Kurumata back for VU at wideout

VALPARAISO — Wide receiver Tanner Kurumata’s return adds a weapon to Valparaiso’s offense today when the winless Crusaders take on Marist.

One of 10 freshmen on the offensive two-man deeps, Kurumata leads VU with 23 receptions.

“He suffered a concussion in the Butler game,” said coach Dale Carlson. “He was actually cleared to play last week, but it was Thursday and we felt it was in his best interests to hold him out (Dayton).”

Gabe Ali-El also missed most of the last two weeks with an ankle injury and the flu. The freshman running back is VU’s leading ground gainer.

The host Red Foxes (3-6, 2-4 Pioneer League) will strike with a spread offense manned by Tommy Reilly, who has passed for just 1,166 yards and six touchdowns. That’s less than half of the yardage he amassed in 2010.

“They’re not throwing nearly as much as they did last year,” Carlson said. “But they have four receivers with at least 20 catches.”

The biggest chunk of Reilly’s passes have been aimed at Kevin Fitzpatrick (40 catches for 458 yards).

Reilly may be tempted to amp up the arms race to exploit VU’s young secondary. 

Carson will start free safety Dylan Storm and corner backs John Edwards and Devon Gadson, the latter replacing Alan Porter, who broke his arm in the Dayton game. All three are freshmen.

That puts the burden on safety Laurence Treadaway. The fifth-year senior racked up nine tackles last week.

Redshirt freshman Eric Hoffman, who starts for VU, has shared the wealth with 17 receivers and outdistances Reilly with 1,566 yards.

Valparaiso’s (0-8, 0-5) leading threats are Kuramata and fifth-year senior Sean McCarty, who ranks first in yardage with 326 on just 18 catches.

Linebacking has been the strength of VU’s defense, but the front seven took a hit when Chris Howard suffered an ankle injury.

“A week ago he was on crutches with his foot in a boot, which is off now,” Carlson said. The Andrean grad will miss his second game, but could return for next week’s home finale with Campbell.

In Howard’s absence Cole Gridley has stepped up. Carlson refers to 6-1, 240-pound sophomore as a hybrid linebacker.

“Our linebackers Pat Derbak and Cody Gokan have played pretty well for the most part,” Carlson said. 

Derbak recorded 10 tackles last week, boosting his season total to 66, third best in the PFL. Last week the Crusaders were credited with eight tackles for losses, two apiece by outside backer Ryan Mundy and end Nikko Carson, one of three seniors in the trenches. 

Marist’s two victories came against Davidson and Butler, but the Bulldogs played the second half of the 28-10 loss without quarterback Andrew Huck.

“They knocked him out late in the second quarter and Butler’s offense went nowhere without him,” Carlson said.

Valparaiso’s team departed from Midway Airport Friday morning. Kickoff against the New Yorkers is at 11 a.m. Northwest Indiana time.

    

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