Villanova University senior quarterback John Robertson (Paramus, N.J.) is one of 22 players named to the STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year Watch List, while senior linebacker Don Cherry (Trumbull, Conn.) is one of 22 players named to the STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year Watch List.

The STATS FCS Player of the Year Watch Lists can undergo revision during the 2015 season. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the winner following the regular season.

Robertson is the reigning FCS national offensive player of the year. In 13 games last season, he completed 197-of-301 (65.4%) with 35 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also had 227 carries for 1,078 yards and 11 scores. Robertson joins Brian Westbrook (1997-2001) as the only two Villanova players to have three 1,000 yard rushing seasons. In seven of his 13 games in 2014, he threw at least three touchdown passes. Villanova is the only school to produce three national player of the year honorees. Robertson joins former Wildcat wide receiver Brian Finneran (1997) and Westbrook (2001) in earning the honor.

Cherry started all 14 games last season and registered 134 total tackles (82 solo), 21.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, five forced fumbles, one interception and a fumble recovery. He tallied double figures in tackles in seven of the 14 games, including a career-high tying 16 tackles in the NCAA quarterfinal playoff game against Sam Houston State. Cherry was runner-up last year in the voting for the national defensive player of the year.

Villanova opens the 2015 season on Thursday, Sept. 3, with a game at the University of Connecticut. Kickoff in East Hartford is set for 7:30 p.m.