August 25, 1998

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 seasons accomplishments. However, with 15 starters and 27 letterwinners returning, the Wildcats are excited about the 1998 season.

COACHING STAFF: Head coach Andy Talley begins his 14th campaign as the leader of the Wildcat football program. In his tenure on the Main Line, Talley has registered an 88-51-1 record, while his 18-year overall coaching mark currently stands at 115-69-1. Last season was Talleys best to date as he guided Villanova to a perfect 11-0 regular season, en route to claiming the first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship. For six weeks during the season, Villanova was ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time in school history. For his efforts last season, Talley earned AFCA/GTE National Coach of the Year distinction and the Walter Payton Award as the top coach in all of I-AA.

The offensive staff is intact from a year ago with Dave Clawson returning for his third year as offensive coordinator. Under Clawsons tutelage last year, the Villanova offense averaged 40.2 points per game which ranked second nationally. In his first season as offensive coordinator in 1996, Clawsons offense averaged 31.5 points per contest. Villanova has led the conference the past two years in virtually every statistical offensive category.

For the third straight season, the Wildcats will have a new defensive coordinator as Bob Shoop leaves Villanova after one year to become the secondary coach at the United States Military Academy. Taking over the reigns of the Wildcat defense in 1998 will be Jim Fleming who comes to the Main Line from East Carolina where he was an assistant from 1994-97. During his first two years at East Carolina, Fleming coached the outside 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. In 1995, East Carolina finished seventh in the nation in pass efficiency defense. Fleming has also had coaching stints at Brown University, Boise State University and the University of South Carolina.

OFFENSE: Led by junior All-American quarterback Chris Boden, the Villanova offense returns six starters from a unit that averaged an Atlantic 10 Conference best 40.2 points per game a year ago. In his first year as a collegiate starter in 1997, Boden completed 281-of-419 for 3,707 yards and 42 touchdowns. In addition, he threw just five interceptions and had an efficiency rating of 172.07.

The big question mark surrounding the Wildcat offense in 1998 will be the receiving spot. Lost to graduation were Villanovas big three from a year ago in Brian Finneran, Brad Finneran and Josh Dolbin who together combined for 206 receptions for 3,054 yards and 29 touchdowns. Brian Finneran, who earned the Eddie Robinson Award as the top offensive player in I-AA football, has signed with the Seattle Seahawks, while Dolbin is the property of the Philadelphia Eagles.

While inexperience will exist at wide receiver, Villanova will have a great deal of talent at running back with sophomores Brian Westbrook and Ducarmel Augustin and Boston University transfer Roger Harriott.

"We need to get our young wide receivers some game experience, so that we can continue with the progression of our passing game," said Talley. "Our running game should be much improved considering all the talent we have in the backfield. Up front we have had to reposition the offensive line and I think we can be as strong as we were last year in that area,"

QUARTERBACK: The leader of the 1998 Wildcat squad will be junior All-American quarterback Chris Boden (6-2, 215) 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. With last seasons back-up Chris Gicking electing to transfer, there will be a battle in pre-season practice for the second quarterback spot. The competition for this spot appears to be between junior John Chico (5-10. 185), redshirt freshmen Cory Hess (6-3, 210) and Kevin Rogers (6-0, 180) and incoming freshman Brett Gordon (5-11, 170).

"We are very fortunate to have one of best quarterbacks in the country in Chris Boden. Hopefully, with an improved running game, he wont have as much pressure on him to throw the ball downfield," stated Talley. "The back-up quarterback spot will be given to a very inexperienced performer and this is a major concern."

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, 185) 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 and made 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 in the backfield 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.

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 nations 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 havent 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 Kinsellas 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 starting spots on the offensive line, with Engel being the odds on favorite to start at guard and replace second team All-Conference selection George Freiberger, while Johnson is expected to fill the center slot vacated by graduated Criag Shirey. At the other guard, Villanova returns junior Ryan Knight (6-1, 290) who was a first team All-ECAC selection last year as a sophomore in just his first year as an offensive lineman. The tackle spots will be occupied by returning starters sophomore Stan Bennett (6-5, 275) and senior Mitch McCrimmon. (6-5. 310). Bennett earned the starting right guard spot in preseason practice last year and started all 13 games for the Cats. He will be making the move to tackle in 1998. McCrimmon, who will be starting for the third consecutive year, looks poised to become one of the top offensive tackles in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Junior Rick Warner (6-3, 275) and sophomore Jason Laskowski (6-4, 260) are expected to fight for playing time along the offensive line. The Wildcat coaches are very high on the incoming freshmen offensive linemen and expect them to battle for playing time immediately. The five rookie linemen include Eamonn Allen (6-5, 270), William Barondess (6-3, 280), Joe Mahoney (6-3, 320), Sean McCarthy (6-5, 270) and Robert Richardson (6-3, 245). Providing depth on the line will be redshirt freshman Brian Lewis (6-1, 260) along with sophomore Michael Edwards (5-10, 230).

DEFENSE: Expectations are high for the Villanova defense as only defensive tackle Derek Forgione is lost to graduation. With 10 starters returning, the Wildcats look to have one of the top units in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The defensive line has the makings of being one of the best front fours in the league, while the linebackers possess speed and strength. In the secondary, the Wildcats have experience and toughness.

"Defense should be one of this teams strengths in 1998," said Talley. "Every position has experience and if we can get away from giving up the big play we could have one of the best defenses we have ever had here."

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. There appears to be a three-way battle for Forgiones starting spot between sophomores Kristian Ward (6-1, 245) and Willie Lewis (6-0, 260) along with redshirt freshman Kwesi Solomon ( 6-3, 265). Whichever two dont earn the starting spot will provide quality depth and see significant playing time.

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, 240), who played most of last season with a broken wrist, could be ready to step-up and be a big performer in 1998. Crook is coming off a spring season where earned Co-Most Improved Player honors on the defensive side of the ball. As a true freshman in 1995, Gattuso excelled at defensive end with 62 tackles and seven sacks. Also battling for playing time will be sophomore Darren Lenz (6-6, 250) 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 years 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 sat out spring drills after undergoing shoulder surgery, but 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), Matt Reiter (6-1, 180) 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 schools 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. Penn State transfer Casey Hannan (6-0, 185) and sophomore Steve Dybsky (5-10, 170) will battle for the kicking spot vacated by Kiefer. The odds on favorite to replace 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. The Cats begin the October segment of the schedule with a date at Maine. Villanova has not visited Orono, Maine since the 1991 campaign. Following the Maine game, the Cats head to Boston to battle Northeastern. After an idle week, Andy Talley and his team play at Massachusetts before ending the four-game road stretch at Fordham. In November, Villanova returns to the Main Line for three straight home affairs to finish the year. The Wildcats will play Atlantic 10 foe Richmond, before stepping out of the league to take on Buffalo. The 1998 regular season will conclude with a conference battle with Rhode Island. "In my 14 seasons at Villanova, this years schedule is without question the toughest we have ever had," commented Talley. "Opening with Pittsburgh and then playing Delaware, James Madison and William & Mary in succession allows us no room for early season mistakes."