Oct. 4, 2001
Villanova Football Games Notes for Saturday's Atlantic 10 battle featuring the 13th ranked Villanova Wildcats and the James Madison Dukes. Click on the Adobe PDF icon for a complete version of Saturday's Games Notes. The Wildcats come into the game with a record of 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the Atlantic 10, while the Dukes enter the contest with marks of 1-3 overall and 0-3 in conference action.
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Games Four:
James Madison Dukes (1-3 Overall, 0-3 Atlantic 10)
vs.
No. 13 Villanova Wildcats (3-0 Overall, 2-0 Atlantic 10)
Saturday, October 6, 2001
1 p.m.
Villanova Stadium (12,000/Astroturf)
Villanova, Pa.
SERIES INFORMATION
First Meeting: 1993, JMU, 42-3
Overall: JMU leads 5-3
Overall Under Talley: 3-5
Last VU Win: 9/19/98, 34-30
Last JMU Win: 10/7/00, 57-23
Streak: JMU has won two-straight
MEDIA INFORMATION
Interview Requests- All Interview requests should be directed toward Dean Kenefick, Director of Media Relations, (610) 519-4120.
Radio- Pre-Game Show at Noon
Game Coverage at 1 p.m.
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
GAME NOTES
JAMES MADISON REPORT: James Madison enters play this Saturday with a 1-3 overall record and an 0-3 Atlantic 10 Conference mark. The Dukes have lost on the road at New Hampshire (26-19) and at Maine (13-3) and at home to Rhode Island (16-12). The Dukes lone win of the season came in the season opener over Elon by a score of 42-21. Last week at Maine, James Madison managed just 127 yards of total offense (14 yards rushing) en route to the 13-3 setback. Defensively in the loss, senior linebacker Derrick Lloyd made a game-high 15 tackles. The Dukes have been hit hard by the injury bug this season with quarterback being the position hit the hardest. Redshirt freshman Matt LaZotte started the first game and was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week after completing 11-of-17 for 143 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Elon. LaZotte suffered a shoulder injury in the win over Elon. He may return this week versus Villanova. LaZotte was replaced by Clayton Matthews who started the last three games before injuring his shoulder last Saturday at Maine. Junior Mike Connelly has also seen time as the Duke signal caller. James Madison also played last Saturday without standout senior linebacker Derick Pack and senior running back B.J. Minor and senior tight end J.P. Novak suffered an injury against Maine that will keep him out of this week's contest against Villanova. The Dukes have played well defensively all season long. They are currently giving up just 19.0 points per game, 178.8 rushing yards per game and 138.8 passing yards per game for an average of 317.5 yards per contest.
DUKE HEAD COACH MICKEY MATTHEWS: James Madison is led by third-year head coach Mickey Matthews. During his tenure in Harrisonburg, Matthews has guided James Madison to a 15-12 mark. In his first season in 1999, Matthews led the Dukes to an 8-4 overall record and a 7-1 Atlantic 10 Conference mark. The 7-1 league mark was good enough for a share of the Atlantic 10 Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA I-AA playoffs. For his efforts in 1999, Matthews was named the Eddie Robinson Award winner as the top coach in all of I-AA football, in addition to being named Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year. Matthews came to James Madison from Baylor University where he was the defensive coordinator for just three months from January, 1999 until March, 1999. Before Baylor, he was an assistant at Georgia from 1996-98. While at Georgia, he coached linebackers from 1996-97 and defensive ends in 1998. From 1990-95, Matthews the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Marshall University. He has also had coaching stops at Southwest Texas State, Texas Christian, University of Houston, Texas El- Paso, West Texas State and Kansas State. As a player, Matthews was a four-year letterwinner as a halfback and receiver at West texas State.
TALLEY'S TENURE: Currently in his 17th 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 109-66-1 mark, making him the all-time winningest coach in Villanova history. Talley's 22-year overall coaching record currently stands at 137-84-2. 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.
ATLANTIC 10 ACCOLADES: Junior quarterback Brett Gordon and senior place kicker Casey Hannon were both honored this week by the Atlantic 10 Conference for their play last Saturday in the Wildcats, 31-30, win at the University of Richmond. Gordon was named the Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week, while Hannon was the Special Teams Player of the Week. Gordon completed 27-of-43 for 376 yards to go with four touchdowns and no interceptions. His four scoring strikes included passes of six, 24, eight and 35 yards. With the Wildcats trailing 30-28 with 2:09 remaining and the ball on Villanova's 29-yard line, Gordon led the 'Cats on a 58 yard drive to the Richmond 13-yard line, setting up the game-winning field goal. Hannon connected on a 30-yard field goal with his team trailing 30-28 with one second on the clock, giving the Wildcats a thrilling 31-30 win.
MONTH BY MONTH: Dating back to the 1996 season, Villanova is 18-4 in games played in September, including a perfect 18-0 versus non Division I-A opponents. In the last four seasons in September games, the Wildcats are 16-0 versus I-AA opponents, 2-0 versus Division II teams and 0-4 against I-A opponents. Going back to the 1998 season, Villanova is just 6-7 in October games with all 13 contests coming against I-AA opponents.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: Last Saturday at Richmond, Villanova had the ball just 20:11 and managed 426 yards of total offense and 31 points on just 58 offensive plays. Richmond had the ball for 39:49 and registered 449 yards and 30 points on 85 total plays. Despite running 27 more offensive plays, Richmond recorded just 23 more total yards than the Wildcats.
GORDON REACHES 300: In Villanova's 31-30 win at No. 17 Richmond last Saturday, junior Brett Gordon reached the 300-yard passing mark for the third time in his career, completing 27-of-43 for 376 yards to go with a career-high tying four touchdowns and no interceptions. For the year, he is 65-of-101 for 746 yards and has thrown seven touchdown passes and just one interception. His efficiency rating currently stands at 147.29.
HEROIC HANNON: Senior place kicker Casey Hannon made a 30-yard field goal with one second on the clock to give Villanova a 31-30 win last Saturday at Richmond. This was the first time that Villanova won a game in regulation on a last second field goal since football was restored in 1985. Saturday's kick was Hannon's second game-winning field goal of his career. In 1998, he made a 35-yard attempt to beat Delaware in overtime.
CROSSING THEM UP: With the Richmond defense paying extra attention to All-American running back Brian Westbrook last Saturday, junior fullback Cameron Cross made big plays to help the Wildcats pull out the 31-30 victory. In the win, Cross rushed four times for 29 yards (7.3 yards per rush) and he made three receptions for 80 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown.The touchdown was his first of the year and fifth of his career.
SHAZAM: Entering play last Saturday at Richmond, junior wide receiver Shaz Brown owned career totals of 17 receptions for 185 yards and no touchdowns. In Villanova's win at Richmond, Brown tallied a career-high nine receptions for a career-best 123 yards and his first two touchdowns of his collegiate career. His scoring receptions were from 24 and eight yards.
DOUBLE DIGIT TACKLERS: The Villanova defense had seven players tally double figures in tackles last Saturday at Richmond. Leading the hit parade was junior linebacker Jamison Young who made a team-high 14 tackles and junior cornerback Gary Johnson who recorded 13 tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception. Other double figure tacklers included Jamil Butler, Steve Neugebauer and Joe Keating with 12 each, along with Ray Ventrone and Jason McMillion will 11 stops apiece. For the season, Young leads the Wildcats with 34 total stops.
WESTBROOK REACHES 100: Brian Westbrook recorded the seventh 100-yard receiving game of his career last Saturday versus Richmond with seven catches for 128 yards, including a 60-yard reception. As a receiver this year, Westbrook has made 17 catches for 225 yards and one touchdown.
ALL-PURPOSE HISTORY: Senior All-American running back Brian Westbrook enters this Saturday's game with James Madison with a career total of 7,837 all-purpose yards (7,397 in regular season games) and is just 980 yards shy of the NCAA I-AA record for all-purpose yards held by University of New Hampshire's Jerry Azumah (1994-98). In the win over Northeastern on Sept. 8, Westbrook surpassed the I-A record of 7,206 held by Ricky Williams of the University of Texas. Westbrook needs 1,905 all-purpose yards to become the all-time leader in the history of college football at any level. The record of 9,301 is currently held by Brian Shay of Emporia State (1995-98). NOTE: The NCAA only recognizes stats from regular season games. As a freshman in 1997, Westbrook tallied 440 yards of all-purpose offense in two playoff games.
Career Leaders, All-Purpose Yardage, All Levels of College Football Player School Div. Yards Years1 Brian Shay Emporia State 2 9,301 1995-982 RJ Bowers Grove City 3 9,253 1997-003 Paul Smith Gettysburg 3 9,104 1996-994 Kavin Gailliard AIC 2 8,858 1996-995 Jerry Azumah New Hampshire 1-AA 8,376 1994-986 Damon Thompson Virginia State 2 7,986 1997-007 Carey Bender Coe 3 7,970 1978-828 Steve Tardif Maine Maritime 3 7,960 1996-999 Johnny Bailey Texas A&M-Kings 2 7,803 1985-8910 Kenny Gamble Colgate 1-AA 7,623 1984-8711 Howard Stevens Rnd.-Mcn/Louis 2/1-AA 7,564 1968-7212 Claude Mathis SW Texas St 1-AA 7,423 1994-9713 Thomas Haskins VMI 1-AA 7,411 1993-9614 Brian Westbrook Villanova I-AA 7,397 1997-15 Rick Sarille Wagner 1-AA 7,337 1995-9916 Roger Graham New Haven 2 7,216 1991-9417 Ricky Williams Texas 1-A 7,206 1995-9818 Napolean McCallum Navy 1-A 7,172 1981-8519 Charles Roberts Cal St Sacramento 1-AA 7,112 1997-0020 Dave Ludy Winona State 2 7,071 1991-9421 Albert Fann Cal St Sacramento 2 7,032 1997-0022 Reggie Greene Siena 1-AA 6,959 1994-9723 Kirk Matthieu Maine Maritime 3 6,955 1989-9324 Curtis Delgardo Portland State 2 6,942 1986-9025 Jarrett Anderson Turman 2 6,926 1993-9626 Darrin Nelson Stanford 1-A 6,885 1977-8127 Eric Frees Western Maryland 3 6,878 1988-9128 Kevin Faulk Louisiana State 1-A 6,833 1995-9829 Damian Beane Shepherd 2 6,762 1996-9930 Marcel Shipp Massachusetts 1-AA 6,707 1997-0031 Ron Dayne Wisconsin 1-A 6,701 1996-99
Career Leaders, All-Purpose Yardage, Division I-AA Player School Yards Years1 Jerry Azumah New Hampshire 8,376 1994-982 Kenny Gamble Colgate 7,623 1984-873 Claude Mathis SW Texas St 7,423 1994-974 Thomas Haskins VMI 7,411 1993-965 Brian Westbrook Villanova 7,397 1997-6 Rick Sarille Wagner 7,337 1995-997 Charles Roberts Cal St Sacramento 7,112 1997-008 Reggie Greene Siena 6,959 1994-979 Marcel Shipp Massachusetts 6,707 1997-00
CLOSING IN: Besides being in pursuit of the I-AA all-purpose yard record, Brian Westbrook also has his sights set on the NCAA I-AA record for career kickoff return yards. Entering the James Madison game, Westbrook has amassed 2,138 career kickoff return yards (1,956 in regular season games) and is just 579 yards shy of the I-AA record of 2,535 held by Carlos Franks from The Citadel (1996-99). In addition, with one more kickoff return for a score, Westbrook will set the NCAA I-AA record for kickoff returns for a touchdown with six.
THREE MORE SCORES: With three more touchdowns, Brian Westbrook will set the Atlantic 10 Conferencerecord for career touchdowns. The record of 69 is currently held by New Hampshire's Jerry Azumah (1994-98). Westbrook has scored an amazing 67 touchdowns in 37 career games.
GOING THE DISTANCE: Throughout Brian Westbrook's illustrious Villanova career, the 5-9, 205 pound running back has returned five kickoffs for touchdowns. With one more return for a score, Westbrook will set the NCAA I-AA record that he currently shares with Kerry Hayes of Western Carolina (1991-94) and Ryan Zimpleman of Butler (1997-99). Here is a list of Westbrook's five kickoff returns for touchdowns. The All-Divisions record for career kickoff returns for touchdowns is eight by Dave Ludy of Winona State (1991-94), while the I-A record is six by Anthony Davis of Southern California (1972-74).
1. vs. Colgate (I-AA playoff game) 11/29/97 89 yards
2. vs. Pittsburgh 9/5/98 89 yards
3. vs. Millersville 9/9/00 93 yards
4. vs. New Hampshire 10/21/00 96 yards
5. vs. Colgate 8/30/01 98 yards
WESTBROOK BY THE NUMBERS:
Career Games 38
Career TDs 67
Career Points 410
Career Rushing Yards 3,183
Career average per rush 6.1
Career Receptions 177
Career Receiving Yards 2,206
Career kickoff Return Yards 2,138
Career Kickoff Returns For A TD 5
School Records 37
NCAA Records 3
HAWAII BOUND: Senior running back Brian Westbrook has been selected to play in the 2002 Hula Bowl. The All-Star game which highlights the nation's top seniors will be played Saturday, Feb. 2 in Maui, Hawaii and will be shown live on ESPN. On Sunday, Feb. 3, Westbrook and his Hula Bowl teammates will travel to Honolulu and will attend the NFL Pro Bowl. Last year's Hula Bowl had 24 NFL draft picks play in the game.
SECOND BEST: Senior wide receiver Murle Sango moved past Bob Brady into second place on the Villanova career reception list with his five reception/28 yard/one TD performance last Saturady versus Richmond. In his Villanova career, Sango has made 188 receptions for 1,985 yards and 18 touchdowns. The school record of 265 receptions is held by current Atlanta Falcon wide receiver Brian Finneran. Last season, Sango made 39 receptions for 471 yards and five scores. As a sophomore in 1999, Sango registered a school-record 98 receptions for 1,064 yards and 10 touchdowns.
VILLANOVA CAREER RECEPTION LIST
1. Brain Finneran (1994-97) 265
2. MURLE SANGO (1998-present) 188
3. Bob Brady (1986-89) 187
4. BRIAN WESTBROOK (1997-present) 177
5. Josh Dolbin (1994-97) 169
SECOND QUARTER DOMINANCE: Villanova has dominated the second quarter of its three games this year. In the second quarter this year, the 'Cats have outscored their opponents by a 49-3 margin. In the first half this year, Villanova owns a 69-17 advantage over its opponents.
THIRD GENERATION: Quarterback Brett Gordon is the third member of his family to be the starting quarterback at Villanova. His grandfather, Andrew, was a Villanova quarterback from 1946-48, while his father, Drew, was a Wildcat signal caller from 1969-71. Andrew Gordon was the quarterback of the Villanova teams that played in the 1947 Great Lakes Bowl (24-14 loss to Kentucky) and the 1949 Harbor Bowl (27-7 win over Nevada). Drew Gordon ranks ninth on Villanova's career passing yards list with 2,370 yards. Villanova junior running back Luke Stopper is also a third generation Wildcat football player. His grandfather, Anthony, played at Villanova from 1935-37 and his father, John, performed on the Main Line from 1967-69.
OVERTIME HISTORY: During Andy Talley's tenure as Villanova's head football coach, the Wildcats have participated in eight overtime games and have tallied a 5-3 record. Six of the eight overtime games have been played at Villanova Stadium. The last extra session game came last year when the Wildcats suffered a 48-41 loss to William & Mary. In 1999, Villanova played two overtime games. On Oct. 16, 1999 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 against Delaware to win a 51-45 thriller in one overtime.
STAFF CHANGES: Villanova head coach Andy Talley has added four new assistant coaches to his staff this year. Joining the Wildcat coaching staff are Mark Reardon who will coach the Villanova defensive backs, Apollo Wright who will serve as running backs coach, Brian Bauer who will be the assistant offensive line coach and Brian Gehrig who will be the assistant defensive line coach. Reardon replaces Clayton Carlin who left the Main Line to become the secondary coach at the University of Buffalo, while Wright fills the void left by Stan Drayton who is now an assistant coach with the Green Bay Packers.
ALL-AMERICAN HISTORY: The Villanova football program has had a first team All-American in six of the last seven years. In those seven years, five different Wildcats have achieved first team All-American status. In the program's history, 20 different players have earned All-American distinction.
WILDCATS ON THE RADIO: Every Villanova football game this season will be carried live by the Villanova Football Radio Network. The flagship stations for the Wildcats this season will be WFIL 560-AM and WZZD 990-AM. Returning for his 15th season as Villanova's play-by-play man is Joe Eichhorn. Joining Eichhorn for a ninth 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 2001, 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 Conshohocken Marriott on Thursday evenings (7-8 p.m.) prior to away games and one hour following home contests. 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.
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-10Notes/Stats 2411 2301Notes Only 2412Stats Only 2413Schedule 2414 2304Roster 2415Depth Chart 2416Last Game Stats 2417
