Villanova Univeristy Athletics

A three-year starter for Villanova teams which forced more than 100 turnovers during his career, Ernie Messmer was considered one of the top defensive tackles in the East region and was named to the ECAC first team defense his senior year. Messmer played for the Wildcats varsity squad from 1969-71 and graduated in 1972 as a Marketing major. He was inducted to the Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 2000.
 
Messmer played for successful Villanova teams in all three of his years on the active roster and the Wildcats were 21-9-1 (.694) overall during his career. The defensive unit helped Villanova post a positive turnover margin each season and give up fewer than 20 points per game over the three-year span from 1969-71. Messmer was a durable athlete known for his pass-rushing abilities.
 
In his first varsity season in 1969, the Wildcats had a plus-12 turnover margin in just nine games played and finished the year with a 6-3 record. The best stretch of the season came in a three-game stretch where Villanova defeated Santa Clara, Boston College and Xavier by a combined 95 points while giving up just 21 total points in the three victories.
 
Messmer’s second season as a starter was the 1970 campaign and Lou Ferry’s first year as head coach. Villanova went 9-2 and posted notable road victories over Maryland, Delaware and Navy while giving up just 17.3 points per contest during the year. The defense forced 35 turnovers and ended the year with a plus-four turnover margin.
 
Villanova got even better play out of its defense in 1971 when the team held its 11 opponents to an average of just 14.0 points per contest. Five opponents were held to 10 points or fewer on the year and the Wildcats forced 41 turnovers for an average of 3.7 turnovers gained per game. Villanova outscored the opposition by a 211-154 margin on the year.
 
Messmer was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 323^rd overall pick in the 13^th round of the 1972 NFL Draft.