Sept. 26, 2002
Check out the Villanova football game notes for Saturday's Atlantic 10 contest featuring the 8th ranked Wildcats traveling to Harrisonburg, Va. to take on the 23rd ranked James Madison Dukes. Click on the pdf link below for a complete version of the game notes.
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Game No. 5
No. 8 Villanova Wildcats (3-1 Overall / 1-1 Atlantic 10)
vs.
No. 23 James madison Dukes (3-1 Overall / 2-0 Atlantic 10)
Saturday, September 28, 2002
6 p.m.
Bridgeforth Stadium (14,000)
Harrisonburg, Va.
SERIES INFORMATION
First Meeting: 1993, JMU, 42-3
Overall: JMU Leads 5-4-0
Overall Under Talley: 4-5-0
Last Villanova Win: 10/6/01, 45-44 (2OT)
Last JMU Win: 10/7/00, 57-23
Streak: JMU has won two of last three
Game Notes
TALLEY'S TENURE: 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 117-70-1 mark, making him the all-time winningest coach in Villanova history. Talley's 23-year overall coaching record currently stands at 145-88-2. During his career as the Wildcat mentor, Talley has guided Villanova to five NCAA playoff appearances (1989, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997), 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.
LOOKING FOR IMPROVEMENT: The Villanova defense will be looking for redemption when the Wildcats travel to Harrisonburg, Va., this Saturday to take on the No. 23 James Madison Dukes. In the two games played between the two teams the last two years, Villanova has allowed James Madison to tally 101 points and 960 yards of total offense. In 2000 at James Madison, the Dukes registered 520 yards of total offense and embarrassed the Wildcats by a score of 57-23. Last year at Villanova, James Madison amassed 440 yards of total offense and lost a heart-breaker to the'Cats by a score of 45-44 in double overtime. Villanova has recorded a 2-2 mark in games played in Harrisonburg, but the Dukes have averaged 35.2 points per game in those four contests.
HULEA HONORED BY A10: Redshirt freshman linebacker Brian Hulea was honored for his play last Saturday versus New Hampshire by being named the Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week. In Villanova's 45-3 win, Hulea tallied six tackles (five solo stops), two quarterback sacks and two tackles for loss. In four starts at linebacker this year, the Canfield, Ohio native has recorded 26 tackles (second on team), four tackles for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble.
ON THE RISE: The Villanova Wildcats made a huge jump in this week's Top 25 polls, as the 'Cats are ranked No. 8 in both The Sports Network poll and the ESPN/USA Today poll. Heading into last week's contest against New Hampshire, Villanova was rated 14th by The Sports Network and 13th by the ESPN/USA Today poll.
DOMINANT D: The Villanova defense continues to be the most improved area of the 2002 Wildcat squad. Entering play this week versus James Madison, the Villanova defense is giving up just 10.7 points per game and 224.2 yards of total offense per contest including a mere 79.0 rushing yards per game. In last week's 45-3 win over New Hampshire, Villanova allowed only 131 yards of total offense, including just 32 yards rushing on 29 carries. The three points scored by New Hampshire is the fewest points allowed by Villanova in an Atlantic 10 Conference game since a 20-3 win at Richmond on Oct. 26, 1996.
FINISHING STRONG: Villanova has been especially strong in fourth quarters of games this year. The Wildcats have shutout their opponent in three of the four fourth quarters this year and the Villanova defense has yielded just seven fourth quarter points the entire season. The lone team to score against Villanova in the fourth quarter this year was the Maine Black Bears who registered a touchdown at the 12:12 mark of the final stanza when the two teams met on Sept. 14.
GROUND ATTACK: Over the years, Villanova has gained a reputation as a team thinking pass first and run second. In last Saturday's dismantling of New Hampshire, the Wildcats showed they can also run the ball as they accumulated 316 yards rushing on 59 carries for an average of 5.3 yards per rush. For the game, Villanova recorded 484 yards of total offense. After four games, the Wildcats are averaging 153.2 yards per game rushing and 435.0 yards of total offense per game.
THE 1,000 YARD PLATEAU: In last week's win over New Hampshire, senior quarterback Brett Gordon eclipsed the 1,000 yard passing mark in just the fourth game of the season. After four games this year, Gordon is 91-of-140 (65.0%) for 1,127 yards to go with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Gordon is trying to become just the second Villanova quarterback ever to record two 3,000 yard passing seasons in his Wildcat career. Chris Boden (1996-99) accomplished the feat three times during his illustrious Main Line career. For his career, Gordon has recorded 6,476 yards passing which ranks him third all-time at Villanova. Boden has a Villanova career-best 10,146 yards passing, while Kirk Schulz (1986-89) is second all-time with 9,676 yards.
YOUNG GUNS: Due to injuries that ravaged the Wildcats receiving corps, Villanova finished last Saturday's game versus New Hampshire with a youthful group of receivers. With senior wideout Brian White not dressed for the game due to a leg injury, Villanova suffered two setbacks in the first half versus New Hampshire when senior wide reeciver Shaz Brown had to leave the game with cramping and junior tight end Matt Chila was knocked out of the contest with a concussion. With the three starters out of action for the second half, Villanova used a youthful group at the receiver positions including sophomore Noble Champen, redshirt freshman John Dieser and true freshman J.J. Outlaw. At tight end, sophomore Anthony Wright saw the bulk of the playing time. Champen finished with a career-high four catches for a career-best 59 yards, Dieser registered one reception for 14 yards and Outlaw was credited with one catch for 12 yards and three rushes for 42 yards. All three injured Wildcats are expected to be at full strength for this week's game at James Madison.
UP TO NO GOOD: Villanova did not do much wrong in last Saturday's win over New Hampshire, but one area where the Wildcats will look to improve on is in the penalty department. For the second-straight week, the Wildcats were whistled for eight penalties (72 yards) against New Hampshire. A week earlier versus Maine, Villanova had eight penalties for 82 yards. After four games this year, Villanova has been called for 30 penalties for 255 yards. The 30 penalties ties the Wildcats for the second most in the Atlantic 10 with Massachusetts. Maine has been the conference's most penalized team with 31.
CENTER OF ATTENTION: Senior linebacker Jamison Young has picked-up this season where he left off last season. Young had a strong game last Saturday versus New Hampshire as he recorded four solo tackles, three pass break-ups and an interception. After four games, Young leads the Wildcats in total tackles with 27 to go with three tackles for loss and one quarterback sack. As a junior last year, Young had a team-high 89 tackles, nine tackles for loss and a team-best 6.5 quarterback sacks. Young led all of NCAA Division I-AA last year in forced fumbles with five. For his efforts, Young was named third team All-Atlantic 10 Conference in 2001.
HOLDING PATTERN: Due to an injury suffered in pre-game warm-ups against Maine on Sept. 14, senior wide receiver Brian White has not played the last two weeks and therefore was not able to add to his career reception total. White, who currently has 122 career catches, remains ranked tied for ninth with Steve Ward who played on the Main Line from 1997-00. In the 2002 season opener at Rutgers, White registered a career-high 12 catches for a career-best 165 yards and one touchdown. His effort versus Rutgers was good enough to earn him Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Week honors and Sports Network National Offensive Player of the Week distinction.
VILLANOVA CAREER RECEPTION LIST 1. Brian Finneran (1994-97) 265 2. Murle Sango (1998-2001) 233 3. Brian Westbroook (1997-2001) 214 4. Bob Brady (1986-89) 187 5. Josh Dolbin (1994-97) 169 6. Mike Siani (1969-71) 148 7. John Mastronardo (1973-76) 140 8. Scott Donald (1989-92) 127 9. Steve Ward (1997-00) 122 BRIAN WHITE (1999-present) 122 10. Jeff Johnson (1989-92) 119
A NEW BEGINNING: Sophomore offensive lineman Jacob Garner made his Villanova debut in last Saturday's 45-3 win over New Hampshire. Garner officially joined the Wildcats on Monday, Sept. 2. after transferring from Rutgers University. After three weeks of practice, the 6-5, 285 pound Garner is listed second on the depth chart at offensive tackle. Garner will have two years of eligibility after this season.
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.
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
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. 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 three 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.
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. It was a big day for the Wildcat duo last Sunday. In the Eagles win over the Cowboys, Westbrook threw a 25-yard touchdown pass on a halfback option pass, while Finneran made six catches for 77 yards and two scores as the Falcons defeated the Bengals, 30-3, in front of a national television audience on ESPN.
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 12 Wildcat gridiron contests will be broadcast live.
ANDY TALLEY RADIO SHOW: Continuing in 2002, WZZD 990-AM 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.
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.
YOUTH MOVEMENT: The future looks bright for the Villanova defense. Of the 22 players on this week's defensive two-deep, only four players are seniors and 11 are freshmen and sophomores. In addition, of the team's top five leading tacklers, three are sophomores and one is a freshman.
ALL-AMERICAN VOID: Villanova lost six starters from last year's offensive unit that helped the Wildcats go 8-3 overall and claim a share of the Atlantic 10 Conference championship with a 7-2 league mark. Of the six starters that graduated, three earned All-American distinction during their Wildcat careers. Running back Brian Westbrook was a three-time first team All-American (1998, 2000, 2001), wide receiver Murle Sango earned second team All-American honors in 1999, while offensive tackle Eamonn Allen garnered first team All-American recognition last season.
