Season Opener Preview
The Valparaiso University football program is set to begin its 2026 season on Saturday, August 29, when the Beacons host Lawrence Tech at Brown Field. The kickoff marks the first of three nonconference home games and the only nonconference home fixture on the schedule.
It also represents the second season under head coach Andy Waddle, who took over the program after a successful stint at Marietta College that included a 13‑game winning streak and a postseason berth in 2024. Waddle’s early tenure at Valparaiso got off to a modest start with a 2‑10 record in 2025, but the coach is hopeful that the returning talent will translate into a turnaround.
The 2025 squad finished 2‑10 overall and 1‑7 in the Pioneer Football League, but it was not without bright spots. Quarterback Ryan Schuster returns after throwing for more than 3,300 yards in his first two seasons, including 2,100 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025 alone. The offense will also benefit from a strong receiving corps and a defense that posted a nation‑leading kick‑return average of 27.9 yards.
The Beacons’ 2025 campaign featured a dramatic overtime victory, 32‑31 over Stetson, that highlighted the team’s resilience. That win contributed to a season‑high 67‑10 opening triumph over Virginia Lynchburg, the program’s highest point total since 1958. Preseason rankings placed Valparaiso 11th in the league, with San Diego identified as the favorite.
Defensively, back Nic Lendino and linebacker Anthony Feltrinelli earned preseason All‑Pioneer Football League honors, underscoring their impact on a unit that will look to improve on the previous year’s statistics. Captain Mark Johnson, who recently donated bone marrow to save a five‑year‑old child in Paris, France, was also nominated for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, reflecting the program’s community involvement.
Fans will be able to watch the season opener on ESPN+, where play‑by‑play analyst Todd Ickow will be paired with commentator Tom Byrne. The radio broadcast will feature Grayson Merchant and CJ Perez on WVUR 95.1 FM Valparaiso, providing live updates from Brown Field.
The schedule continues with a bye week before the team hits the road on September 12 to face Murray State. The remaining two nonconference games will also be played away against opponents from the Missouri Valley Conference, while the bulk of the league slate will be contested at home, with five of the nine ESPN+ broadcasts scheduled at Brown Field and two on YouTube.
Overall, the 2026 season offers a blend of experience and new opportunities. With seven offensive and eight defensive starters returning, the Beacons hope to translate preseason optimism into wins, beginning with a victory over Lawrence Tech on August 29.