Valpo Rallies from 24 Down for Another Senior Day Miracle

Valpo Rallies from 24 Down for Another Senior Day Miracle

Just as overcast skies gave way to bright sunshine on an unseasonably warm November day at Brown Field, the fortunes began to turn for the Valparaiso University football program.

A situation that to the outside world looked bleak at best – if not one for downright despair – did not deter the Beacons, who came from 24-0 down with 5:21 left in the third quarter to stun Stetson 32-31 in overtime, sending the senior class including 25 individuals who were recognized as part of a pregame ceremony out in victorious fashion.

The awe-inspiring finish – which harkened back memories of several unforgettable Valpo Football Senior Days of years past – provided a much-needed reward for a program that has taken a step forward over the last few weeks despite battling through key injuries and the mental anguish of a losing streak. Only time will tell if Saturday becomes a springboard for successes to come during the Andy Waddle Era, but one thing is for sure – this win will never be forgotten by the Valpo Football brotherhood that experienced it together.

How It Happened

• While the finish will be etched in everyone’s memory, the first half was one Valpo would rather forget. The Beacons punted on each of their three first-quarter possessions, then lost a fumble, turned it over on downs and punted again in the second.
• During that time, Stetson scored two touchdowns and a field goal to build up a 17-0 advantage.
• Stetson missed a field goal from 31 yards out after a big tackle for loss by Anthony Feltrinelli (Westfield, Ind. / Westfield) on third-and-seven from the 10 early in the third quarter. After a quick Valpo three-and-out, Stetson found paydirt again to create a 24-0 blowout.
• A big spark came on the first offensive snap of Valpo’s next possession, when Ryan Ricketti (Rocky River, Ohio / Rocky River) was on the receiving end of a 55-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rowan Keefe (Park Ridge, Ill. / Maine South), then Keefe found Max Carter (Camarillo, Calif. / Adolfo Camarillo) on the 2-point conversion to make it 24-8 with 5:08 left in the third.
• After the defense forced a quick three-and-out, Nic Lendino (Naperville Ill. / Neuqua Valley) blocked a punt to set up a short field for the Beacons. Noah Long (Liberty Hill, Texas / Liberty Hill) took full advantage, zig-zagging into the endzone from 11 yards out. After two flags on the initial 2-point conversion try, Long tacked on the 2-point play as well to make it 24-16 with 1:04 left in the third.
• The Hatters moved the ball on their next drive, but went for a fourth-and-10 from the Valpo 29 and turned it over on downs. The two teams exchanged punts, and Valpo turned it over on downs after failing to convert a fourth-and-2 from the Stetson 47 with just 1:53 left in the game.
• The Valpo defense came up with two straight tackles for loss and then a play for no gain, calling timeout to preserve the clock following each play. Valpo took over on its own five-yard line after the Stetson punt.
• Keefe came out firing on that drive, connecting with Jay Melchiori (Marengo, Ohio / Highland [Marietta), Ricketti and Devin Yeats (Hampshire, Ill. / Hampshire) on a string of big passes to get the drive started. After a 20-yard catch by Ricketti, Valpo spiked the ball to freeze the clock in the closing seconds on the Stetson 16. With all zeros on the clock, Stetson was flagged for a pass interference penalty, giving Valpo one free play to conclude regulation. Keefe connected with Yeats for a two-yard touchdown, then Colin Hayes (Bloomington, Ill. / Bloomington Central Catholic) was the recipient of the 2-point conversion pass to force overtime.
• Stetson scored a touchdown and PAT on its drive to go up 31-24, then Melchiori’s 18-yard catch set up Keefe’s two-yard TD. The Beacons opted to make it the final play of the game by going for two down 31-30 in overtime, and Keefe found Hayes again to cement the bonkers triumph.

Inside the Game

• The 24-point deficit was Valpo’s largest rally on record, outdoing a game on
  Sept. 9, 1995, when the Beacons were down 22-0 before beating St. Xavier 41-30.
• Amazingly enough, last year’s Valpo Senior Day was even more bizarre, as Davidson had fourth-and-5 from its own 22 leading 17-10 and the quarterback did a quick QB punt but completely whiffed on the punt and Valpo took over with four seconds to go at the Davidson 17, then threw a TD pass and had the successful 2-point play with all zeros on the clock.
• Three of the last nine Senior Days at Brown Field have involved game-winning 2-point conversions, as the 2017 Valpo football team clinched the program’s first winning season since 2003 by beating Dayton 8-7 on a touchdown and 2-point conversion with 1:20 on the clock.
• Keefe went 18-of-26 through the air for 203 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He has completed 17 or more passes in three straight games and had 200 or more passing yards in each of those contests.
• Valpo went an absurd 4-for-4 on 2-point conversions. Prior to this game, Valpo’s last successful 2-point conversion was the Caron Tyler to Jake Vickers pass to win last year’s Senior Day vs. Davidson. Long’s 2-point conversion rush was Valpo’s first successful 2-point try on the ground since Ryan Mann on Sept. 21, 2024 vs. Roosevelt.
• Ricketti finished with seven receptions for a career-high 103 yards and a touchdown. The TD grab was his second of the season, becoming the first Beacon with multiple this year. He was the second Valpo player with a 100-yard receiving game this season, joining Chris Gundy’s 108 on Oct. 25, 2025 vs. Morehead State.
• Melchiori added five catches for 50 yards for the Beacons, while Yeats had three grabs for 31 including his second career receiving score, both coming this season.
• Long racked up 92 yards on the ground on 18 attempts while notching his third TD of the year and his second of the rushing variety.
• Keefe scored with his legs for the third time this season and is up to 15 career TD passes including nine this year.
• Lendino notched Valpo’s fourth blocked kick of the season.
• Feltrinelli totaled a team-high 11 tackles, while Easton Hill (Columbus, Ohio / Hamilton Township) and Isaiah Fowler (Gary, Ind. / Chesterton) were credited with eight apiece. Matthew Molnar (Avon Lake, Ohio / Saint Edward) had a personal-best seven on his senior day.
• This marked Valpo’s first overtime game since a 31-23 2OT Win over Roosevelt on Sept. 21, 2024.
• This was the first one-point win for the Beacons since the aforementioned 18-17 2024 Senior Day vs. Davidson.

Up Next

Click here for postgame press conference.

Up Next

Valpo (2-9, 1-6 PFL) will play at Butler next Saturday in the annual Battle for the Hoosier Helmet beginning at noon CT / 1 p.m. ET in Indianapolis. The game will air on FloFootball with links to live coverage available on ValpoAthletics.com.