VALPARAISO (0-4) at DRAKE (3-2)

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 5 - 1 p.m. CT.
WHERE: Drake Stadium, Des Moines, Iowa.

RADIO: 1500-AM (WAKE) - Todd Ickow and Mark Couser announcing. 95.1-FM (WVUR) - Tim Harwood and Ed Schillinger announcing.

TV: (tape-delay) - AT&T Cable - Channel 43 in Valparaiso - Dick Harlan announcing. Airs Thurs., Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. and Fri., Oct. 11 at 12:30 p.m.

THE COACHES: Valparaiso is guided by Tom Horne, who is 53-85-1 in his 14th season at Valpo. Drake is led by Rob Ash, who is 143-81-5 in his 22nd season.

SERIES RECORD: Drake leads 7-2.
LAST MEETING: 2001 - Valpo won 17-7 in Valparaiso.

LAST WEEK: Valpo lost to Saint Joseph's 54-43 last Saturday in Rensselaer, Ind. Drake defeated Quincy 45-28 last Saturday in Quincy, Ill.

WHAT'S NEXT: Valpo hosts Dayton Oct. 12 at 1:30 p.m. in the Homecoming Game.

VALPO PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Valpo Players of the Week (named by the coaching staff): Offense - David Macchi, Jr., quarterback; Defense - Ambrose Brown, Fr., cornerback; Special Teams - Jake Feit, Fr., long snapper; Offensive Scout Team - David Ferguson, Fr., offensive line; Defensive Scout Team - John Schaekel, Fr., defensive back.

A new season begins on Saturday at 1 p.m. as Valpo travels to Drake for the Pioneer Football League opener for both teams. The Crusaders (0-4) are concluding a three-game road stretch. Last Saturday, David Macchi (San Jose, Cal./West Valley College) broke Valpo's single-game passing record with 434 yards in a 54-43 loss at Saint Joseph's.

Macchi's historic day produced three 100-plus-yard receivers as Rob Giancola (Whiting, Ind./HS) had 135 yards on four receptions, tight end Greg Sommersberger (Sheboygan, Wis./South) compiled career highs of 119 yards and one touchdown on six catches and Kevin Knutson (River Falls, Wis./HS) amassed 104 yards, including an 88-yard score, on two aerials.

Drake (3-2), which has won three straight games, defeated Quincy 45-28 last Saturday.

MACCHI 4th NATIONALLY IN
TOTAL OFFENSE, PASS EFFICIENCY

David Macchi, who broke Valpo's single-game passing record with 434 yards (18-32-2 TDs) against Saint Joseph's last Saturday, ranks 4th in NCAA I-AA in total offense (307.0 ypg.) and pass efficiency (164.1). He leads the Pioneer Football League in total offense and passing yardage per game (300.8), and stands second in pass efficiency. Macchi's passing performance last Saturday shattered Scott Lange's mark of 388 yards against Butler in 1983.

Valpo Leads PFL in Passing Offense, Punt Returns

Valpo leads the PFL and ranks 7th nationally in passing offense (304.8 ypg.)......the Crusaders also top the PFL and stand 13th in I-AA in punt return average (16.2 ypr.)......the 434 passing yards against Saint Joseph's last Saturday also surpassed Valpo's single-game team passing mark of 388 vs. Butler in 1983.....the 43 points last Saturday are the most-ever in a loss for Valpo. The previous mark of 35 was achieved on five different occasions......David Macchi has completed 69 of 110 passes (62.7%) for 1,203 yards and five TDs in four games......Rob Giancola leads the Crusaders, ranks 3rd in the PFL and 25th nationally in receiving yards per game (89.2 ypg.). The sophomore is 6th in receptions per game (4.0, 16, rec., 1 TD)......junior Ryan Barno (Milwaukee, Wis./Marquette) has caught 10 passes for 214 yards and two TDs…John Tsahas (Lake Station, Ind./Edison) leads Valpo in total tackles (29), and solo tackles (12). He ranks tied for 8th in the PFL in pass breakups (5, 1.25 pg)......junior middle linebacker Lawrence Canada (Mequon, Wis./Lane College) and freshman defensive back Kevin Schaekel (St. Paul, Minn./Concordia Academy) stand 2nd with 25 tackles. Canada is 8th in the PFL with 8.3 tpg.......Adam Hudak is tied for 4th in the league in field goals per game (1.0, 4-for-5).......senior Bryan Hollermeier (Denver, Colo./Mullen) stands 3rd in the PFL and 18th nationally in punt returns (14.7 ypr.).......Chris Daniels (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame) is 7th in the league in all-purpose yards (100.3 ypg.) and 8th in kickoff returns (18.0 ypr.).......punter Ryan Bateman (Chester, Cal./Shasta JC) ranks 5th in the PFL with 37.8 ypp.

"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 sophomore wide receiver Rob Giancola.

A LOOK AT DRAKE:

The Bulldogs (3-2), who own a three-game winning streak, have lit up the scoreboard during that span. Coach Rob Ash's squad has averaged 36.0 points in wins against Missouri-Rolla, Wisconsin-LaCrosse and Quincy. Senior quarterback Ira Vandever has been a double threat, passing for 235.4 ypg. (76-129-6 int.) and 13 TD, while rushing for 55.6 ypg. (278 on 64 att.). Jonathan Taylor leads Drake in rushing with 76.4 ypg. and has scored four TDs. The main scoring weapon has been senior flanker Aaron Overton who has eight TDs among his 31 catches (539 yards). Free safety Desmond Carr tops the Bulldogs in tackles (52, 10.4 pg.), while LB Adam Lackey has six tackles for loss.