Expectations are high on the Main Line as head coach Andy Talley and the Villanova Wildcats prepare for the 2004 season. With 31 letterwinners, 16 starters and nine All-Conference performers returning, Villanova looks primed to make a run at the Atlantic 10 championship, in addition to being a contender on the national scene.

OFFENSE:
As it has in the past, the Villanova offense should be a potent group with a number of playmakers filling out the line-up. Led by first team All-Atlantic 10 selection J.J. Outlaw, Villanova has three other All-Conference performers returning including running backs Terry Butler and Moe Gibson, along with offensive guard Jason Saks.

QUARTERBACK:
The fiercest position battle entering preseason camp looks to involve the competition surrounding the team's starting quarterback. Villanova has two capable performers in junior Joe Casamento (6-0, 190) and sophomore Marvin Burroughs (6-1, 210). Casamento, who is a student of the game and has a great grasp of the Wildcat offense, started nine of 11 games last year and completed 204-of-299 (68.2%) for 2,038 yards to go with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He missed the majority of two games a season ago due to a shoulder injury. Casamento's best effort of 2003 came against Temple when he completed 28-of-37 for 347 yards and two touchdowns. For his efforts versus the Owls, he was named The Sports Network National Player of the Week. A gifted athlete, Burroughs showed flashes of brilliance last season as a redshirt freshman. In his first career start at Richmond, the Atlantic City native completed 15-of-19 for 245 yards to go with five touchdowns and one interception en route to earning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week acclaim. Burroughs started two of the six games he played in last year and completed 52-of-84 for 625 yards to go with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Villanova also has a third talented quarterback who the Wildcat coaches are high on in redshirt freshman Frank Jankowski (6-0, 195). A good athlete with a strong arm, Jankowski will serve as the third signal caller behind Burroughs and Casamento.

RUNNING BACK:
Villanova may have the most talented backfield in the entire Atlantic 10 Conference. At tailback, the Wildcats have the talented duo of senior Terry Butler (6-1, 200) and junior Martin "Moe" Gibson (5-9, 190). The talented Butler is coming off a junior campaign where he registered 628 yards on 134 carries (4.7 yards per carry) and six touchdowns. Butler, who was a third team All-Conference player last year, is also a threat in the passing game as evident by his 22 receptions for 250 yards a year ago. Possessing big play capability, Gibson looks in top form entering the 2004 season. As a runner last year, Gibson amassed a team-high 689 yards rushing on 112 carries (6.2 yards per rush) and five touchdowns. Gibson, who was named third team All-Atlantic 10 as a return specialist in 2003, is also a threat in the return game. He had 15 kickoff returns for 409 yards (27.3 yards per return) last year, including a 90-yard return for a touchdown, giving him two return scores for his career. At fullback, the veteran Phil DiGiacomo (6-0, 200) will see the bulk of the work. A senior, DiGiacomo will provide consistency to the Wildcat offense due to his great understanding of the team's scheme. He will also be a threat as a receiver out of the backfield. A year ago, DiGiacomo finished second on the team in receiving with 48 catches for 325 yards and five touchdowns. Two other fullbacks expected to see playing time will be sophomore DeQuese May (5-11, 210) and redshirt freshman Tyree Hughey (5-11, 210). In a limited role last season, May recorded seven carries for 34 yards, while Hughey sat out the year with a shoulder injury.

WIDE RECEIVER:
The wide receiver position is the one spot where Villanova looks to possess the most depth. Led by junior standout J.J. Outlaw (5-9, 185), the Wildcats have four quality wideouts. During his sophomore year in 2003, Outlaw emerged as one of the top playmakers in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The explosive Outlaw tallied 1,490 yards of all-purpose offense last year, including a team-best 54 receptions for 704 yards and two scores, 28 carries for 243 yards and 27 punt returns for 261 yards. For his efforts a season ago, Outlaw was named first team All-Atlantic 10. Senior Noble Champen (6-2, 205) and junior John Dieser (6-0, 190) will be big contributors at wide receiver in 2004. Champen, who provides Villanova quarterbacks with a big target, had a solid year in 2003 with 44 receptions for 514 yards and four scores. Dieser, who possesses good toughness on the perimeter, in addition to being one of the team's best blockers, registered 35 catches for 406 yards and five touchdowns last season. As a threesome last year, Outlaw, Champen and Dieser combined for 133 receptions for 1,624 yards and 11 touchdowns. Sophomore Chris Polite (6-1, 180) is slated as the the fourth receiver entering camp in August. In limited time last year, Polite grabbed seven balls for 85 yards. Polite is coming off a great spring season where he earned the offensive Most Improved Player Award.

OFFENSIVE LINE:
Villanova will have a mix of new and old up front as the Wildcats return three starters and add two newcomers to the fold. The three veteran starters include senior Jacob Garner (6-4, 280) and Mike Roseman (6-5, 290) and junior Jason Saks (6-2, 275). Garner and Saks will occupy the guard positions, while Roseman will handle one of the tackle slots. Saks and Roseman will be starting for the third-straight year, with Garner in his second season as a starter. Starting opposite Roseman at the other tackle will be sophomore Michael Costanzo (6-3, 275). A hard-nosed competitor, Costanzo looks to have all the makings of a top-notch Atlantic 10 offensive lineman. The big question surrounding the Villanova offensive line is who will step-up and replace the graduated Mike Finn who was a three-year starter at center and leader of the group. A talented performer, Finn was a first team All-Atlantic 10 choice in 2003 and a third team selection in 2002. The odds on favorite to replace Finn is sophomore Christian Gaddis (6-1, 290). As a redshirt freshman last year, Gaddis earned playing time up front in a reserve role and looks ready to be a consistent contributor in 2004. Other players expected to battle for playing time along the offensive line include senior Andrew Berggren (604, 295), junior David Reid (6-4, 270), sophomore John Finneran (6-6, 280) along with redshirt freshmen Brandon McInerney (6-2, 280) and Alex Suder (6-5, 285).

TIGHT END:
For the past two seasons, Villanova had the first team All-League tight end in Matt Chila. With Chila lost to graduation, the battle for the starting job will be between senior Tony Wright (6-1, 230) and redshirt freshman Matt Sherry (6-4, 240). Wright has been a solid contributor throughout his career and as a junior last year tallied 10 receptions for 48 yards and a score. Sherry is a talented performer who the Wildcat coaches feel has all the tools to be a big play contributor.

DEFENSE:
Villanova returns seven starters from a defense that led the Atlantic 10 last year in total defense giving up just 302.0 yards per contest. In addition, the Wildcats ranked second in the league in scoring defense allowing 16.2 points per game. With the core of last year's defense back in 2004, the Wildcats could boast one of the top defensive units in all of NCAA Division I-AA football.

DEFENSIVE LINE:
Villanova's most talented position on the field looks to be along the defensive line where the Wildcats have three All-Atlantic 10 performers returning in 2004. The heart of soul of the team's defense is senior defensive end Jamil Butler (6-2, 250). A three-year starter, Butler garnered second team All-Conference distinction last year after registering 41 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries. The other bookend on the defensive line will be occupied by senior Terence Taylor (6-3, 270). A gifted athlete, Taylor is poised for a big year in 2004 after earning third team All-Atlantic 10 honors the past two seasons. Last year as a junior, Taylor recorded 15 tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and an interception he returned 24 yards for a score versus James Madison. A third Wildcat expected to see playing time at defensive end is redshirt freshman Russell McKittrick (6-2, 225) who began his career at fullback but is making the move to the defensive side of the ball. At defensive tackle, Villanova has one of the top players at his position in the Atlantic 10 in junior Darrell Adams (6-4, 270). A hard worker who has shown great improvement throughout his Main Line career, Adams is making the move from defensive end to defensive tackle in 2004. From his defensive end spot in 2003, Adams was named first team All-Atlantic 10 after tallying 44 tackles, a team-high 12.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hurries. Villanova does lack depth at defensive tackle and will be looking for some of its younger players to step-up and make a contribution. Players who will fight for playing time at this position include junior Matt Costantino (6-0, 260), senior Greg Bishop (6-1, 220) and sophomore Jim Dubenetzky (6-4, 240).

LINEBACKER:
As was the case last year, Villanova will once again use a 4-2-5 defensive scheme in 2004. The Wildcats will have a formidable duo at linebacker this year with junior Brian Hulea (6-1, 235) and sophomore Bryan Adams (5-11, 230). Hulea has been a tackling machine since arriving at Villanova. In his first two seasons, he has totaled 211 total stops including a team-best 141 last year. Hulea was awarded for his performance in 2003 by being named first team All-Atlantic 10. Adams emerged last year as a quality performer during his redshirt freshman campaign. In 11 games as a starter in 2003, Adams was credited with 33 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. With a year of experience under his belt, Adams looks ready for bigger and better things in 2004. Two others expected to earn time at linebacker will be senior Dan Silva (6-1, 220) and sophomore J.C. Cooper (5-10, 215). Due to his speed, Silva will see the majority of his playing time on passing downs. Silva had a productive season last year with 24 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack. Cooper is a fundamentally sound player who saw the majority of his playing time as a true freshman last season on special teams.

SECONDARY:
When talking about the Villanova secondary, you have to start with senior safety Raymond Ventrone (5-10, 200). A big time performer from his first day on campus, Ventrone is regarded as one of the top defensive players in the Atlantic 10 Conference. A fierce hitter, he earned first team All-Atlantic 10 honors last season after registering 93 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The starter at the rover position looks to be a battle between sophomore Terrance Reaves (6-0, 190) and junior Zach Ingram (5-11, 180). Possessing a good combination of power and speed, Reaves gained collegiate experience last season on special teams. Ingram is a veteran performer who has shown great improvement throughout his Villanova career. Adding depth at safety will be and senior Matt Krebs (5-8, 160). Villanova has good experience at the corners with the senior tandem of Jeremy Morgan (5-10, 195) and Kingsley Echemandu (5-9, 175). A three-year starter, Morgan is a player with big play potential who looks to be on the verge of becoming an All-Conference player. As a junior last year, he recorded 42 tackles, nine pass break-ups and an interception. Echemandu has great quickness and continues to improve on a consistent basis. In 11 games a year ago, he totaled 38 tackles and four pass break-ups. Serving as back-ups to these two veterans are talented young performers Rodney Badger (5-9, 155) and Adam Clements (5-9, 175). Both Badger and Clements appear ready to see playing time in the Wildcat secondary. The final starter in the secondary will be sophomore Allyn Bacchus (6-0, 195) who looks to be a star in the making. Bacchus, who will start at the weak safety spot, started all 11 games as a true freshman last year and ranked third on the team in tackles with 92. He also added seven tackles for loss, four pass break-ups and an interception.

KICKING GAME:
Junior Adam James (5-10, 170) will handle the Villanova punting and kicking duties for the third consecutive year. James has been the team's leading scorer the last two seasons, including last year when he tallied 54 points on 6-of-10 in field goal attempts and a perfect 36-of-36 in PATs. As a punter, James tallied 48 punts for 1,857 yards for a 38.7 yards per punt average a season ago.