Five takeaways from Valparaiso's 51-30 loss to Western Illinois

FB: Valparaiso scores most points against FCS-scholarship team in eight years.

Ryan Ricketti runs up field after a catch against Adrian last Saturday. Ricketti had four catches for 50 yards against Western Illinois and added a 104-yard kick return.

The following story was published immediately after Saturday’s game between Valparaiso and Western Illinois. The story will be updated on TheVictoryBell.com on Sunday morning with quotes.

MACOMB - In what is becoming something of a tradition for Valparaiso’s first-year football coaches, the Beacons experienced an early-season loss at the hands of Western Illinois on Saturday night.

Just like Dale Carlson and Dave Cecchini before him, Andy Waddle’s first road game as Valparaiso’s football coach ended in defeat as the Beacons fell 51-30 to the Leathernecks at Hanson Field.

Landon Fox, the only of Valpo’s last four head coaches not to play against Western Illinois, was a central figure on Saturday as he is now the defensive coordinator in Macomb.

Valparaiso lost previous meetings against the Leathernecks 45-0 and 45-6, making Saturday’s game fall right in line with what the Beacons have experienced against the FCS-scholarship program.

Here are five takeaways from Valparaiso’s 51-30 loss to Western Illinois.