Nov. 17, 2001

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Villanova, Pa. ----- Playing in his final regular season home game of his Villanova career, senior placekicker Casey Hannon (Lebanon, N.J.) kicked four field goals to lead the Wildcats past Delaware, 19-14, in an Atlantic 10 football match-up on Saturday, Nov. 17. Villanova improves to 8-2 on the year, 7-1 the Atlantic 10 as Delaware falls to 4-6 overall, 4-5 in the conference.

Villanova quarterback Brett Gordon (Ambler, Pa.) completed 32-of-44 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown and running back Brain Westbrook (Fort Washington, Md.) ran for 137 yards on 28 carries (190 all-purpose yards) to lead the Wildcats offense.

Delaware halfback Butch Patrick gave the Blue Hens a 7-0 lead at the 10:08 mark in the first quarter, on a three-yard touchdown run. The Blue Hen's defensive end, Ron Cook, recovered a fumble by Westbrook in Villanova's opening drive. Cook returned the fumble to the Villanova 31-yard line and Patrick carried for the first points of the game five plays later.

Hannon kicked his first of, a career-high, four field goals from 38 yards out to cut Delaware's lead to 7-3 with 10:54 remaining in the first half.

On the ensuing drive, Delaware marched down to the Villanova 13-yard line but junior Gary Johnson (Waukegan, Ill.) forced a fumble and junior Jamison Young (Sickerville, Pa.) recovered the ball on the Villanova 22-yard line. Gordon and the Wildcats responded with an 11-play drive, covering 76 yards in 4:33. With 0:53 remaining in the first half, Gordon connected with junior wide receiver Brian White (Hamilton, N.J.) from four yards out for Villanova's only touchdown of the afternoon. It marked the first touchdown Delaware's defense surrendered in over 150 minutes of play.

Villanova's defense, led by Kwesi Solomon (Philadelphia, Pa.) with four solo tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble, rewarded the Wildcats with another opportunity to add to their halftime lead. Gordon completed two passes for 27 yards to set up a 42-yard Hannon field goal. Hannon's second field goal of the day put Villanova ahead, 13-7, at intermission.

The Wildcats added to their lead in the third quarter at the 2:39 mark with a 19-yard field goal by Hannon.

The Blue Hens staged a late comeback and cut the lead to 16-14 with 5:41 remaining when senior halfback Butter Pressey scored on a seven-yard carry. The Blue Hens put together a 15-play drive covering 86 yards in 6:27.

Villanova junior Shaz Brown returned the kickoff 58 yards to the Delaware 27-yard line and four plays later Hannon booted his fourth field goal of the day from 36-yards out to seal the victory.

With today's win the Wildcats earned a share of the 2001 Atlantic 10 Championship and with a victory next week over William & Mary, Villanova would win the league championship outright and receive an automatic bid to the Division 1-AA playoffs.

For more information please contact Dean Kenefick in the Villanova Media Relations Department at (610) 519-4120.