Aug. 16, 2000
The Villanova Wildcats begin the 2000 season ranked No. 14 in the preseason Sports Network poll. Garnering 622 points, the Wildcats are the second highest Atlantic 10 Conference team in the poll behind the University of Massachusetts who is ranked No. 4 with 1,484 points. Defending National Champion Georgia Southern owns the top spot with 1,788 points.
Villanova returns 14 starters from last year's squad that finished 7-4 overall and 6-2 in Atlantic 10 play. In addition to the 14 starters, the Wildcats also return the services of All-American running back Brian Westbrook. As a sophomore in 1998, Westbrook became the first player in the history of NCAA football at any level to rush and receive for 1,000 yards in the same season. Westbrook missed the entire 1999 season due to a knee injury. Villanova also returns junior All-American wide receiver Murle Sango who set a school record last year with 98 receptions.
The Wildcats open the 2000 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 2, when they travel to Division I-A Rutgers. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
SPORTS NETWORK PRESEASON TOP 25
| 1. | Georgia Southern |
| 2. | Montana |
| 3. | Troy State |
| 4. | Massachusetts |
| 5. | Illinois State |
| 6. | Appalachian State |
| 7. | Youngstown State |
| 8. | Florida A&M |
| 9. | Furman |
| 10. | Northern Iowa |
| 11. | Hofstra |
| 12. | Portland State |
| 13. | Southern |
| 14. | VILLANOVA |
| 15. | North Carolina A&T |
| 16. | Delaware |
| 17. | Stephen F.Austin |
| 18. | James Madison |
| 19. | Tennessee State |
| 20. | Eastern Kentucky |
| 21. | Jackson State |
| 22. | Northern Arizona |
| 23. | Western Illinois |
| 24. | Lehigh |
| 25. | Colgate |
