Villanova Univeristy Athletics

During his stellar Villanova career Bill Brannan was recognized as the leader of an outstanding Wildcats linebacker unit. The native of Cedar Grove, N.J. was known for his quickness and being a hard-hitter on the field. Brannan played for Villanova’s varsity squad from 1967-69, graduated in 1970 and was inducted to the Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1999.
 
Playing during an era when individual defensive statistics were not yet consistently recorded, Brannan nevertheless stood out as one of Villanova’s top performers on a strong defensive unit. The Wildcats gave up fewer than 21 points per game in all three of Brannan’s varsity seasons, including his senior year in 1969 when Villanova went 6-3 and had a plus-95 scoring margin in nine games played.
 
Brannan was part of a defense which forced 34 turnovers in 1969, including 18 fumble recoveries and 16 interceptions. Villanova had a plus-12 turnover margin on the season and the defense gave up just 279.5 yards of total offense per contest. Notable games during the 1969 campaign included road wins at Delaware, Boston College and Xavier. The latter two victories came as part of a three-game stretch where the Wildcats allowed a total of just 21 points.
 
The first varsity season for Brannan was in 1967 when Villanova gave up just 268.3 total yards per game while forcing 21 turnovers and finishing the year with a plus-three turnover margin. The following season, the Wildcats defense forced 26 turnovers while going 6-4 and holding Delaware, Buffalo and West Chester to seven or fewer points in lopsided victories.