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Villanova Wildcats (5-4 Overall, 3-3 Atlantic 10)
vs.
William & Mary Tribe (4-5 Overall, 3-3 Atlantic 10)
Saturday, November 11, 2000 -- Noon
Villanova Stadium (12,000)
Villanova, Pa.
SERIES INFORMATION:
First Meeting: 1966, WM 34-14
Overall: W&M leads 11-6-1
Overall Under Talley: 4-6-1
Last VU Win: 9/26/98, 45-28
Last W&M Win:10/9/99, 45-10
Streak: VU has won 2 of last 3
MEDIA INFORMATION:
Interview Requests- All Interview requests should be directed toward Dean Kenefick, Director of Media Relations, (610) 519-4120.
Radio
Pre-Game 11:00 a.m.
Game Coverage Noon WFIL - 560-AM
Play By Play Joe Eichhorn
Color Analysis Ryan Fannon
All Wildcat games can be heard on the internet at www.villanova.com
WILLIAM & MARY REPORT: The Tribe enters play this week with a 4-5 overall record and a 3-3 Atlantic 10 Conference mark. William & Mary was off last Saturday and last played on October 28 when they defeated Northeastern at home by a score of 26-15. William & Mary is led by sophomore quarterback David Corley who was the 1999 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year. Last season, Corley became the first freshman quarterback to lead the Atlantic 10 in passing efficiency with a 141.8 rating. This season, Corley has completed 136-of-238 for 2,047 yards and nine touchdowns to go with nine interceptions and he has rushed for 245 yards on 99 carries and six scores. Corley's favorite target is senior wide receiver Chris Rosier who has tallied 41 receptions for 722 yards and one touchdown. Redshirt freshman Rich Musinski has made 35 catches for 635 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, sophomore running back Marcus Howard has gained 447 yards on 108 carries (4.1 yards per rush) and one score, while senior Hameen Ali has registered 345 yards on 79 carries (4.4 yards per rush) and one touchdown. Defensively, senior linebacker Todd Greineder has made a team-best 108 tackles including four tackles for loss and sack. Sophomore defensive end Marcus Washington has recorded 11 tackles for loss and four sacks, while senior defensive tackle Raheem Walker has five tackles for loss and four sacks.
TRIBE HEAD COACH JIMMYE LAYCOCK: The Tribe is led by 21st-year head coach Jimmye Laycock who has compiled a 139-95-2 record en route to becoming the school's all-time winningest coach. During his tenure in Williamsburg, Laycock has guided William & Mary to five NCAA playoff appearances, two Lambert Cup trophies and he has led the Tribe to ECAC Team of the Year status on two different occasions. Laycock began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Clemson University from 1971-72. In 1973-74, he was the offensive backfield coach at The Citadel before taking over as quarterbacks coach at Memphis State in 1775-76. Laycock returned to Clemson in 1977 where he was the offensive coordinator until taking over the reigns as head coach at William & Mary in 1980. During his tenure at Clemson, Laycock helped the Tigers to two Gator Bowl appearances and one Peach Bowl berth.
2000 HONORS:
Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Week
Brian Westbrook vs. Millersville-Sept. 9
Brian Westbrook vs. Maine-Sept. 23
Brian Westbrook vs. Northeastern-Oct. 14
Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week
Scott Lukash vs. New Hampshire-Oct. 21
Sports Network National Special Teams Player of the Week
Brian Westbrook vs. New Hampshire Oct. 21
Injury Report
The following is the injury report for the W&M game on Nov. 11
-- Baylen Botts (RFr/DE) Broken left fibula. Out for the year
-- Brett Gordon (So./QB) Left knee. Probable for W&M
-- Casey Hannon (Jr./PK) Fractured left ankle. Out for the year
-- Willie Lewis (Sr/DL) Broken collar bone. Out for the year
-- Jason McMillion (So., LB) Hamstring. Questionable for W&M
-- Steve Neugebauer (So./LB) Neck sprain. Questionable for W&M
-- Matt Reiter (Sr., SS) Concussion. Out for the year
-- Chuck Tornetta (So./DL) Dislocated right shoulder. Out for the year
TALLEY'S TENURE: Currently in his 16th 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 106-64-1 mark, making him the all-time winningest coach in Villanova history. Talley's 21-year overall coaching record currently stands at 134-82-2. 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.
SHINING IN SYDNEY: At halftime of Saturday's game with William & Mary, the Villanova Athletic Department will honor the four Villanovans who competed this past summer at the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. The four athletes include Mike Neill, who was a member of the gold medal winning United State baseball team, Sonia O'Sullivan, who ran for Ireland and earned a silver medal in the 5,000 meter run, Maddy Crippen, who finished sixth in the 400 individual medley and Jen Rhines who competed in the 10,000 meter run. All four of the olympians will be on hand Saturday for the halftime ceremony with the exception of O'Sullivan. Throughout history, Villanova has had 40 athletes compete in the Olympic Games including having at least one in every summer games since 1948.
FAREWELL SENIORS: With Saturday being the final home game of the 2000 season, Villanova will honor its senior class during a pre-game ceremony. Keeping with tradition, Villanova will honor all the members of the team who are in their fourth season in addition to the fifth-year seniors. Of the 27 players who will be honored, some will return next year for their fifth year of eligibility. The 27 players being recognized include Ducarmel Augustin, Stan Bennett, Brian Berko-Boateng, Chris Birch, Matt Bride, Tom Buczynski, Dan Gassert, Kwame Koomson, Brian Koupal, Sean Lengenus, darren Lenz, Brian Lewis, John Lewis, Willie Lewis, Jason Moreen, Chris Ott, Jeff Petrone, Braheem Powell, Joe Quartey, Matt Reiter, Kevin Rogers, Murle Sango, Kwesi Solomon, Luke Stopper, Steve Ward, Brian Westbrook and Kristian Ward.
RUNNING THE FOOTBALL: Due in large part to the injuries that Villanova has suffered to the defensive line, the Wildcats have had a hard time stopping the run the past two weeks. In back-to-back losses to Richmond and Massachusetts, the Wildcats have given up 626 yards rushing on 126 carries (4.9 yards per rush) and six touchdowns. In the loss to Richmond on Oct. 28, the Spiders rushed an amazing 77 times for 430 yards. The 430 yards is the most rushing yards ever by an opponent against Villanova. Last Saturday, Massachusetts gained 196 yards on 49 carries.
REACHING 1,000: In last Saturday's loss to Massachusetts, junior running back Brian Westbrook tallied the second 1,000-yard rushing season of his career. For the year, Westbrook now has 1,021 yards on 149 carries (6.9 yards per rush) and 11 rushing touchdowns. Westbrook is the first player in Villanova school history to have two 1,000-yard rushing seasons in his career. There has only been three times in the program's history where a Villanova back has rushed for 1,000 yards in a season. Westbrook accomplished the feat in 1998 when he gained 1046 yards, while Curtis Sifford became the first Wildcat back ever to gain 1,000 yards in 1996 when he tallied 1,001 yards on the ground.
BELOW THE NORM: The Massachusetts defense did a good job last Saturday of keeping junior running back Brian Westbrook in check. In the loss at Massachusetts, Westbrook gained 52 yards on 13 carries, in addition to making five receptions for 31 yards and returning six kickoffs for 105 yards. By holding Westbrook to 52 yards rushing, Villanova is now 0-3 this season when Westbrook fails to rush for 100 yards. The three opponents who have held Westbrook under 100 yards include Rutgers, James Madison and Massachusetts. The James Madison game is a little misleading as Westbrook had 86 yards on 12 carries in the middle of the third quarter before leaving the game with a sprained ankle. When he does reach the 100-yard rushing plateau, the Wildcats are 5-1.
MR. VERSATILITY: You would be hard-pressed to find a more versatile player than junior running back Brian Westbrook. After nine games, Westbrook has 2,207 yards of all-purpose offense for an average of 245.2 all-purpose yards per game. Besides rushing for 1,021 yards, he has made a team-high 41 receptions for 416 yards and has returned 28 kickoffs for 770 yards (27.5 avg.) Of his 16 total touchdowns this season, 11 have been rushing, three have been receiving and two have been on kickoff returns. He has also rushed for two, two-point conversions. Westbrook currently leads both the nation and the Atlantic 10 Conference in all-purpose yards. The next closest person to him in the Atlantic 10 is Stephan Lewis of New Hampshire whose average of 163.1 all-purpose yards per game is 82 yards behind Westbrook. In the national stats, the next closest player to him is Louis Ivory of Furman whose average of 191.22 is 54 yards behind Westbrook.
WESTBROOK BY THE NUMBERS:
Career Games-34
Career TDs-54
Career Points-334
Career Rushing Yards-2,697
Career average per rush-6.0
Career Receptions-142
Career Kickoff Returns For A TD-4
School Record-19
NCAA Records-2
WHERE WESTBROOK RANKS IN 2000: The following is where Brian Westbrook ranks in the latest statistics for both the NCAA and the Atlantic 10.
A10 NCAA
All-purpose yards 1st 1st
Scoring 1st 4th
Rushing 1st 22nd
Kickoff return average 1st 14th
Receptions per game 7th N/A
FIRST FIELD GOAL: Due to a broken ankle suffered by junior kicker Casey Hannon in the loss to Richmond on Oct. 28, Villanova's starting punter Chris Birch has had to take over the place kicking duties. In last week's game at Massachusetts, Birch made his first career field goal when he connected on a 26-yarder at the 10:36 mark of the second quarter. In the Richmond contest, Birch failed on a 34-yard attempt. To fill the kickoff duties, head coach Andy Talley has added senior Steve Dybsky to the squad. Dybsky joined the team in the middle of the 1997 season and was a member of the 1998 squad. Dybsky joined the team on Sunday, Oct. 29 and he handled all the kickoffs last Saturday versus Massachusetts.
QUICK EXIT: After tallying a game-high 21 tackles (12 solo/9 assisted) against Richmond on Oct. 28,Villanova starting middle linebacker Jason McMillion managed to play just two plays last Saturday versus Massachusetts. On the second play of the game, McMillion suffered a hamstring injury. His status is questionable for this Saturday's home finale against William & Mary. For the season, McMillion has recorded a team-best 69 total stops to go with one interception which was returned for a touchdown, one sack, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble and two pass break-ups.
EVERY HOME GAME: When offensive tackle Stan Bennett starts this Saturday in the final home game of his career, he will have started all 24 games played at Villanova Stadium during his four-year career. Bennett, who has started every game of his Wildcat career, will be making his 45th-straight start this week against William & Mary. As a true freshman in 1997, Bennett started all 13 games at guard before moving to tackle the last two years where he started all 11 contests both seasons.
TEAM LEADER: With a second quarter interception last Saturday against Massachusetts, senior strong safety Braheem Powell took over the team lead in interceptions with three. Last year, Powell led the Wildcats in picks with four and he has tallied eight in his career. This Saturday versus William & Mary, he will be making his 32nd straight start. Powell started all 11 game sin 1998 at cornerback, before starting all 11 last season at free safety where he has started the first eight contests this year. Powell is currently second on the 2000 team in tackles with 64.
BLOCK PUNTS: Villanova has made blocking punts a habit. Already this year, Villanova has blocked a punt in three games with Matt Bride getting credit for two and Reggie Danage with one. For his career, Danage has four punt blocks. The Wildcats have blocked nine punts over the last two seasons.
TEAM CAPTAINS: Serving as team captains in 2000 will be senior running back Ducarmel Augustin, senior offensive tackle Stan Bennett and fifth-year senior defensive end Darren Lenz.
WEST COAST FLAVOR: As has been the case the last three seasons, Villanova continues to have a number of California natives on the roster. All total, Villanova has 14 players on its roster who call California home. Of the 14, 13 appear on the Wildcat depth including nine who are starters.
OVERTIME HISTORY: During Andy Talley's tenure as Villanova's head football coach, the Wildcats have participated in seven overtime games and have tallied a 5-2 record. Five of the seven overtime games have been played at Villanova Stadium. Last year, Villanova played two overtime games. On Oct. 16, Villanova defeated UConn, 48-45, in triple overtime in a game played in Storrs, Conn. In the season finale at Villanova Stadium, the `Cats rallied from a 45-24 deficit with 8:37 remaining to win a 51-45 thriller in one overtime.
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. Returning for his 14th 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 2000, WFIL-AM 560-AM and WZZD-AM 990 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 on Saturday's following Wildcat home games.
ATLANTIC 10 FAX-ON-DEMAND: Information on the Wildcat football team and the entire Atlantic 10 Football Conference is available 24 hours a day through the Atlantic 10 fax-on-demand system. This service is for media use only. To access, dial 201-947-4062 from the handset of your fax machine. Select the information you are interested in from the request numbers below.
VILLANOVA A-10
Notes/Stats 2411 2301
Notes Only 2412
Stats Only 2413
Schedule 2414 2304
Roster 2415
Depth Chart 2416
Last Game Stats 2417
