July 30, 2003

Villanova will be looking to build upon the momentum gained from last season's team that went 11-4 overall and advanced to the semifinal round of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs for the first time in school history. With 28 letterwinners and 11 starters back from last season's team, the Wildcats look to have the foundation necessary to compete in the highly-competitive Atlantic 10 Conference and fight for a second consecutive NCAA playoff appearance.

OFFENSE
The offense will have a new look to it this season, as the Wildcats lose five starters from a unit that averaged 29.9 points per game last season. Of the four offensive units, the only spot where Villanova can boast of any experience is at running back. The big question surrounding the offense in 2003 is who will replace all-everything Brett Gordon at quarterback.

QUARTERBACK
No one meant more to their team last year than quarterback Brett Gordon did to the Villanova Wildcats. The unquestioned leader of the team, Gordon finished his senior season completing 386-of-579 (66.7%) for 4,290 yards to go with 36 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. For his efforts last year, Gordon was named both the Atlantic 10 Conference and ECAC Offensive Player of the Year. In addition, he finished second in the balloting for the Walter Payton Award given annually to the top player in NCAA I-AA football. To understand Gordon's will to win, you need to look no further than last year's NCAA Division I-AA semifinal game at McNeese State where Gordon passed for 354 yards and two touchdowns despite playing with a broken thumb on his throwing hand.
With Gordon lost to graduation, sophomore Joe Casamento (6-0, 190) will battle redshirt freshman Marvin Burroughs (6-1, 180) for the starting quarterback spot. Casamento, who looks to have the edge due to his extra year of experience in learning the Wildcat offense, saw limited duty last season as Gordon's back-up. Casamento played in just three games a season ago and completed 2-of-4 for 13 yards. Casamento was a high school standout at Christian Brothers Academy in upstate New York where he tallied career totals of 5,017 passing yards, 1,400 rushing yards and 53 touchdown passes en route to being a two-time All-State performer. Burroughs is a talent who looks to have all the tools to be a top-notch performer. As a prep star at Atlantic City High School, Burroughs was both a two-time second team All-State selection and a two-time Conference Player of the Year. As a senior, he recorded 1,696 passing yards and 16 touchdowns.
The success of the Villanova offense will depend largely on how quickly one of these two young quarterbacks become comfortable with the Wildcat offensive scheme and emerge as one of the team's go-to players.

RUNNING BACK
Running back is the position where the Wildcats possess the most depth on offense. Villanova has three backs who all were major contributors at one time or another last year. At tailback, head coach Andy Talley has two weapons in junior Terry Butler (6-1, 195) and sophomore Martin "Moe" Gibson (5-10, 185). As a sophomore last year, Butler saw the first significant action of his career and responded by registering 868 yards on 202 carries (4.3 yards per rush) and nine touchdowns. He also added 36 receptions for 311 yards and three scores. Already a physical runner, Butler has added 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason and looks poised for a breakout year in 2003. Gibson came out of nowhere last year and emerged midway through the 2002 campaign as a player with game-breaking talent. In his first year as a collegiate performer last season, Gibson tallied 69 rushes for 333 yards (4.8 yards per rush) and five touchdowns, 15 catches for 189 yards and one score and 35 kickoff returns for 817 yards and a score. The highlight of the year for Gibson came versus Furman in the first round of the NCAA playoffs when he returned a kickoff 96 yards for a score, helping Villanova comeback from a 24-7 deficit to earn a hard-fought 45-38 victory.

The fullback spot belongs to two-year letterwinner Phil DiGiacomo (6-1, 215). A hard-nosed performer who can run and catch, DiGiacomo served as Cameron Cross' back-up the last two years. Now a starter, DiGiacomo will be counted on to be a major contributor in 2003. Last year, he amassed 176 rushing yards on 33 carries (5.3 yards per carry) and five touchdowns to go with 24 receptions for 180 yards and two scores.

WIDE RECEIVER
Villanova has two big voids to fill at the wideout position. Two of the team's top playmakers from a year ago in Brian White and Shaz Brown have been lost to graduation. White led the 'Cats in receiving last year with 72 catches for 805 yards and eight touchdowns, while Brown was second with 64 grabs for 866 yards and six scores. White finished his Main Line career ranked fifth all-time in career receptions with 176. The odds on favorites to replace White and Brown in the starting line-up are junior Noble Champen (6-3, 200) and sophomore John Dieser (6-0, 190). Champen is an athletic performer who will provide a big target, while Dieser is a tough competitor with good hands. Dieser totaled 38 catches for 531 yards and three touchdowns last year, while Champen was credited with 29 receptions for 399 yards.

Three other Wildcats expected to see time at wide receiver include sophomore J.J. Outlaw (5-9, 180), sophomore Leighton Zema (6-2, 195) and redshirt freshman Chris Polite (6-1, 180). Outlaw, who is a talented performer with game-breaking ability, saw time in a reserve role last year as a true freshman and recorded five receptions for 58 yards. Zema is a strong receiver with good hands, while Polite looks to have the potential to be a big contributor for the Wildcats.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Villanova returns four starters up front, but this is one area where the Wildcats lack depth. The line will be anchored by senior center Mike Finn (6-2, 280) who returns for his second year as a starter. For his efforts last year, Finn was a third team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection. Heading into pre-season camp, senior Jason Rogers (6-4, 280) and sophomore Jason Saks (6-3, 275) will handle the guard spots. Rogers, who will be starting for the third consecutive year, missed most of spring ball with a broken leg. He is expected to be in top shape for pre-season camp in August. Saks earned the starting guard spot midway through last season and looks ready to be a mainstay along the offensive line for the 'Cats. The tackle positions appear to be owned by senior Mike Roseman (6-5, 275) and junior Jacob Garner (6-4, 300). Roseman returns for his second year as an offensive lineman. After moving over from defense last year, he became a starter up front. With a year of experience under his belt, Roseman should develop into solid blocker for the Wildcats. Garner transferred to Villanova from Rutgers after summer camp last season and spent the year learning the Wildcat offense. Now fully comfortable with Villanova's attack, Garner will compete for a starting position at tackle. Adding depth at tackle will be Matt Baumbach (6-4, 285) who will fight for playing time in his final season on the Main Line.
Battling for playing time along the offensive line will be sophomore David Reid (6-4, 260) and redshirt freshmen Christian Gaddis (6-2, 275) and John Finneran (6-6, 280). Reid is a hard worker who will fight for time at guard. Gaddis is a versatile performer who can play both guard and center, while Finneran will provide Villanova with size and will battle for playing time at tackle.

TIGHT END
Villanova possesses one of the top tight ends in the country in senior Matt Chila (6-3, 250). Chila is a physical receiver with good hands. As a first team All-Atlantic 10 performer last year, Chila recorded 48 catches for 514 yards and five touchdowns. Chila is also a factor in the run game due to his blocking ability. Junior Anthony Wright (6-2, 235) and junior Quinn Matt (6-1, 220) will back-up Chila. Wright is a very good receiver, while Matt has shown great improvement throughout his career. Wright made four catches last year with two resulting in touchdowns.

DEFENSE
Without question, the strength of this year's team will be on the defensive side of the ball. Last season, the defense showed great improvement giving up 18.5 points per game. A year earlier in 2001, Villanova allowed 27.8 points per contest. With eight starters returning in 2003, the Villanova defense should be even better this season and expects to be one of the top defensive units in I-AA football.

DEFENSIVE LINE
You would be hard-pressed to find a better front four in the Atlantic 10 Conference than the Villanova defensive line. The Wildcats return all four starters along the defensive line. At the tackle spots, Villanova has two fifth-year seniors in Mike Tesei (6-3, 260) and Baylen Botts (6-3, 245). Tesei is a tough competitor who has great knowledge of the game, while Botts is an athletic performer who has improved each season. As juniors last year, Tesei tallied 40 tackles and three sacks with Botts registering 29 total stops and three sacks. A third fifth-year senior, Scott Rusnak (6-3, 265) will give Villanova a talented and experienced reserve. As a back-up last season, Rusnak was credited with 24 tackles and four quarterback sacks. Senior Carmen Falcone (6-2, 250) is also expected to earn playing time at defensive tackle. Falcone battled the injury bug last year that limited his playing time.
Villanova possesses one of the best three-man defensive end rotations in the entire country in junior Jamil Butler (6-2, 245), junior Terence Taylor (6-4, 260) and sophomore Darrell Adams (6-4, 250). Butler is the heart and soul of the Villanova defense. In 15 games last year, he recorded 68 tackles, 4.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. Taylor is a rising star who earned Most Improved Player honors for his play during spring drills. As a sophomore in 2002, Taylor made 41 tackles, eight sacks and he forced three fumbles. Adams is on the verge of being a big time performer for the Wildcats. In a reserve role last year as a redshirt freshman, Adams totaled 39 tackles, four sacks and six tackles for loss. Look for all three of these defensive ends to be key components to the 2003 Villanova defense.

LINEBACKER
This is the one position on the team where there is a great deal of competition for starting spots. The leader at linebacker is sophomore Brian Hulea (6-2, 235) who had an outstanding rookie campaign last season where he garnered third team All-Atlantic 10 distinction. In 11 games a year ago, Hulea recorded 70 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. Due to mononucleosis, Hulea missed the last four games of the season. A hard hitter with a great passion for the game, Hulea is slated as the starting middle linebacker. Senior Dan Silva (6-2, 220) should also see playing time behind Hulea. Silva came out of nowhere last year to tally 27 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
Villanova was hit hard at outside linebacker by the graduation of standout Jamison Young who was a third team All-Atlantic 10 selection in 2002. A captain last year, Young led the team in tackles with 115, tackles for loss with 19 and sacks with 11.5. Three inexperience performers look to be in position to fight for a starting spot and serve as Young's replacement. Sophomore Greg Bishop (6-2, 215) along with redshirt freshmen John Angelo (6-0, 225) and Bryan Adams (6-0, 220) will all be in the mix at linebackers. Bishop possesses a good combination of size and strength, while Angelo and Adams spent last year learning the Villanova defensive game plan from the sideline as redshirts. At the other linebacker spot, senior Ryan Breeden (5-11, 215) and junior Carmen Defrancesco (6-0, 210) will compete during preseason camp for the starting spot. Breeden is an intense competitor who has gained a great deal of experience the last two seasons, while DeFrancesco is a hard-nosed performer who is returning from a knee injury suffered last year.

SECONDARY
Heading into the 2003 season, Villanova appears to have one of the top secondary units in the Atlantic 10. This group is highlighted by junior free safety Raymond Ventrone (5-11, 190) who will be the team's top playmaker. A fiery competitor who plays with great intensity, Ventrone will be a candidate for the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year Award. Joining Ventrone at safety is junior Jeremy Morgan (5-11, 185) who played corner last year. Morgan is a gifted athlete who has a good combination of size and strength. Morgan replaces the graduated Gary Johnson at the safety spot. Johnson had a sensational senior season last year with 83 tackles and three interceptions. For his efforts, Johnson was named third team All-Atlantic 10. Ventrone finished second on the team last season in total tackles with 102, while Morgan tallied 57 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass break-ups.
Senior Clarence Curry (6-1, 190) returns to start at one corner. An excellent athlete with playmaking skills, Curry registered 38 tackles, two interceptions and a team-high nine pass break-ups last season. Junior Kingsley Echema (5-9, 175) is the leading candidate to start at the other corner. Echema transferred to Villanova last year from Cal State Northridge and saw the majority of his playing time on special teams.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Sophomore Adam James (5-10, 170) returns for his second season as the team's kicker and punter. As a place kicker last year, James was 11-of-19 in field goal attempts and 55-of-59 in PATs, while as a punter he tallied 56 punts for 2,026 yards for a 36.2 yards per punt average. James will have competition for the place kicking duties from Drew Phelan (5-8, 175) who transferred to Villanova from the University of Maryland. Noah Hoffman (6-3, 210) returns for his senior campaign and will once again handle as the team's kickoff duties.
Villanova has the potential to have the best return duo in the Atlantic 10 Conference in sophomore Martin Gibson (5-10, 185) and sophomore J.J. Outlaw (5-9, 180). Gibson made a name for himself last year as a true freshman, returning 35 kickoffs for 817 yards (23.3 yards per return), including a 96-yard return for a touchdown versus Furman in the first round of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs. Outlaw, who returned six punts for 35 yards last season, has all the tools to be a game-breaker in the return game for the Wildcats. With the experience he gained last year, look for Outlaw to be a dominant presence as a punt returner in 2003.