April 15, 2009

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova University head football coach Andy Talley today announced the 2009 Wildcat schedule. The Wildcats will play an 11-game slate in 2009, including eight Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) games and three non conference contests.

The season will kickoff on Thursday, September 3, with a game against Temple at Lincoln Financial Field. This is the first of four straight openers versus the Owls. Villanova will host Lehigh in the home opener on Sept. 12. The Wildcats will finish the non conference portion of the schedule on Sept. 19 with a game versus crosstown rival Penn at Franklin Field.

Villanova will begin conference play on Sept. 26 versus the Northeastern Huskies. The other three home conference games include William & Mary (Oct. 3), Rhode Island (Homecoming on Oct. 24) and Delaware (Nov. 21). The four road CAA contests will be at New Hampshire (Oct. 10), James Madison (Oct. 17), defending national champion Richmond (Nov. 7) and Towson (Nov. 14).

The Wildcats return 31 lettermen and 15 starters from last year's team that tallied a 10-3 overall record and a 7-1 CAA mark. Last season's team earned a bid to the FCA playoffs and advanced to the quarterfinal round before being eliminated by James Madison.

2009 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:

Sept. 3     Temple          Philadelphia, Pa.Sept. 12    Lehigh          Villanova, Pa.Sept. 19    Penn            Philadelphia, Pa.Sept. 26    Northeastern        Villanova, Pa.Oct. 3      William & Mary      Villanova, Pa.Oct. 10     New Hampshire       Durham, N.H.Oct. 17     James Madison       Harrisonburg, Va.Oct. 24     Rhode Island        Villanova, Pa.Nov. 7      Richmond        Richmond, Va.Nov. 14         Towson          Towson, Md.Nov. 21         Delaware        Villanova, Pa.