Aug. 29, 2006
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
VILLANOVA, Pa.-- Contained within this release are complete Villanova football game notes for Saturday evening's game against the University of Central Florida. The Wildcats will play their season opener against the Golden Knights at 6 p.m. from the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
SERIES INFORMATION
Overall: First meeting
First Meeting: N/A
Overall under Talley: First meeting
Last Villanova win: N/A
Last UCF win: N/A
UCF REPORT: The Golden Knights return 19 starters from last year's team that finished 8-5 overall and 7-1 in Conference USA action. The 7-1 mark was good enough to win the Conference USA East Division. UCF tied for the fourth-best turnaround in NCAA history as the Golden Knights were 0-11 in 2004. Also, last season, UCF made its first-ever bowl appearance when it earned a bid to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. In the bowl game, UCF lost a hard-fought 49-49 overtime decision to Nevada.
Returning at quarterback for UCF is senior Steven Moffet. Last year, he completed 223-of-375 for 2,925 yards to go with 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Sophomore Kevin Smith returns to lead the Golden Knight ground attack. As a freshman last year, Smith tallied 1,178 yards rushing on 249 carries (4.7 yards per rush) and nine touchdowns. Senior fullback Jason Peters returns after recording 585 yards rushing on 105 carries (5.6 yards per carry) and five scores a season ago.
Moffet's favorite target will be senior Mike Walker. He ranked second on the team last year with 64 receptions for 855 yards and nine touchdowns.
Dfensively, junior cornerback Johnell Neal is the team's returning tackler after registering 69 total stops a year ago. Sophomore defensive back Joe Burnett had a team-best five interceptions last season.
GOLDEN KNIGHTS HEAD COACH GEORGE O'LEARY: In his first two seasons at UCF, head coach George O'Leary has orchestrated a dramatic turnaround in a program that went 0-11 in his first season. The 2005 campaign was a different story, as the Golden Knights went 8-5 and made an appearance in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. O'Leary won with a roster made up largely of underclassmen, as just five seniors were major contributors to the 2005 team.
Prior to his arrival at UCF, O'Leary spent two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, including serving as the defensive coordinator in 2003. His first stint as a head coach came at Georgia Tech from 1984-91, a span in which he was twice named the ACC Coach of the Year and was the 2000 Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year.
In his years as a head coach, O'Leary has developed successful students and individuals. His 2004 UCF team established a new I-A record for GPA and then broke its own mark in 2005. In addition, he has had three former assistants go on to get collegiate head coaching jobs, including Ralph Friedgen (Maryland), Randy Edsall (Connecticut) and Ted Roof (Duke).
Overall, O'Leary has a record of 8-16 in two seasons at UCF and a career record of 60-49 in nine seasons as a collegiate head coach.
TALLEY'S TENURE: Currently in his 22nd 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 142-89-1 mark, making him the all-time winningest coach in Villanova history. Talley's 26-year overall coaching record currently stands at 170-107-2. 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.
STEPPING UP IN CLASS: Villanova will open its 2006 season at Division I-A and Conference USA member Central Florida. The UCF game will mark the 11th time that Villanova has played against a I-A opponent since the Wildcats restored football at the I-AA level in 1985. In the previous 10 games versus I-A competition, Villanova has tallied a 2-8 record. In its eight I-A losses, Villanova's average margin of loss has been 14.3 points per game.
VILLANOVA VERSUS I-A COMPETITION:
1988 Wake Forest 31 Villanova 111990 Navy 23 Villanova 201995 Navy 20 Villanova 141996 Rutgers 38 Villanova 281998 Pittsburgh 41 Villanova 411999 Air Force 38 Villanova 132000 Rutgers 34 Villanova 212002 Villanova 37 Rutgers 192003 Villanova 23 Temple 20 (2OT)2005 Rutgers 38 Villanova 6
Note: All 10 games were played on the road with the exception of the 1988 Wake Forest game.
SEASON OPENER: During the tenure of Wildcat head coach Andy Talley, Villanova has recorded a 13-8 mark in season openers. Of the eight losses, five have come against I-A opponents. In the history of Villanova football, the Wildcats have compiled a 56-47-3 record in season openers.
LEADING THE WAY: Three senior members of the 2006 Wildcats will serve as team captains this season. Quarterback Marvin Burroughs, center Christian Gaddis and safety Allyn Bacchus earned their captain status by a vote of Wildcat players.
VILLANOVA PICKED FIFTH: In the pre-season Atlantic 10 Conference poll, Villanova was picked to finish fifth in the South Division according to a poll of the league's head coaches and selected media members.
NORTH DIVISION
1. New Hampshire (22)2. Massachusetts (5)3. Maine4. Hofstra5. Rhode Island6. Northeastern
SOUTH DIVISION1. James Madison (17)2. Richmond (9)3. Delaware4. William & Mary5. VILLANOVA6. Towson
BACK UNDER CENTER: After missing almost the entire 2005 season due to a broken arm, quarterback Marvin Burroughs returns to lead the Wildcat offense in 2006. Burroughs broke his arm on the first possession of the second half in last year's season opener at Rutgers. Before the injury, he completed 16-of-22 for 150 yards and one touchdown. As a sophomore in 2004, Burroughs completed 209-of-334 for 2.486 yards to go with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his first year as a college starter.
FAMILY REUNION: It will be a family affair along the Villanova offensive line this season. The brother trio of Lav Bauta, Izzy Bauta and Imer Bauta are all offensive lineman for the Wildcats. Fifth-year Lav and sophomore Izzy are the starting tackles, while Imer is a freshman reserve. Lav played four years at Duke before transferring to Villanova this season. Izzy spent one year at Duke before transferring to Villanova before th 2005 season. As a redshirt freshman last season, Izzy saw significant playing time at tackle.
HOMECOMING AFFAIR: Villanova has 10 players on its 2006 roster who hail from the state of Florida. The 10 Florida natives include Jarred Corey (Davie, Fla.), Christian Gaddis (North Miami Beach, Fla.), Sean Malone (Orlando, Fla.), Martel Moody (Tampa, Fla.), Justin Murrell (Bradenton, Fla.), Stephen Pimm (Tampa, Fla.), Chris Polite (Miami, Fla.), Terrance Reaves (Gibsonton, Fla.), Zach Ugarte (Ocklawaha, Fla.) and Antwon Young (Ft. Lauderdale. Fla.). Of the 10, eight appear on the depth chart, including Gaddis, Reaves, Polite and Ugarte who are starters. Gaddis is also one of the team's three captains.
PRE-SEASON HONORS: Two Wildcats were named pre-season first team All-Atlantic by a vote of league head coaches. Senior safety Allyn Bacchus and junior tight end Matt Sherry were both named to the All-Conference pre-season first team. Last season, Bacchus finished second on the team in tackles with 118 to go with six tackles for loss, five pass break-ups, three forced fumbles and a sack. Sherry made 25 receptions for 275 yards and three touchdowns in an injury-plagued campaign in 2005.
ALL-CONFERENCE RETURNERS: Head coach Andy Talley returns three players in 2006 who earned All-Atlantic 10 distinction in 2005. Senior safety Allyn Bacchus was a second team All-Conference selection last season, while senior center Christina Gaddis and senior cornerback Rodney Badger were both third team honorees.
STREAKING ALONG: Senior safety Allyn Bacchus will be making his 34th straight start this Saturday at Central Florida. The Hampton, Virginia native started the first game of his career as a true freshman and has not missed a start since. As a junior last season, he tallied 118 tackles (second on team) to go with six tackles for loss, five pass break-ups, three forced fumbles and a sack. For his efforts a year ago, he was named second team All-Atlantic 10. During his Villanova career, Bacchus has registered 271 total tackles (183 solo), 13.5 tackles for loss, nine pass break-ups, three forced fumbles, one interception and one forced fumble. With 129 tackles this year, Bacchus will become just the fourth Villanova defender in school history to record 400 career tackles.
MOVING ALL AROUND: Don't blame sophomore Peter Caroppolo if he is not sure what position meeting to attend. As a redshirt freshman last year, Caroppolo made six tackles and a tackle for loss as a reserve defensive lineman. During the 2006 spring season, Caroppolo moved to the offensive side of the ball where he was the starting guard after the first week of pre-season camp. He is now back on the defensive side of the ball where he is slated as the starter at defensive tackle. Caroppolo moved back to defense on August 12 due to the season-ending knee injury to starting defensive tackle Brian Hentosz. Caroppolo is expected to remain on defense the rest of the year.
BIG SHOES TO FILL: The Wildcat defense faces the unenviable task of replacing two players who were both first team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selections the last three seasons. Linebacker Brian Hulea and defensive end Darrell Adams were both named first team All-Atlantic 10 in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Hulea finished his career with a school record 431 tackles, while Adams is currently on the New York Jets roster.
CATCHING UP: The position on the Villanova roster that was hit the hardest by graduation was the wide receiver spot. Villanova must replace its top two receivers from a year who combined to account for 138 receptions for 1,683 yards and 13 touchdowns. As seniors last year, J.J. Outlaw registered 83 catches for 878 yards and seven touchdowns, while John Dieser had 55 catches for 805 yards and six scores. Outlaw, who was just recently cut by the Philadelphia Eagles, finished his Villanova career fourth all-time in receptions with 199 and Dieser ended his Wildcat playing days eighth all-time in receptions with 166. The team's leading returning receiver is fullback DeQuese May who made 34 catches for 296 yards. Senior Chris Polite (33 receptions for 469 yards and one touchdown) and junior Anton Ridley (18 receptions for 256 yards and two scores) will be the starting receivers for the `Cats in 2006.
STAFF CHANGES: Wildcat head coach Andy Talley will have two new assistant coaches in 2006. On defense, Clint Wiley returns to Villanova as the team's linebacker coach. Wiley coached at Villanova from 1998-2004 before becoming the head coach at Oakcrest High School in Mays Landing, New Jersey last season. Sean Spencer, who coached the Wildcat linebackers, is now an assistant coach at Hofstra University. Talley also hired Chris Mosley to coach the Villanova cornerbacks. Mosley comes to Villanova from Akron University where he worked with the offensive tackles, tight ends and special teams as a graduate assistant in 2005. Last year's cornerbacks coach, Billy Crocker, has been promoted to defensive line coach. He replaces Brendan Daly who is now an assistant with the Minnesota Vikings.
ALL-AMERICAN HISTORY: The Villanova football program has had a first team All-American in eight of the last 12 years. In the program's history, 22 different players have earned All-American distinction.
1994 LB Tyrone Frazier1996 WR Brian Finneran1997 WR Brian Finneran QB Chris Boden1998 RB Brian Westbrook2000 KR Brian Westbrook2001 RB Brian Westbrook2002 QB Brett Gordon2005 LB Brian Hulea
Note: In 1999, wide receiver Murle Sango was a second team All-American, while in 2004 defensive end Jamil Butler was a second team All-American selection.
RADIO INFORMATION: Beginning in 2006, SportsTalk 950-AM WPEN will be the flagship station of the Villanova Football Radio Network. Play-by-play announcer Joe Eichhorn, who has been broadcasting Villanova football since 1988, returns to anchor the broadcasts. Joining Eichhorn for a 14th consecutive year is Ryan Fannon. All 11 Wildcat gridiron contests will be broadcast live, beginning with with a 15 minute pre-game show.
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 the 2003 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 Oct. 16, 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.
ACTING PROFESSIONAL: Five former Villanova products are currently on NFL rosters. Wide receiver Brian Finneran (Villanova 1994-97), who is currently in his seventh season with the Atlanta Falcons, injured his knee during training camp and will be on injured reserve for the 2006 season. Running back Brian Westbrook (Villanova 1997-2001) is in his fifth season with the Philadelphia Eagles as the franchise's starting running back. 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. Running back Terry Butler (2001-04) is currently in his second year as a member of the New York Jets, while safety Raymond Ventrone (Villanova 2001-04) is a on the injured reserve list for the New England Patriot. Last season, Ventrome was on the Patriots practice squad. A newcomer to the NFL ranks is defensive end Darrell Adams who is with the New York Jets. 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.
ATLANTIC 10 FOOTBALL TELECONFERENCE: Every Monday from August 28-Nov. 20, th Atlantic 10 will conduct a teleconference from 10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. with each of its head coaches. Each coach will have a 10-minute slot to discuss his team and answer questions from the media. Members of the media are strongly encouraged to participate in the questioning. For the access number, contact the Atlantic 10 communications office at 215-545-6678. The teleconference schedule is listed below.
10:00 a.m. Atlantic 10 update10:10 a.m. Dave Clawson, Richmond10:20 a.m. Jimmye Laycock, William & Mary10:30 a.m. Andy Talley, Villanova10:40 a.m. Rocky Hager, Northeastern10:50 a.m. Mickey Matthews, JMU11:00 a.m. Jack Cosgrove, Maine11:10 a.m. Don Brown, Northeastern11:20 a.m. Tim Stowers, Rhode Island11:30 a.m. K.C. Keeler, Delaware11:40 a.m. Sean McDonnell, New Hampshire11:50 a.m. Dave Cohen, HofstraNoon Gordy Combs, Towson
THE Andy Talley RADIO SHOW: In 2006, WPEN 950-AM, the flagship station of Villanova Athletics, will broadcast "Talking Football With Andy Talley." 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 is held on Tu esday evenings at Kelly's Restaurant and Tap Room in Bryn Mawr, Pa from 7-8 p.m.
