Sunshine State. Jacksonville welcomes Valpo to D.B. Milne Field for the first time since 2009. A team-high 22 Crusaders hail from the state of Florida.
11/17/2015
Valpo Football Preview: Week 12
Head football coach Dave Cecchini and broadcaster Todd Ickow sat down Monday for the final edition of the Valpo Football Preview. The two reviewed the Crusaders' effort versus Morehead State, the play of freshman receiver Jean Rene, and what lies ahead in the Sunshine State on Saturday.
11/14/2015
Morehead State Rallies Back to Seize Seesaw Game
Jarrett Morgan's rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter erased a Morehead State lead that had reached 14 points at one juncture, but Eagles quarterback Austin Gahafer and wide receiver Jake Raymond teamed up for a late score as Valpo fell 36-29 at Brown Field on Saturday. Crusader quarterback Scott Staal set career highs in completions (32) and yards (337) in his final home game with the Brown and Gold.
11/12/2015
Crusaders Face High-Flying Eagles in Home Finale
Thirteen seniors will emerge from the Brown Field tunnel for the final time this Saturday when the Crusaders welcome Morehead State to town for the 2015 home finale. Senior linebacker Alex Green needs just four stops for his third consecutive 100-tackle season as the Brown and Gold look to avenge last season’s 48-47 heartbreaking loss to the Eagles in Morehead.
11/9/2015
Valpo Football Preview: Week 11
Head football coach Dave Cecchini and Todd Ickow chatted Monday during this week's installment of Valpo Football Preview. The two discussed this team's youth, Scott Staal's surging stock, and a vastly-improved Morehead State squad.
11/7/2015
Valpo Football Suffers Setback at Butler
Freshman Griffin Norberg snagged a 26-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter of Saturday's game, but Butler QB Matt Shiltz accounted for four TDs while the Bulldog defense tallied a pair of pick-6s to defeat the Crusaders, 42-21. The Brown and Gold return to Valparaiso for their home finale next Saturday versus Morehead State.
11/5/2015
Crusaders Seek to Retain Hoosier Helmet Saturday in Indy
One of the biggest rivalries in FCS football reignites Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis. The Hoosier Helmet is on the line as Valpo and Butler clash yet again in a fierce intrastate matchup. Last year, the Brown and Gold returned the iconic trophy to Northwest Indiana following a six-year hiatus.
11/5/2015
Bastin Named to CoSIDA Academic All-District Football Team
Junior Grayson Bastin was named to the 2015-16 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team on Thursday. Bastin, a biology major, owns a 3.70 grade point average in the classroom. On the field, the running back averages 4.9 yards per carry for the Crusader offense.
11/2/2015
Valpo Football Preview: Week 10
Fresh off a bye week, head football coach Dave Cecchini and broadcaster Todd Ickow explore what the Crusaders can improve upon and how Jarrett Morgan is becoming more involved in the offense. The two also preview Saturday's rivalry game against Butler in this week's edition of Valpo Football Preview.
10/27/2015
Valpo Alumni Association to Host Free Tailgate Nov. 7th at Butler
Free food and beer will be available to Valpo alumni before the Crusaders take on Butler in Indianapolis on Saturday, Nov. 7th. Click on the registration link to sign up today!
10/24/2015
Valpo Unable to Shake Stetson in 37-14 Loss
Jean Rene caught his fourth touchdown pass in as many games, but the Hatter defense racked up 13 tackles for a loss as Stetson sailed to a 37-14 win over the Crusaders at Brown Field on Saturday afternoon. Jarrett Morgan recorded the Brown and Gold's first rushing touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter.
10/23/2015
Valpo, Stetson Set to Meet for First Time Saturday
Stetson storms into Brown Field for the first ever meeting between the Crusaders and Hatters in a tilt that serves as Valpo’s penultimate home game of the 2015 season. The Hatters are led by junior Donald Payne. The All-American and last season's PFL Defensive Player of the Year owns 375 tackles (44 for a loss), ten sacks, and eight interceptions in just 29 career games with the Hatters.
10/19/2015
Valpo Football Preview: Week 8
Head football coach Dave Cecchini and announcer Todd Ickow sat down Monday for the latest edition of Valpo Football Preview. The two talked third down defense, discussed the offensive line, and looked ahead to Saturday's game against Stetson.
10/17/2015
Flyers Get Past Crusaders Saturday
Freshman Jean Rene snagged a pair of touchdown passes from Ryan Clarke on Saturday, but Dayton capitalized on a trio of third-quarter Crusader turnoverss to collect a 44-14 win and remain unbeaten on the season. Valpo welcomes Stetson to town next weekend for the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
10/15/2015
Undefeated Dayton Glides into Town Saturday
The Dayton Flyers put their perfect record on the line when they make their biennial trip to Brown Field on Saturday. Dayton is the only postseason-eligible PFL team remaining with a goose egg in the loss column of both its conference and overall records. Crusader linebacker Alex Green is five tackles away from 300 for his career.
10/12/2015
Valpo Football Preview: Week 7
Head football coach Dave Cecchini sat down with Todd Ickow in this week's buttoned-down edition of the Valpo Football Preview. The two revisited Saturday's bright start at Drake, discussed special teams play, and talked about the little things Valpo must do to knock off an undefeated Dayton team on Saturday.
10/10/2015
Valpo Football Falls at Drake Saturday
The Valparaiso University football team was unable to come out of Saturday with its second consecutive road win in PFL play, falling to Drake in Des Moines, Iowa by a 34-7 final.
10/8/2015
Valpo, Drake to Duel Saturday in Des Moines
The Crusaders enter malicious territory this Saturday as they visit Drake Stadium in an attempt to tame the Bulldogs. Sophomore Ryan Clarke, the reigning PFL Offensive Player of the Week, is expected to start under center for the Brown and Gold. The Valpo offense will have a tougher test this week as Drake has surrendered just 27 points in its first two league contests and is limiting its opposition to 110 rushing yards per game.
10/5/2015
Valpo Football Preview: Week 6
In this week's episode of Valpo Football Preview, head football coach Dave Cecchini revisited his team's win this past weekend at Davidson, discussed Ryan Clarke's emergence at quarterback, and looked ahead to a key road game at Drake.
10/4/2015
Clarke Named PFL Offensive Player of the Week
Sophomore Ryan Clarke was named the Pioneer Football League's Offensive Player of the Week Sunday following his record-tying performance in Valpo's 42-35 win over Davidson yesterday. Clarke threw for 244 yards and five touchdown passes - matching the program's single-game record - at Richardson Stadium.
10/3/2015
Crusaders Storm Back to Reign over Davidson
Sophomore quarterback Ryan Clarke carved his name into the school's record book with five touchdown passes as he led the Crusaders to a 42-35 win over Davidson at Richardson Stadium in North Carolina. Jarrett Morgan provided a timely 89-yard kickoff return to tie the game before Griffin Norberg's 12-yard TD reception with 1:55 to play sealed the victory.
9/30/2015
Football Turns the Calendar Saturday in Carolina
The Crusaders’ three-game homestand has come and gone and they now return to the road Saturday for a PFL tilt at Richardson Stadium versus Davidson. Valpo capped off a resurgent 2014 campaign with a 27-13 win over the Wildcats last November at Brown Field.
9/28/2015
Valpo Football Preview: Week 5
Head football coach Dave Cecchini chatted with Todd Ickow on Monday about his team's loss to San Diego this past Saturday, quarterback Dalton Stokes's progress, and the game plan heading into Davidson.
9/26/2015
Strong Second Half Carries Toreros to Win over Valpo
Valpo and San Diego were engaged in a 10-3 game at halftime, but the Toreros racked up 126 rushing yards in the second half as they cruised to a 38-6 win over the Brown and Gold at Brown Field on Saturday. Kellan Hughes picked off two passes to become the second Crusader to record a pair of interceptions in a game this season.
9/24/2015
San Diego Visits Valpo for Homecoming, PFL Opener
The Crusaders shoot for their third straight homecoming win this Saturday as San Diego visits Brown Field in the opening weekend of Pioneer Football League play. The defending champs are coming off their bye week while Valpo routed College of Faith (Ark.), 86-0, in an exhibition affair last Saturday.
9/21/2015
Valpo Football Preview: Week 4
Broadcaster Todd Ickow sat down with head football coach Dave Cecchini on Monday to review Valpo's big victory over College of Faith (Ark.). The two also discussed what the Crusaders need to do in order to break into the win column against the defending PFL champion San Diego Toreros in Saturday's league opener. Click the video to watch this week's installment of the Valpo Football Preview.
9/19/2015
Crusaders Dominate in 86-0 Win over College of Faith
The Crusaders prevailed from whistle-to-whistle in a shutout of visiting College of Faith (Ark.) on Saturday at Brown Field. Redshirt senior Jake Hutson raced for four touchdown carries while Ryan Clarke recorded the first two TD passes of his career.
9/17/2015
Crusaders Continue Homestand Saturday with College of Faith
The Crusaders welcome College of Faith (Ark.) to Valparaiso as the Brown and Gold look to move past last Saturday’s setback against Sacred Heart. 2015 marks the inaugural year of athletics for the Warriors.
9/14/2015
Valpo Football Preview: Week 3
Head football coach Dave Cecchini and Todd Ickow take a look back at Saturday's home opener versus Sacred Heart, discuss how the team plans to address the quarterback position, and peer ahead to Saturday's matchup against College of Faith in this week's edition of the Valpo Football Preview.
9/12/2015
Ground Attack Lifts Pioneers to Victory over Crusaders
Sacred Heart parlayed 255 yards on the ground into seven rushing touchdowns Saturday en route to a 56-3 victory over the Crusaders at Brown Field. Jacob Newman connected on a 39-yard field goal attempt, and J.J. Nunes forced a pair of fumbles in the losing effort.
9/10/2015
Valpo, Sacred Heart Clash for First Time in Program History
Football returns to Brown Field on Saturday afternoon as the Crusaders begin their first of three straight home tilts. The meeting will represent not only the first contest between the two teams, but also the Pioneers' first ever game outside the Eastern Time Zone in their 24-year history.
9/7/2015
Valpo Football Preview: Week 2
Head football coach Dave Cecchini and broadcaster Todd Ickow rehash last Thursday's opener at Eastern Kentucky, talk quarterback play, and look ahead to Saturday's opener versus Sacred Heart in this week's edition of Valpo Football Preview.
9/3/2015
Catrine, Diaz-Martinez Shine, but Crusaders Fall to #17 EKU
Sophomore Frank Catrine led all receivers in receptions with eight for 70 yards. Freshman Joey Diaz-Martinez picked off two passes before Scott Staal recorded his first career touchdown toss on a 16-yard shovel pass to Jake Hutson. However, Stanley Absanon and the Colonels were too much for the Brown and Gold as #17 Eastern Kentucky recorded a 52-10 win in front of 12,800 at Roy Kidd Stadium.
9/1/2015
Crusaders Open 2015 Season Thursday at Eastern Kentucky
The 95th edition of Valpo football begins Thursday night in the Bluegrass State when the Crusaders take on the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. 2015 represents the third straight year that the Brown and Gold have opened against an FCS scholarship program. EKU welcomes the Crusaders into Roy Kidd Stadium, where the Colonels own a 191-43-1 record since the facility opened in 1969.
8/31/2015
Valpo Football Preview: Week 1
Head football coach Dave Cecchini spoke with broadcaster Todd Ickow on Monday afternoon ahead of Thursday's season opener at Eastern Kentucky. Cecchini addressed the team's defensive improvements, discussed the quarterback competition, and previewed the Colonels of EKU.
8/11/2015
Mic'd Up with Valpo Football
As the Valparaiso football team prepares for its season opener at Eastern Kentucky Sept. 3, catch a glimpse of a Crusader practice with coordinators Jason Miran, and Ernest Moore as they get Mic'd Up for Valpo All-Access.
8/6/2015
Crusaders Open 2015 Camp with a Fresh Tone
As players report to camp Thursday, head football coach Dave Cecchini continues year two of his rebuilding project. While his 2015 roster is teeming with newcomers, a heightened level of standards and expectations has carved a new culture around the program. Cecchini is counting on an experienced and capable defense to carry his young team through three rigorous tests early in the schedule.
7/29/2015
Green Named Preseason All-PFL Linebacker
One of the pillars of a vastly-improved Valpo defense received accolades as the Pioneer Football League announced its preseason awards Wednesday morning. Senior Alex Green was named to the preseason All-PFL linebackers corps following his 108-tackle campaign in 2014.
7/28/2015
Valpo Picked 9th in PFL Preseason Coaches Poll
The Crusaders are projected to finish 9th in the Pioneer Football League this season, according to preseason polling of the league’s head coaches. San Diego (89 pts.) is expected to defend its crown, but Dayton (87 pts.) and Drake (86 pts.) are anticipated to round out a highly-competitive podium.
