Aug. 28, 2003

Recap?|? Final Stats

Hampton head coach Joe Taylor on his team's performance:

"We had too many missed tackles, they were the story of the game. We also didn't have our starting quarterback, we missed first downs by inches and we overthrew receivers."

Taylor on Andy Talley and the Wildcats:

"We have great respect for Andy Talley and his program, last year making it all the way to the semi-finals. Their defense was tough all night. We made a lot of mistakes, but you can't take anything away from their program. We take our hats off to the work they do."

Taylor on Villanova quarterback Joe Casamento:

"He was outstanding, especially for his first start. He did a good job on his crossing routes and his short game...his teammates played well enough to keep the pressure off of him."

Taylor on the future of his team:

"We are very confident, because the biggest improvement is always between the first and second games of the season. This was a good team for us to play, because it gives us an idea of where we are as a team and what we need to work on."

Villanova head coach Andy Talley on tonight's game:

"I am extremely happy with the way we played tonight...this was one of our best performances on an opening night. We did not look like a first-game mistake type of team out there."

Talley on Casamento:

"Joe played just great tonight. He made all the right reads...you would've thought it was Brett Gordon out there. He did everything we could have hoped for."

"The best thing we saw tonight was his poise. And it didn't surprise me because he is a player whose time has come. We have been fortunate to have quarterbacks like (Chris) Boden and Brett (Gordon), but Joe was always working in the wings. And we also have a good young player in Marvin behind him."

Talley on punt returner/wide receiver J.J. Outlaw:

"J.J. is an exciting young player, he makes big plays and he is just a fun guy. He will make mistakes, but when he matures he will be one of the most terrific wide receivers in Villanova history."

Villanova quarterback Joe Casamento:

"I was nervous all day, because I haven't played in a real game in awhile. But once I was out there, I was just doing the things we always work on, you just lose yourself in the game."

"Brett Gordon has helped me ever since I got here. I have been very fortunate to have someone like him by my side."

Villanova defensive end Jamil Butler:

"Getting a touchdown on the first drive definitely took the pressure off. Our defense was great all night, we came out with a lot of intensity."