VALPARAISO (0-2) at TENNESSEE TECH (1-2)

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21 - noon CT.
WHERE: Tucker Stadium, Cookeville, Tenn.

RADIO: 1500-AM (WAKE) - Dick Harlan and Drew Wolf announcing. 95.1-FM (WVUR) - Tim Harwood and Mark Couser announcing.

TV: (tape-delay) - AT&T Cable - Channel 43 in Valparaiso - Dick Harlan announcing. Airs Thurs., Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Fri., Sept. 27 at 12:30 p.m.

THE COACHES: Valparaiso is guided by Tom Horne, who is 53-83-1 in his 14th season at Valpo. Tennessee Tech is led by Mike Hennigan, who is 36-31 in his 7th season.

SERIES RECORD: First Meeting

LAST WEEK: Valpo lost to Campbellsville 57-28 last Saturday in Valparaiso. Tennessee Tech defeated Chattanooga 13-3 last Saturday in Cookeville, Tenn.

WHAT'S NEXT: Valpo plays at Saint Joseph's Sept. 28 at noon.

VALPO PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Valpo Players of the Week (named by the coaching staff): Offense - Rob Giancola, So., wide receiver; Defense - Nick Hausmann, So., end; Special Teams - Kevin Schaekel, Fr., & Michael Mroz, Fr.; Offensive Scout Team - Jason Moran, Fr., wide receiver; Defensive Scout Team - Matt Markowski, Fr., defensive back.


Following two straight home games to begin the 2002 campaign, Valpo (0-2) hits the road to play Tennessee Tech (1-2) on Saturday at noon. The Crusaders are taking a step up in competition as Tennessee Tech is an NCAA I-AA full-scholarship program. The meeting is the first-ever between the schools.

Crusader quarterback David Macchi continued to compile impressive statistics by completing 17 of 31 passes for 283 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions against Campbellsville. Macchi, a junior from San Jose, Cal./West Valley College, and sophomore wide receiver Rob Giancola (Whiting, Ind./HS) connected on five aerials for 121 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown.

The Golden Eagles are coming off their first victory last Saturday, a 13-3 home triumph over Chattanooga. Jason Ballard, a junior tailback, rushed for 123 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries for Tennessee Tech.

MACCHI, CANADA LEAD PFL STATISTICAL CATEGORIES

Quarterback David Macchi leads the Pioneer Football League and ranks 6th in NCAA I-AA in total offense (284.0 ypg.). Linebacker Lawrence Canada is tied for the PFL lead in tackles per game (12.0).

MORE CRUSADER HIGHLIGHTS....

David Macchi has completed 41 of 66 passes (62.1%) for 583 yards and two touchdowns in his first two games. He stands 3rd in the PFL in passing efficiency (143.3) and 17th in I-AA......Macchi has completed passes to 11 different players in the two games…..Rob Giancola leads the Crusaders and ranks tied for 3rd in the PFL with 10 receptions for 168 yards and one touchdown…..junior Ryan Barno (Milwaukee, Wis./Marquette) has caught eight passes for 166 yards and one touchdown…… Adam Hudak (Lowell, Ind./HS) was 2-for-2 in field goal attempts, including a career-high 45-yarder, against Campbellsville….Hudak is tied for 2nd in the league and stands 10th in I-AA in field goals per game (1.5, 3-for-3).…senior Bryan Hollermeier (Denver, Colo./Mullen stands 2nd in the PFL and 14th nationally in punt returns (17.2 ypr.).....Valpo punt returners are tied for the PFL lead and rank tied for 8th in I-AA with 21.0 yards on eight returns….Chris Daniels (Peoria, Ill.Notre Dame) is 3rd in the league in kickoff returns (21.5 ypr.)......Kevin Schaekel (St. Paul, Minn./Concordia Academy) blocked a punt which John Tsahas (Lake Station, Ind./Edison returned 3 yards for a touchdown vs. Campbellsville…..junior middle linebacker Lawrence Canada (Mequon, Wis./Lane College) leads Valpo with 7 solo tackles and 17 assisted stops.....Against Campbellsville last Saturday, he was involved in 16 tackles.

"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 junior quarterback David Macchi.

A LOOK AT TENNESSEE TECH:

The Golden Eagles (1-2), members of the NCAA I-AA Ohio Valley Conference, have played a very challenging schedule. In the first two weeks, coach Mike Hennigan's squad lost road games to Bowling Green (41-7), a top-tier Mid-American Conference team, and Iowa State (58-6) of the Big XII. Last week, Tennessee Tech, a full-scholarship program, won its opener by a 13-3 count over Chattanooga. The Golden Eagles feature a very talented group of offensive players. Junior tailback Jason Ballard, who rushed for 123 yards and one touchdown on 26 carries against Chattanooga, leads the team with 170 yards on 48 carries. Robert Craft, a 6'4", 223-pound sophomore, has completed 45 of 83 passes for 561 yards and two touchdowns. Receivers Anton Thomison (12 rec., 166 yds.) and Derek Lee (10 rec., 154 yds., 1 TD) have been Craft's favorite targets. Defensively, linebacker Daniel Wentzel has been all over the field, leading Tennessee Tech with 52 tackles. End John Ruff has made 28 tackles and two sacks.