August 2, 1999

Villanova University head football coach Andy Talley announced today that junior running back Brian Westbrook will be sidelined for the entire 1999 season due to a knee injury. Westbrook will medically redshirt this season and have two years of eligibility remaining beginning with the 2000 campaign. The 5-9, 195 pound Westbrook will undergo surgery on his left knee to repair a damaged ACL and will need six to eight months of rehabilitation. Westbrook underwent an arthroscopic procedure in March and after an extensive rehabilitation program did not produce the desired results, he has opted for the reconstruction surgery.

"We feel very bad for Brian, especially after coming off such a phenomenal sophomore season. We are confident that he will return to the field and perform at the same level next season," said Talley. "In the meantime, our football team is committed to carrying on and competing for the Atlantic 10 championship. Brian's absence will provide other players an opportunity to step-up and contribute in a positive way."

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.

Talley and the Wildcats open the 1999 season at Division I-A Air Force on Saturday, Sept. 4 in Colorado Springs, Colo.