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WEEK 12 PIONEER FOOTBALL LEAGUE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Rowan Keefe, Valparaiso (Junior (RS), Quarterback, Park Ridge, Illinois),...Keefe led Valparaiso to their largest come-from-behind victory in program history, accounting for 24 points in a 32-31 overtime victory against Stetson. The Beacons trailed 24-0 with under six minutes left in the third quarter. Keefe started the comeback effort with a 55-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Ricketti, and he tossed the two-point conversion to Max Carter to make it 24-8. He sent the game to overtime with a two-yard touchdown pass to Devin Yeats as time expired in regulation, tying the game with another two-point conversion pass to Colin Hayes. Keefe capped the day with a two-yard touchdown run and another two-point conversion pass to Hayes to claim the walk-off win. He completed 18-of-26 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns as well as three two-point conversions, and ran for 21 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. - Pioneer Football League

(DS#999 QB) rJr/2027

QB Rowan Keefe, Valparaiso
News Source: Pioneer Football League
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11/25/25 - Nic Lendino, rSo/2028, Valparaiso, 6-1, 195 (DS#40 SS) + More +

WEEK 12 PIONEER FOOTBALL LEAGUE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Nic Lendino, Valparaiso (Sophomore (RS), Defensive Back, Naperville, Illinois),...Lendino's blocked punt in the third quarter fueled Valparaiso's come-from-behind effort in a 32-31 overtime win against Stetson. After Valparaiso scored its first touchdown, the Beacons' defense forced a punt in Stetson territory. Lendino blocked the attempt, and the ball went out of bounds and was recovered at the Stetson 31-yard line. Valparaiso scored on the ensuing drive, cutting its deficit to 24-16 at the end of the third quarter. In his defensive role, Lendino had four tackles (two solo) and two pass breakups. - Pioneer Football League

(DS#40 SS) rSo/2028

SS Nic Lendino, Valparaiso
News Source: Pioneer Football League
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11/25/25 - Ryan Ricketti, rFr/2029, Valparaiso, 5-09, 180 (DS#999 WR) + More +

WEEK 11 PIONEER FOOTBALL LEAGUE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ryan Ricketti, Valparaiso (Freshman (RS), Return Specialist, Rocky River, Ohio),...Ricketti amassed an FCS season best 198 yards on four kickoff returns, including his second 100-yard kick return for a touchdown, in Valparaiso's 43-27 loss to San Diego. His 100-yard kick return gave Valparaiso a 21-20 lead with 10:44 remaining in the third quarter. Averaging 49.5 yards per return, he also had kick returns of 39, 19, and 40 yards, and finished with 256 all-purpose yards with six receptions for 58 yards added to his tally. He is the only FCS kick returner with two 100-yard returns this season (13 100-yard returns in 2025) and the first FCS player with multiple 100-yarders in a season since 2022. - Pioneer Football League

(DS#999 WR) rFr/2029

WR Ryan Ricketti, Valparaiso
News Source: Pioneer Football League
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11/15/25 - Ryan Ricketti, rFr/2029, Valparaiso, 5-09, 180 (DS#999 WR) + More +

Rowan Keefe scored on a 2-yard run in overtime then hit Colin Hayes with a two-point conversion pass to win it as Valparaiso defeated Stetson 32-31 on Saturday. The Beacons trailed 24-0 in the third quarter before Keefe led a rally that included three touchdowns and three two-point conversions. Valparaiso tied it with one second left in regulation when Keefe threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Devin Yeats and followed it up with a two-point pass to Hayes.

In overtime, Chris Stephenson's 3-yard pass to Dylan Redmon followed by a successful PAT gave Stetson a 31-24 lead. On Valpo's possession, an 18-yard pass to Jay Melchiori set up Keefe's touchdown and the Beacons won it with their fourth successful two-point attempt. Keefe completed 18 of 26 passes for 203 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for Valpo (2-9, 1-6 Pioneer Football League). Noah Long had 92 yards rushing and Ryan Ricketti 103 receiving yards. Hayes caught only three passes for 19 yards but had two two-point receptions. Stephenson threw for 134 yards and Cayden Betts ran for 127 for the Hatters (3-8, 2-5). - AP College Football

(DS#999 WR) rFr/2029

WR Ryan Ricketti, Valparaiso
News Source: AP College Football
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09/23/25 - Michael Markley, Fr/2029, Valparaiso, 5-11, 220 (DS#999 ILB) + More +

WEEK 4 PFL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE: Valparaiso linebacker Michael Markley had a team-leading 13 tackles (six solo) in a loss at nationally-ranked North Dakota. - Pioneer Football League

(DS#999 ILB) Fr/2029

ILB Michael Markley, Valparaiso
News Source: Pioneer Football League
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09/23/25 - Ryan Ricketti, rFr/2029, Valparaiso, 5-09, 180 (DS#999 WR) + More +

WEEK 3 PFL SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE: Valparaiso return specialist Ryan Ricketti returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in a loss at Western Illinois. It was the first 100-yarder in the FCS this season and just the third in all of Division I in 2025. - Pioneer Football League

(DS#999 WR) rFr/2029

WR Ryan Ricketti, Valparaiso
News Source: Pioneer Football League
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09/16/25 - Gabriel Batres, So/2028, Valparaiso, 6-1, 220 (DS#999 DE) + More +

WEEK 1 PIONEER DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Gabriel Batres, Valparaiso (Sophomore (RS), Defensive Lineman, Fairfield, California),...Batres recorded four tackles for loss and led a Valparaiso defensive unit that amassed 18 tackles for loss in a 67-10 victory against Virginia-Lynchburg on Saturday. He needed three quarters to put together his outing, which saw him finish with six tackles and a strip sack. - Pioneer Football League

(DS#999 DE) So/2028

DE Gabriel Batres, Valparaiso
News Source: Pioneer Football League
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08/30/25 - Michael Mansaray, rSr/2026, Valparaiso, 5-09, 195 (DS#999 RB) + More +

Michael Mansaray took his first touch of the season 49 yards for a touchdown, finishing with 134 yards and two scores as Valparaiso cruised to a season-opening 67-10 rout of Virginia University of Lynchburg on Saturday. Mansaray's second touchdown was a 5-yard rush in the second quarter to lead Valpo to a 26-10 halftime lead. Dawaiian McNeely rushed for 54 yards and one touchdown in the second half, and quarterback Rowan Keefe added a rushing touchdown. Valpo averaged 7.6 yards per play, and was 5 for 9 on third downs. The Beacons' 7.8 yards per carry set a single-game program record, besting a 7.4 mark set in 1992.

Two defensive scores in 12 seconds of game time in the third quarter extended the Valpo lead to 46-10. David Akinbosoye blocked a punt and Frank Bartell brought it 15 yards to the end zone. Nicholas Lendino forced a fumble that was recovered by Anthony Feltrinelli, who returned it 10 yards to the end zone. Andy Waddle earned his first win as Valparaiso head coach after 12 seasons at Marietta (Div. III), where he had a record of 55-61 with two postseason appearances and the first national ranking in program history. Max Zavala was 12 of 22 for 68 yards with two interceptions for Virginia-Lynchburg. - AP College Football

(DS#999 RB) rSr/2026

RB Michael Mansaray, Valparaiso
News Source: AP College Football
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11/15/22 - Aaron Dawson, rSr/2023, Valparaiso, 5-10, 213 (DS#91 RB) + More +

NOV 14 PFL CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Aaron Dawson, Valparaiso, (RSr., RB, Westbury, New York),...Dawson was responsible for three touchdowns in Valparaiso's 45-24 PFL victory against Marist, Saturday - the Beacons' first-ever victory in Poughkeepsie. Dawson had 36 carries for 199 yards and two touchdowns and also had a touchdown reception as part of a two-reception, 36-yard outing and finished the day with 235 all-purpose yards. Dawson opened the game's scoring with a one-yard touchdown run with 52 seconds left in the first quarter. He added a 23-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter and then capped Valparaiso's scoring with a 62-yard scoring run. Dawson became the fourth Valparaiso runner to surpass 1,000 yards in a season, with Saturday's outing his fifth 100-yard effort of the year. - PFL Football

(DS#91 RB) rSr/2023

RB Aaron Dawson, Valparaiso
News Source: Pioneer League Football
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11/12/22 - Aaron Dawson, rSr/2023, Valparaiso, 5-10, 213 (DS#91 RB) + More +

Aaron Dawson ran for 199 yards and scored twice and Valparaiso ended a two-game skid, beating Marist 45-24 on Saturday. A fifth-year senior who spent his first three collegiate years at Central Connecticut, Dawson now has 1,154 yards rushing, placing him second in school history in single-season rushing yardage. He is 204 yards shy of reaching Jeff Horton's single-season record of 1,358 set in 2005. Dawson scored the game's first touchdown when he crashed in from a yard out to end an eight-play, 80-yard drive with 52 seconds left in the first quarter.

After Marist got on the board with a 28-yard field goal from Luke Paladino on the ensuing drive, Valparaiso (5-5, 4-3 Pioneer Football League) proceeded to break it open with a field goal and a pair of touchdowns in succession. Brian Bartholomew kicked a 19 yarder with 7:58 to go before halftime, Appel threw a 13-yard score to Evan Jernegan a little more than three minutes later, then the Beacons wrapped up their second quarter scoring spree when Appel ran it in from the 6-yard line with 26 seconds remaining before intermission. Brock Bagozzi threw for 397 yards for Marist (4-6, 4-4) with two touchdowns and was intercepted twice. - Valparaiso/AP College Football

(DS#91 RB) rSr/2023

RB Aaron Dawson, Valparaiso
News Source: Valparaiso/AP College Football
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10/26/22 - Aaron Dawson, rSr/2023, Valparaiso, 5-10, 213 (DS#91 RB) + More +

OCT 24 PIONEER FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Aaron Dawson, Valparaiso, (RSr., RB, Westbury, New York),...Dawson put together the FCS' eighth-best rushing performance of 2022, rushing for 241 yards in Valparaiso's 40-35 PFL win against Morehead State, Saturday. His 28-yard run with 5:37 remaining proved to be the eventual game-winning score as the Beacons improved to 3-1 in PFL play. Dawson also had a 45-yard touchdown run to open the second half's scoring, breaking a 21-21 halftime tie. He finished the day with 31 carries, 10 of those going for a first down or touchdown. In addition, Dawson was the PFL's lone 100-yard rusher during Week 8. He added 3 receptions for 11 yards to finish the game with 252 all-purpose yards (16th most in the FCS). - Pioneer Football

(DS#91 RB) rSr/2023

RB Aaron Dawson, Valparaiso
News Source: Pioneer Football
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10/26/22 - Brian Bartholomew, rSr/2024, Valparaiso, 5-11, 165 (DS#999 K) + More +

OCT 24 PIONEER FOOTBALL SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brian Bartholomew, Valparaiso,...Bartholomew was 4-for-4 on PATs and 2-for-2 on field goals, accounting for 10 points in the eventual five-point victory. He drilled field goals from 26 and 48 yards and saw two of his eight kickoffs go for touchbacks. The senior’s perfect performance was a redemption effort after he had a rare off week in the previous week’s one-point loss to Butler. This marks the second time this season and third time in his career that Bartholomew has won the PFL Special Teams Player of the Week Award. Valpo (4-3, 3-1 PFL) will look to keep the success coming with a visit to Dayton this coming Saturday. - Valparaiso Football

(DS#999 K) rSr/2024

K Brian Bartholomew, Valparaiso
News Source: Valparaiso Football
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10/22/22 - Aaron Dawson, rSr/2023, Valparaiso, 5-10, 213 (DS#91 RB) + More +

Aaron Dawson's 28-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter lifted Valparaiso to a 40-35 win over Morehead State on Saturday. Dawson rushed for 241 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries for the Beacons (4-3, 3-1 Pioneer Football League). Dawson's run capped the scoring in a game that had four lead changes and four ties. The Eagles (2-5, 1-3) took their final lead after a pick-6 Cooper Krezek and Christian Graves' 73-yard TD reception before the Beacons rallied. Dawson had a 45-yard touchdown run to give the Beacons a 28-21 lead in the third quarter before the Eagles went ahead 35-31 early in the fourth. Brian Bartholomew's 48-yard field goal with 10 minutes cut the margin to one before Dawson's pivotal touchdown. Michael Appel threw for 245 yards and an interception for Valparaiso with Braden Contreras collecting 116 yards receiving with two TDs and Solomon Davis 109 yards. Morehead State's Grady Cramer was 25 of 45 for 326 yards passing with two TDs, both to Graves, and an interception. Graves had 115 yards receiving. The Beacons ended a four-game losing streak to the Eagles. - AP College Football

(DS#91 RB) rSr/2023

RB Aaron Dawson, Valparaiso
News Source: AP College Football
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10/09/22 - Aaron Dawson, rSr/2023, Valparaiso, 5-10, 213 (DS#91 RB) + More +

Aaron Dawson ran for two touchdowns, including a 60-yard sprint for the final score of the game, and Valparaiso scored four unanswered touchdowns in the second half to down Presbyterian, 41-21 on Saturday. Tyler Wesley ran for two touchdowns and passed for a third to stake the Blue Hose to a 21-14 lead at intermission, but the Valparaiso defense allowed just 108 rushing yards, turned a second-half interception into the tying touchdown and stopped Presbyterian on fourth down twice in the fourth quarter. After Dylan Thibault was picked off on the second play of Presbyterian's first possession of the second half, Mikey Appel tied the game by hitting Solomon Davis with a 30-yard strike.

Mason Kaplan came in at quarterback on the next series for the Beacons (3-2, 2-0 Pioneer League), hitting Matt Ross from 11 yards out to take the lead to start the fourth quarter. Jahni Clark added a short touchdown run and Dawson sidestepped a would-be tackler at the line of scrimmage, bounced outside and raced down the sideline 60 yards for the final score. Appel completed 8 of 11 pass attempts for 127 yards and two touchdowns and Kaplan was 10 of 14 for 113 yards and a score. Dawson finished with 23 carries and 163 yards. Wesley finished 11 of 17 for 230 yards with a touchdown for Presbyterian (1-5, 0-3). - AP College Football

(DS#91 RB) rSr/2023

RB Aaron Dawson, Valparaiso
News Source: AP College Football
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09/07/22 - Brian Bartholomew, rSr/2024, Valparaiso, 5-11, 165 (DS#999 K) + More +

SEPT 5 PIONEER LEAGUE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brian Bartholomew, Valparaiso, (RSr., K, Sugar Grove, Illinois),...Bartholomew's 50-yard field goal with 1:36 remaining helped Valparaiso down NAIA foe Indiana Wesleyan, 20-17, Saturday. His 50-yarder was one of only two 50-yard field goals in the FCS during the opening week and was the longest field goal of his career. Bartholomew also had a 30-yard field goal to tie the game in the first quarter and connected on his two PATs. He also handled kickoff duties with three touchbacks on five kickoffs. - Pioneer League Football

(DS#999 K) rSr/2024

K Brian Bartholomew, Valparaiso
News Source: Pioneer League Football
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