Nov. 17, 1999

Saturday, November 20, 1999 Villanova Stadium (12,000)   Villanova, Pa - 1:00 p.m.
Villanova Wildcats(6-4 Overall, 5-2 Atlantic 10)vs.No. 22 Delaware Blue Hens(7-3 Overall, 5-2 Atlantic 10)

SERIES INFORMATION
First Meeting: 1895, VU 6-0
Overall: UD leads 16-15-1
Overall Under Talley: 4-7
Last VU Win: 9/12/98, 34-31 ot
Last UD Win: 9/16/95, 28-7
Streak: VU has won 3-straight

1999 Schedule

Bold face denotes Atlantic 10 Conference game.
All times listed are eastern time.

Television
Comcast SportsNet (1 p.m.)

Radio
Pre-Game: Noon
Game Coverage: 1:00 p.m.
WFIL - 560-AM
WJNN - 106.7 FM
Play By Play: Joe Eichhorn
Color Analysis: Ryan Fannon

All Wildcat games can be heard on the internet through the broadcast.com system.

TEAM COMPARISON

DELAWARE REPORT:
The Blue Hens enter this Saturday?s game ranked No. 22 in the country with a 7-3 overall record and a 5-2 Atlantic 10 mark. Last week, Delaware won for the third-straight week with a 35-0 shutout win over visiting Rhode Island. In the win, junior running back Derrick Downs rushed for 169 yards on just 11 carries and scored two touchdowns, while junior fullback James O?Neal tallied 140 yards on 12 carries and one score. All total, the Blue Hens amassed 391 yards on the ground. At quarterback, senior Brian Ginn completed 9-of-15 for 161 yards and a score. Defensively, freshman Dan Mulhern tied a Delaware school record with three interceptions. In total yards, Delaware recorded 552 yards of total offense, while Rhode Island managed just 215 yards. For the year, Delaware is averaging 27.1 points per game, while they are giving up 21.9 points per contest. Sophomore Butter Pressey leads the Delaware rushing attack, which is averaging 230.3 yards per game, with 657 yards on 83 carries (7.9 yards per rush) and six touchdowns. Delaware has used two quarterbacks this season. Junior Matt Nagy began the year as a starter before being injured in the UMass game. Senior Brian Ginn has started the last three games and has led the Hens to three consecutive wins. Defensively, junior linebacker Brian McKenna leads the team with 79 tackles.

BLUE HEN COACH TUBBY RAYMOND:
Delaware is led by 34-year head coach Tubby Raymond. Under his direction, Delaware has recorded a 284-110-3 mark, making him one of only 10 coaches in college football history to reach the 250-win plateau. In his 34-year career, Raymond has had numerous coaching accomplishments including leading his teams to 15 NCAA playoff appearances, coaching three National Championship teams (1971, 1972, 1979), winning five Yankee Conference titles and 13 Lambert Cup trophies. Raymond has also guided his teams to eight ECAC Team of the Year Awards. His 284 wins rank him second on the active I-AA coaching victory list. In Yankee Conference/Atlantic 10 games, Raymond has a gaudy record of 79-31.

1999 Atlantic 10 Standings

1999 Honors

Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week
LB Jason McMillion (Sept. 12)
WR Brian White (Oct. 17)

Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week
LB Joe Quartey (Sept. 19)

Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Week
QB Chris Boden (Oct. 17)
WR Murle Sango (Oct. 31)

Teamlink.Com National Offensive Player of the Week
QB Chris Boden (Oct. 17)

USA Today/ESPN I-AA National Special Teams Player
PK Casey Hannon (Sept. 20)

Sports Network I-AA National Special Teams Player
PK Casey Hannon (Sept. 20)

Injury Report
The following is the injury report for the Delaware game on Nov. 20

-- Shaz Brown (RFr./ WR)
Torn ACL left knee. Out for the season

-- Joe Kavanaugh (Sr./ TE)
Injured knee. Out for the season

TALLEY?S TENURE:
Entering his 15th season on the Main Line, head coach Andy Talley can feel responsible for every facet of the Villanova football program, having started it from scratch in 1985. In his career at Villanova, Talley has recorded a 100-60-1 mark making him the all-time winningest coach in Villanova history. Talley?s 20-year overall coaching record currently stands at 127-78-2. During his career as the Wildcat mentor, Talley has guided Villanova to five NCAA playoff appearances (1989, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997), three Conference titles and one Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy. In 1997, Talley garnered the Eddie Robinson Award and the AFCA/GTE National Coach of the Year.

HEART BREAKER:
There is no team that has caused head coach Andy Talley and the Wildcats more heartbreak than the Youngstown State Penguins. The heartbreak got a little more painful last Saturday after Youngstown State escaped Villanova Stadium with a 28-21 victory. This was the fourth time that Villanova has lost to the Penguins in the 1990?s with all four losses coming by a combined total of 14 points. Villanova led 21-7 at halftime last Saturday, before Youngstown scored 21 unanswered points in the second half. Villanova had a chance to tie the game with 53 seconds left in regulation, as the Wildcats had first and goal from the two-yard line. However, Youngstown State recovered running back Ducarmel Augustin?s fumble at the goal line. The three previous losses to Youngstown were in the I-AA playoffs. In the first round of the playoffs at Youngstown in 1991, the Penguins defeated the Wildcats, 17-16, on a 33-yard field by current St. Louis Ram kicker Jeff Wilkins with just six seconds remaining. The following year in 1992, the two teams met again in the first round at Youngstown State, and the Penguins again squeaked out a 23-20 victory. In 1997, Youngstown defeated then No. 1 ranked and undefeated Villanova, 37-34, in the second round of the playoffs at Villanova Stadium. In that game, Villanova led 21-0 in the second quarter.

ON THE TUBE:
This Saturday?s regular season finale versus Delaware can be seen live in the Philadelphia area on Comcast SportsNet. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

LOOKING TO EVEN THINGS UP:
Arch rivals Villanova and Delaware will meet for the 33rd time this Saturday at Villanova Stadium. The Blue Hens hold a slim 16-15-1 advantage in the series which dates back to 1895. If Villanova defeats Delaware for the fourth-straight year, the Wildcats will even the all-time series at 16-16-1.

PLAYING FOR THIRD:
The winner of this Saturday?s Villanova/Delaware game will finish third in the Atlantic 10 Conference standings. Both the Wildcats and Blue Hens enter play this week with identical 5-2 conference marks. James Madison has clinched at least a share of the conference title with a 7-1 league mark, while Massachusetts can tie James Madison for the conference crown with a win over Connecticut this week. In the pre-season coaches poll, Villanova was picked sixth, while Delaware was chosen to finish second.

THREE OF FOUR:
Villanova quarterback Chris Boden has set an Atlantic 10 record in three of the last four games. At New Hampshire on Oct. 30, Boden set an Atlantic 10 Conference record for the third-straight week, as he established the conference mark for completions in a career (currently has 838). Against Northeastern on Oct. 23, Boden became the all-time leader in the history of the Atlantic 10 for passing yards in a career (currently has 9,860), while in the Connecticut contest on Oct. 16, Boden set an A-10 mark for completions in a game with 43. Earlier this season at Richmond on Sept. 11, Boden established the conference mark for career touchdown passes (currently has 94).

MILESTONES IN SIGHT:
As senior signal caller Chris Boden prepares for his final game of his collegiate career this Saturday versus Delaware, he will be in pursuit of two milestones. Entering play against the Blue Hens, Boden has 2,772 passing yards this season and is just 228 yards shy of 3,000. If he reaches the 3,000 yard passing plateau, it will be the third-straight season that he has accomplished this feat (3,707 in 1997/3,050 in 1998). He is the only quarterback in Villanova school history to ever throw for 3,000 yards in a season. In addition, Boden currently has 9,860 career passing yards and is only 140 yards short of 10,000 for his career. If he reaches 10,000 career passing yards, he will become just the 31st quarterback in the history of NCAA football to reach this mark.

BODEN BY THE NUMBERS:
Chris Boden has had a brilliant Villanova career. The following is a look at some of Boden?s more impressive statistics.

MORE BODEN:
Senior quarterback Chris Boden will be making his 35th consecutive start this Saturday versus Delaware. In his 34 straight starts, he has thrown at least one touchdown pass in all 34 games. In those 34 contests, Boden has tossed three or more scoring strikes 13 times. Only six times has Boden thrown just one touchdown pass in a game.

COUNTDOWN TO 400:
With four tackles this Saturday versus Delaware, senior linebacker Shaun Lyons will become just the second Wildcat ever to record 400 career tackles. Curtis Eller, who played on the Main Line from 1989-92, is the only Villanova player to tally 400 tackles, making 456 in his Wildcat career. Lyons enters play versus Delaware with 396 career stops. Lyons has had double figures in tackles in three of the last four games and he has 14 double figure tackle games to his credit in his Villanova career. Lyons had a monster game last Saturday, as he made a career-high 19 tackles in the 28-21 loss to Youngstown State. He currently leads the Wildcats in tackles with 109 to go along with three tackles for loss, three sacks, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. Lyons has led Villanova in tackles the last two seasons with 113 in 1997 and 104 in 1998. Lyons will be making his 41st consecutive start against the Blue Hens this week.

DUC ON A ROLL:
Since week seven of the season, junior running back Ducarmel Augustin has been outstanding for the Wildcats. In his last four games, Augustin has carried the ball 84 times for 427 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns, to go with 11 receptions for 98 yards. In addition, he has rushed for 100 yards in two of the last three games. Augustin has been a workhorse for the Villanova offense, carrying the ball 20 or more times the past two weeks (29 vs. New Hampshire/ 22 vs. Youngstown). After playing just two plays against James Madison (Oct. 2) and missing the following game at William & Mary (Oct. 9) due to a hamstring injury, Augustin has returned to be a dominant force for the Wildcats.

SANGO STARS!:
One of the bigger stories of the year on the Villanova football team is the play of sophomore wide receiver Murle Sango. After 10 games, Sango has tallied 88 receptions for 971 yards and nine touchdowns. With 29 yards receiving this week, Sango?s performance will represent the 15th time that a Wildcat receiver has registered 1,000-yards receiving in a single season. Last week versus Youngstown State, Sango made 12 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. In his last four games, Sango has recorded 45 catches for 366 yards and five touchdowns.

For the year, the El Toro, Calif., native has recorded four double figure reception games and six 100-yard receiving contests. Sango currently leads the Atlantic 10 in receptions (8.8 per game) and receiving yards. The next closest receiver in the league is Jermaine Washington of New Hampshire with 65 catches. He also leads the nation in receptions and he is second in the country in receptions per game.

WITH THE BIG BOYS:
Murle Sango?s performance this year has put his name in with some lofty company. Last week, Sango moved past Brian Finneran into third place on the all-time Villanova single season reception list. In 1996, Finneran made 81 catches. Entering play this week versus Delaware, Sango is just one reception behind Brian Westbrook who is in second place on the single season list with 89 and he is just eight catches shy of Brian Finneran?s school record of 96 set in 1997. This is not the first time that Sango has chased one of Finneran?s record. Sango finished his high school career at El Toro High in El Toro, Calif., just one reception short of Finneran?s Orange County High School mark for career catches. Finneran was the 1997 Walter Payton Award winner as the top offensive player in all of I-AA, while Westbrook became the first player in the history of NCAA football at any level to rush for 1,000 yards and receive for 1,000 yards in the same season during the 1998 campaign.

VILLANOVA SINGLE SEASON RECEPTION LIST

100 IN SIGHT:
Sophomore wide receiver Murle Sango has a chance to become just the third player ever in the history of I-AA football to record 100 receptions in a season. Brian Forster of Rhode Island tallied 114 catches in 1985, while Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State) made 103 receptions in 1984 and 102 catches in 1983. All total in I-A and I-AA, the feat has been accomplished 29 times by 26 players. For Sango to reach the 100 mark, he will need to make 12 receptions this week versus Delaware.

BIG LOSS:
The Wildcat offense took a hard hit in Villanova?s game at New Hampshire on Oct. 30. In the win, senior tight end Joe Kavanaugh was lost for the season with a torn lateral collateral ligament in his left knee. The injury occurred in the second quarter when Kavanaugh was hit after making a 20-yard reception. Kavanaugh finishes his senior campaign with 39 catches for 378 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-7, 250 pound Kavanaugh has endured the injury bug throughout his Wildcat career. Due to various injuries, Kavanaugh has missed10 games in his Villanova tenure.

Hannon:
Sophomore kicker Casey Hannon, who currently leads the Wildcats in scoring with 67 points, is currently riding a streak of 30-straight made PATs. His lone miss came in the season opener at Air Force when he had a PAT blocked. For the year, Hannon is 12-of-16 in field goals and is 31-of-32 in PATs. Of his 12 made field goals, five have been from 40-yards or more, including a career-long 50-yard field goal versus James Madison on Oct. 2. This was just the fourth time in Villanova history that a kicker has made a field goal of 50-yards or more.

FIELD GOAL RECORD:
Sophomore Casey Hannon is closing in on the Villanova school record for field goals in a season which is currently held by Mark Kiefer (1997) and Bill Hoffman (1992) who share the record of 13 field goals. Entering the Delaware game on Nov. 20, Hannon has made 12 field goals in 16 attempts.

TOUGH COMPETITOR:
Starting middle linebacker David Heckard continues to show his toughness in this his senior campaign. In the season opener at Air Force on Sept. 4, Heckard suffered a torn MCL in his right knee. After missing the Richmond game the following week, Heckard returned to the football field just two weeks later following the injury and started against Massachusetts on Sept. 18. In pre-game warm-ups before the Northeastern contest on Oct. 23, Heckard tore the lateral meniscus in his left knee and underwent arthroscopic surgery on Monday, Oct. 25. The surgical procedure caused him to miss the New Hampshire game on Oct. 30, and with the help of the bye week on Nov. 6, Heckard started last Saturday versus Youngstown State and recorded 11 tackles and a sack. In eight games this year, he has recorded 59 tackles, four sacks, a tackle for loss and an interception. A mainstay on the Villanova defense, Heckard has started 34 of 40 games during his collegiate career.

LIKE OLD TIMES:
They may be playing on a different coast, but for quarterback Chris Boden and center Rob Richardson things are very similar to how they were at San Clemente High School in San Clemente, Calif. In Boden?s only season as a high school starter in 1995, his center was Richardson. Since the fifth game of last season, Boden and Richardson have been reunited as quarterback and center for head coach Andy Talley and the Wildcats.

MIRACULOUS RECOVERY:
Senior running back Roger Harriott continues his amazing comeback. On April 19 during spring practice, Harriott tore both his ACL and MCL and was expected to be sidelined for the season. Harriott defied all odds and returned to the field just four and a half months following the injury on Sept. 11 at Richmond. Against Richmond on Sept. 11, Harriott made his return and carried the ball five times for 12 yards. For the year, Harriott has tallied 297 yards on 71 carries for an average of 4.2 yards per rush.

IRON MAN:
Offensive tackle Stan Bennett has been an iron man for the Villanova Wildcats. Bennett, who has started every game of his Wildcat career, will be making his 35th-straight start this week against Delaware As a true freshman in 1997, Bennett started all 13 games at guard before moving to tackle last year where he started all 11 contests.

OVERTIME HISTORY:
During Andy Talley?s tenure as Villanova?s head football coach, the Wildcats have participated in six overtime games and have tallied a 4-2 record. Four of the six overtime games have been played at Villanova Stadium. Villanova has played one overtime game in each of the past two seasons. Back on Oct. 16, Villanova defeated UConn, 48-45, in triple overtime in a game played in Storrs, Conn. Last year (Sept. 12, 1998), the ?Cats defeated Delaware 34-31 in overtime on Casey Hannon?s 35-yard field goal in the home opener.

BAD NEWS:
The 1999 Villanova football season started off on a sour note when it was learned a week before pre-season camp on August 2 that All-American running back Brian Westbrook would be lost for the season due to a knee injury. The 5-9, 195 pound junior underwent an arthroscopic procedure in March and after an extensive rehabilitation program did not produce the desired results, Westbrook opted to have reconstructive surgery. Westbrook is coming off a sensational sophomore season where he became the first player in the history of NCAA football at any level to rush for 1,000 yards and receive for 1,000 yards in the same season. In 11 games in 1998, Westbrook gained 1,046 yards on 200 carries and scored 10 touchdowns and he made 89 receptions for 1,144 yards and 15 touchdowns. In addition, the Ft. Washington, Md., native tallied 836 yards in returns, including returning one kickoff for a touchdown. Besides leading all of I-AA in scoring with 160 points, Westbrook established an NCAA I-AA record for all-purpose yards in a season with 3,026. For his efforts last season, Westbrook was named first team All-American by both the Associated Press and The Sports Network. Westbrook will medically redshirt this year and will have two years of eligibility remaining beginning with the 2000 season.

WILDCATS ON THE RADIO:
Every Villanova football game this season will be carried live by the Villanova Football Radio Network. The flagship station for the Wildcats this season will be WFIL-AM 560. Also carrying Wildcat games in 1999 will be WJNN-FM 106.7 out of Cape May, N.J. Returning for his 13th season as Villanova?s play-by-play man is Joe Eichhorn. Joining Eichhorn for an eighth consecutive year is Ryan Fannon. All 11 Wildcat gridiron contests will be broadcast live, with a pre-game show airing 30 minutes prior to kickoff during away games and one hour prior to kickoff for home games.

ANDY TALLEY RADIO SHOW:
Continuing in 1999, WFIL-AM 560-AM, WZZD-AM 990 and WJNN-FM 106.7, will broadcast the Andy Talley Radio Show. The one-hour call-in show is hosted by color commentator Ryan Fannon and will provide a weekly recap of Villanova football games, as well as a preview of upcoming contests. The show will be held at the Wild Onion Restaurant located just up the street from Villanova Stadium on Conestoga Road. Throughout the one-hour program, Fannon and Coach Talley will take questions concerning all the teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference, as well as NCAA I-AA football on a national scene. The show will take place on Thursday nights before road games at 6 p.m., and at 5 p.m. following Wildcat home games.

1999 Game-By-Game

Game One - Air Force 37, Villanova 13

Sept. 4, 1999 - Falcon Stadium
Colorado Springs, Colo.

For the third time in the last four years, Villanova opened its season against a I-A opponent, as the ?Cats traveled to Colorado Springs, Colo., to take on the Air Force Falcons. Despite a valiant effort by the Wildcats, Air Force wore down the ?Cats to win 37-13.

After the Villanova defense stopped the Falcons on three straight downs on the game?s first possession, Villanova drove 69 yards on seven plays in 2:19 and scored the first points of the game on a 12-yard pass from quarterback Chris Boden to sophomore wide receiver Murle Sango. Air Force responded on its next drive and evened the game at 7-7 on a Scott Becker one-yard run on fourth and goal. The Falcons would score 24 straight points to take a 24-7 halftime advantage.

With 54 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Villanova scored its second touchdown of the game when Boden and Sango teamed up again on a 39-yard scoring strike. The extra point was blocked and Villanova trailed 24-13 entering the fourth stanza.

Air Force put the game away with 5:01 left, when Jeremy Laster scored on a 13-yard scamper. The Falcons would add a late touchdown with 46 seconds remaining in the game and emerge victorious with a 37-13 victory.

Boden was sensational in the loss for the ?Cats, completing 27-of-45 for 304 yards and two scores. Sango equalled his career-high with eight catches for 109 yards and a career-best two touchdowns, while senior tight end Joe Kavanaugh recorded career-highs of seven receptions for 78 yards. On defense, senior strong safety DeLonne Kelly registered 18 tackles, while senior cornerback Hezekiah Lewis and junior linebacker Joe Quartey were each credited with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Air Force was paced by quarterback Cale Bonds who completed 11-of-17 for 199 yards. Wide receiver Matt Farmer made seven catches for 92 yards. On the ground, Air Force rushed for 385 yards led by Leotis Palmer who gained 73 yards and one touchdown on four carries.

For the game, Air Force amassed 584 yards of total offense compared to Villanova who tallied 329 yards of total offense. Villanova was only able to rush for 25 yards.

Game Two - Villanova 35, No. 12 Richmond 30

Sept. 11, 1999 - UR Stadium
Richmond, Va.

In last week?s five-point Villanova victory over Richmond, senior quarterback Chris Boden had yet another outstanding day behind center. Boden completed 19-of-31 passes on the afternoon for 250 yards and two touchdowns. With his two touchdowns, he set the all-time Atlantic 10/Yankee Conference record for career touchdown passes with 79, breaking the old mark of 78 set by Rhode Island?s Tom Ehrhardt between 1984-86. On the receiving end of eight of his passes was Murle Sango, who had 104 yards worth of receptions, including touchdown catches of 11 and 30 yards. Sango tied his career high for receptions and touchdowns, which he had set the week before against Air Force. He has now registered 100 yards receiving in each of the Wildcats? first two games.

On the ground for the `Cats, junior Ducarmel Augustin rushed for 67 yards on a career-high 18 carries and scored two touchdowns. Coming up strong on the defensive end were Hezekiah Lewis and DeLonne Kelly who each had 10 tackles.

Villanova started the scoring early going ahead, 7-0, just 3:57 into the game on a five-yard touchdown run by Augustin. Richmond cut the lead to 7-3 after one quarter of play on a 33-yard field goal by Doug Kirchner. The high-powered Wildcat offense was just that in the second quarter, as Sango caught two Boden passes for scores to send Villanova ahead 21-3. With no time remaining on the clock before halftime, however, the Spiders scored on a 40-yard pass from Jimmie Miles to Dwaune Jones to cut the lead to 21-10.

At the 8:14 mark of the third quarter, the Wildcats extended their lead once again on a 15-yard scoring run by Augustin. Miles led Richmond back again and threw another scoring strike, this time on an eight-yard pass to Scott Fulton with 1:04 remaining in the third. The Spiders extra point failed, however, and the score stood at 28-16 after three quarters of play.

In the fourth quarter, Richmond edged to within five points, as Miles hit Ryan Tolhurst from 10 yards out to trim the lead to 28-23. The Wildcats ran down some clock on their next drive and scored at the 6:32 mark on a one-yard touchdown plunge by redshirt freshman Cameron Cross. The Spiders scored again on Miles? fourth touchdown pass of the day and got the ball back with time for one last drive. Villanova junior Kristian Ward sealed the victory for the Wildcats on third down, as he sacked Miles for a six-yard loss with time winding down.

Game Three - No. 21 Villanova 26, No. 2 Massachusetts 21

Sept. 18, 1999 - Villanova Stadium
Villanova, Pa.

It was the perfect Homecoming celebration for the Wildcat football team at Villanova Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, as they jumped out to an early lead and held on to defeat the No. 2 ranked Massachusetts Minutemen by a score of 26-21. The victory was the second straight in the Atlantic 10 for the Wildcats, who improve to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

Villanova held a 3-0 lead at the end of one quarter of play on a 21-yard field goal by Casey Hannon. The `Cats increased that lead to 6-0 at the 12:07 mark of the second quarter on Hannon?s second field goal of the day, from 41 yards out. Less than four minutes later, Villanova scored the game?s first touchdown on a four-yard run by fullback Cameron Cross. A two-point conversion on a pass from quarterback Chris Boden to tight end Joe Kavanaugh gave the Wildcats a 14-0 lead.

With 4:08 remaining in the first half, tailback Ducarmel Augustin scored on a 44-yard run to increase the Villanova lead to 21-0. Massachusetts trimmed the margin to 21-7 with eight seconds left before intermission, as quarterback Todd Bankhead took it in himself from one-yard out.

Just 39 seconds into the third quarter, Wildcat defensivetackle Kwesi Solomon tackled Bankhead in the endzone for a safety making it a 23-7 ballgame. After UMass rallied to within 23-14 on a Marcel Shipp seven-yard run, Hannon kicked his third field goal of the day, a career-high 46-yarder, to give Villanova a 26-14 advantage.

The Minutemen tried once again to rally in the fourth quarter on a 39-yard touchdown reception by Shipp which cut the lead to five points. The Wildcat defense held strong in the final minutes, however, as Villanova defeated UMass 26-21.

On the ground for the Wildcats, Augustin rushed for a career-best 122 yards on 13 carries. It was the first career 100-yard rushing game for the junior tailback. For Villanova on the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Joe Quartey had 11 tackles and two sacks.

Game Four - No. 14 Villanova 34, Pennsylvania 6

Sept. 25, 1999 - Franklin Field
Philadelphia, Pa.

Last week against the University of Pennsylvania, Boden set a school record for passing yards in a game with 424. He ended the contest completing 33-of-43 passes for 424 yards, tallying two touchdowns and two interceptions. It is the third time a Villanova quarterback has thrown for over 400 yards in a game, and Boden has done it all three times. In addition, with his two touchdowns, he has thrown a scoring pass in 28 consecutive games.

On the receiving end of 125 of Boden?s yards was sophomore Murle Sango, who caught a career-high 10 passes, including his fourth touchdown of the season. Redshirt freshman receiver Brian White had a career day as well, catching six passes for 78 yards and his first career touchdown. Kicker Casey Hannon hit on two more field goals against the Quakers, and has now made five-of-six on the year. On defense for the `Cats, Kwesi Solomon had one and a half sacks.

Villanova took a 3-0 lead into the second quarter against Penn, and increased that lead to 10-0 as White caught his first ever touchdown pass, a 10-yarder from Boden. At the 6:39 mark of the second quarter, Pennsylvania kicker Jason Feinberg kicked a 28-yard field goal to cut the lead to 10-3. With only 3:44 remaining until intermission, however, sophomore defensive end Joe Keating picked off a Quaker pass and took it 16 yards for the score to give the Wildcats a 17-3 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Boden recorded his second touchdown of the day, hitting sophomore running back Luke Stopper from 16 yards out to increase the Villanova lead to 24-3 after three quarters of play. With 12:51 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats added to their lead with a 28-yard field goal by Hannon. Just 4:50 later, freshman running back Ramond Jones scored his first collegiate touchdown on a two-yard rush. With 24 unanswered points by Villanova, the `Cats owned a 34-3 lead. Pennsylvania would add a 45-yard field goal by Feinberg, but it would not matter as the Wildcats headed back to the Main Line with a 34-6 victory.

Game Five - No. 22 James Madison 23, No. 11 Villanova 20

Oct. 2, 1999 - Villanova Stadium
Villanova, Pa.

On Saturday, Oct. 2, at Villanova Stadium, the Villanova football team was defeated by James Madison University, 23-20, as a potential game-tying field goal by Wildcat sophomore kicker Casey Hannon fell short with seven seconds remaining in regulation. The Dukes improved to 4-1 overall on the season, and remained perfect in the Atlantic 10 with the win at 4-0. The Villanova loss dropped its record to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in Atlantic 10 play.

On its first possession of the game, James Madison scored in seven plays as the Dukes drove 84 yards in only 1:40. The drive was highlighted by an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Charles Barry to wide receiver Earnest Payton. With only 3:29 to go in the first quarter, Hannon kicked a career-best 50-yard field goal to cut the James Madison lead to 7-3.

After a Dukes? punt, the Wildcats got the ball with 1:23 left in the first quarter and began an eight play 36-yard drive that resulted in a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chris Boden to tight end Joe Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh?s first career touchdown gave Villanova its first lead of the contest at 10-7. James Madison fought back and converted on two Mike Glover field goals, from 34 and 27 yards out, to give the Dukes a 13-10 lead at intermission.

In the third quarter, the Dukes? got the ball back at the Villanova 20 yard line after a fumble by Wildcat running back Roger Harriott. James Madison scored again four plays later on Glover?s third field goal of the day, from 37 yards away, to increase the Dukes? lead to 16-10. Hannon answered with his second field goal of the afternoon to cut the JMU lead to 16-13.

With 4:37 remaining in the third quarter, Villanova defensive back Reginald Danage blocked a James Madison punt and fellow defensive back DeLonne Kelly picked up the fumble and raced seven yards for a Wildcat touchdown. The score once again gave the `Cats the lead at 20-16.

Beginning on their own 15-yard line with 14:13 left in the fourth quarter after a Villanova punt, the Dukes began another long scoring drive that would eventually result in what would be the game-winning score on a 31-yard scamper by James Madison running back Curtis Keaton. Keaton finished the day with 86 yards on 20 carries.

The Wildcats had one last chance as they regained the ball at their own 32 with 1:53 remaining. Villanova got the ball down to the JMU 43 on a fourth-and-one run by fullback Ramond Jones. After three straight incompletions by Boden, the `Cats set up for a 47-yard field goal. Hannon?s fourth attempt of the day fell short, however, and the Dukes escaped with a 23-20 victory.

For the Wildcats in the loss, Boden completed 34-of-60 passes for 215 yards and one touchdown. On the receiving end of 10 of Boden?s passes was Kavanaugh, who caught 10 balls for 60 yards and one score.

Game Six - William & Mary 45, No. 18 Villanova 10

Oct. 9, 1999 - Zable Stadium
Williamsburg, Va.

Traveling to Williamsburg, Va., on Saturday, Oct. 9, the Villanova football team lost to the Tribe, 45-10, at Zable Stadium. With the loss, the Wildcats drop to 3-3 overall on the season, and 2-2 in Atlantic 10 play.

William & Mary jumped out to an early lead 2:47 into the first quarter, when Hameen Ali caught an 18-yard strike from Tribe quarterback David Corley. Less than three minutes later, Corley went deep, hitting wide receiver Dave Conklin from 74 yards out. After a Casey Hannon field goal for the Wildcats which cut the lead to 11, William & Mary struck again, as Ali scored on a 14-yard run to give the Tribe a 21-3 lead after one quarter of play.

Getting the ball to begin the second quarter after a William & Mary punt, Villanova went on a six-play, 48-yard drive, resulting in a four-yard touchdown pass from quarter back Chris Boden to wide receiver Steve Ward. Boden?s touchdown, extending his streak of at least one touchdown to 30 straight games, cut the Tribe lead to 21-10.

On the next Wildcat drive, William & Mary defensive back Jimmy Cerminaro picked off a Boden pass and scampered 13 yards for a Tribe score, extending their lead to 28-10. William & Mary would score once more before the half ended, on a 45-yard Corley pass to Chris Rosier, giving the Tribe a 35-10 lead at intermission.

In the second half, William & Mary would score twice more, on a Brett Sterba 38-yard field goal and a Scott Osborne 29-yard touchdown reception. Corley?s fourth touchdown pass of the afternoon gave the Tribe 24 unanswered points and a 45-10 lead. The William &

Mary defense held the ?Cats scoreless the rest of the way, as the Tribe took a 45-10 victory.

For Villanova in the loss, Boden completed 20-of-36 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Murle Sango caught six passes for 88 yards for the Wildcats.

Leading William & Mary was Corley, who completed 13-of-18 passes for 258 yards and four touchdowns. Ali rushed for 77 yards on 16 carries, scoring once on a touchdown run and another on a touchdown reception.

Game Seven - Villanova 48, Connecticut 45 (3OT)

Oct. 16, 1999 - Memorial Stadium
Storrs, Conn

Villanova broke a two-game losing streak last Saturday by taking a 48-45 victory in a triple overtime thriller in Storrs, Conn., against the UConn Huskies. The victory improved the Wildcats? 1999 record to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in Atlantic 10 Conference play.

Last week?s victory against Connecticut was a record-setting day for several Villanova players. Senior quarterback Chris Boden recorded several milestones in the game. Boden completed 43-of-69 passes for 444 yards and four touchdowns. The 43 completions broke the Atlantic 10 record of 40 completions, which he also held. In addition, he broke his own school record for yards in a game and tied the Wildcat mark for attempts in a game. With four touchdown passes against the Huskies, Boden has now thrown for one or more scores in 31 straight games. With only 35 more completions and 183 yards, he will become the all-time Atlantic 10 leader in each category. For his outstanding day, Boden was named the Atlantic 10 Co-Offensive Player of the Week.

Wide receivers Murle Sango and Brian White had tremendous games as well. Sango set a new career-high in catches with 13 for 115 yards and two scores. White, a Wildcat freshman, had a career day with 10 catches for 91 yards and one touchdown. White was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week for his efforts.

Villanova had the first quarter?s only score, capping off a four-play, 71-yard drive on a 16-yard touchdown run by running back Ducarmel Augustin. The Huskies quickly retaliated in the second quarter, scoring on an eight-run scamper by Taber Small at the 12:50 mark. With only 2:27 remaining before intermission, Connecticut?s Jordan Younger returned a Chris Birch punt 68 yards for a touchdown to give the Huskies a 14-7 lead at the half.

The Wildcats cut the Connecticut lead to 14-10 at the 8:45 mark in the third quarter on a 44-yard field goal by kicker Casey Hannon. After stopping the Huskies on their next drive, Villanova got the ball back with 6:14 remaining in the quarter. The `Cats drove 90 yards in 14 plays and 5:13, regaining the lead on a six-yard pass from Boden to White.

With Villanova holding a 20-14 lead in the fourth quarter, Connecticut struck back on a 48-yard Brian Hoffman touchdown pass to John Fitzsimmons to give the Huskies a one-point lead at 21-20. Connecticut extended that lead to 28-20 just over three minutes later on a one-yard run by Taber. The Wildcats rallied again, however, and pulled within two on a Boden pass to Sango with 3:59 left in regulation. Villanova decided to go for the two-point conversion and tied the game on a pass to tight end Joe Kavanaugh, sending the game into overtime.

The Wildcats and Huskies went touchdown for touchdown in each of the first two overtime periods. Villanova scores by Sango and fullback Cameron Cross helped send the game into its third overtime period. Getting the ball first in the third extra session, Connecticut could manage only a Marc Hickok field goal to pull ahead 45-42. The third overtime would prove to be the charm for the Wildcats, as they put the game away, 48-45, on a Boden to Kavanaugh pass.

Game Eight - No. 24 Villanova 45, Northeastern 16

Oct. 23, 1999 - Villanova Stadium
Villanova, Pa.

After winning in a triple overtime marathon one week earlier, the Villanova football team decided to put the game away early on Saturday, Oct. 23, against Northeastern. The Wildcats scored three third-quarter touchdowns against the Huskies en route to a 45-16 win at Villanova Stadium. The victory improved Villanova?s record to 5-3 overall and 4-2 in Atlantic 10 play, while Northeastern fell to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in conference action.

The Wildcat offense could not be stopped all day long, as they racked up 473 yards of total offense. Senior quarterback Chris Boden became the Atlantic 10 Conference?s all-time leader in careerpassing yardage. Boden ended the day completing 22-of-36 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns. On the receiving end of two Boden scores was Brian White, who caught five passes for 66 yards. On the ground, running back Ducarmel Augustin carried the ball a career-high 19 times for a career-best 149 yards and a career-high three touchdowns.

With the game still scoreless at the 8:45 mark of the second quarter, Boden found White from 17 yards out to give the `Cats a 7-0 lead. Villanova extended its lead to 10-0 at the half, as kicker Casey Hannon belted an 35-yard field goal with 16 seconds left before intermission.

Senior tailback Roger Harriott began the Wildcats? third quarter scoring spree at the 10:29 mark, taking a handoff and racing 12 yards for his first score of the year. Just over three minutes later, Augustin scored his first of three touchdowns to increase the Villanova lead to 24-0. After a Northeastern four-yard touchdown run by Sean Connor made it a 24-8 game, Augustin found the endzone for the second time in the third quarter to give the `Cats a 31-8 lead heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, White and Augustin each scored again within a three-minute time frame to put the game away. The Wildcats cruised on to a 45-16 victory, for their second straight victory. Leading a strong Villanova defensive effort was Jason McMillion, who tallied 15 tackles and one sack.

Game Nine - No. 21 Villanova 31, New Hampshire 28

Oct. 30, 1999 - Cowell Stadium
Durham, N.H.

In Villanova?s Oct. 30 victory over New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., senior quarterback Chris Boden had another record setting day. Boden became the all-time Yankee Conference/Atlantic 10 Conference leader in completions. He finished the afternoon completing an impressive 24-for-30 for 300 yards and two touchdowns. It was the 32nd straight game in which Boden has thrown at least one touchdown pass.

Sophomore wide receiver Murle Sango had an outstanding day as well, as he was on the receiving end of 11 Boden passes. Sango caught 11 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, Sango carried the ball six times for 66 yards and he returned three kickoffs for 79 yards. All total, Sango registered 287 yards of all-purpose offense. Running back Ducarmel Augustin, like Sango, also scored twice on the day. Augustin rushed 29 times for 121 yards, scoring on runs of one and four yards. The Villanova ground game led by Augustin helped the `Cats win the time of possession battle 37:23 to 22:37.

Villanova dominated the first quarter, scoring twice in a span of less than three minutes. Sango caught a Boden scoring strike from nine-yards out to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead. `Nova extended that lead to two touchdowns by the end of the first quarter as Augustin ran for the first of his two touchdowns.

Just when it looked as if the Wildcats would put in their third score of the day, New Hampshire?s Czar Wiley picked off a Boden pass and raced 70 yards for a U.N.H. score to cut the lead to 14-7. At the 6:55 mark in the second quarter of play, Villanova completed a six-play, 70-yard drive on a one-yard scoring plunge by Augustin. Augustin?s second score of the day gave the Wildcats a 21-7 halftime advantage.

Villanova opened the second half just as they closed the first- with a touchdown. Running 5:22 off the clock with a 12-play, 65-yard drive, Boden found Sango in the endzone for a nine-yard touchdown pass to increase the Wildcat advantage to 28-7.

With a 21-point advantage, Villanova appeared to be easily rolling towards its sixth win of the season. New Hampshire, however, wasn?t ready to roll over. A touchdown with only 2:01 left in the third on a Dan Curran three-yard run trimmed the lead to 28-14. After a Casey Hannon 21-yard field goal made it a 31-14 Villanova advantage, the U.N.H. offense mounted a comeback.

New Hampshire would score its first fourth quarter touchdown at the 7:13 mark on a four-yard run by Ryan Day to make it a 10-point ballgame. Three and a half minutes later, New Hampshire chopped the once 21-point Wildcat lead to three points at 31-28, on a 20-yard pass from Day to Jermaine Washington. U.N.H. had one more chance to tie or win the game with 15 seconds left, but the Villanova defense held strong to secure the 31-28 victory.

Game 10 - No. 11 Youngstown St. 28, No. 21 Villanova 21
Nov. 13, 1999 - Villanova Stadium
Villanova, Pa.

In a battle of nationally ranked teams on Saturday, Nov. 13, at Villanova Stadium, the No. 11 ranked Youngstown State Penguins rallied from a 21-7 deficit to defeat the No. 21 rated Villanova Wildcats, 28-21. In what was their final regular season contest of the 1999 season, the Penguins improved to 9-2 overall, while the Wildcats fell to 6-4 with the loss.

Villanova scored the first quarter?s only touchdown just 3:01 into regulation, as senior quarterback Chris Boden found receiver Murle Sango from 12 yards out to give the `Cats an early 7-0 lead. Boden?s touchdown, his 33rd straight game with a scoring strike, completed a 12-play, 92 yard drive for the Wildcats.

Still clinging to a 7-0 lead 2:10 into the second quarter, Villanova padded its lead to two scores as running back Ducarmel Augustin ran it in from one yard out. With 4:49 remaining until the half, Youngstown State finally got on the scoreboard as quarterback Jeff Ryan hit Elliot Giles with a 44-yard touchdown pass to close the gap to 14-7.

On the following kickoff, Wildcat kick returner Gary Johnson found pay dirt and took the return back 92 yards to the Penguin two-yard line. From there, Augustin plunged his way into the endzone from three yards away at the 3:53 mark, to give Villanova a 21-7 halftime advantage.

Down by two touchdowns in the third quarter of play, Ryan hit Giles from 22-yards out to trim the Wildcat lead to 21-14. The touchdown, Ryan and Giles? second touchdown hookup of the afternoon, ended a four-play, 47-yard drive in 1:12. On the next series, the Youngstown State defense held the Wildcats to no yards, as Villanova went three and out.

Getting the ball back on the their own 49-yard line with 9:21 remaining in the third quarter, the Penguins began an 11-play drive which resulted in a game-tying 13-yard touchdown pass from Ryan to Renauld Ray at the 4:26 mark.

With the scored tied at 21-21 with 9:58 left in the game, Youngstown State pulled ahead for the first time of the day, as running back Adrian Brown scampered in from 19-yards to give the Penguins a 28-21 lead. In Youngstown's nine-play, 68-yard drive (4:10), Brown carried the ball seven times for 70 yards.

After forcing the Penguin offense to punt, Villanova got the ball back at its own 40-yard line with 5:48 remaining. The `Cats drove downfield and with a little help from a Youngstown pass interference penalty, got the ball for a first and goal at the Penguin two. On first down, however, Youngstown?s David Vecchione forced an Augustin fumble, which was recovered by Penguin safety Dwyte Smiley. Youngstown ran out the final 53 seconds of regulation, emerging with a 28-21 victory.

Leading the Penguin offensive attack in the second half of play was Brown, who finished the day with 120 yards on the ground off 24 carries. In the air, Ryan completed 14-of-25 passes for 169 yards and three touchdowns.

For Villanova in the loss, Boden recorded 232 yards and one score, completing 24-of-39 passes. Augustin was strong on the ground, carrying the ball 22 times for 81 yards and two touchdowns.

Villanova Depth Chart

Delaware Depth Chart

1999 INDIVIDUAL SEASON HIGHS

1999 TEAM OFFENSE SEASON HIGHS

1999 TEAM DEFENSE SEASON HIGHS

THE LAST TIME

VILLANOVA SHUTOUT AN OPPONENT:
Aug. 28, 1997 - Villanova 64, West Chester 0

VILLANOVA WAS SHUTOUT:
Nov. 9, 1996 - UNH 34, Villanova 0

A WILDCAT RETURNED A KICKOFF FOR A TD:
Sept. 5, 1998 - Brian Westbrook vs. Pittsburgh 89 yds.

AN OPPOSING PLAYER RETURNED A KICKOFF FOR A TD:
Oct. 16, 1994 - Dwight Robinson, JMU, 94 yds.

A WILDCAT RETURNED A PUNT FOR A TD:
Oct. 25, 1980 - David Martin vs. VMI, 75 yds.

AN OPPOSING PLAYER RETURNED A PUNT FOR A TD:
Oct. 16, 1999 - Jordan Younger, UConn, 68 yds.

VILLANOVA BLOCKED A PUNT:
Oct. 2, 1999 - vs. James Madison

THE OPPONENT BLOCKED A PUNT:
Oct. 3 ,1998 - Maine

A WILDCAT INTERCEPTED THREE PASSES:
Nov. 30, 1990 - Orin Solomon vs. UNH

VILLANOVA RETURNED AN INT. FOR TD:
Sept. 25, 1999 - Joe Keating vs. Pennsylvania 16 yds.

AN OPPOSING PLAYER RETURNED AN INT. FOR A TD:
Oct. 30 1999 - Czar Wiley, UNH, 70 yds.

VILLANOVA RETURNED A FUMBLE FOR A TD:
Sept. 26, 1998- Aaron Weems vs. W&M 21 yds.

AN OPPOSING PLAYER RETURNED A FUMBLE FOR A TD:
Sept. 12, 1998 - Dale Koscielski , Delaware, 15 yds.

A WILDCAT KICKED FIVE FIELD GOALS IN A GAME:
Nov. 18, 1995 - Mark Kiefer vs. Richmond 37, 25, 42, 30, 30 yds.

A WILDCAT RUSHED FOR 100 YARDS IN A GAME:
Oct. 30, 1999- Ducarmel Augustin (29/121), vs. New Hampshire

TWO WILDCATS RUSHED FOR 100 YARDS IN A GAME:
Oct. 31, 1998 - Brian Westbrook (13/112) & Roger Harriott (14/100) vs. Fordham

A WILDCAT PASSED FOR OVER 300 YARDS IN A GAME:
Oct. 30 ,1999 - Chris Boden vs. New Hampshire, 300 yards

A WILDCAT PASSED FOR OVER 400 YARDS IN A GAME:
Oct. 16, 1999 - Chris Boden vs. UConn, 444 yards

A WILDCAT HAD OVER 100 YARDS RECEIVING:
Nov. 13, 1999 - Murle Sango (12/122)

A WILDCAT HAD OVER 200 YARDS RECEIVING:
Nov. 2, 1996 - Brian Finneran vs. URI, 229 yds.

VILLANOVA PLAYED AN OVERTIME GAME:
Oct.. 16, 1999 - VU 48, Connecticut 45 (triple OT)

VILLANOVA PLAYED A NIGHT GAME:
Sept. 25, 1999 - Villanova 34, Pennsylvania 6