Aug. 2, 2006
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - At the league's annual Media Day to kickoff the season, the Atlantic 10 Conference announced its preseason poll of league coaches and revealed the Preseason All-Conference selections. Villanova was chosen to finish fifth in the South Division, while seniors Allyn Bacchus (Hampton, Va.) and Matt Sherry (Rumford, R.I.) each merited preseason first team all-conference status.
The Wildcats return 31 letterwinners from last season, including three players who were all-league honorees in 2005. In all, Villanova will bring back eight starters on both the offensive and defensive ends plus two specialists. Additionally, senior quarterback Marvin Burroughs (Atlantic City, N.J.) will return to action after missing all but the first game of last season with an injury.
Picked to finish first in the South Division was 2004 national champion James Madison, which received 17 first-place votes. Richmond received nine first-place votes to finish second and Delaware was chosen third with one first-place vote. William & Mary, Villanova and Towson were voted to finish fourth through sixth in the division.
In the North Division, league coaches chose New Hampshire (22 first-place votes) to finish first, followed by Massachusetts (five first-place votes), Maine, Hofstra, Rhode Island and Northeastern. During its eight-game Atlantic 10 schedule, Villanova will take on each of the other five teams in its division and face UMass, Maine and Hofstra from the North Division.
Bacchus and Sherry each earned preseason accolades for the first time. Bacchus is a defensive back who has started every game in his career. As a junior last season, he ranked second on the team with 118 tackles, including 66 solo stops and 52 assisted tackles. Bacchus registered 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five pass breakups and three forced fumbles. He earned second team All-Atlantic 10 honors for his performance on the season.
Meanwhile, Sherry took over as the team's tight end and played in all 11 games. He ranked third among team receivers with three touchdowns, making 25 catches for a total of 275 yards on the season. For his career, Sherry has 33 receptions for 349 yards.
Villanova opens the season on September 2 with a 6 p.m. road contest against the University of Central Florida. The Wildcats home opener is slated for September 9 against Lehigh at 6 p.m.
