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Villanova, Pa. -- The Villanova football team, who was ranked No. 4 in the 2015 Preseason STATS FCS Top 25 on Monday, held their annual media day on Thursday at Villanova Stadium. Head coach Andy Talley and several key contributors were available for a question and answer session following the team's practice.

Head Coach Andy Talley

Q: How would you assess your team?

A: Talley "We have a lot of experience on defense right now. I think our defense is a little better than our offense going into the first game against Connecticut. Obviously, Donny Cherry our All-American linebacker is the guy on that side of ball probably one of the better players in the country. On offense we have a couple question marks in the offensive. We need to solidify two offensive guard spots which I think we will. Kevin Monangai, who is now with the Eagles, is gone so we need to replace him. Gary Underwood is a tremendous running back for us. He'll replace Kevin in a good way. Of course everything is around John Robertson who was the best player in the country at FCS last year. We hope he comes back and has the same type of season. Question mark for us a little bit is our kicking game. Steve Weyler is our extra point field goal guy and I am hoping Steve as a sophomore gained some experience last year will improve. Our punting game will be really good. We have a tough start at Connecticut, at Fordham, who was a playoff team last year, and then Delaware here in the third game."

Q: Coach, can you talk about Don Cherry and how he has improved from the year he had last season?

A: Talley "Well, for Donny to have that kind of a season is like John [Robertson] to have the same kind of season he had last year is probably difficult to do. I think we'll have more skilled players around them then we did last year so maybe he won't have to do as much. If he could be even close to what he did last year it would be amazing. He's a tremendous motivator for our team, and a guy that does it well on and off the field. He's an All-American. He's one of the best linebackers. I think he's a pro prospect as is John [Robertson]."

Q: Looking at your guys out here this morning it looks like they like each other and pull for each other.

A: Talley "Yeah, we have good camaraderie. It's a team that is very close. We have a lot of returning guys who played last year so the esprit de corps (morale) is really strong. I've had some years where we haven't had that and we had a lot of talent. It does make a difference so there is good carry over from last year."

Q: Jarrett McClenton was one of your top recruits how is he doing?

A: Talley "I like Jarrett McClenton from Archbishop Wood. He's playing extremely well right now. We expect him to be in the rotation. I like him a lot. He's fast and quick. He's really excelled in preseason. I think if he can stay healthy you will see him on the field.

Q: What is it like to have a player like Robertson on one side and Cherry on the other? You have two elite players on your offense and your defense constantly on the field.

A: Talley "I think that is the first time that has happened for us here at Villanova. I've never had that experience. I think because those two guys are nationally known players I think our preseason prediction was rated high because of that. We have some issues. We need to get our offensive line together. We need to replace Poppy Livers who was our top receiver. Kevin Monangai is gone. We need to get that solidified. We have some issues but I think because you have two elite players like that everybody just figures these guys will be the best team."

Quarterback John Robertson

Q: What are your goals and the goals for the team this season?

A: Robertson "Right now, we're just trying to get through and get better every day. I think we have high expectations obviously. Everyone in the media...we're ranked very high. I think we are just trying to keep a level head and beat our defense. They are very good right now if you guys were watching today. If we're beating them, I think we're going to do pretty well."

Q: Coach talked a little bit about it today at media day...there are some question marks about your running game. Can you talk about what you have seen from the running game thus far?

A: Robertson "I think we just have a couple of guys on the line that really need to step up. A couple of guys are out right now in practice. So I think we need to build some depth, and get these young guys ready to block. On top of that we have an All-American middle linebacker in Don Cherry to try and block so it's pretty tough at times."

Q: Coach said you all have a target on your back and everybody is going to get you. Does that motivate you a little bit more?

A: Robertson "I think it motivates us a little bit more, but in the sense of coming out to practice we have to play well everyday and get better. Every team is going to play up a little bit when they play us. They are not going to sleep on us. We have to come out and play our best every time."

Q: The success you had last year can you build upon that this year?

A: Robertson "I'm going to try. It was a great season. We had a lot of good players, but I think we have a lot of good players now too. There will be a lot of new faces who are going to open up some eyes."

Q: Would you say there adds more pressure to you guys being ranked No. 4 to start the season?

A: Robertson "I think so but at the end of the day I keep saying it's where you want to be ranked."

Q: How tough was that playoff game last year just being here, but not being able to play?

A: Robertson "I think it was really tough, but I understood that having a head injury is something you don't mess with. With the support of my team and everyone it made it much easier for me. I don't regret my decision. Chris Polony played great as well, which made it much easier for me to sit on the sideline and watch him play really well."

Q: Was it a hard call at the time? [Referring to Robertson sitting out the playoff game against Sam Houston State].

A: Robertson "It was a hard call that day. Looking back on it now I'm healthy and ready to play this season. I don't know what could have happened. I think now I have no regrets about it. It was the right call.

Q: Is there anything you can build off from last season?

A: Robertson "Last season was a great season. I think we want to shoot for that. When we get into the playoffs play harder. It's a long schedule and a lot of good teams we need to play to get there. I think we're just taking the same steps last year which are day-by-day and game-by-game."

Q: How is the receiving corps coming along? You lost two key guys.

A: Robertson "Yeah, we got a lot of young guys. We're still working on some things, but I think we will get there. In the preseason it's tough especially our DB's are pretty good this year. I think they will be very good. Some of the best I've seen thus far in college. With young guys and veteran DB's it's a rough combination to come into the season with, but it will prepare these guys to get off of man coverage and get open."

Q: How is the running game coming along so far?

A: Robertson "I mean our running backs are awesome. I think they're going to be great. We have a lot of good linemen. I think there are just trying to get together and work on some things. I think we are going to work it out this next week. Every day we are getting better which is the most positive thing."

Linebacker Don Cherry

Q: How important and how well do you think the defense is going to be playing, especially early in the season?

A: Cherry "I think the defense has got some good stuff. I don't' know if you saw some of practice, but we were really flying around. The young guys are stepping up and taking big roles and filling the voids. We are returning eight guys but we don't' think there is going to be a lapse from last year and we think we are going to be even better than last year.

Q: Coming into the first three games, are you looking forward even though they are the tough ones you think can establish the tone?

A: Cherry "Yeah I think those first three games are critical for us, just to set the tone. UConn for me personally, is going to be a great one. I am a Connecticut native, so that will be a fun one for me. But yes we have a tough three games, Coach Talley always tells us, `these are some of the toughest three games; UConn going right into Fordham and then Delaware', so it's going to be a good one."

Q: Coach says the defense looks better than last year, and last year was very successful. How much of a motivating factor is that for you?

A: Cherry "It is very motivating. We are just trying to take it one day at a time. We don't' want to get to ahead of ourselves, UConn is three weeks away so we are just trying to get better every day. Get these younger guys reps and see who can play for us because we need as much depth as we can."

Q: Does it add more pressure you guys being ranked number 3 to start the season?

A: Cherry "Not really, those are all arbitrary rankings. We are not too worried about those. Those are just guys making decisions based on last year and what they think this year. So we try not to worry too much about the rankings and stats and stuff and just try to get better every day."

Gary Underwood Running Back

Q. What is like having John (Robertson) as your quarterback?

A. Underwood "It is great. He made good reads; I say he evolved as a quarterback. When he first got his chance to start he was running a lot. Now he is throwing, like I knew he could throw the ball. Everyone knew he could throw the ball, but he is so good with his legs. But now he is really starting to open up with his arms and throw the ball down field more and trust guys. And hand me the ball like it's more a complete offense. He is great; I wouldn't want another quarterback beside me."

Q. What are your expectations for the offense, with him (John Robertson) and the receivers too?

A. Underwood "We lost some guys on the O line. We also have some guys who have been preparing themselves since their freshman year to fill those roles and take those spots. I trust these guys. We got Kyle Wallace, he is a 5th year senior he is playing center for us right now, he is going to be a treat for sure, he knows what he is doing. Nico (D'Angelo), Bubba (Jonathan Green), and Brad Seaton hopefully he comes back but if not we have some young guys under him. Like (Brandon) Hitner, Jake Prus so the O line is going to get established. We are in camp; we are working hard so it can be established. By the time UConn comes we should be ready."

Q. And just being ranked so high in the National Rankings, what does that mean to you, if anything?

A. Underwood "It doesn't mean anything to me. I take it one practice at a time; I take one game at a time. Because I feel like anyone can be beat on any given day. So if you aren't giving it your all anybody can take their shot and win. So I don't' really get caught up in rankings, I could care less. I don't' care if they didn't rank us, we are still going to go hard every Saturday and try to win every game."

Nico D'Angelo Offensive Lineman

Q: The offensive line has some new guys in the mix. You are veteran and what do you see as your role helping those young guys?

A: D'Angelo "My role is to just help them out as much as I can. They know that my door is always open. Whether its film study or doing actual work on the field I'm there for them on and off the field."

Q: What about the expectations around this team? People expect you guys to be very good. How do you not get caught up in that and make it a reality at the same time?

A: D'Angelo "We don't pay attention to the press with what they're saying. All we can do is work hard out here on this practice field and the film room...just not think about last year and focus on this year. Take it game-by-game."

The start of the season is three weeks away, as the Wildcats open the 2015 campaign with a trip to Hartford, Conn. to play Connecticut on Thursday, September 3 at 7:30 pm.