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Today is Homecoming at Valparaiso and the Crusaders are taking on PFL rival San Diego. This is just the second game of the year at Brown Field and the first time that I'll be seeing the Crusaders.

Much has changed since the beginning of the year and even more has changed since last season in regards to how the football team looks on the field. First of all, Valparaiso signed a sponsorship deal with Nike and now are outfitted by the Swoosh. There is just one little problem...Nike doesn't make brown uniforms. The Crusaders are currently on the field wearing their Purduesque tops with white pants. For a school that prides itself on Brown & Gold, I don't see that color combination anywhere but on the midfield logo and in the end zones.

The end zone is a place that Valparaiso has struggled to reach this season, scoring just seven touchdowns in the first four games. Ross Wiemer, the senior running back from Wisconsin, has scored all three rushing touchdowns this year, but he is expected to miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury suffered against Carthage on Sept. 26.

Injuries have been a problem for the Crusaders this year as starting quarterback Matt Upshaw has been sidelined since the season opener with a wrist injury. Upshaw's return this season is questionable as the Indianapolis native is still in a cast.

The defense has also not been immune to injury as seniors Kyle Himmelwright and Adam Rundh have missed multiple games and are expected to sit out today, although both are taking part in pregame workouts. Sophomore defensive lineman Brian Laipple is also expected to miss the game today due to injury.

On the other side of the ball sits San Diego. The Toreros (2-2, 1-1) are coming off a surprising 25-24 loss to Butler and are no doubt looking for a get-well game. Even with former star quarterback Josh Johnson now starting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Diego still has a potent offensive attack. 

I'll be back closer to kickoff to take you possession-by-possession through today's contest. As for now, I'm going to go take in some of the Homecoming fare. There really isn't a better day of the year on a college campus. -- Paul Oren

First Quarter

At 12:59, we're underway with a kickoff to San Diego. I'll check in after each possession with up-to-the-minute information.

The Crusaders come up with a rare 3-and-out on the opening drive of the game after the Toreros dial up a pass on 3rd & 2 that goes incomplete. 0-0, 13:44 1Q.

Bobby Wysocki led a strong 11-play, 55-yard drive, but it went for naught as Chris Smith went wide right on a 35-yard field goal attempt. The highlight of the drive came when it appeared that Wysocki was going to take a sack deep in the backfield, but he ended up scrambling for a 24-yard gain. 0-0 8:19 1Q.

The Toreros strike back on their second offensive possession as quarterback Sam Scudellari hit John McGough on a 47-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage and San Diego takes just five plays to go 80 yards with Matt Jelmini capping off the drive with a 22-yard touchdown run. San Diego 7-0, 5:59 1Q.

The momentum has shifted considerably as the Crusaders just went 3 & out and then Valparaiso punter Mitch Secrest fumbled the snap before releasing a punt that was blocked. San Diego takes over at the Valparaiso 39 up 7-0 with just under five minutes remaining.

Valparaiso catches a break by forcing its second 3 & out of the game. A San Diego punt gives the Crusaders the ball on the 12-yard line with 4:11 remaining in the first quarter.

The Crusaders go 3 & out, but the crowd gets into it when senior John Popper delivers a crushing hit on the ensuing punt. San Diego is still up 7-0 with 3:17 remaining in the first.

San Diego goes just three plays on this possession, but the Toreros gain 57 yards, with 28 coming on a touchdown pass from Sam Scudellari to Kyle Warren. San Diego is up 14-0 with 2:06 remaining in the first quarter.

John Popper runs for 12 yards on the first play of the drive, but the Crusaders fail to gain another yard as they are forced to punt on the last play of the first quarter. San Diego carries a 14-0 lead into the second quarter and has the ball on their own 44-yard line.

It seems that every other drive the Crusader defense comes to play. Valparaiso forces another 3 & out for San Diego, including a big sack from redshirt freshman Cody Gokan. The Crusaders come on the field with JUCO transfer Nate Goergen as the new signal caller. San Diego 14-0, 13:01 2Q.

Goergen promptly makes his presence felt with an interception to Gabe Derricks who takes it 26-yards to the house. San Diego is up 21-0 with 12:17 remaining in the half.

Goergen throws two incompletions before giving way to Wysocki who throws another incompletion before the Crusaders are forced to punt for the fourth time today. The Crusaders are just 2-12 for 16 yards passing while San Diego is 4-7 for 107 yards and a touchdown.

The Crusader defense steps up big again for a couple plays, forcing a 3rd & 14, but Scudellari finds Eric Fiege for a 41-yard touchdown pass to give San Diego a 28-0 lead with 7:58 remaining in the half.

With the offense stalling through the air, Wysocki starts running the ball and rattled off 22-yard run and then a 4-yard run that was advanced 15-yards because of a personal foul penalty. The drive stalled out at the San Diego 25 when Wysocki threw an incompletion on 4th & 7. In injury news, Goergen has his pads off on the sideline and his shoulder is heavily taped in ice.

The half comes to a close with San Diego up 28-0. The Toreros have gained 262 yards on 34 plays while the Crusaders have 141 yards on 35 plays.