HERO Sports welcomes you to "Two-a-Days", where we will preview every single one of the 125 FCS programs, with two being released each day from June 18 to August 18 (with the final day having three in one day). Today we give you … Valparaiso.
[divider]MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
FCS TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW: The countdown
FCS PRESEASON TOP 25: The poll
FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA: The teams
Valparaiso (6-5 IN 2017)
Pioneer Football League (Valpo was 5th in 2017)
COACH: Dave Cecchini – 5th year (15-29 record)
2017 OFFENSE: 30.0 ppg. (31st in FCS)
2017 DEFENSE: 28.5 ppg. (T84th in FCS)
SUM IT UP: Cecchini had his first winning season last year with this program, and it could be just the beginning of Valpo climbing to the top of the PFL standings. The Crusaders went 5-3 in conference play and return 16 starters, which is tied for the most in the Pioneer. Nine starters are back on a terrific offense that averaged 30 points a game. The offensive line remains intact with Jimmy Seewald behind center. Cody Boxrucker led the Crusaders with seven rushing touchdowns last year and is back while Jean Rene and Griffin Norberg look to step up as the go-to receivers. Linebacker Nick Turner leads an experienced defensive unit that no doubt wants to improve on some numbers. But overall, this team looks poised for an improved season.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO: Valpo rises to a Top 3 team in the PFL. Anytime you have this amount of starters returning, expectations are to get better. The Crusaders avoid San Diego, who has dominated the conference lately. Expect a couple more wins from the 2018 squad.
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BEST FCS PLAYER BY NUMBER: We count down, No. 99 through No. 1[divider]
TOP RETURNEE: LB Nick Turner (Preseason All-PFL, 101 total tackles)
THE NEXT BEST: OL Tom Schofield (Preseason All-PFL); RS Bailey Gessinger (Preseason All-PFL, 771 combined kick return yards); QB Jimmy Seewald (2,602 yards, 18 TDs, 10 INT.); RB Cody Boxrucker (292 yards, 7 TDs); LB Drew Snouffer (106 total tackles)
DID YOU KNOW?: In 1942, Valparaiso fielded the tallest basketball team in the world with the 6-foot-10 Warnke brothers and was called the "Valparaiso Giants" or "The World's Tallest Team."
THE QUOTE: “It all starts with expectations. The expectations of our football team have been raised. As happy as our team was to have the type of success that we had a year ago, this is a different team. This is a team looking for greater things. They are looking to step up and challenge for a league championship.” — Head Coach Dave Cecchini said before preseason camp
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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
THE HASHTAG: #FTL
FOOTBALL TWITTER: @valpoufootball
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FCS QB TRANSFERS: Who Tops The List?
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