Villanova, Pa. -

For the second straight year, the Villanova University football team will host a scrimmage at Ocean City High School in Ocean City, N.J. The event, which is free and open to the public, will run from 10:30 a.m. until noon on Friday, August 17.

Following the scrimmage, Wildcat players will sign autographs in front of the Music Pier.

"There are quite a few Villanovans who have houses down the shore so we came up with the idea last year to take a day and have an open practice or scrimmage at the beach," said second-year head coach Mark Ferrante. "This gives us a chance to connect with our fans who are enjoying the summer at the shore and it also gives our team a break from the normal grind of preseason camp."

Athlon Sports released it preseason Top 25 on Tuesday, June 5, with the Villanova Wildcats checking in at No. 11. The Wildcats return 27 letterwinners and 16 starters from last year's team that went 5-6 overall and 3-5 in CAA play.

Villanova will kickoff the 2018 season on Saturday, Sept. 1, at Lincoln Financial Field against the Temple Owls. Game time is set for noon.