May 1, 1998
VILLANOVA, Pa. - After recording the first-ever, undefeated, untied full regular season in school history, capturing the inaugural Atlantic 10 championship, tallying a school record 12 wins and earning the No. 1 national ranking for six straight weeks in 1997, the Villanova football team will be hard-pressed to match last season's accomplishments. However, with 15 starters and 27 letterwinners returning, the Wildcats are excited about the 1998 season.
QUARTERBACK
The leader of the 1998 Wildcat squad will be junior All-American quarterback Chris Boden (6-2, 210) who will enter the 1998 season as one of the top signal callers in all of I-AA football. In his first year as a starter last season, Boden had a record setting season, completing 281-of-419 for a school-best 3,707 yards and a school record 42 touchdown passes. In addition, Boden had an efficiency rating of 172.07 and threw just five interceptions. For his efforts, Boden made numerous All-American teams and was awarded first team distinction by both the Atlantic 10 Conference and ECAC. The back-up role will again be occupied by talented sophomore Chris Gicking (6-0, 180). Last season, Gicking completed 21-of-31 for 242 yards and two scores. Adding depth at quarterback will be junior John Chico (5-10. 185) and redshirt freshmen Cory Hess (6-3, 210) and Kevin Rogers (6-0, 180).
RUNNING BACK
Villanova might well have the best backfield in the entire Atlantic 10 Conference, as the 'Cats boast three talented performers in sophomores Brian Westbrook (5-9, 180) and Ducarmel Augustin (6-0, 220), along with Boston University transfer Roger Harriott, (5-8, 175) who earned first team All-Atlantic 10 honors last season. As true freshmen in 1997, Westbrook and Augustin turned in exceptional seasons. Westbrook scored seven touchdowns, as he gained 630 yards on 192 carries for an average of 6.5 yards per rush. He also made 12 receptions for 113 yards and four scores. Augustin tallied 187 yards on 44 carries and three scores, in addition to making 32 receptions for 386 yards and four touchdowns. With the addition of Harriott, who gained 1,333 yards on 250 carries and seven touchdowns as a sophomore at Boston University last season, the Wildcats feature a trio of runners that possess a lot of weapons for opposing teams to handle. Villanova also has outstanding depth at fullback with seniors Ed Diaz (6-0, 230) and Todd Golemi (6-0, 200). Known for his blocking ability, Diaz carried the ball five times for 16 yards and a touchdown in 1997, in addition to recording seven receptions for 41 yards and a score. Golemi, who carried the ball six times for 22 yards last season, led the team in rushing as a freshman in 1995 when he gained 624 yards on 130 rushes. He will see time at the tailback slot as well.
WIDE RECEIVER
If Villanova is to maintain its offensive excellence that saw them average 40.2 points per game last season, head coach Andy Talley will need to find replacements for the receiving trio of Brian Finneran, Brad Finneran and Josh Dolbin who have all graduated. Led by Brian Finneran, who made 96 receptions for 1,389 yards and 19 touchdowns last season, en route to winning the Walter Payton Award as the nation's top player in I-AA, as well as the Atlantic 10 and ECAC Player of the Year Awards, this trio combined to record 206 receptions for 3,054 yards and 29 touchdowns. The leading candidates to replace these three are sophomore Stephen Ward (6-4, 190) and redshirt freshmen Brian Berko-Boateng (5-9, 175) and Murle Sango (5-9, 170). Due to his size at 6-4, Ward is a possession type receiver with deceptive speed. While at Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif., Ward set a national high school record with seven touchdown catches in one game. Sango and Berko-Boateng will provide Villanova with speed at the wide out spots that they haven't had in years. Sango was a standout at El Toro High School in El Toro, Calif., where he registered career totals of 182 receptions for 2,321 yards. Also a running back in high school, Sango carried the ball 318 times for 2,517 yards. Between receiving and rushing, Sango tallied 52 career touchdowns. A native of Rochester, N.Y., Berko-Boateng is versatile performer who scored 20 touchdowns at five different positions as a senior at McQuaid Jesuit High. Sophomore Conor Kinsella (6-1, 190), who saw a great deal of playing time in 1997, will be looked upon to use the valuable experience he gained a season ago and be a big contributor. A big strength to Kinsella's game lies in his blocking ability. Fighting for playing time at receiver will be senior Jim Hundzynski (5-10, 175) and redshirt freshman Luke Stopper (5-11, 175).
TIGHT END
Villanova will go to battle this year with the same tight end tandem that they had a year ago in senior Jay Strippoli (6-2, 220) and junior Joe Kavanaugh (6-7, 240). Strippoli, who was voted co-captain this season by his teammates, emerged last year as a real threat, making 19 receptions for 127 yards and two scores. At 6-7, 240 pounds, Kavanuagh provides Villanova with both a big target to throw to, in addition to being a solid blocker. A third Wildcat expected to see time at tight end is redshirt freshman Brian Koupal (6-1, 220). Koupal has great speed for his size and his versatility will allow him to play some fullback if needed.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Up front on the offensive line, the Wildcats will have two new faces in Boston University transfers Matt Engel (6-4, 280) and Craig Johnson (5-11, 270). Both Johnson and Engel are expected to fight for the spots vacated by George Freiberger who was lost to graduation and Ryan Knight. Knight, who was a first team All-ECAC selection last year as a sophomore, will move back to defense this year where he began his career. Last year's starting center Craig Shirey, will also not return after being lost to graduation. Joining Engel and Johnson on the offensive line, will be returning starters sophomore Stan Bennett (6-5, 280) and senior Mitch McCrimmon. (6-5. 310). Bennett earned the starting right guard spot in preseason practice and started all 13 games for the 'Cats. McCrimmon, who will be starting for the third consecutive year, looks poised to become one of the top lineman in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Junior Rick Warner (6-3, 275) is expected to fill Shirey's spot at center. Also battling for playing time on the offensive line will be sophomore Jason Laskowski (6-4, 260). Providing depth on the line will be redshirt freshmen Nick Kalman (6-6, 310) and Brian Lewis (6-1, 260) along with sophomore Michael Edwards (5-10, 230).
DEFENSIVE LINE
Senior defensive tackle Jason Tenner (6-6, 280) will be the leader on the defensive line for the Cats. Tenner is coming off a year that saw him record 39 tackles, 15 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. His efforts last season earned him first team All-Atlantic 10 honors and first team All-ECAC distinction. Tenner looks poised to make a name for himself on the national scene and challenge for All-American honors. The big question on the defensive line is who will step-up and fill the shoes of Derek Forgione who has been lost to graduation. Forgione, the heart and soul of the Wildcat defense, started 35 straight games over his final three seasons in a Villanova uniform. Look for Ryan Knight (6-1, 285), who is making the move to the defensive line this year, to team with Tenner and give the 'Cats a strong presence up front. The big difference between last year's defensive line and this year's unit lies with the depth factor. In 1997, Villanova had no one to replace Tenner and Forgione. This season, Talley will look to sophomores Kristian Ward (6-1, 240) and Willie Lewis (6-0, 260) along with redshirt freshman Kwesi Solomon ( 6-3, 265) to be solid contributors along the front line.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
Senior defensive end Chris Machovina (6-5, 265) will be an anchor on the Villanova defense. A mainstay of the Wildcat defense throughout his career, Machovina has established himself as one of the top pass rushers in the Atlantic 10 Conference. As a junior in 1997, he made 57 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. Machovina was rewarded for his play last year by being named third team All-Atlantic 10 and second team All-ECAC. Senior Jason Gattuso (6-3, 235), who started at linebacker the past two seasons, will be making the move this season back to defensive end where he began his Wildcat career. Junior Mark Crook (6-3, 235), who played most of last season with a broken wrist, could be ready to step-up and be a big performer in 1998. . As a true freshman in 1995, Gattuso had 62 tackles and seven sacks from the defensive end slot. Also battling for playing time will be sophomore Darren Lenz (6-6, 240) and redshirt freshman Tom Buczynski (6-6, 240).
LINEBACKER
At linebacker, junior Shaun Lyons (6-1, 230) will lead the charge. As a sophomore in 1997, Lyons led the Wildcats in tackles with 113. In addition, he made six quarterback sacks and six tackles for loss. Junior David Heckard (6-0, 230), who amassed 80 tackles last year, returns at middle linebacker. Heckard will fight junior Stephen Curry (6-0, 230) for playing time. With last year's other outside linebacker, Jason Gattuso, moving to defensive end, there will be a battle for the open slot. The competition looks to be between sophomore Joe Quartey (6-0, 225) and junior Aaron Weems (6-2, 230). Possessing great quickness and athleticism, Quartey has all the tools to be a top-notch Atlantic 10 linebacker. Weems, who has seen time as a back-up in his first two years, has a good combination of strength and speed and should be ready to play quality minutes in 1998.
SECONDARY
In the secondary, Villanova returns all four starters led by second team All-ECAC selection Shannon Riley (6-2, 210), who will start for the third straight year at strong safety. Riley ranked third on the squad in tackles last year with 85. Joining Riley in the secondary will be junior free safety DeLonne Kelly (5-9, 185) who finished second on the team in tackles and interceptions in 1997 with 86 and four respectively. The cornerback spots will be occupied by junior Hezekiah Lewis (5-9, 175) and senior Ademole Turner (5-9, 175). Lewis made 58 stops last season, while Turner had 48 tackles and a team-best five interceptions. Turner is sitting out Spring drills after undergoing shoulder surgery. He is expected to return in top form for preseason practice in August. Others fighting for playing time in the secondary will be sophomores Dashan Sanders (6-0, 210), Braheem Powell (6-1, 180), Justin Sobey (6-0, 200) and Matt Bride (5-9, 190).
KICKING GAME
The kicking spot will be an area where Villanova will need to find a replacement for Mark Kiefer who graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer. In his senior season last year, Kiefer connected on 13-of-15 field goal attempts, as he was named second team All-ECAC and second team All-Atlantic 10. Look for Penn State transfer Casey Hannan (6-0, 185) to fill in for the departed Kiefer. Replacing Kiefer in the punting department, will be redshirt freshman Chris Birch (6-2, 185)who was a first team All-Delaware state punter in 1996.
SCHEDULE
You will be hard pressed to find a team who has a tougher four games to begin the season than the Wildcats. Villanova kickoffs the 1998 campaign at Big East member Pittsburgh who last season participated in the Liberty Bowl. Following the date with the Panthers, Villanova returns home to play arch rival Delaware in the Atlantic 10 opener, before traveling to James Madison. The 'Cats will close out the grueling four-game stretch with a home contest against perennial power William & Mary. In October, the Wildcats will not see the friendly confines of Villanova Stadium, as they play four consecutive road contests, before returning to the Main Line for three straight November home dates to finish the year. Besides Pittsburgh, Villanova's other non conference games include Fordham and Buffalo.
STEPPING UP IN CLASS
Villanova will open its 1998 season at Division I-A Pittsburgh. Since Villanova restored football in 1985, the Wildcats have played four games against I-A opponents. In those four contests, Villanova is 0-4 losing to Wake Forest (31-11 in 1988 season opener), Navy twice (23-21 in 1990/ 20-14 in 1995) and Rutgers (38-28 in 1996 season opener). The two Navy games and the Rutgers contest were played on the road, while the Wake Forest game was played at Villanova Stadium.
TOUGH START
You will be hard pressed to find a team who has a tougher four games to begin the season than the Wildcats. After kicking off the season at Big East member Pittsburgh, the Wildcats return home to play arch rival Delaware in the Atlantic 10 opener, before traveling to Harrisonburg, Va., to battle James Madison. Villanova will close out the grueling four-game stretch with a home contest against perennial conference power William & Mary.
CAPTAIN STATUS
Senior tight end Jay Strippoli and senior defensive tackle Jason Tenner have been named co-captains for the 1998 season . Both were chosen as team captains by a vote of their teammates. Tenner is coming off a junior campaign where he established himself as one of the top defensive players in the Atlantic 10 Conference. As a junior last season, Tenner tallied 39 total tackles, a team-high 15 sacks and a team-best 13 tackles for loss. For his efforts in 1997, he earned first team All-Atlantic 10 and first team All-ECAC distinction. Coming to Villanova as a walk-on, Strippoli earned a scholarship through hard work and dedication. Beginning his career as a linebacker, Strippoli moved to tight end for the 1996 season. Last year, he won the starting tight end spot in summer camp and emerged as the team's first string tight end throughout the 1997 campaign. In 12 games a season ago, Strippoli registered 19 receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
RUNNING THE DEFENSE
For the second straight season, the Wildcats will have a new defensive coordinator as Jim Fleming takes over the reigns of the Villanova defense. Fleming replaces Bob Shoop who resigned in February to become the defensive secondary coach at the United States Military Academy. Fleming comes to the Main Line from East Carolina University, where he was an assistant from 1994-97. During his first two years at East Carolina, Fleming coached the oustide linebackers before taking over as defensive backs coach from 1995-97. In his stay at East Carolina, Fleming helped lead the Pirates to consecutive Liberty Bowl appearances in both 1994 and 1995. Last season, East Carolina finished second in Conference USA in pass defense. He has also had coaching stops at Brown University, Boise State University and the University of South Carolina. Fleming is a 1982 gradute of the University of the South, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. While at the University of the South, Fleming was a four-year letterwinner in both football and baseball.
SPRING GAME
The 1998 Spring football game will be played on Saturday, April 25. Instead of playing a live game, the Blue and White teams will play a controlled scrimmage against one another.
BOSTON U TRANSFERS
In October, Boston University decided to drop football following the 1997 campaign. All players on the Terrier roster were free to transfer and be eligible for the 1998 campaign. Head coach Andy Talley and the Wildcats managed to get three Boston University players to transfer to Villanova including running back Roger Harriott and offensive linemen Matt Engel and Craig Johnson. As a sophomore last year, Harriott rushed for 1,333 yards on 250 carries and seven touchdowns. The 1,333 yards rushing is the third highest single-season total in Boston University history. For his efforts, Harriott earned first team All-Atlantic 10 honors and was named the Harry Agannis Memorial Award winner as the team's MVP. Engel and Johnson were both mainstays on the Boston University offensive line. Johnson was the starting left tackle after lettering as a defensive tackle in 1996, while Engel started at guard. This past season, Johnson garnered the Jim Hunt Award as the most improved player on the Terrier squad. Engel was also honored this past year, winning the Jim Meredith Award which is presented annually to the player who best exemplifies competiveness.
