Dec. 4, 2002
Villanova Football Notes for the NCAA Division I-AA Playoff Quarterfinals featuring the Villanova Wildcats (10-3, 6-3) hosting the Fordham Rams (10-2, 6-1) at Villanova Stadium with Kickoff slated for 12:00 p.m. Click on the pdf link below for a complete version of the game notes.
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Game No. 14
Villanova Wildcats (10-3 Overall, 6-3 Atlantic 10)
vs.
Fordham Rams (10-2 Overall, 6-1 Patriot League)
Saturday, December 7, 2002
Noon
Villanova Stadium (12,000)
Villanova, Pa.
NCAA I-AA PLAYOFFS --Quarterfinals
SERIES INFORMATION
First Meeting: 1897, Tie 0-0
Overall: Villanova Leads 18-3-4
Overall Under Talley: 8-0-0
Last Villanova Win: 10/31/98, 45-12
Last Fordham Win: 10/16/20, 12-6
Streak: Villanova has won 10-straight
MEDIA INFORMATION
Interview Requests- All Interview requests should be directed toward Dean Kenefick, Assistant Athletics Director/Communications, (610) 519-4120.
Radio- Game Coverage at noon on WZZD 990-AM (Play By Play: Joe Eichhorn, Color Analysis: Ryan Fannon)
*All Wildcat games can be heard on the internet at www.villanova.com
ABOUT THE HEAD COACHES
VILLANOVA HEAD COACH ANDY TALLEY: Currently in his 18th 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 124-72-1 mark, making him the all-time winningest coach in Villanova history. Talley's 23-year overall coaching record currently stands at 152-90-2. During his career as the Wildcat mentor, Talley has guided Villanova to six NCAA playoff appearances (1989, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 2002), four Conference titles and one Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy. In 1997, Talley garnered the Eddie Robinson Award and the AFCA/GTE National Coach of the Year. Throughout his Wildcat career, Talley has coached eight first team All-Americans, two Walter Payton Award winners and five conference Player of the Year Award winners. Talley came to Villanova from Division III St. Lawrence University where he led the Saints to a 28-18-1 record in five seasons, including an undefeated regular season in 1982 when St. Lawrence advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Also, in 1982, St. Lawrence claimed the Lambert Meadowlands Trophy as the top team in the East. Talley has also served as an assistant coach at Springfield College, Middlebury College and Brown University.
FORDHAM HEAD COACH DAVE CLAWSON: Fordham is led by fourth-year head coach Dave Clawson. In his four years at Fordham, Clawson has led the Rams to 20-25 record. The 9-2 regular season record tallied this year is Fordham's best ever I-AA mark. In addition to going 9-2 overall this year, Clawson led Fordham to a 6-1 Patriot League record which was good enough to earn the Rams a share of the Patriot League championship with Colgate. Fordham earned its first-ever bid to the I-AA playoffs by virtue of a head-to-head win over Colgate during the regular season. Clawson came to the Bronx from Villanova where he was the Wildcat offensive coordinator from 1997-99. In 1997, Clawson's Villanova offense helped the Wildcats register a perfect 11-0 regular season record by averaging 40.2 points per game which ranked second nationally. Before Villanova, Clawson was an assistant at Lehigh University from 1993-95. As offensive coordinator in 1995, Clawson helped Lehigh to the Patriot League title with an offense ranked sixth nationally in passing and ninth in total offense. Clawson began his coaching career at the University of Albany from 1989-90 where he was the quarterbacks coach and secondary coach for one year each. He also served as an assistant at the University of Buffalo from 1991-92.
VILLANOVA NEWS & NOTES
PLAYOFF HISTORY: Villanova is making its sixth NCAA I-AA playoff appearance and its first since 1997. The Wildcats have registered an all-time playoff record of 2-5.
1989 Lost at Georgia Southern in 1st round 52-361991 Lost at Youngstown State in 1st round 17-161992 Lost at Youngstown State in 1st round 23-201996 Lost at East Tennessee State in 1st round 35-291997 Defeated Colgate in first round 49-28 Lost to Youngstown State in quarterfinals 37-342002 Defeated Furman 45-38
** Of the five playoff losses, Georgia Southern (1989) and Youngstown State (1991, 1997) won the national championship, while the 1992 Youngstown State team lost in the title game.
VILLANOVA IN THE POST-SEASON: Besides the five I-AA playoff appearances, Villanova has been involved in five postseason bowl games. In those five bowl games, the Wildcats compiled a 2-2-1 record. When you combine the I-AA playoff games and the bowl contests, Villanova has an all-time record of 4-7-1 in post-season play.
1937 Bacardi Bowl Tied Auburn 6-61947 Great Lakes Bowl Lost to Kentucky 27-71949 Harbor Bowl Defeated Nevada 27-71961 Sun Bowl Defeated Wichita 17-91962 Liberty Bowl Lost to Oregon State 6-0
FORDHAM REPORT: Fordham enters the quarterfinal round of the 2002 playoffs with a 10-2 overall record. The Rams registered a 6-1 Patriot League record during the regular season which earned them a share of the Patriot League championship with Colgate. Fordham earned the league's automatic bid to the playoffs by virtue of a head-to-head victory over Colgate. Fordham's two losses have come at Columbia (13-11 on Sept. 21) and at home in overtime to Lehigh (26-23). In last week's first round, Fordham upset Northeastern by a score of 29-24 in a game played in Boston. In the win, the Rams were led by junior quarterback Kevin Eakin who completed 20-of-37 for 269 yards and one touchdown and junior running back Kirwin Watson who gained 101 yards on 21 carries and one touchdown. Fordham also received a big contribution from senior kicker Matt Fordyce who made five field goals in five attempts, including two field goals from 40-yards or more. Defensively, sophomore linebacker NaQuinton Gainous made a game-high 11 tackles. For the year, the Rams are averaging 34.0 points per game and they are allowing 16.8 points per contest. Fordham is averaging 400.2 yards of total offense per game, including 256.1 passing and 144.1 rushing per contest. Eakin has completed 223-of-353 for 2,925 yards to go with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while Watson has gained 1,413 yards on 270 carries (5.2 yards per rush) and 17 touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Javarus Dudley has made a team-high 75 catches for 1,088 yards and eight scores. Defensively, Gainous has made a team-best 85 total tackles.
PLAYING FOR HISTORY: Villanova will be trying to make history on Saturday when they take on Fordham in the quarterfinal round of the I-AA playoffs. With a victory over the Rams, Villanova will earn a trip to the I-AA playoff semifinals for the first time in school history. The Wildcats have made just one other appearance in the I-AA quarterfinals and that came in 1997 when the 'Cats lost at home to Youngstown State by a score of 37-34.
FRIENDLY FOE: An old friend will be returning to the Main Line when Fordham University head football coach Dave Clawson brings his Rams to Villanova Stadium for Saturday's quarterfinal playoff game against the Wildcats. Clawson is very familiar with head coach Andy Talley and the Wildcat program, as he was Villanova's offensive coordinator from 1996-98. During Clawson's time at Villanova, the Wildcats posted a 26-10 mark and participated in the NCAA I-AA playoffs in two of the three years. The last time that Villanova was in the quarterfinal round of the I-AA playoffs was in 1997 when Clawson was the team's offensive coordinator. In that game, the 'Cats lost to Youngstown State by a score of 37-34.
A PERFECT 10: With last Saturday's 45-38 win over Furman in the first round of the 2002 NCAA I-AA playoffs, the Villanova Wildcats tallied the third 10-win season in the program's history. Villanova's other two 10-win campaigns came in 1991 (10-2) and 1997 (12-1).
TOUGH ROAD: The Villanova Wildcats played a demanding 2002 schedule. Of Villanova's 13 opponents this year, seven were ranked at the time of the game, and in those seven contests the 'Cats were 4-3. Villanova has beaten then No. 23 James Madison (30-26 on 9/28), then No. 24 Penn (17-3 on 10/10) then No. 12 William & Mary (41-20 on 11/2) and No. 6 Furman last week in the first round of the playoffs by a score of 45-38. The Wildcats have lost to then No. 6 Maine (21-14 on 9/14), then No. 20 Massachusetts (17-16 on 10/19) and to then No. 18 Northeastern (38-13 on 11/9). From a non-conference perspective, the Wildcats have wins over I-A and Big East member Rutgers, Co-Patriot League champion Colgate and Ivy League champion the University of Pennsylvania.
TOP HONORS: Wildcat senior quarterback Brett Gordon was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year in a voting by league head coaches. The postseason awards and All-Conference teams were announced on Tuesday, Nov. 26. This marks the fourth time in the last six years that a Villanova player has earned this award. Wide receiver Brian Finneran claimed the honor in 1997, while running back Brian Westbrook garnered the distinction in 2000 and 2001. In 12 regular season games in 2002, Gordon completed 309-of-460 (67.2%) for 3,467 yards to go with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He led the league in passing yards per game (288.9 yards per game), total offense per game (281.0 yards per game), touchdown passes (29) and pass efficiency (146.1). For his efforts this year, he has earned Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Week distinction on four different occasions.
TOP CAT: Senior signal caller Brett Gordon set the Villanova single season passing yards mark in last Saturday's win over Furman. With his final completion of the game, a 30-yard strike to Brian White, Gordon broke Chris Boden's school record of 3,707 set in 1997. Entering play next week versus Fordham, Gordon has 3,717 yards passing in 13 games. Boden also set the record in 13 games.
WILDCATS TIMES TWO: After his three touchdown performance versus Furman last Saturday, Villanova quarterback Brett Gordon now has 79 career touchdowns. With his third scoring strike in the first round win, Gordon moved past Tom Ehrhardt of Rhode Island (1984-85) and into second place on the all-time Atlantic 10 Conference career passing touchdown list. Gordon trails only Villanova alum Chris Boden (1996-99) who is the Atlantic 10 record holder with 99 career touchdowns.
BACK-TO-BACK: In Villanova's win over Rhode Island on Nov. 16, quarterback Brett Gordon registered his second-straight 3,000 yard passing season. After 13 games, Gordon is 336-of-500 (67.2%) for 3,717 yards to go with 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. By reaching the 3,000-yard plateau, Gordon becomes just the second Villanova quarterback in school history to have two 3,000-yard passing seasons to his credit. Chris Boden (1996-99) accomplished the feat three times during his Villanova career. Gordon tallied 3,107 passing yards last season and 2,293 as a sophomore in 2000. For his career, Gordon has registered 9,066 passing yards which ranks third all-time on the Villanova list behind Boden (10,146 yards) and Kirk Schulz (9,676 yards from 1986-89).
TARGET PRACTICE: Senior quarterback Brett Gordon will finish his Wildcat career as the school's most accurate passer. Entering play versus Fordham in the second round of the I-AA playoffs, Gordon has completed 783-of-1,167 for a 67.0 percent completion rate in his career. The current school record for career completion percentage is 61.5 percent by Chris Boden who played at Villanova from 1996-99.
NATIONAL FINALIST: Due to his stellar play during the 2002 campaign, senior quarterback Brett Gordon is currently one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award which is given to the top player in NCAA I-AA football. The winner will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 18 at a banquet in Chattanooga, Tenn. Villanova and the University of Idaho are the only two schools to have produced two Walter Payton Award winners. In 1997, Villanova's Brian Finneran became the only receiver to ever win the award, while Wildcat running back Brian Westbrook garnered the award last year.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: 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.
LONG YEAR: Villanova will tie a school record for games played in a season when the Wildcats take on Fordham in the NCAA I-AA quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 7. The only other Villanova team to play 14 games was the 1896 Wildcats that went 10-4-0. The 1997 Villanova squad that advanced to the quarterfinals played 13 games.
ATLANTIC 10 ACCOLADES: In addition to quarterback Brett Gordon earning Atlantic 10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors and being named to the All-Conference first team, several other Wildcats earned All-League distinction. Junior tight end Matt Chila was the only other Wildcat to garner first team honors, while senior wide receiver Brian White was a second team choice. Six Wildcats were named to the All-Conference third team including junior center Mike Finn, senior offensive tackle Sean McCarthy, senior linebacker Jamison Young, redshirt freshman linebacker Brian Hulea, senior safety Gary Johnson and sophomore defensive end Terence Taylor.
FINDING THE END ZONE: The Villanova offense tallied its fourth six touchdown game in last week's first round win over Furman. During the regular season, the Wildcats scored six touchdowns against New Hampshire, William & Mary and Rhode Island. Villanova has also registered three 500-yard total offensive performances this season (541 vs. William & Mary/538 vs. Delaware/530 vs. Hofstra). For the year, Villanova has registered 5,407 yards of total offense for an average of 415.9 yards per game. The Wildcats are averaging 30.5 points per game.
BACK-TO-BACK: Senior wide receiver Brian White tallied his second-straight 100-yard receiving game in last Saturday's win over Furman. In the victory, White made nine catches for 108 yards and one score. A week earlier in the season finale at Delaware, White recorded 11 receptions for a career-high tying 165 yards. With his nine receptions last week, White now has 172 career catches which ranks fifth all-time in the Villanova record books. Despite missing the Maine and New Hampshire games and playing sparingly versus James Madison this season due to a hamstring injury, White has tallied 66 receptions for 753 yards and eight scores. White was named to the 2002 All-Atlantic 10 second team.
VILLANOVA CAREER RECEPTION LIST
1. Brian Finneran (1994-97) 265 2. Murle Sango (1998-2001) 233 3. Brian Westbrook (1997-2001) 214 4. Bob Brady (1986-89) 187 5. BRIAN WHITE (1999-present) 172 6. Josh Dolbin (1994-97) 169 7. Mike Siani (1969-71) 148 8. John Mastronardo (1973-76) 140 9. Scott Donald (1989-92) 127 10. Steve Ward (1997-00) 122
A CHANGE OF MO-MENTUM: Freshman running back Mo Gibson experienced the highs and lows of football in last Saturday's win over Furman. After Furman kicked a field goal to cut the Wildcat lead to 7-3 with 2:54 to play in the first quarter, Gibson fumbled the ensuing kickoff that the Paladins recovered at the Villanova 17-yard line. Furman capitalized on the miscue and scored three plays later to take a 10-7 lead. Gibson made up for his miscue when he returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to cut the Furman lead to 24-14. The play was the 12th kickoff return for a score in Villanova history and it ties for the eighth longest return in school history. It was also just the second Villanova kickoff return for a score in a playoff game. The other return by a score in a playoff contest was recorded by Brian Westbrook who accomplished the feat as a freshman in the first round of the 1997 playoffs verus Colgate when Westbrook had an 89-yard return for a score. In addition to the 96-yard return, Gibson also had six carries for 29 yards and a score, two catches for 16 yards and a total of 197 yards on five kickoff returns. All total, Gibson amassed 242 yards of all-purpose offense. In the last three games combined, Gibson has registered 557 yards of all-purpose offense. For the year, he has 307 yards on 56 carries (4.2 yards per rush) and five touchdowns, 11 catches for 134 yards and 28 kickoff returns for 693 yards and one touchdown.
MOVE THE CHAINS: Villanova has tallied an incredible 310 first downs in 13 games this year for an average of 23.8 first downs per game. The 289 first downs the 'Cats recorded during the regular season led the Atlantic 10 and was 43 ahead of Massachusetts who finished second in the category with 246. The 310 first downs also sets a Villanova school record for first downs in a season. The previous record of 280 was set in 12 games by the 1991 Wildcats.
CLUTCH CONVERSIONS: In addition to leading the Atlantic 10 in first downs during the regular season, the Wildcats also led the conference in third down conversions. In 171 third down opportunities, Villanova converted 80 times for 46.8 percent during 12 regular season contests. Including last week's playoff game versus Furman, Villanova has converted 86-of-184 (46.7%) third down opportunities.
IN CONTROL: After being more of a quick strike offense last year, the Wildcats have become more of a ball control team this season. Entering play against Fordham this Saturday, the Wildcats are averaging controlling the ball at 31:26 per contest. The regular season average of 31:50 led the Atlantic 10 in time of possession.
NUMBER OF WEAPONS: The Villanova passing offense has been multi-dimensional all season long. After 13 games, eight different players have made 20 receptions or more. Senior wide receiver Brian White leads the way with 66 catches for 753 yards and eight scores.
FIRST QUARTER DOMINANCE: Villanova has owned the first quarter of games this year. After 13 games, the Wildcats have outscored their opponents, 89-37, in the first quarter of games this year and they have outscored the opposition 203-115 in the first half of games this season.
SENIOR LEADERSHIP: Unlike the Villanova defense that has five starters who are either freshmen or sophomores and will return nine starters next season, the Villanova offense boasts five starters who are fifth-year seniors. The five fifth-year senior starters on offense include quarterback Brett Gordon, fullback Cameron Cross, tackle Sean McCarthy and wide receivers Brian White and Shaz Brown.
TRIPLE DIGIT TACKLER: Senior linebacker Jamison Young was all over the field in last Saturday's first round playoff win over Furman. In the victory, Young recorded 11 solo tackles, five tackles for loss, one quarterback sack, one interception and one pass break-up. In addition, Young tallied his 100th total tackle for the year, becoming the first Wildcat since Shaun Lyons in 1999 (123 total stops) to register 100 or more tackles in a season. He is trying to lead the Wildcats in tackles for the second-straight year. Young, who was named to the 2002 All-Atlantic 10 third team, enters play against Fordham with a team-high 100 total stops which is 12 ahead of Raymond Ventrone who is second with 88. Young also leads the team in tackles for loss with 15 and sacks with 9.5. As a junior last year, Young led the team with 89 tackles. For his career, Young has amassed 265 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks.
PLAYING BIG: Despite being the smallest guy on the field last Saturday versus Furman in the first round of the NCAA I-AA playoffs, senior safety Gary Johnson was one of the top playmakers for either team. In the Wildcat win, Johnson made a game-high 12 tackles (nine solo/three assisted) to go with two fumble recoveries and two pass break-ups. After 13 games this year, Johnson is third on the team in tackles with 72 and he is one of four Wildcats to have two interceptions. Last year as the team's starting cornerback, Johnson led the Atlantic 10 in pass break-ups with 20.
OVERTIME HISTORY: During head coach Andy Talley's tenure at Villanova, the Wildcats have played in nine overtime games and in those nine games the Wildcats are 6-3. Villanova has played five of the nine games in the last four seasons and have won four of the last five overtime contests. Of the nine overtime games, seven have been played at Villanova Stadium. Villanova played one extra session game last season and that came against James Madison in week four when the 'Cats outlasted the Dukes, 45-44, in double overtime. The last overtime game before the James Madison contest came in 2000 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 1999 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.
ALL-AMERICAN HISTORY: With standout Brian Westbrook being named first team All-American by virtually everyone last season, the Villanova football program has had a first team All-American in six of the last eight years. In the program's history, 20 different players have earned All-American distinction.
1994 LB Tyrone Frazier 1996 WR Brian Finneran 1997 WR Brian Finneran QB Chris Boden 1998 RB Brian Westbrook 2000 KR Brian Westbrook 2001 RB Brian Westbrook
NOTE: In 1999, wide receiver Murle Sango was a second-team All-American.
VILLANOVA PICKED SIXTH: The Villanova Wildcats were picked sixth in the 2002 pre-season Atlantic 10 Conference poll as voted on by coaches and media. When it was all said and done, the Wildcats finished second with a 6-3 league mark behind Maine and Northeastern who were both 7-2 in league play.
1. William & Mary (18) 2. Maine (8) 3. Massachusetts 4. Hofstra 5. Delaware 6. VILLANOVA 7. Richmond 8. New Hampshire 9. Rhode Island 10. Northeastern 11. James Madison
PLAYING ON SUNDAYS: Villanova running back Brian Westbrook became the first Wildcat player to be drafted since Howie Long in 1981 when he was selected in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. With Westbrook a member of the Eagles, Villanova now has two players currently playing in the NFL. Wide receiver Brian Finneran (Villanova 1994-97) is in his third season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2002. Westbrook and Finneran both won the Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive player in NCAA I-AA football, during their seasons at Villanova. Finneran is currently the starter at flanker for the Falcons, while Westbrook is listed as the No. 3 running back on the Eagles depth chart.
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 WZZD 990-AM. Returning for his 16th season as Villanova's play-by-play man is Joe Eichhorn. Joining Eichhorn for a 10th consecutive year is Ryan Fannon. All Wildcat gridiron contests will be broadcast live.
