Oct. 27, 2004

Villanova vs. Rhode Island Game Notes
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No. 23 Villanova Wildcats (5-3 Overall, 2-3 Atlantic 10)

AT

Rhode Island Rams (4-3 Overall, 2-2 Atlantic 10)

Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004
Noon
Meade Stadium (7,460)
Kingston, R.I.

SERIES INFORMATION

First Meeting: Oct. 29, 1988 (20-14, VU)
Overall: VU leads 11-1
Overall Under Talley: VU leads 11-1
Last Villanova Win: Oct. 11, 2003 (21-17)
Last URI Win: Nov. 4, 1995 (27-10)

Media Information

Interview Requests
All Interview requests should be directed toward Dean Kenefick, Assistant Athletics Director/Communications, (610) 519-4120.

Radio:
Game Coverage: 12 p.m. (WNTP 990-AM)
Play By Play: Joe Eichhorn
Color Analysis: Ryan Fannon

*All Wildcat games can be heard on the internet at www.villanova.com

Rhode Island Report: Rhode Island enters Saturday's game with a 4-3 overall record and a 2-2 mark in Atlantic 10 Conference play. The Rams have victories over Fordham (37-36), Central Connecticut State (39-7), Towson (28-16) and Massachusetts (27-24) in 2004 and losses to Hofstra (63-42), Brown (20-13) and William & Mary (31-24). Last weekend in Kingston, R.I., URI scored with 1:22 left in the game on an 11-yard run by Jason Ham to rally for a 27-24 win over UMass. The Rams are scoring over 30 points per game (30.1) thus far in 2004, and are allowing 28 points per contest. Rhode Island owns the conference's top rushing attack, registering 317.9 yards per game on the ground. Leading the way for the Rams are running back Jason Ham and quarterback Jayson Davis. Ham has a team-best 643 rushing yards to go along with four touchdowns. Davis has rushed for 495 yards and a team-high nine scores. In addition, he is 39-for-76 in the air with 667 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. On defense for Rhode Island, Teddy Gibbons leads the Rams with 77 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for a loss. Dustin Picciotti is tops on the URI squad with six sacks.

Rhode Island Head Coach Tim Stowers: In his fourth season at the helm of the Rhode Island Ram football program is head coach Tim Stowers. In his three-plus seasons at URI, Stowers has led the Rams to a 22-30 mark. In 2001, his second year at Rhode Island, Tim Stowers literally turned the program around - from a 3-8 record in 2000 to an 8-3 mark and a No. 20 national ranking in Division I-AA this past fall. (It was Rhode Island's best record and first ranking since 1985.) The Rams ran out to a school-record 7-0 start and for several weeks owned the No. 4 spot, their second-highest ranking ever. Prior to arriving in Kingston, Stowers was the head coach at Georgia Southern. He compiled a 51-23 (.689) record in six seasons (1990-95) at Georgia Southern. Stowers' 1990 Eagles' team won the I-AA National Championship. He was named 1990 I-AA Coach-of-the-Year by Kodak, Chevrolet and Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Stowers earned a bachelor's degree in 1980 and master's degree in 1982 from Auburn University, where he lettered twice in football.

TALLEY'S TENURE: Currently in his 20th 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 136-80-1 mark, making him the all-time winningest coach in Villanova history. Talley's 25-year overall coaching record currently stands at 163-98-2. 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 two Lambert Meadowlands Trophies. In 1997, Talley garnered the Eddie Robinson Award and the AFCA/GTE National Coach of the Year Award.

VICTORY OVER TOWSON A MILESTONE: With the win over Towson last Saturday, Villanova head coach Andy Talley became just the third coach in Atlantic 10 Conference history to record 80 conference victories. Former New Hampshire coach Bill Bowes has the record with 97 career league wins, while former Delaware mentor Tubby Raymond is second with 89 victories. Talley currently owns 80 career Atlantic 10 wins.

CONFERENCE ACCOLADES: Sophomore defensive back Terrance Reaves was named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week after having 11 total tackles (nine solo) in the win over Towson. Reaves also broke up two passes and forced two fumbles in the game.

IN A ZONE: Sophomore quarterback Marvin Burroughs has been sensational the last four weeks. In the last four games combined, Burroughs is 99-of-150 (66.0%) for 1,224 yards to go with 12 touchdowns an three interceptions. Burroughs eclipsed the 300-yard passing mark in two of those games, including 382 yards versus New Hampshire and 350 yards against Northeastern. For the year, Burroughs is 148-of-234 (63.2%) for 1,672 yards. He also has thrown 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

MOVE THE STICKS: The Villanova offense has done a great job of moving the ball the last four games. In the last four weeks, Villanova has tallied 102 first downs for an average of 25.5 per game during that span. The Wildcats currently lead the Atlantic 10 in first downs with 166.

ACTING OFFENSIVE: After struggling in the first four games of the season, the Villanova offense has tallied impressive numbers the last four games. In the first four games of the season, Villanova registered 890 yards of total offense, 64 first downs, while averaging 14.5 points per contest. In the last four games, the `Cats have amassed 102 first downs and 1,831 yards of total offense and have averaged 40.0 points per game.

CLOCK MANAGEMENT: The Villanova offense has done a good job of controlling the ball and winning the time of possession battle. After eight games, the Wildcats are second in the Atlantic 10 in time of possession at 31:56. Delaware leads the league in time pf possession in 32:27.

MAKING PLAYS: Junior J.J. Outlaw has been the team's top playmaker the last three games. In back-to-back games versus Northeastern and Richmond, Outlaw posted two touchdowns versus each opponent. Against Towson last week, he matched his career-high with nine receptions and had a season-best 114 receiving yards, including an 11-yard touchdown. It was the fourth time in his career he received for over 100 yards. In the 34-30 Northeastern loss, Outlaw totaled 165 yards of all-purpose offense. He had seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown and four rushes for 49 yards and a score. In a win over Richmond on October 16, he registered five catches for 78 yards and two scores, two carries for nine yards, two punt returns for 51 yards and two kickoff returns for 40 yards. All total, Outlaw registered 178 yards of all-purpose offense versus the Spiders. For the year, Outlaw has a team-best 42 catches for 449 yards and six touchdowns, 22 carries for 155 yards and one score, 20 punt returns for 194 yards and 11 kickoff returns for 163 yards. All total, Outlaw has a team-high 938 yards of all-purpose offense.

FINDING THE END ZONE: Senior running back Terry Butler has scored at least one touchdown in seven of the team's seven games this season. Last Saturday versus Towson, Butler had a 2-yard touchdown run for his eighth rushing touchdown of the season. After eight contests, Butler has a team-high 10 touchdowns for a team-best 60 points. Butler currently owns 28 career touchdowns, which makes him sixth all-time at Villanova. In eight games this year, Butler has tallied a team-best 489 yards rushing on 120 carries (4.1 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns and 11 receptions for 151 yards and two scores.

CATCHING ON: In the win over Richmond on October 16, sophomore wide receiver Chris Polite had two catches for 73 yards with both receptions resulting in touchdowns. Both of Polite's touchdown receptions were of 30 yards or more with one being from 42 yards and the other from 31 yards. The two touchdowns were the first of Polite's young career. After eight games this year, Polite has 13 catches for 192 yards and two scores.

RANKED OPPONENTS: Of Villanova's first eight games this season, four have come against opponents ranked in the Top 25. The Wildcats are currently 2-2 versus ranked opponents this year. Villanova defeated No. 22 Lehigh on Sept. 11 (22-16) and No. 22 Penn on Sept. 25 (16-13) before losing to No. 12 New Hampshire (51-40) on Oct. 2 and No. 23 Northeastern (34-30) on Oct. 9.

HOME FINALE: Villanova finished its home portion of the schedule with last Saturday's game versus Towson at Villanova Stadium. Villanova will play its final three games on the road, beginning with this week's matchup against Rhode Island. The Wildcats also visit William & Mary and Delaware. The Wildcats finished their home season with a 3-2 record, and are currently 2-1 on the road.

SPREAD THE WEALTH: Entering play versus Rhode Island on Saturday, Oct. 30, Villanova has seven different players with double figures in receptions. J.J. Outlaw leads the way with 42 catches followed by John Dieser with 28, Phil DiGiacomo with 18, Noble Champen with 16, Chris Polite with 13, Tony Wright with 13 and Terry Butler with 11. Champen is out for the remainder of the year with a leg injury.

UP FRONT CONSISTENCY: In last Saturday's game versus Towson, Villanova started the same five offensive lineman for the fifth consecutive week. After starting a different five in the first three weeks, Villanova has gone with senior Mike Roseman and sophomore Mike Costanzo at tackle, freshman Brian Hentosz and redshirt freshman Alex Suder at guard and sophomore Christian Gaddis at center. These five are expected to start again this week along the Villanova offensive line.

BAD BREAK: The Wildcats suffered a big loss when senior All-American Candidate Raymond Ventrone suffered a broken right fibula in a game at Penn on Saturday, Sept. 25 Ventrone underwent surgery on Sunday, Sept. 26 and will be out for the remainder of the season. Ventrone's season totals include 31 tackles (second on team), two tackles for loss, a quarterback sack and a pass break-up. As a junior last year, he registered 93 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a sack en route to earning first team All-Atlantic 10 honors.

DEFENSIVE MINDED: Senior defensive end Jamil Butler is enjoying an outstanding senior campaign. Butler currently leads the Atlantic 10 Conference in sacks with seven. In addition to his seven sacks, Butler has 48 tackles (third on team), a team-high 11 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Butler's best performance of the season came at Penn on Sept. 25 when he was credited with four solo tackles, two forced fumbles, two pass break-ups, a sack, a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss. In his four-year Villanova career, Butler has 36 tackles for loss and 23 quarterback sacks.

SACK ATTACK: Villanova continues to lead the Atlantic 10 conference in quarterback sacks with 26 for a loss of 177 yards. Leading the way for Villanova in the sack department is senior defensive end Jamil Butler with seven followed by junior defensive lineman Darrell Adams with four, senior defensive end Terence Taylor with 3.5, and senior defensive lineman Greg Bishop with three.

LEADING THE WAY: The Villanova defense has registered six interceptions and three of the six have been recorded by sophomore Terrance Reaves. In the win over Richmond, Reaves intercepted a Spider pass that led to Villanova's third touchdown of the game. In addition to his interception last Saturday, Reaves also led the `Cats with a game-high 12 tackles.

TOP 20 TEAMS: In the Sports Network Top 25 released on Monday. Oct. 25, the Atlantic 10 Conference has more teams ranked than any other I-AA conference with six teams in the top 25. The seven ranked Atlantic 10 teams include Delaware (No. 3), James Madison (No. 9), New Hampshire (No. 10), William & Mary (No. 16), Maine (No. 19) and Villanova (No. 23).

WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT: Villanova has been ranked in the Sports Network Top 25 polls for 38 consecutive weeks. This rates as the longest active streak of being ranked of any Atlantic 10 Conference team and it is the second longest streak of any I-AA team in the nation. Montana owns the longest streak at 88-straight weeks. The steak began on Sept. 2, 2002 and continued through all 11 weeks of the 2003 campaign and the first three weeks of 2004. During the 33-week streak, Villanova's highest ranking was No. 2 on Oct. 20, 2003.

REMEMBERING DAVID: The Villanova football family suffered a tragedy this summer when Wildcat senior offensive lineman David Reid passed away in a drowning accident. To remember David, all Villanova team members will wear a black patch with his No. 73 on their game jerseys, while all Villanova coaches will display the No. 73 patch on their coaching shirts. In addition, David's locker has been encased in the Villanova lockerroom.

A NEW LOOK: The Atlantic 10 Football Conference will be adding a new member in 2004 when Towson University joins the league. With the addition of Towson, the conference will go from a one, 11-team league to two, six-team divisions. The North Division will consist of Hofstra, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northeastern and Rhode Island, while Delaware, James Madison, Richmond, Towson, Villanova and William & Mary will make-up the South Division. Each team will play every opponent in their division and three of the six teams in the opposite division for eight conference games. Villanova's three crossover opponents include New Hampshire, Northeastern and Rhode Island. The Wildcats will not play Hofstra, Maine and Massachusetts.

VILLANOVA PICKED FIRST: The Villanova Wildcats were picked to win the Atlantic 10 South Division in the 2004 preseason Atlantic 10 Conference poll as voted on by coaches and media. SOUTH DIVISION NORTH DIVISION 1. VILLANOVA (13) 1. Maine (12) 2. Delaware (11) 2. Northeastern (7) 3. William & Mary 3. Massachusetts (3) 4. James Madison 4. New Hampshire (2) 5. Richmond 5. Rhode Island 6. Towson 6. Hofstra

FIRST TEAM WILDCATS: Villanova was well represented on the 2004 Atlantic 10 preseason All-Conference first team with five Wildcats earning this distinction. Four of the five selections were Villanova defenders including senior safety Raymond Ventrone, senior defensive end Jamil Butler, junior defensive lineman Darrell Adams and junior linebacker Brian Hulea. On offense, junior wide receiver J.J. Outlaw was a preseason first team selection. Ventrone, Adams, Hulea and Outlaw were all 2003 first team All-Atlantic 10 performers.

ALL-AMERICAN HISTORY: The Villanova football program has had a first team All-American in seven of the last 10 years. In the program's history, 21 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 2002 QB Brett Gordon

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 10 overtime games and in those 10 games the Wildcats are 7-3. With the double overtime win at Temple on Sept. 6, 2003, Villanova has won five of its last six overtime contests. Of the 10 overtime games, seven have been played at Villanova Stadium. Before last year's overtime game with Temple, the Wildcats last overtime contest came in 2001 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 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 currently in his fifth season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2004. Westbrook and Finneran both won the Walter Payton Award, given to the top player in NCAA I-AA football, during their senior seasons at Villanova. Westbrook is currently the starting running back for the Eagles, while Finneran is Atlanta's third receiver.

SAME STATION, DIFFERENT LETTERS: For the eighth-straight season, 990-AM will be the flagship station of the Villanova Football Radio Network. The only difference this year will be the call letters for the station are now WNTP instead of the previous WZZD. Play-by-play announcer Joe Eichhorn, who has been broadcasting Villanova football since 1988, returns to anchor the broadcasts. Joining Eichhorn for a 10th consecutive year is Ryan Fannon. All 11 Wildcat gridiron contests will be broadcast live, with a pre-game show airing either 30 or 60 minutes prior to kickoff.

Andy Talley RADIO SHOW: Continuing in 2004, WNTP 990-AM (formerly WZZD) 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 Monday evenings from 6-7 p.m. at the Conshohocken Marriott. Throughout the one-hour program, Fannon and Coach Talley will take questions about all aspects of the Wildcat football program, in addition to fielding questions concerning all the teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference, as well as NCAA I-AA football on the national scene.