November 18, 1998
Villanova Wildcats (5-5 Overall, 3-4 Atlantic 10)
vs.
Rhode Island Rams (3-7 Overall, 2-5 Atlantic 10)
RHODE ISLAND REPORT: Rhode Island enters play this week with a 3-7 overall record and a 2-5 Atlantic 10 mark. The Rams are second in the conference in total defense (330.1 yards per game) and third in the conference in scoring defense (23.0 ppg). Linebacker Miguel Viera leads the Atlantic 10 in tackles with 133 total stops. Ron Iannotti leads the Rams in interceptions with seven, while Chuck Wesley has five interceptions. On offense, James Jenkins is the teams leading ground gainer with 1,096 yards on 227 carries (4.8 yards per rush) and 11 touchdowns. Rhode Island's starting quarterback Rudy Bulgar has been sidelined with an injured thumb. With Bulgar out, senior Jeff Weaver has been the teams starting quarterback. Bulgar has completed 89-of-172 for 1,031 yards and three scores, while Weaver has completed 47-of-88 for 556 yards and two scores. Bulger has thrown eight interceptions and Weaver has tossed three interceptions. Karim Gibson has tallied 40 receptions for 570 yards and a touchdown, while Shane Jacobs has recorded 39 catches for 434 yards and four scores.
RAM HEAD COACH FLOYD KEITH: Rhode Island is led by sixth-year head coach Floyd Keith. In his tenure at Rhode Island, Keith has guided the Rams to a 21-43 record. Prior to his stint at Rhode Island, Keith was the head coach at Howard University from 1979-82. While at Howard, he compiled a 23-17-2 record. His nine-year overall coaching record currently stands at 44-60-2. He came to Rhode Island from Indiana University where he was the quarterbacks coach from 1984-92. Keith has also served as an assistant at Miami (OH), Colorado and Arizona.
SERIES INFORMATION
First Meeting: 1988, VU 20-14
Overall: VU leads 8-1-0
Overall Under Talley: 8-1-0
Last VU Win: 11/1/97, 37-15
Last URI Win: 11/4/95, 27-10
Streak: VU has won two straight
TALLEY'S TENURE: Currently in his 14th 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 14 years at Villanova, Talley has recorded a 93-56-1 mark making him the all-time winningest coach in Villanova history. Talleys 19-year overall coaching record currently stands at 121-72-2. 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. Last season, Talley garnered the Eddie Robinson Award and the AFCA/GTE National Coach of the Year.
LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD: The only person more busier than Brian Westbrook at Villanova Stadium last Saturday was the scoreboard operator. Not only did Villanova score a school record 65 points in the 65-40 win over Buffalo, but the two teams combined to set a Villanova record for most points combined by two teams. The 105 combined points betters the 88 points that were tallied in the first round of the 1989 playoffs when Georgia Southern defeated the Wildcats, 52-36.
WESTBROOK BREAKS NCAA RECORD: Taking assault on the Villanova record book has not been enough for sophomore sensation Brian Westbrook. In week nine versus Richmond on Nov 7., Westbrook eclipsed the NCAA record for all-purpose yards in a season. Entering play on Saturday, Nov. 21, Westbrook has amassed 2,744 yards of all-purpose yardage.
CHASING HISTORY: Sophomore running back Brian Westbrook has a chance to achieve greatness this Saturday versus Rhode Island. Entering play against the Rams, Westbrook has 873 yards rushing and 1,098 yards receiving. With 127 yards rushing this week, Westbrook will become 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.
CLOSING IN: Besides trying to become the first collegiate player to ever rush for 1,000 yards and receive for 1,000 yards in the same season, Brian Westbrook also has a shot at two more NCAA records. Entering play Saturday versus Rhode Island, Westbrook has 148 points and 24 touchdowns which are both Atlantic 10 records. The NCAA record for points in a season and touchdowns in a season is held by Geoff Mitchell of Weber State who registered 170 points and scored 28 touchdowns during the 1991 season. To achieve these NCAA records, Westbrook needs 23 points and five scores.
FOUR FOR BRIAN: Last Saturday against Buffalo, Brian Westbrook tallied four touchdowns. This is the fourth time this season that Westbrook has tallied four scores in a game. The other three games came against Pittsburgh, James Madison and Fordham.
WORKHORSE: All year long, Brian Westbrook has been the workhorse for the Villanova Wildcats. However, last Saturday against Buffalo, Westbrook was at times a one man show. The Ft. Washington, Md., native carried the ball 36 times for 170 yards and three scores and he made five receptions for 71 yards and a score. He also added one kickoff return for 21 yards. On Villanovas first drive, Westbrook carried the ball all nine times on the Cats nine play drive and scored on a four-yard run. Of Villanovas first 16 plays last Saturday, Westbrook was involved in the play by either running the ball or having the ball thrown to him on 15 of the plays.
TWO MORE TO HIS CREDIT: In last weeks win over Buffalo, sophomore Brian Westbrook established two more school records. His four touchdowns versus Buffalo gives him 35 for his career, setting the Villanova career touchdown mark. The previous mark of 34 was jointly held by Brian Finneran and Mike Siani. Westbrook also broke Finnerans record for points in a season. Finneran tallied 124 points in 1997. Westbrook currently has 148 points. Only a sophomore, Westbrook now owns 13 school records with 11 of them being set this year. The following are Brian Westbrooks school records.
1. Rushing Yards by a Freshman (630 in 1997) 2. Points by a Freshman (72 in 1997) 3. Game Receptions by a Soph. (12 vs Del) 4. Game Receiving Yds by a Soph. (181 vs. JMU) 5. All-purpose Yards in a Game (428 vs. Pitt) 6. Highest Avg. Yards per Play (16.4 vs. Pitt) 7. Kickoff Return Yards in a Game (152 vs. Pitt) 8. First in school history to have two career kickoff returns for TDs 9. Points by a sophomore (currently has 148)10. TDs by a sophomore (currently has 24)11. TDs in a season (currently has 24)12. Points in a season (currently has 148)13. TDs in a career (currently has 35)
RUNNING WILD: Most of this season, sophomore Brian Westbrook has been making a name for himself as a receiver and an all-purpose back. However, in the last three games,Westbrook has shown that he is also an outstanding running back. In three straight games, Westbrook has gone over the 100-yard plateau. Against Fordham on Oct. 31, he tallied 112 yards rushing, followed by a 179-yard effort versus Richmond and a 170-yard game last Saturday against Buffalo. In all three games, Westbrook had 100 yards at halftime. Last week against Buffalo, he carried the ball a career-high 36 times.
ALL-PURPOSE BRIAN: Brian Westbrook is putting up staggering numbers this season in the all-purpose yardage department. After 10 games, Westbrook has amassed 2,744 yards of all-purpose yardage for an average of 274.4 yards per contest which leads the country. In eight of the 10 games this season, Westbrook has accumulated at least 200 yards of all-purpose yardage, including getting 300+ yards on four occasions (325 vs. JMU/ 310 vs. Delaware/ 300 vs. Richmond) and an amazing 428 of all-purpose yards against I-A Pittsburgh.
DON'T FORGET: In the last couple of weeks, Brian Westbrook has put up big numbers in the rushing department. However, it is important to not forget the amazing receiving numbers he has put up. After 10 games, Westbrook has 83 receptions for 1,098 yards and 13 touchdowns. The 1,098 yards receiving is just the fourth time in school history a Wildcat has tallied 1,000-yards receiving (Brian Finneran 1,389 in 1997/ Mike Siani 1,358 in 1970/ Brian Finneran 1,207 in 1996). Westbrooks 83 receptions is the second highest total in Villanova history to Brian Finnerans 96 in 1997.
WHERE WESTBROOK RANKS:
Category A-10 NCAAAll-Purpose Yards 1st 1stScoring 1st 1stReceptions per Game 2nd 4thReceiving Yds per Game 3rd 8thKickoff Returns 4th 30thPunt Returns 6th 7th
23-STRAIGHT: Junior quarterback Chris Boden has started 23 games in his Villanova career and has thrown at least one touchdown pass in all 23 games. In those 23 contests, Boden has tossed three or more scoring strikes 11 times. Only twice has Boden thrown just one touchdown pass in a game.
BODEN ECLIPSES 70: Junior quarterback Chris Boden completed 23-of-27 for 344 yards and five touchdowns in last weeks win over Buffalo. This was the sixth time in his career and the third time this season that Boden has thrown five scoring strikes in a game. With the five scoring strikes, Boden became just the second Villanova signal caller to throw 70+ career touchdowns, as his career total currently stands at 72. With three touchdown passes this week, Boden will break Kirk Schulzs career touchdown pass mark of 74.
BODEN SHOOTS FOR 7,000: Entering play versus Buffalo on Nov. 14, junior quarterback Chris Boden has thrown for 2,884 yards and 28 touchdowns this season which brings his career total in those categories to 6,922 yards and 72 touchdowns. With 78 yards passing, Boden will become just the second Wildcat signal caller to throw for 7,000 yards in his career. Kirk Schulz owns the school record for passing yards in a career with 9,676. With 116 yards passing, Boden will record back-to-back 3,000-yard passing seasons. His 3,707 yards passing last season was the first 3,000-yard passing season in Villanova history.
WARD REACHES 50: Sophomore wide receiver Steve Ward is enjoying a fine sophomore season. Last week versus Buffalo, Ward had a big day catching six passes for 108 yards and a career-high three scores. In the process, he went over the 50 catch plateau for the season. Entering play this week, Ward has 55 receptions for 739 yards and five scores. The 55 receptions is the sixth highest single season total in Villanova history
SANGO REACHES CENTURY MARK: For the first time in his career, redshirt freshman Murle Sango tallied a 100-yard receiving yard game with a career-high eight receptions for a career-best 120 yards. Together, Sango and fellow wideout Steve Ward combined for 14 receptions for 228 yards.
ACADEMIC HONORS: Senior tight end Jay Strippoli has been named to the 1998 GTE All Academic District II Football first team. Strippoli will now be placed on the national ballot with the Academic All-America Football Team to be released on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Currenlty pursuing his MBA in Villanovas graduate school, Strippoli has a 3.20 grade point average in accounting. A co-captain on this years Wildcat squad, Strippoli has enjoyed a productive senior season, recording 15 receptions for 123 yards and six touchdowns.
HANNON ON A ROLL: Freshman place kicker Casey Hannon has converted 35 consecutive PATs. The streak began at Pittsburgh in the season opener after he got two of his PATs blocked in the first half against the Panthers. In field goal attempts, Hannon is eight-of-nine on the season. Last Saturday versus Buffalo, Hannon was eight-for-eight in PATs and he converted on a 35-yard field goal in the first quarter.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT: With the Villanova backfield being ravaged by injury, the Wildcats had to move wide receiver Luke Stopper to running back for last weeks game against Buffalo. Stopper made an immediate contribution by rushing five times for 26 yards and his first career touchdown.
BIG MAC: Defensive end Chris Machovina has enjoyed an outstanding senior season. After 10 games, the Burke, Va., native has 59 tackles (fourth best on team), and team-highs of 11 tackles for loss and nine sacks. In addition, he has eight quarterback hurries. For his career, Machovina has 34 sacks.
OVERTIME HISTORY: Villanovas 34-31 overtime win against Delaware on Saturday, Sept. 12 was the Wildcats first overtime game since Sept. 23, 1995 when James Madison edged the Cats 28-27 at Villanova Stadium. During Andy Talleys tenure as Villanovas head football coach, the Wildcats have participated in five overtime games and have tallied a 3-2 record. Four of the five overtime games have been played at Villanova Stadium.
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 1998 will be WJNN-FM 106.7 out of Cape May, N.J. Returning for his 12th season as Villanovas play-by-play man is Joe Eichhorn. Assisting Eichhorn this week will be Chris Boyer who will handle the color commentary duties.
POLL HISTORY: Before earning the nations top spot on Oct. 27, 1997 Villanovas previous best ranking was during the 1992 season when the Wildcats were No. 2 for three weeks from Sept. 28-Oct. 12. At one point, beginning on Sept. 9, 1991, Villanova appeared in the national rankings for 25 consecutive weeks falling out early in the 1993 season. Villanova made its first showing in the I-AA poll on Oct. 9, 1988 when they appeared four consecutive weeks reaching as high as No. 15 on two occasions. In 1989, the Cats cracked the poll three times: 10/24 (No. 17), 10/30 (No. 11) and 11/20 (No. 16). After not appearing at all during both the 1994 and 1995 seasons, the Cats returned to the Top 25 on Sept. 16, 1996 with a No. 18 ranking. Villanova remained in the poll all season long, reaching as high as No. 9 on Oct. 14. This season, Villanova began the season unranked before cracking the Top 25 on Sept. 2 with a No. 18 ranking.
17 TO HIS CREDIT: Entering this season, Chris Boden had 14 Villanova school records, all of which were tallied in 1997, on his resume. Boden has picked-up right where he left off this year by already recording three school marks in 1998. Thus far this year, he has set school records for completions in a game (40 vs. Delaware), yards passing in a game (422 vs. Delaware) and total yards in a game (413 vs. Delaware).
COMEBACK KIDS: Dating back to the 1997 season, Villanova has trailed heading into the fourth quarter on five occasions and managed to win all five games. The following are the comeback wins:
9/13/97 Delaware 25, VU 17 end of 3rd Qtr. VU 35, Delaware 25 Final Score 11/8/97 UNH 20, VU 16 end of 3rd Qtr. VU 23, UNH 20 Final Score 11/22/97 Neastern 28, VU 26 end of 3rd Qtr. VU 49, N'eastern 35 Final Score 11/29/97 Colgate 28, VU 27 end of 3rd Qtr. VU 49, Colgate 28 Final Score 9/12/98 Delaware 24, VU 17 end of 3rd Qtr. VU 34, Delaware 31 final Score (OT)
TEAM COMPARISON OFFENSE VILLANOVA (10 games) RHODE ISLAND 33.1 Points Per Game 20.4 233 First Downs 185 1,377 Rushing Yards 1,788 137.7 Avg. Rush Yds/Game 178.9 333 Rushing Attempts 446 4.1 Avg. Yds/Rush 4.0 2,886 Passing Yards 1,741 288.6 Avg. Pass Yds/Game 174.1 426 Passes Attempted 286 246 Passes Completed 150 6.8 Avg. Yds/Pass 6.1 4,263 Total Off. Yds 3,529 426.3 Avg. Total Off./Game 352.9 23.6 Avg. Kickoff Return 18.9 9.6 Avg. Punt Return 5.5 66/151 3rd Down Conversions 58/160 6/16 4th Down Conversions 10/20 DEFENSE 32.6 Avg. Points/Game 23.0 218 First Downs Allowed 180 1,969 Rush Yds Allowed 1,223 196.9 Avg. Rush Yds Allowed 122.3 421 Rush Att Allowed 367 4.7 Avg. Yds/Rush Allowed 3.3 2,360 Passing Yards Allowed 2,078 236.0 Avg. Pass Yds Allowed 207.9 325 Pass Att Allowed 3156 191 Pass Comp Allowed 191 7.3 Avg. Yds/Pass 6.6 4,329 Total Off Yaradge 3,301 432.9 Avg. Total Off Allowed 330.1 21.0 Avg. Kickoff Rtrn Allowed 23.5 7.9 Avg. Punt Return Allowed 9.7 62/152 3rd Down Conv Allowed 47/142 13/20 4th Down Conv Allowed 8/11
1998 Honors
Brian Westbrook -- Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Week (9/6)
Chris Boden -- Atlantic 10Offensive Player of the Week (9/13)
Chris Boden -- ESPN/USA TodayOffensive Player of the Week (9/14)
Chris Boden -- ECAC Offensive Player of the Week (9/15)
Brian Westbrook -- Atlantic 10 Co-Offensive Player of the Week (9/20) Chris Boden -- Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Week (9/27)
Hezekiah Lewis -- Atlantic 10 Co-Defensive Player of the Week (9/27)
Injury ReportThe following is the injury report for the Rhode Island game on Nov. 21 -- Ducarmel Augustin (So./ FB) Injured Knee. Out for the season --Todd Golemi (Sr./ RB) Injured Knee. Out for the season--Roger Harriott (Jr./ RB) Injured ribs. Questionable for URI --Steve Neugebauer (Fr./ DB) Injured shoulder. Out for the season --Shannon Riley (Sr./ SS) Injured Knee. Out for the season
Villanova Depth Chart OFFENSE
TE 84 Jay Strippoli (6-2, 220, Sr) 86 Joe Kavanaugh (6-7, 240, Jr) OT 71 Stan Bennett (6-5, 290, So) 70 Eamonn Allen (6-5, 270, Fr)
OG 57 Ryan Knight (6-1, 290, Jr) 77 Craig Johnson (6-0, 270, Jr) C 62 Robert Richardson (6-3, 245, Fr) 55 Rick Warner (6-3, 275, Jr)
OT 72 Mitch McCrimmon (6-5, 310, Sr) 74 Jason Laskowski (6-4, 260, So)
OG 58 Matt Engel (6-4, 280, Jr) 76 William Barondess (6-3, 280, Fr) QB 18 Chris Boden (6-2, 215, Jr) 8 Kevin Rogers (6-0, 180, RFr)
RB 20 Brian Westbrook (5-8, 185, So) 34 Ed Diaz (6-0, 230, Sr) SE 28 Steve Ward (6-4, 190, So.) 5 Luke Stopper (5-11, 175, RFr) FL 21 Murle Sango (5-9, 175, RFr) 30 Jim Hundzynski (5-10, 175, Sr)
FL 14 Conor Kinsella (6-1, 190, So) 23 Brian Berko-Boateng (5-9, 175, RFr)
DEFENSE
DE 48 Jason Gattuso (6-3, 235, Sr) 59 Mark Crook (6-3, 240, Jr)
DT 64 Kwesi Solomon (6-3, 265, RFr) 92 Kristian Ward (6-1, 245, So) DT 75 Jason Tenner (6-6, 280, Sr) 90 Willie Lewis (6-0, 260, So) DE 99 Chris Machovina (6-5, 265, Sr) 87 Darren Lenz (6-6, 250, So)
OLB 13 Joe Quartey (6-0, 225, So) 45 Aaron Weems (6-2, 230, Jr)
ILB 56 David Heckard (6-0, 230, Jr) 53 Steve Curry (6-0, 230, Jr) OLB 54 Shaun Lyons (6-1, 230, Jr) 51 Chris Janik (6-0, 230, Jr)
CB 9 Braheem Powell (6-1, 180, So) 3 Hezekiah Lewis (5-9, 175, Jr.) CB 2 Ademole Turner (5-9, 175, Sr) 4 Dashan Sanders (6-0, 210, So) SS 3 Hezekiah Lewis (5-9, 175, Jr) 15 Matt Bride (5-9, 190, So) FS 1 DeLonne Kelly (5-9, 185, Jr) 36 Matt Reiter (6-1, 180, So)
SPECIALISTS PK 12 Casey Hannon (6-0, 185, So) 31 Chris Birch (6-2, 185, RFr) P 31 Chris Birch (6-2, 185, RFr) 14 Conor Kinsella (6-1, 190, So) H 8 Kevin Rogers (6-0, 180, RFr) 10 JohnChico (5-10, 185, Sr)
LS 45 Aaron Weems (6-2, 230, Jr) 34 Ed Diaz (6-0, 230, Sr)
KR 2 Ademole Turner (5-9, 175, Sr) 20 Brian Westbrook (5-8, 185, So) PR 20 Brian Westbrook ((5-8, 185, So) 19 Murle Sango (5-9, 170, RFr) Rhode Island Depth Chart
OFFENSE
LT 64 Dewan Reeves (6-2, 285, Sr) 77 Vincent Ceraso (6-6, 295, Sr) LG 75 John Bush (6-4, 298, Sr) 66 Tim Hughes (6-3, 280, Fr)
C 72 Luke OReilly (6-2, 265, Sr) 58 Matt Rossi (6-0, 250, Sr) RG 68 Rob Milani (6-4, 318, Jr) 59 James Vegari (6-2, 245, Fr) RT 50 Mike Verani (6-3, 270, So) 78 Scott Buchanan (6-4, 255, Fr)
TE 17 Justin Henry (6-6, 252, Jr) 82 Mano Fanopolous 6-3, 250, Fr)
RB 24 James Jenkins (6-2, 225, Sr) 23 John Williams (6-0, 194, Fr)
RB 28 Shyron Sanford (6-1, 230, Sr) 27 Nchendia Tajong (5-9, 170, Fr)
QB 7 Jeff Weaver (6-2, 180, Sr) 9 Rudy Bulgar (6-2, 205, So) SE 2 Karim Gibson (6-2, 200, Jr) 15 Damon Ray (6-2, 187, So)
FL 6 Shane Jacobs (5-9, 175, Sr) 30 Mike Grasso (6-0, 170 Fr)
DEFENSE
LE 36 Kareem Hinckson (6-2, 271, So) 92 Duke Golz (6-4, 250, So)
NG 84 Carmine Spagnoulo (6-4, 235, Jr) 97 T.K. Phillips (6-3, 240, Fr)
DT 48 Mike Wear (6-2, 265, Jr) 55 Leonard Tribbett (6-1, 250, Fr) RE 45 Frank Ferrara (6-3, 260, Sr) 89 Justin Puvogel (6-4, 240, Fr)
WLB 32 Brian Droney (5-8, 195, So) 87 Mike Nescesian (6-3, 195, Fr)
MLB 40 Miguel Viera (6-2, 230, Sr) 54 Keith Heineman (6-0, 210, Fr) SLB 33 Paul Piciotti (6-2, 230, Fr) 54 Keith Heineman (6-0, 210, Fr) CB 47 Chuck Wesley (5-7, 170, Fr) 37 Antonio Martinez (5-7, 165, So)
HB 11 Brandon Bradshaw (5-9, 165, Jr) 21 Matt Birkett (5-10, 155, Fr)
SS 4 Ron Iannotti (6-0, 200, Sr) 41 Mike Orlando (5-9, 180, Fr)
FB 25 Lance Small (5-11, 175, Fr) 8 Tredell Dorsey (6-0, 200, Sr)
SPECIALISTS
PK 10 Matt Walker (5-11, 180, Sr) 42 Ryan Szczesniak (6-2, 185, Fr)
P 18 Jason Christopher (6-2, 220, Jr) 10 Matt Walker (5-11, 180, Sr)
H 7 Jeff Weaver (6-2, 180, Sr) 14 Vince Nedimyer (6-0, 210, Fr)
KO 10 Matt Walker (5-11, 180, Sr) 42 Ryan Szczesniak (6-2, 185, Fr)
LS 58 Matt Rossi (6-0, 250, Sr) 17 Justin Henry (6-6, 252, Jr)
PR 4 Ron Iannotti (6-0, 200, Sr) 30 Mike Grasso (6-0, 170, Fr)
KR 24 James Jenkins (6-2, 225, Sr) 27 Nchendia Tajong (5-9, 170, Fr) 4 Ron Iannotti (6-0, 200, Sr) 11 Brandon Bradshaw (5-9, 165, Jr)
Last Game - Villanova 65, Buffalo 40Nov. 14, 1998 - Villanova Stadium
It was a record breaking day for the Villanova football team as they returned to the .500 mark at 5-5, by beating the University of Buffalo 65-40 at Villanova Stadium. The 65 points scored by the Wildcats broke the previous record for points in a game (64), set last season versus West Chester University.
Villanova was led by sophomore running back Brian Westbrook who totaled 261 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns on the afternoon. On the ground, Westbrook ran for 170 yards on 36 carries and scored three times. He caught five passes for 71 yards and one touchdown as well. In what has been a record shattering season for Westbrook, he set a new mark for points in a season with 148 and touchdowns in a career with 35 in the win over Buffalo.
At quarterback, junior Chris Boden was 23-of-27 for 344 yards and five touchdowns. Two Wildcat receivers posted 100 yard receiving days, with Murle Sango catching eight passes for 120 yards and Steve Ward catching six passes for 108 yards and three scores.
Westbrook got the afternoon started right carrying on all nine plays of the first series, including a four yard touchdown run. With 3:18 remaining in the first quarter, Casey Hannon kicked a 35-yard field goal to give Villanova a 10-0 lead at the end of one period of play.
In the second quarter, the Wildcat offense ran wild scoring four touchdowns. Ward caught touchdown passes of 19 and 33 yards, while Ed Diaz caught a 10-yard scoring strike from Boden and Westbrook ran for the second of his three touchdowns on the ground to give Villanova a 37-7 lead at intermission.
The third quarter was once again all Villanova. After Wards third touchdown catch and a Buffalo score on a five-yard run by David Hinson, Westbrook scored two straight touchdowns to give the Cats a 58-14 lead after three quarters.
The Bulls would go on to make a fourth quarter run scoring three touchdowns in the last 3:04 of regulation, two on touchdown runs of one and seven yards by Marvin Brereton, but Villanova would go on to earn the 65-40.
1998 INDIVIDUAL SEASON HIGHS
Rushing Attempts 36, Westbrook vs. BuffaloRushing Yards 179, Westbrook vs. RURushing Touchdowns 3, Westbrook vs. BuffaloPassing Attempts 61, Boden vs. DelPass Completions 40, Boden vs. DelPassing Yards 422, Boden vs. DelPassing Touchdowns 5, Boden on three occasionsTotal Offense 413, Boden vs. DelReceptions 15, Westbrook vs. Neast.Receiving Yards 181, Westbrook vs. JMUReceiving Touchdowns 3, Westbrook vs. FordhamPoints 24, Westbrook - four occasions Field Goals 2, Hannon vs. DelExtra Points 7, Hannon vs. BuffaloInterceptions 2, Lewis vs. W&MMost Tackles 16, Lyons vs. UMassMost Kickoff Return Yds 164, Westbrook vs. Del Most Punt Return Yards 47, Westbrook vs. JMUAll-Purpose Yards 428, Westbrook vs. Pitt
1998 TEAM OFFENSE SEASON HIGHSFirst Downs 30, vs. Del, BuffaloRushing Yards 261, vs. FordhamPass Completions 40, vs. DelPassing Yards 422, vs. DelTotal Offense 564, vs. DelMost Plays 89, vs. DelTouchdowns 8, on vs. BuffaloPoints 65, vs. BuffaloField Goals 2, vs. Del
1998 TEAM DEFENSE SEASON HIGHSFewest First Downs 16, vs. on three occasionsFewest Offensive Yards 220, vs. Fordham.Fewest Pass Completions 5, vs. RUFewest Passing Yards 91, vs. RUFewest Rushing Yards 110, vs. FordhamMost Turnovers Gained 4, vs. W&MMost Fumbles Recovered 1, on four occasionsMost Passes Intercepted 3, on three occasionsMost Sacks 7 vs.Fordham
THE LAST TIME VILLANOVA SHUTOUT AN OPPONENT: Aug. 28, 1997 - Villanova 64, West Chester 0VILLANOVA WAS SHUTOUT: Nov. 9, 1996 - UNH 34, Villanova 0A 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. 8, 1994 - Mike Walker, Conn, 11 yds.VILLANOVA BLOCKED A PUNT: Oct. 24, 1998 - vs. MassachusettsTHE OPPONENT BLOCKED A PUNT: Oct. 3 ,1998 - MaineA WILDCAT INTERCEPTED THREE PASSES: Nov. 30, 1990 - Orin Solomon vs. UNHVILLANOVA RETURNED AN INT. FOR TD: Oct. 26, 1996 - Brian Barajas vs. Richmond 72 yds.AN OPPOSING PLAYER RETURNED AN INT. FOR A TD: Nov. 9, 1996 - Jason Sweet, UNH, 79 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: Nov. 14, 1998- Brian Westbrook (36/172), vs. BuffaloTWO WILDCATS RUSHED FOR 100 YARDS IN A GAME: Oct. 31, 1998 - Brian Westbrook (13/112) & Roger Harriott (14/ 100) vs. FordhamA WILDCAT PASSED FOR OVER 300 YARDS IN A GAME: Nov 14 1998 - Chris Boden vs. Buffalo, 344 yardsA WILDCAT PASSED FOR OVER 400 YARDS IN A GAME: Sept. 12, 1998 - Chris Boden vs. Delaware, 422 yardsA WILDCAT HAD OVER 100 YARDS RECEIVING: Nov. 14, 1998 - Murle Sango (8/120), Steve Ward (6/108)vs. BuffaloA WILDCAT HAD OVER 200 YARDS RECEIVING: Nov. 2, 1996 - Brian Finneran vs. URI, 229 yds.VILLANOVA PLAYED AN OVERTIME GAME: Sept. 12, 1998 - VU 34, Delaware 31VILLANOVA PLAYED A NIGHT GAME: Aug. 28, 1997 - Villanova 64, West Chester 0
#20 Brian Westbrook
Rushing Attempts 36 vs. Buffalo, 11/14/98 Same Rushing Yards 179 vs. RU, 11/7/98 Same Rushing Touchdowns 3, vs. Buffalo, 11/14/98 Same 100-Yard Games 5 5 Receptions 15 vs. Northeastern. 10/10/98 Same Receiving Yards 181 vs. JMU, 9/19/98 Same Receiving Touchdowns 3 vs. Fordham Same Longest Rush 48 vs. Pittsburgh, 9/5/98 Same Longest Catch 72 vs JMU, 9/19/98 Same Most Punt Return Yardage 47 vs. JMU, 9/19/98 Same Longest Punt Return 38 vs. JMU, 9/19/98 Same Most Kickoff Return Yardage 164 vs. Delaware, 9/12/98 Same Longest Kickoff Return 89 vs. Pittsburgh, 9/5/98 89 on two occasions All-Purpose Yards 428 vs. Pittsburgh, 9/5/98 Same
