< Previous2019 FOOTBALL V I L L A NO V A . C OM 98 HISTORY SIGNIFICANT DATES IN VILLANOVA HISTORY NOVEMBER 22, 1894: Villanova College’s first football game, a 24-0 victory over the Logan Athletic Association . NOVEMBER 13, 1895: Villanova’s first “intercollegiate” football game, a 12-0 win over Hahneman College . OCTOBER 8, 1927: Opening day at Villanova Stadium . After the dedication ceremonies, the Wildcats celebrate by winning the first game at their new home, a 32-7 victory over Lebanon Valley College . SEPTEMBER 28, 1928: Sophomore football player Leo J . Goodreau suffers severe injury during football practice . OCTOBER 2, 1928: Sophomore football player Leo J . Goodreau dies as a result of injuries suffered during practice . MAY 7, 1930: Members of Leo J . Goodreau’s class dedicate the playing field in Villanova Stadium to his memory . JANUARY 1, 1937: Villanova and Auburn play to a 7-7 tie in the first, and only, Bacardi Bowl in Havana, Cuba . DECEMBER 6, 1947: The Kentucky Wildcats beat the Villanova Wildcats, 24-14, in the Great Lakes Bowl in Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium . JANUARY 1, 1949: Villanova beats Nevada, 27-7, in the Harbor Bowl in San Diego’s Balboa Stadium . SEPTEMBER 23, 1950: Pete D’Alonzo carries the ball 23 times for 201 yards in a 39-28 season-opening Villa nova victory against Duquesne . His yardage will stand as the single- game leader for 41 years . OCTOBER 31, 1952: First night game at Villanova Stadium, under portable lights . Wildcats battle to a 20-20 tie against the Parris Island Marines . NOVEMBER 4, 1961: Villanova beats West Chester, 40-13, in the first game ever televised from Villanova Stadium . The game is carried live on Phil adelphia’s Channel 3, then known as WRCV-TV . DECEMBER 30, 1961: The Wildcats shock the Wichita Shockers in the Sun Bowl, at Kidd Field in El Paso . The ‘Cats collect a 17-9 victory . It’s remembered as one of the greatest days in Villanova athletic history, for later that day the Wildcat men’s basketball team won the Quaker City Tournament in Phil adelphia . DECEMBER 15, 1962: The ‘Cats lose to Oregon State, 6-0, in the Liberty Bowl at Philadelphia’s Municipal Stadium, in their last bowl game appearance . Later that day, the Wildcat men’s basketball team loses to Niagara at the Palestra, 73-61 . Rich Richman plays in both games for the Wildcats, as a quarterback at Municipal Stadium, and off the bench as a forward at the Palestra . SEPTEMBER 27, 1969: “One of the most dramatic comebacks in college football’s 101 years,” claimed Philadelphia Bulletin writer Frank Brady . The Wildcats trailed at Delaware by 26 points three minutes into the final period, when quarterback Drew Gordon came in off the bench to hit 7-of-17 passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns . Villanova beat Delaware, 36-33 . SEPTEMBER 27, 1980: Villanova Stadium is re-dedicated, after installation of astroturf, lights and a new track . At halftime of the Boston College-Villanova contest, the track is dedicated to legendary track coach James “Jumbo” Elliott . The Wildcats win the game, 20-9 . APRIL 14, 1981: Villanova’s board of trustees elects to discontinue football, citing economic reasons . DECEMBER 1, 1981: The Committee to Restore Football at Villanova hosts their first benefit, featuring Bob Hope at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia . The night is nicknamed, “Hope for Football .” NOVEMBER 3, 1982: Villanova’s student government released results from a student survey, showing 96 .07 percent of students responding want football back . DECEMBER 14, 1982: Villanova board of trustees agrees to review its position on football . DECEMBER 13, 1983: Villanova President John M . Driscoll, O .S .A . announces that the board of trustees has elected to restore football . MAY 29, 1984: The task of rebuilding Villanova Football is placed on the shoulders of Andrew J . Talley, the 30th football head coach in Wildcat history . OCTOBER 10, 1984: Villanova announces it will be a member of the NCAA Division I-AA Yankee Conference . NOVEMBER 3, 1984: A sold-out Villanova Stadium crowd of 13,400 is on hand for the first Villanova University football Home coming game since 1980, a Blue-White scrimmage . Comprised of walk-ons who worked out for one month, the blue team beats the white, 23-7 . SEPTEMBER 2, 1985: Villanova beats Iona, 27-7, and goes on to a 5-0-0 season back on the gridiron . NOVEMBER 19, 1987: A sold-out Villanova Stadium is on hand for a nationally-televised ESPN clash with Holy Cross, the first night game at Villanova Stadium since 1952 . The ‘Cats lose to Holy Cross, 39-6 . SEPTEMBER 24, 1988: Villanova beats Boston University, 31-24, in a day of firsts . The game, played at Boston University’s Nickerson Field, is Villanova’s first in the Yankee Conference . It’s also Villanova’s first overtime game . Tied 24-24 at the end of regulation, the Wildcats had possession of the ball first in overtime . On fourth and goal the ‘Cats fake a field goal, as holder Bob Brady found tight end Rich Lage alone in the endzone for the score . Villanova’s defense then held the Terriers in their possession, to win the game . OCTOBER 7, 1989: It took 3 hours and 40 minutes, but Villanova captured a 41-35 victory in six overtimes against Connecticut at Villanova Stadium . The game was won on Villanova’s fourth play of possession in the sixth extra frame, as freshman Jeff Johnson ran for three yards off left tackle for the game winning touchdown . NOVEMBER 25, 1989: Playing in the post- season for the first time in 27 years, Villanova loses to eventual National Champion Georgia Southern, 52-36, in the first round of the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs . OCTOBER 26, 1991: Pat Kennedy rushed for 249 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries against William & Mary, in a 35-21 Villanova victory . It’s the second greatest game ever by a Villanova running back . NOVEMBER 30, 1991: Villanova loses to eventual National Champion Youngstown State, 17-16, in the first round of the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs . NOVEMBER 28, 1992: Making it to the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs for the third time in four years, the Wildcats lose at Youngstown State, 23-20 . SEPTEMBER 30, 1995: Head coach Andy Talley sets new Villanova standard for most all- time coaching victories on the Main Line, earning his 66th win in a 28-3 drubbing of Buffalo . OCTOBER 5, 1996: Villanova defeats Connecticut 38-27 in Storrs, Conn . The win marked the 100th career victory for Wildcat head coach Andy Talley . Also in the game, junior wide receiver Brian Finneran tallies a school record 16 receptions . Mike Pettine was a running back on the 1961 Wildcat team that defeated Wichita in the Sun Bowl.2019 FOOTBALL 99 V I L L A N O VA . CO M HISTORY SIGNIFICANT DATES IN VILLANOVA HISTORY NOVEMBER 30, 1996: Villanova loses, 35-29, at East Tennessee State in the first round of the NCAA I-AA playoffs . In the loss, junior running back Curtis Sifford becomes the first Wildcat back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season . JULY 1, 1997: Villanova becomes a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference who takes over the day-to-day operations of the Yankee Conference . OCTOBER 4, 1997: Senior wide receiver Brian Finneran becomes Villa nova’s all-time leading receiver for career receptions and career receiving yards versus JMU . In the win, Finneran tallied eight receptions for 144 yards and four touchdowns . OCTOBER 20, 1997: Villanova gains No . 1 national ranking for the first time in school history . The ‘Cats reached the top spot in both the Sports Network and ESPN/Sportsticker polls . NOVEMBER 22, 1997: The Wildcats complete the first-ever undefeated, untied full season in school history with a 49-35 win over Northeastern . NOVEMBER 29, 1997: Hosting the first-ever post season game at Villanova Stadium, the Wildcats record their first NCAA I-AA playoff victory with a 49-28 win over Colgate . DECEMBER 1, 1997: Head coach Andy Talley and wide receiver Brian Finneran make national headlines, as Talley earns the Eddie Robinson Award as the top I-AA coach in the country and Finneran garners the Walter Payton Award, symbolizing the best player in I-AA . NOVEMBER 21, 1998: In a 27-15 win over Rhode Island, sophomore Brian Westbrook became the first player in the history of college football at any level to rush for 1,000 yards and receive for 1,000 yards in the same season . OCTOBER 30, 1999: Head Coach Andy Talley records his 100th victory at Villanova with a 31-28 victory over the University of New Hampshire . NOVEMBER 24, 2001: Running back Brian Westbrook becomes the all-time leader in the history of college football at any level for career all- purpose yards with a 46-yard rush in the second quarter versus William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va . Westbrook finished his illustrious Villanova career with 9,512 yards of all-purpose offense in 44 regular season games . DECEMBER 20, 2001: Brian Westbrook wins the Walter Payton Award as the top player in NCAA I-AA football at a banquet in Chattanooga, Tenn . APRIL 20, 2002: Brian Westbrook becomes the first Wildcat to be drafted by the NFL since Howie Long in 1981 when he was selected in the third round by the Philadelphia Eagles . AUGUST 31, 2002: In the season opener in Piscataway, N .J ., Villanova defeats Rutgers by a score of 37-19, giving the Wildcats their first win over a Division I-A opponent since becoming a I-AA program in 1985 . DECEMBER 7, 2002: Quarterback Brett Gordon completes 26-of-30 for 219 yards and two touchdowns as Villanova earns a 24-10 quarterfinal win over Fordham and advances to the semifinal round of the NCAA I-AA Playoffs for the first time in school history . SEPTEMBER 6, 2003: Villanova defeats Temple, 23-20 in overtime, becoming the first Division I-AA school to defeat a I-A team from a BCS conference in back-to-back seasons since the Bowl Championship Series was formed in 1998 . The game was also the first regular season football game of any kind to be played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa . MAY 6, 2006: Villanova honors the history of Wildcat football by hosting the Gridiron Gala . More than 300 people attended the on-campus event including Wildcat legends Howie Long, Billy Joe, Brian Finneran and Brian Westbrook . JULY 1, 2007: Villanova becomes a member of the Colonial Athletic Association who takes over the day-to-day operations of the Atlantic 10 Conference . NOVEMBER 8, 2008: The Wildcats defeat New Hampshire by a score of 24-13 making head coach Andy Talley the all-time winningest coach in CAA history . DECEMBER 18, 2009: Villanova wins its first- ever National Championship in football with a 23-21 victory over previously undefeated Montana in a game played at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn . Junior Matt Szczur led the Wildcats with a career-high 159 yards rushing and 270 all-purpose yards en route to being named the game’s Most Outstanding Player . APRIL 29, 2011: Wildcat offensive tackle Ben Ijalana is selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the NFL Draft with the 49th overall pick . DECEMBER 17, 2012: Redshirt freshman quarterback John Robertson wins the Jerry Rice Award at a banquet held in Philadelphia . The Rice Award is given to the top freshman in FCS Football . SEPTEMBER 28, 2013: Wildcat head coach Andy Talley records his 200th win at Villanova with a 35-6 victory over the visiting Penn Quakers . Talley becomes the 37th coach in all divisions of college football to win 200 games at one school, and just the eighth active head coach with that distinction . DECEMBER 15, 2014: At a banquet at the Sheraton Society Hill in Philadelphia, junior quarterback John Robertson wins the Walter Payton Award which is given to the top player in FCS Football . Robertson becomes the third Villanova player to win the Payton Award, with all three winners playing different positions . Wide receiver Brian Finneran won the award in 1997 and running back Brian Westbrook earned the honor in 2001 . Villanova is now the only school to have three Walter Payton Award winners . OCTOBER 21, 2016: Villanova University dedicates the Andrew J . Talley Athletic Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony . The Talley Center will be home to the Wildcats football program and contains several amenities that will benefit every student-athlete on campus . DECEMBER 3, 2016: The illustrious career of head football coach Andy Talley comes to a close with a 10-7 loss at South Dakota State in the second round of the FCS playoffs . Talley finished his 32-year Villanova career with an all-time record of 230-137-1 . SEPTEMBER 2, 2017: Mark Ferrante makes his debut as Villanova’s head football coach and leads the Wildcats to a 38-35 win at Lehigh . The 2009 Wildcats captured the first national championship in program history with a 23-21 victory over Montana on December 18, 2009.2019 FOOTBALL V I L L A NO V A . C OM 100 HISTORY ALL-AMERICANS | NATIONAL AWARDS EAMONN ALLEN (Offensive Line, 2001) — Associated Press All- America . PAUL BERARDELLI (Guard, 1988) — American Football Coaches Association/Kodak All-America . CHRIS BODEN (Quarterback, 1997) — Walter Camp . DON CHERRY (Linebacker, 2014) — Associated Press, 2015 Associated Press, The Sports Network, Walter Camp . ROBERT DAVID (Fullback, 1944) — All-Catholic All-America; NCWC News Service All-America . JOSEPH W. DEROSE (Center, 1951) — Colliers All-America Specialists . CURTIS ELLER (Linebacker, 1991-92) — 1991: American Football Coaches Association/Kodak All-American, 1992: Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association/Kodak All-American . EUGENE C. FILIPSKI (Back, 1952) — Look Magazine; Football Writers’ Association of America; Consensus All-America; NCAA Football Guide; Colliers All-America . BRIAN FINNERAN (Wide Receiver, 1996-97) — 1996 American Football Coaches Association All-America; 1997 Associated Press; Sports Network; AFCA; Walter Camp . TYRONE FRAZIER (Linebacker, 1994) — American Football Coaches Association/Schooner’s All-American; Sports Network; Don Hansen’s Football Gazette . BRETT GORDON (Quarterback, 2002) — Walter Camp . BRIAN HULEA (Linebacker, 2005) — Sports Network, AFCA, Walter Camp . BEN IJALANA (Offensive Tackle, 2009-10) — 2010 Associated Press, Sports Network, Walter Camp, AFCA CHARLES W. JOHNSON (Tackle, 1962) — Williamson All-America . TANOH KPASSAGNON (Defensive End, 2016) — Associated Press, AFCA, Walter Camp, STATS, Inc . WILLIAM KUZMAN (End, 1944) — All-Catholic All-America; NCWC News Service All-America . DOMENIC G. LIPOTTA (Guard, 1951) — Colliers All-America; American Football Coaches Association; Consensus All-America; NCAA Football Guide; Grantland Rice; Look Magazine . JOHN G. MELLUS (Tackle, 1939) — New York Sun . EDWARD J. MICHAELS (Guard, 1936) — Associated Press; United Press International; Pop Warner; Fosters All-America; International News Service; Lawrence Perry; Russel Gnau; Hearst Syndicate; Liberty Magazine; Elgin . GREG MILLER (Defensive Line, 2008) — Sports Network; Walter Camp Foundation; American Football Coaches Association EUGENE P. O’PELLA (End, 1958) — Williamson All-America . GEORGE L. RANDOUR (Back, 1933) — International News Service . JOHN ROBERTSON (Quarterback, 2014) — The Sports Network, Walter Camp; AFCA; FCS ADA . BRYAN RUSSO (Center, 1989) — American Football Coaches Association/Kodak All-America; The Sports Network . JOHN SANDUSKY (Tackle, 1949) — New York Sun . MICHAEL J. SIANI (End, 1971) — Sport Magazine, The Sporting News . MATT SZCZUR (Wide Receiver, 2009) —Sports Network, Walter Camp, Associated Press BRIAN WESTBROOK (Running Back/Kick Returner, 1998, 2000, 2001) — Associated Press All-America; The Sports Network All-America; 2000-The Sports Network All-America (Return Specialist) ; AFCA All-America (Return Specialist) ; Associated Press All-America (All-Purpose Player) ; (running back, 2001) - Associated Press All- America, AFCA All-America, The Sports Network All-America . JOHN G. WYSOCKI (End, 1937-38) — Alexander M . Weyand Consensus, David J . Walsh, United Press International, Newspaper Enterprise Association, Liberty Magazine, All-America Board of Football Coaches, All Players, United Press . FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS 1997: ANDY TALLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eddie Robinson Award GTE/AFCA National Coach of the Year 1997: BRIAN FINNERAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . Walter Payton Award 1998: CHRIS BODEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ernie Davis Award 2001: BRIAN WESTBROOK . . . . . . . . . . Walter Payton Award 2009: ANDY TALLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AFCA National Coach of the Year 2012: JOHN ROBERTSON . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Rice Award 2014: JOHN ROBERTSON . . . . . . . . . . . Walter Payton Award 2014: JOHN ROBERTSON . . . . . . . . . . . FCS ADA Offensive Player of the Year Brian Hulea earned All-America honors for his play in 2005.2019 FOOTBALL 101 V I L L A N O VA . CO M HISTORY WALTER PAYTON AWARD WINNERS BRIAN FINNERAN 1997 WALTER PAYTON AWARD WINNER At the 11th Annual Division I-AA National Football Awards Banquet held on Dec . 1, 1997, at the Official All-Star Cafe in New York City, Villanova University senior wide receiver Brian Finneran (Mission Viejo, Calif .) won the Walter Payton Award given to the top player in I-AA . Finneran had a storybook career on the Main Line from 1994-97, and was one of the nation’ finest players throughout his four years . During his storied career, he caught 265 passes for 3,872 yards and 34 touchdowns . Finneran currently holds 14 Villanova school records including the career marks for receptions, yards and touchdowns . Arriving on the Main Line in 1994 from Mission Viejo, Calif ., along with his twin brother and fellow Wildcat football standout Brad, Brian Finneran was on a mission . He immediately began to turn heads as a freshman in 1994, catching 56 passes for 805 yards and seven scores . Finneran set Wildcat class records for most catches and yards receiving in a season by a freshman . For his performance, he was named to the All-Yankee Conference second team . Missing the first two games of his sophomore season due to a separated shoulder . Finneran returned slowly but still caught 32 passes for 471 yards on the year . Finneran’s real breakout season came in 1996, when as a junior, he posted 81 receptions for 1,207 yards and eight touchdowns . The honors came from everywhere, as he received first team All-Atlantic 10, All-ECAC, and All-American honors . His top campaign would come one year later, as a senior, when he took both himself and the Wildcats to the status of one of the nation’s best . With a perfect 11-0 regular season, Villanova was No . 1 in the country and posted the first-ever undefeated, untied full regular season in school history . Despite losing a 37-34 heartbreaker to Youngstown State in the second round of the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs, the season was a memorable one for Finneran and the `Cats . Finneran finished the year with 96 catches for 1,389 yards and 19 touchdowns . He capped off his career by earning the Walter Payton Award, given to the nation’s top Division I-AA player . Finneran played 12 years in the NFL, including 10 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons from 2000-10 . BRIAN WESTBROOK 2001 WALTER PAYTON AWARD WINNER Villanova University senior running back Brian Westbrook closed out his illustrious collegiate career in fine fashion on December 20, 2001, when he was awarded the Walter Payton Award given annually to the National Player of the Year in NCAA I-AA football . Westbrook received the award at a banquet held in Chattanooga, Tennessee . The other two finalists for the award included Rocky Butler of Hofstra University and Adrian Peterson of Georgia Southern . Westbrook received 31 first-place votes and 320 points from the panel of 103 I-AA sports information directors and selected media . Following Westbrook in the voting were Hofstra’s Rocky Butler, who earned 22 first place votes and 267 total points, and Georgia Southern’s Adrian Peterson, who finished in the top three of the voting for the fourth consecutive year . Westbrook became the second player from Villanova to win the award . In 1997, former Wildcat and current Atlanta Falcon wide receiver Brian Finneran garnered the award . In 11 games in 2001, Westbrook led all of NCAA I-AA in both All- purpose yards with 2,823 and scoring with 176 points (29 TDs) . The 5-9, 205 pound Westbrook rushed 249 times for 1,603 yards and 22 scores, caught 59 passes for 658 yards and six touchdowns, returned 17 kickoffs for 440 yards and a score, in addition to returning 12 punts for 90 yards during the 2001 campaign . In Villanova’s season finale at William & Mary on Nov . 24, Westbrook set the NCAA All-Divisions career all-purpose yards record with 9,512 yards in 44 regular season games . As a junior in 2000, Westbrook finished third in the Walter Payton Award voting behind Louis Ivory of Furman University who won the award and Peterson who finished second . The most decorated player in school history, Westbrook finished his Wildcat career with 41 school records, 19 Atlantic 10 Conference marks and five NCAA records . Westbrook became the first player in the history of Villanova football to earn first team All-American honors in three different seasons, when he earned first team All-American acclaim from both The Sports Network and the AFCA in 2001 . As a sophomore in 1998, Westbrook became the only player in the history of college football at any level to rush for 1,000 yards and receive for 1,000 yards in the same season . Westbrook played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2002-09, and with the San Francisco 49ers during the 2010 season . Brian Finneran accepts the 1997 Walter Payton Award at a banquet in New York City. Brian Westbrook became Villanova’s second Walter Payton Award winner when he won the honor in 2001.JOHN ROBERTSON 2014 WALTER PAYTON AWARD WINNER Junior quarterback John Robertson became the third Villanova Wildcat to win the Walter Payton Award as the top player in FCS Football when he was presented with the prestigious award at the FCS Awards Banquet on Dec . 15, 2014, during a banquet at the Sheraton Society Hill in Philadelphia . Robertson earned 467 points and 66 first place votes in voting by a nationwide panel of sports information directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries from the division . Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams finished second in the balloting (383 points, 29 first-place votes), while Idaho State signal caller Justin Arias was third with 220 points and 22 first-place votes . Robertson becomes the third Villanova player to win the Payton Award, with all three winners playing different positions . Wide receiver Brian Finneran won the award in 1997 and running back Brian Westbrook earned the honor in 2001 . Villanova is now the only school to have three Walter Payton Award winners . Robertson finished the 2014 season by completing 197-of-301 passes (65 .4%) with 35 touchdowns and three interceptions . He also had 227 carries for a team-high 1,078 yards and 11 scores . Robertson joins Westbrook (1997-2001) as the only two Villanova players to have three 1,000 yard rushing seasons . In seven of his 13 games this year, Robertson threw at least three touchdown passes . In the NCAA statistics, Robertson ranked in the top two in five different categories . He led all FCS players in passing efficiency (181 .3), points responsible for (280) and points responsible for per game, (21 .5) and he ranked second in passing touchdowns (35) and passing yards per attempt (9 .46) . Robertson finished his Villanova career with a 27-11 record as the starting quarterback by completing 561-of-875 (64 .1%) for 7,290 yards to go with 65 touchdowns and 18 interceptions . He ended his Main Line career as the school’s record holder for career total offense with 10,933 yards . He also ranks second in program history in career rushing yards with 3,643 and he is fourth in passing yards with 7,290 . Robertson owns three of the top nine single season best rushing totals, including his 1,405 yards in 2013 which ranks as the second best rushing effort in the history of Villanova Football . 2019 FOOTBALL V I L L A NO V A . C OM 102 HISTORY WALTER PAYTON AWARD WINNERS John Robertson gave Villanova its third Walter Payton Award winner at a third different position in 2014. Villanova players officially became eligible for All-Yankee Conference honors in 1988. All selections are voted on by the Conference head coaches. The Atlantic 10 was in existence from 1997-2006. The CAA came into existence in 2007. 1988 Jim Cashman, TE First Team James Donaway, OG First Team Peter Lombardi, FB Second Team John O’Brien, OLB Second Team Mickey Watson, ILB Second Team Tom Withka, PK Second Team 1989 Bob Brady, WR First Team Bryan Russo, C First Team Tom Withka, K First Team Paul Franco, DT Second Team Mickey Watson, LB Second Team Chris Hunt, DB Second Team 1990 Curtis Eller, LB First Team Damon Green, LB Second Team 1991 Scott Donald, TE First Team Randy Crane, OG First Team Bill Lacey, OT First Team Tim Tarpey, OC First Team Willie Oshodin, DL First Team Curtis Eller, LB First Team/ Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Long, DB First Team Barry Alvis, DB First Team Tom Colombo, QB Second Team Pat Kennedy, RB Second Team Chris Grychowski, DL Second Team Andy Cobaugh, LB Second Team Orin Solomon, DB Second Team 1992 Randy Crane, OG First Team Curtis Eller, LB First Team/ Defensive Player of the Year Bill Lacey, OT First Team Tim Matas, DL First Team Chris Grychowski, DL First Team Bill Hoffman, PK First Team Andy Cobaugh, LB Second Team Matt Smith, DB Second Team Tim Tarpey, OC Second Team 1993 Bill Lacey, OT Second Team Bill Hoffmann, K Second Team Devian Logan, SS Third Team 1994 Tyrone Frazier, LB First Team Jose Ramirez, OL First Team Andy Cobaugh, LB Second Team Brian Finneran, WR Second Team Chris Curtis, DL Third Team Frank Venezia, P Third Team 1995 Curtis Dunaway, DB First Team A .J . Burawski, LB Third Team 1996 Brian Finneran, WR First Team Mark Kiefer, PK First Team Clint Park, QB Second Team Matt McKnight Second Team Deon Jackson, DB Second Team Chris Okano, OL Third Team Curtis Dunaway, LB Third Team Shannon Riley, DB Third Team 1997 Brian Finneran, WR First Team/ Offensive Player of the Year Chris Boden, QB First Team Jason Tenner, OL First Team George Freiberger, OL Second Team Mark Kiefer, PK Second Team Shaun Lyons, LB Third Team Mitch McCrimmon, OL Third Team Shannon Riley, SS Third Team Josh Dolbin, WR Third Team Ryan Knight, OL Third Team Chris Machovina, DL Third Team Andy Talley Coach of the Year 1998 Brian Westbrook, RB First Team Casey Hannon, PK Second Team Ryan Knight, OL Second Team Hezekiah Lewis, DB Second Team Chris Machovina, DE Second Team Jason Tenner, DL Second Team Shaun Lyons, LB Third Team 1999 Chris Boden, QB First Team Ryan Knight, OL First Team Murle Sango, WR First Team Kwesi Solomon, DL First Team Stan Bennett, DL Second Team Casey Hannon, PK Second Team Joe Kavanaugh, TE Second Team Hezekiah Lewis, DB Second Team Shaun Lyons, LB Second Team Ducarmel Augustin, RB Third Team David Heckard, LB Third Team DeLonne Kelly, DB Third Team 2000 Brian Westbrook, RB/RS First Team/ Offensive Player of the Year Brett Gordon, QB Second Team Stan Bennett, OT Second Team Kwesi Solomon, DT Third Team Chris Birch, P Third Team 2001 Brian Westbrook, RB First Team/ Offensive Player of the Year Eamonn Allen, OL First Team Casey Hannon, PK First Team Matt Chila, TE Second Team Kwesi Solomon, DL Second Team Chris Birch, P Third Team Brett Gordon, QB Third Team Robert Richardson, OL Third Team Murle Sango, WR Third Team Jamison Young, LB Third Team 2002 Brett Gordon, QB First Team/ Offensive Player of the Year Matt Chila, TE First Team Brian White, WR Second Team Mike Finn, OL Third Team Sean McCarthy, OL Third Team Brian Hulea, LB Third Team Jamison Young, LB Third Team Gary Johnson, DB Third Team Terence Taylor, DE Third Team 2003 Darrell Adams, DL First Team Matt Chila, TE First Team Mike Finn, OL First Team Brian Hulea, LB First Team J .J . Outlaw, WR First Team Raymond Ventrone, DB First Team Jamil Butler, DL Second Team Clarence Curry, DB Second Team Terry Butler, RB Third Team Moe Gibson, RS Third Team Jason Saks, OL Third Team Terence Taylor, DL Third Team 2004 Darrell Adams, DL First Team Jamil Butler, DE First Team Brian Hulea, LB First Team Terence Taylor, DE Second Team Terry Butler, RB Second Team Jeremy Morgan, DB Third Team J .J . Outlaw, WR Third Team 2005 Darrell Adams, DE First Team Brian Hulea, LB First Team J .J . Outlaw, WR First Team Allyn Bacchus, DB Second Team Rodney Badger, DB Third Team Christian Gaddis, OL Third Team Adam James, P Third Team 2006 Allyn Bacchus, DB First Team Christian Gaddis, OC First Team DeQuese May, RB Second Team Michael Costanzo, OG Third Team 2007 Matt Sherry, TE First Team Tim Kukucka, DT Second Team Matt Dicken, RB Third Team Osayi Osunde, LB Third Team 2008 Ben Ijalana, OT First Team Greg Miller, DL First Team Osayi Osunde, LB First Team Aaron Ball, RB Second Team Izzy Bauta, OT Second Team Marquis Kirkland, LB Second Team Tim Kukucka, DL Second Team Matt Szczur, WR Second Team Phil Atkinson, WR Third Team Angelo Babbaro, KR Third Team Brian Brannigan, OL Third Team David Dalessandro, DL Third Team Salim Koroma, DB Third Team Joe Marcoux, PK Third Team Darrel Young, Safety Third Team 2009 Matt Szczur, WR, KR First Team/ CAA Offensive Player of the Year; CAA Special Teams Player of the Year Ben Ijalana, OT First Team Tim Kukucka, DL First Team Terence Thomas, LB First Team Chris Whitney, QB First Team Brandyn Harvey, WR Second Team Phil Matusz, DL Second Team Osayi Osunde, LB Second Team Aaron Ball, RB Third Team Brian Brannigan, OC Third Team Brant Clouser, OG Third Team John Dempsey, DB Third Team Marquis Kirkland, LB Third Team James Pitts, DB Third Team 2010 Brant Clouser, OG First Team Ben Ijalana, OT First Team Marquis Kirkland, LB First Team Terence Thomas, LB First Team Norman White, WR First Team Fred Maldonado, DB Second Team Dominic Scarnecchia, P Second Team Chris Whitney, QB Second Team Aaron Ball, RB Third Team John Dempsey, DB Third Team Antoine Lewis, DL Third Team James Pitts, DB Third Team Dan Shirey, OL Third Team Thomas Weaver, DT Third Team 2011 James Pitts, DB First Team Dan Shirey, OL First Team Dillon Lucas, LB Third Team CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year Mark Hamilton, P Third Team 2012 Rakim Cox, DL First Team Antoine Lewis, DL First Team Eric Loper, DB First Team Kevin Monangai, RB First Team Devon Bridges, LB Second Team Josh Bucci, OL Second Team Marlon Johnson, DL Second Team Vince Kowalski, OL Third Team Poppy Livers, PR Third Team John Robertson, QB Third Team Joe Sarnese, DB Third Team Norman White, WR Third Team Andy Talley Coach of the Year John Robertson Offensive Rookie of the Year 2013 Rakim Cox, DL First Team Josh Bucci, OL Second Team Don Cherry, LB Second Team Craig James, DB Second Team Antoine Lewis, DL Second Team John Robertson, QB Second Team Ross Hall, OL Third Team Mark Hamilton, PK Third Team Cameron McCurry, DB Third Team Kevin Monangai, RB Third Team 2014 John Robertson, QB First Team/ Offensive Player of the Year Don Cherry, LB First Team Vince Kowalski, OL First Team Ross Hall, OL Second Team Poppy Livers, WR Second Team Joe Sarnese, DB Second Team Pat Williams, DL Second Team Kevin Monangai, RB Third Team Gary Underwood, RB Third Team Jason Ceneus, DB Third Team 2015 Don Cherry, LB First Team Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE First Team Gary Underwood, FB First Team Kevin Gulyas, WR Second Team Malik Reaves, DB Second Team Austin Calitro, LB Third Team Jason Ceneus, DB Third Team Cameron McCurry, DB Third Team Zach Bednarczyk, QB CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year Jake Prus, OL Chuck Boone Leadership Award 2016 Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, First Team Defensive Player of the Year Austin Calitro, LB First Team Rob Rolle, DB First Team Brad Seaton, OL Second Team Aaron Forbes, RB Third Team Ryan Bell, TE Third Team Bryan Osei, DE Third Team Ed Shockley, LB Third Team John Hinchen, Punter Third Team 2017 Ed Shockley, LB First Team John Hinchen, Punter First Team Malik Reeves, CB Second Team Ethan Greenidge, OL Second Team 2018 Aaron Forbes, RB Second Team Ethan Greenidge, OL Second Team Christian Benford, DB Third Team Defensive Rookie of the Year ALL-CONFERENCE NCAA ELITE 88 AWARD Given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at all of the NCAA Championship events . 2009 FCS FOOTBALL Will Thompson 2019 FOOTBALL 103 V I L L A N O VA . CO M HISTORY HONORS & AWARDS2019 FOOTBALL V I L L A NO V A . C OM 104 HISTORY HONORS & AWARDS Villanova players became eligible in 1988 when the Wildcats joined the Yankee Conference. To qualify, student-athletes must have a 3.0 grade-point average and be regular performers. The Atlantic 10 was in existence from 1997-2006. 1988 Robert Brady Art Condodina Peter Lombardi Scott Rushton Ron Sency 1989 Robert Brady John Marichak Peter Ruggiero William Oshodin Kevin Martchek Rich Sernyak Damon Green Tom Sency Chris Hunt 1990 John Marichak Willie Oshodin Kevin Martchek Damon Green Rich Sernyak Tom Sency 1991 No team selected 1992 Tim Matas Pat Smith Greg Ziegler Remo Guarnieri 1993 Brad Parpan Anthony Carangi Greg Ziegler Mike Hoffman Chris Adler Brent McCracken Russ Kingsbury Remo Guarnieri 1994 Chris Curtis Remo Guarnieri Deon Jackson Brian Keating Russ Kingsbury Pat Krebs Brent McCracken Erik Pearson Pete Petrillo John Reilly Michael Rusnak Frank Venezia Preston Walker Gregg Ziegler 1995 Chris Curtis Chris Hardy Deon Jackson Pat Krebs Kevin McCarty Pete Petrillo Frank Venezia 1996 Clint Park Pat Krebs Kevin McCarty Chris Okano Deon Jackson Mark Kiefer 1997 Mark Kiefer 1998 Stephen Curry Chris Janik Conor Kinsella Hezekiah Lewis Matt Reiter Jay Strippoli Brian Westbrook 1999 Casey Hannon Conor Kinsella Hezekiah Lewis Matt Reiter 2000 Chris Birch Casey Hannon Joe Keating Mark Laber Matt Reiter 2001 Ryan Breeden Carmen DeFrancesco Joe Keating Willie Lewis Murle Sango 2002 Mike Finn Brett Gordon Noah Hoffman Adam James Mike Roseman Jason Saks Anthony Wright C . DeFrancesco Kingsley Echema Carmen Falcone Brian Hulea Dan Silva Raymond Ventrone 2003 Carmen DeFrancesco Mike Finn Noah Hoffman Brian Hulea Adam James Mike Roseman Jason Saks Dan Silva Raymond Ventrone Tony Wright 2004 Darrell Adams Allyn Bacchus Brian Hulea Adam James Jason Saks Blake Shubert Dan Silva Raymond Vetrone Tony Wright 2005 Allyn Bacchus Izzy Bauta J .C . Cooper John Dieser Brian Hulea Adam James Frank Jankowski Alex Koplin Zach Mariacher Blake Shubert 2006 Allyn Bacchus Izzy Bauta J .C . Cooper Aaron Jones Zach Mariacher Osayi Osunde Terrance Reaves Blake Shubert Shawn Smith 2007 Angelo Babbaro Kris Brown Derek Donmoyer Derek Fiorenza Zach Mariacher Martin Morfin Sean Morrissey Nick Seibert Matt Sherry Shawn Smith Will Thompson CAA Football Student- Athlete of the Year: Matt Sherry 2008 Angelo Babbaro Izzy Bauta Sean Morrissey Osayi Osunde Michael Sheridan Will Thompson Chris Whitney 2009 Angelo Babbaro Sean Morrissey Osayi Osunde Terence Thomas Will Thompson Chris Whitney Nick Yako CAA Football Student- Athlete of the Year: Osayi Osunde 2010 Angelo Babbaro Josh Bucci Craig James Joe Makoid Terence Thomas Chris Whitney Nick Yako 2011 Marlon Calbi Morgan Craig Christian Culicerto Miller Edwards Ross Hall Joe Makoid Adam Nelson Chris Polony Dan Shirey Bill Vogel Nick Yako 2012 Josh Bucci Morgan Craig Brennan Erbeznik Kevin Gulyas Ross Hall Steve Jones Matt McCann Adam Nelson Chris Polony Dan Shirey Bill Vogel 2013 Josh Bucci Don Cherry Anthony DeCamillo Kevin Gulyas Pat Haggerty Ross Hall Mark Hamilton Tanoh Kpassagnon Josh Lumer John Maughan Cameron McCurry Chris Polony Peter Sotiriou Doug Turrell Bill Vogel Garrett Waller 2014 CAA Football Student- Athlete of the Year: Don Cherry Travis Clark Morgan Craig Anthony DeCamillo Jacob Gribb Kevin Gulyas Ross Hall John Hinchen Tanoh Kpassagnon Matt McCann Cameron McCurry Ryan Morris Chris Polony Jake Prus John Robertson Rob Rolle Peter Sotiriou Doug Turrell Steve Weyler T .J . White 2015 Ryan Bell George Benakis Simon Bingelis Jackson Bradley Chris Buchalski Peter Burkly Chris Burley Brandon Chadbourn Don Cherry Travis Clark Alex Coren Anthony DeCamillo Matt Donoghue Ben Evans Jonathan Green Jacob Gribb Kevin Gulyas John Hinchen Gregg Kobelski Tanoh Kpassagnon Dillon Lucas Anthony Malaguti Cameron McCurry Ryan Morris Bryan Osei Alex Padovani Elia Palmese Thomas Plonski Jake Prus John Robertson Rob Rolle Matt Rushton Andrew Smith Chucky Smith Gerald Smith Jeff Steeb Doug Turrell Fran Walsh Steve Weyler T .J . White Robert Witman Ricky Young 2016 Isaiah Alicea Nowoola Awopetu Ryan Bell Simon Bingelis Jackson Bradley Peter Burkly Austin Calitro Brandon Chadbourn Travis Clark Gabe Cohen Justin Covington Louie Csaszar Nico D’Angelo Matt Donoghue Ben Evans Peter Fallon John Hinchen Brandon Hitner Keeling Hunter Shayne Jones Chris King Gregg Kobelski Tanoh Kpassagnon Drew Kresge Patrick Lawler Josh Mcgrigg Ryan Morrus Alex Padovani Rob Rolle Matt Rushton Jack Schetelich Aaron Seigle Sam Shaud Andrew Smith Chucky Smith Jeff Steeb Fran Walsh Steve Weyler T .J . White Robert Witman Ricky Young 2017 Isaiah Alicea Trojan Anderson Kofi Appiah Ryan Bell Simon Bingelis Jack Boomer Jackson Bradley Bob Brady Brandon Chadbourn Gabe Cohen Alex Coren Justin Covington Adeyemi Da Silva Joey D’Antonio Ben Evans Colin Gamroth John Hinchen Brandon Hitner Keeling Hunter Jafonta Johnson Zac Kerxton Chris King Gregg Kobelski Drew Kresge Patrick Lawler Kyle McCloskey Josh McGrigg Jared Nelson Alex Padovani D’Andre Pollard Datrell Reed Patrick Reed Rob Rolle Jack Schetelich Sam Shaud Drew Smith Chucky Smith Gerard Smith Billy Solms Jeff Steeb Terrell Vassel Tyler Von Nessen Steve Weyler Drew Wiley Jeff Wiley Ricky Young 2018 Isaiah Alicea Zach Bednarczyk Ryan Bell Simom Bingelis Jack Boomer Robert Brady Brandon Chadbourn Dan Cirino Michael Corbi Justin Covington Kevin Crabtree Louis Csaszar Joey D’Antonio MJ Dumas Ben Evans Malk Fisher Colin Gamroth Charlie Gilroy Brandon Hitner Keeling Hunter Zac Kerxton Drew Kresge Julian Liaci Casey Nicastro Tahj Powell Patrick Reed Forrest Rhyne Rob Rolle JJ Scarpello Jack Schetelich Anthony Siragusa Drew Smith Chucky Smith Billy Solms Joe Sotomayor Jeff Steeb PJ Szymanski Owen Thomas Tyler Von Nessen Drew Wiley Garrett Zobel Note: Starting in 2017 this became known as the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll ALL-ECAC / ALL-EAST The ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) officially began naming all-ECAC teams in 1963. From 1963-69 just one team was named. From 1970-79 the ECAC named a first team offense and defense only. In 1980, the ECAC added second teams for offense and defense. 2015 Gary Underwood First Team Don Cherry Second Team 2014 John Robertson First Team/Offensive Player of the Year Don Cherry First Team Vince Kowalski First Team 2013 Rakim Cox First Team 2012 Eric Loper First Team John Robertson Offensive Rookie of the Year 2011 James Pitts First Team Dan Shirey First Team Dillon Lucas Defensive Rookie of the Year 2010 Ben Ijalana, OT First Team Marquis Kirkland, LB First Team 2008 Greg Miller, DL First Team 2007 Matt Sherry, TE First Team 2006 Allyn Bacchus, DB First Team 2005 Brian Hulea, LB First Team 2004 Brian Hulea, LB First Team Jamil Butler, DE Honorable Mention 2002 Brett Gordon, QB Offensive Player of the Year/ First Team Matt Chila, TE Honorable Mention 2001 Brian Westbrook Player of the Year Brian Westbrook First Team RB Eamonn Allen, OL First Team OL Casey Hannon, PK First Team PK 2000 Brian Westbrook Player of the Year Brian Westbrook First Team RB/RS 1999 Shaun Lyons, LB First Team Murle Sango, WR First Team DeLonne Kelly, DB Second Team 1998 Ryan Knight, OL First Team Chris Machovina, DL First Team Casey Hannon, PK Second Team 1997 Villanova Wildcats Team of the Year Brian Finneran, WR First team/Offensive Player of the Year Chris Boden, QB First Team Ryan Knight First Team Jason Tenner, DL First Team Shannon Riley, SS Second Team Mark Kiefer, PK Second Team Chris Machovina, DE Second Team 1996 Brian Finneran, WR First Team Deon Jackson, DB First Team Clint Park, QB Second Team Curtis Dunaway, LB Second Team 1995 Curtis Dunaway, DB First Team 1994 Tyrone Frazier, LB First Team 1993 Bill Lacey, OT Second Team 1992 Curtis Eller, LB First Team Randy Crane, OG First Team Tim Tarpey, OC First Team Scott Donald, TE Second Team Tim Matas, NG Second Team 1991 Willie Oshodin, DL First Team Kevin Long, DB First Team Curtis Eller, LB First Team Randy Crane, OL First Team 1990 Damon Green, LB First Team 1989 Bob Brady, WR First Team Bryan Russo, C First Team 1988 Jim Cashman, TE First Team Paul Berardelli, OG Second Team James Donaway, OG Second Team Bryan Russo, OC Second Team 1980 Dan Burke, DB First Team Joe Arcidiacono, OT First Team 1979 Steve Duda, DT First Team Paul Columbia, TE Second Team 1977 Tom Walsh, OT First Team Pat O’Brien, QB Rookie of the Year 1975 Gary Shugrue, DT First Team 1973 Joe Miller, OT First Team Frank Polito, DB First Team 1972 Frank Polito, DB First Team 1971 Mike Siani, WR First Team Ernie Messmer, DT First Team Frank Polito, DB First Team 1970 Mike Siani, E First Team Jack Kasper, T First Team 1969 John Babinecz, C First Team 1968 Rich Moore, T First Team 1967 Fred Levinsky, G First Team 1964 Al Atkinson, T First Team YANKEE ATLANTIC 10 / CAA CONFERENCE ALL-ACADEMIC GTE COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS Since 1952, Academic All-America teams have been selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. To be eligible, student-athletes must be regular performers and have at least a 3.20 grade-point average. 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . Angelo Babbaro, District 2 First team 2009 . . . . . . . . . . Angelo Babbaro, District 2 First team 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . Osayi Osunde, District 2 First Team 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Whitney, District 2 First Team 2008 . . . . . . . . . . Angelo Babbaro, District 2 First team 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt Sherry, District 2 First team 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . Allyn Bacchus, District 2 First team 2003 . . . . . . . . Raymond Ventrone, District 2 First team 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deon Jackson, Second team 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gregg Ziegler, Second team 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Matas, First team 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Martchek, Second team 1988 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Lombardi, First team 1988 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Brady, Second team 1988 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Rushton, Second team 1986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Sency, First team NCAA POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.000 grade-point average during their collegiate careers and perform with distinction in varsity football. 1988 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rich Spugnardi, LB 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Graziano, DE CAPITAL ONE ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN 2015 Don Cherry Second Team Academic All-American District 2 First Team 2014 Don Cherry Second Team Academic All-American District 2 First Team Jake Prus District 2 First Team2019 FOOTBALL 105 V I L L A N O VA . CO M HISTORY WILDCATS IN THE PROS Compiled with contributions by: Michael Connolly (1991 revisions), Dave Coskey, Rev. Michael J. O’Donnell, O.S.A., Jay Langhammer, Craig Miller, Jim DeLorenzo, the National Football League and the Football Hall of Fame. TED ACETO, QB — Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1963; Montreal Alouettes 1963 DARREL ADAMS, DL — Hamilton Tiger-Cats 2007-2009 TED ANDRULEWICZ, B — Newark Bulldogs 1930 AL ATKINSON, LB — New York Jets 1965-74 ED AUGUST, B — Providence Steamroller 1931 DUCARMEL AUGUSTIN, RB — Saskatchewan Roughriders 2004 JOHN BABINECZ, LB — Dallas Cowboys 1972-74; Chicago Bears 1975 NICK BASCA, B — Philadelphia Eagles 1941 ALEX BELL, B — Detroit Lions 1940 PAUL BERARDELLI, OG — London Monarchs 1991-92 ED BERRANG, E — Washington Redskins 1949-51; Detroit Lions 1951; Green Bay Packers 1952 DON BLANCHARD, B — Boston Shamrocks 1936-37 SAM BRAZINSKY, B — Buffalo Bisons 1946 CHARLIE BROADNICKI, C — Philadelphia Eagles 1934; Brooklyn Dodgers 1934 DAN BROWN, E — Washington Redskins 1950 JERE BROWN, LB — New York Stars 1974; Charlotte Hornets 1974-75 FRANK BUDD, E,WR— Philadelphia Eagles 1962; Washington Redskins 1963; Calgary Stampeders 1965-66 TERRY BUTLER, RB — New York Jets 2005 CHUCK BUSHBECK, K — Memphis Showboats 1984 AUSTIN CALITRO, CB — Seattle Seahawks 2018-present GENE CEPPETELLI, C — Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1963-67; Philadelphia Eagles 1968-69; New York Giants 1969; Montreal Alouettes 1970-71 DON CHERRY, LB — Philadelphia Eagles 2016-present ANDREW CHISICK, C — Chicago Cardinals 1940-41 ANDY COBAUGH, LB — San Antonio (CFL) 1995 BILL CONLIN, T — Long Island Bulldogs 1930 ED CORISKY, C — Boston Yanks 1944 RAKIM COX, DL — Carolina Panthers 2015 CLARENCE CURRY — Arizona Cardinals 2004 PETER D’ALONZO, B — Detroit Lions 1951-52 BOB DAVID, G — Los Angeles Rams 1947-48; Chicago Rockets 1948 DAVE DIFILIPPO, G — Philadelphia Eagles 1941 JOAH DOLBIN, WR — Philadelphia Eagles 1998 DAN DRISCOLL, LB — Montreol Alouettes 1979-80; Philadelphia Eagles 1980-81 . LEO ELTER, B — Pittsburgh Steelers 1953-54, 1958-59; Washington Redskins 1955-57 RALPH FARINA, C — Pottsville Maroons 1927 LOU FERRY, T — Green Bay Packers 1949-50; Chicago Cardinals 1951; Pittsburgh Steelers 1952-55 GENE FILIPSKI, B — New York Giants 1956-57; Calgary Stampeders 1958-62 JOHN FINN, B — Frankford Yellowjackets 1924 BRIAN FINNERAN, WR — Seattle Seahawks 1998; Barcelona Dragons 1999; Philadelphia Eagles 1999; Atlanta Falcons 2000-10 ART FORST, B - Providence Steamrollers 1926 CHRISTIAN GADDIS, OL — Buffalo Bills 2007-09 STAN GALAZIN, C — New York Giants 1937-39 LARRY GLUECK, DB — Chicago Bears 1963-66 ANTHONY GRIGGS, LB — Philadelphia Eagles 1982-86; Cleveland Browns 1987-89 ANDY GORDON, QB — Ottawa Rough Riders 1949-50 SAM GRUNEISEN, C — San Diego Chargers 1962-72; Houston Oilers 1973 BRANDON HARVEY, WR — Arizona Cardinals Practice Squad 2011 BILL HEGARTY, T — Oakland Raiders 1953; Pittsburgh Steelers 1953; Washington Redskins 1953 BEN IJALANA, OL — Indianapolis Colts 2011-13; New York Jets 2013-present KEVIN INGRAM, QB — Montreal Alouettes 1984 BILLY JOE, FB — Denver Broncos 1963-64; Buffalo Bills 1965; Miami Dolphins 1966; New York Jets 1967-68 CHARLIE JOHNSON, G — Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1965 ED KASKY, T — Philadelphia Eagles 1942 TANOH KPASSAGNON, DE — Kansas City Chiefs 2017-present PHIL KUCZO, B — Staten Island Stapletons 1929 BERNARD LEE, B — Pittsburgh Steelers 1938 FRED LEVINSKY, LB — Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1968 HOWARD LEBENGOOD, B — Pottsville Maroons 1925 WILLIAM LILIENTHAL, T — Los Angeles Dons 1948 TOM LOMASKEY, E — Staten Island Stapletons 1929 HOWIE LONG, DT — Oakland Raiders 1981; Los Angeles Raiders 1982-1993 PAUL LONGUA, E — Orange Tornados 1929; Newark Bulldogs 1930 DON LUZZI, T — Calgary Raiders 1958 LEO LYNCH, C — Frankford Yellowjackets 1920 JIM MAGEE, C — Boston Yanks 1945-46 DAVID MARTIN, DB — Denver Gold 1983-85; Arizona Wranglers 1985; San Diego Chargers 1986; Buffalo Bills 1987 JOHN MCANDREWS, HB — Long Island Bulldogs 1930 DON MCCOMB, E — Boston Patriots 1960 JOHN MELLUS, T — New York Giants 1938-41; San Francisco 49ers 1946; Baltimore Colts 1947-49 ED MICHAELS, G — Washington Redskins 1937; Pittsburgh Steelers 1943; Philadelphia Eagles 1943-46; Ottawa Rough Riders 1947-50 JOE MILLER, DT — Houston Texans 1974; Shreveport Steamer 1974-75; Ottawa Rough Riders 1976; Saskatchewan Rough Riders 1976-80 RICH MOORE, DT — Green Bay Packers 1969-70 RICHARD MOYNIHAN, B — Frankford Yellowjackets 1927 WALT NOWAK, E — Philadelphia Eagles 1944 TOM O’DONNELL, E — Boston Shamrocks 1936 GENE O’PELLA, E — Saskatchewan Rough Riders 1959 WILLIE OSHODIN, DT — Denver Broncos 1993-95 BRAD PARPAN, QB — Rhein Fire 1996 RALPH PASQUARIELLO, B— Los Angeles Rams 1950; Chicago Cardinals 1951-52 LOU PESSALANO, T — Staten Island Stapletons 1929 FRANK POLITO, DB — Philadelphia Bell 1974-75 AL POSTUS, B — Pittsburgh Steelers 1945 WILLIAM POTTS, B — Pittsburgh Steelers 1943; Pittsburgh Americans 1946 STEVE PRITKO, E — New York Giants 1943; Cleveland Rams 1944-45; Los Angeles Rams 1946-47; Boston Yanks 1948; New York Bulldogs 1949; Green Bay Packers 1949-50 CHESTER PUDLUSKI, T — Cleveland Rams 1944 JOE RESTIC, E — Philadelphia Eagles 1952 KEVIN REILLY, LB — Philadelphia Eagles 1973-74; New England Patriots 1975 BILL ROGERS, T — Chicago Cardinals 1938; Detroit Lions 1938-40, 1944 STEVE ROMANIK, B — Chicago Cardinals 1953-54 SAL ROSATO, B — Washington Redskins 1945-47 JOE RYAN, E — New York Titans 1960 JOHN SANDUSKY, T — Cleveland Browns 1950-55; Green Bay Packers 1956 BRAD SEATON, OL — Cleveland Browns 2018-present AMERICO SAPIENZA, HB — New York Titans 1960 MATT SHERRY, TE — Cincinnati Bengals 2008 GARY SHUGRUE, DE — Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1976 MIKE SIANI, WR — Oakland Raiders 1972-77; Baltimore Colts 1977-80 GEORGE SMITH, B — Chicago Cardinals 1943 JOHN SODASKI, SS — Pittsburgh Steelers 1970; LB Philadelphia Eagles 1972- 73; Philadelphia Bell, (World league) 1974 PAUL STENN, T — New York Giants 1942; Washington Redskins 1946; Pittsburgh Steelers 1947 MIKE STROFOLINO, LB — Los Angeles Rams 1965; Baltimore Colts 1965; St . Louis Cardinals 1966-68; Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1969-70 WILLIE SYDNOR, WR — Pittsburgh Steelers 1982 JASON TENNER, OL — San Francisco 49ers 1999-2000 VINCE THOMPSON, FB — Detroit Lions 1981-84 RAYMOND VENTRONE, DB — New England Patriots 2005-06; 2007-08; N .Y . Jets 2007; Cleveland Browns, 2009-10; San Francisco 49ers 2013-14 ROSS VENTRONE, DB — New England Patriots 2010-12; Pittsburgh Steelers 2013-15 BILLY WALIK, WR — Philadelphia Eagles 1970-72; Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1973; Florida Blazers 1974; Shreveport Steamer 1974 BRIAN WESTBROOK, RB — Philadelphia Eagles 2002-09; SF 49ers 2010 GEORGE WINSLOW, P — Cleveland Browns 1987; Buffalo Bills 1988; New Orleans Saints 1989 FRANK VAIL, C — Long Island Bulldogs 1930 DARREL YOUNG, FB — Washington Redskins 2010-15; FRANK YOUNGFLEISH, B — Pottsville Maroons 1926-27 ZYGMUND ZAMLYNSKI, B — San Francisco 49ers 1946 VINCE ZIZAK, T — Chicago Bears 1934; Rochester Tigers 1937 All players listed have at least signed a professional football contract with the team listed, after playing at least one collegiate season at Villanova. Players listed have played in the National Football League (NFL); American Football League (AFL); All-American Football Conference; Canadian Football League (CFL); World Football League (WFL); United States Football League (USFL), World League of American Football (WLAF) and NFL Europe.WILDCAT HEAD COACHES THROUGH THE YEARS HEAD COACHES YEARS WON LOST TIED PCT. Mark Ferrante (2017-present) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .454 Andy Talley (1985-2016) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . .626 Richard V . Bedesem (1975-80) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . .462 Louis A . Ferry (1970-73, *1974) . . . . . . . . . . . . *4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . .436 James C . Weaver (1974) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .375 John C . Gregory (1967-69) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .551 Alexander F . Bell (1960-66) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .538 Joseph P . Rogers (*1959) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .166 Francis X . Reagan (1953-59) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .308 Arthur F . Raimo (1951-53) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .611 James R . Leonard (1949-50) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .666 Jordan A . Olivar (1943-48) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . .618 Maurice J . Smith (1936-42) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . .697 Harry A . Stuhldreher (1925-35) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . .702 Frank A . Sommer (1914-15, 1924) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . .565 Hugh V . McGeehan (1923) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . .063 Allie C . Miller (1921-22) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . .694 Thomas M . Reap (1917-20) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . .442 Edward M . Bennis (1916) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111 Thomas L . St . Germaine (1913) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . .643 Charles A . McGeehan (1912) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .500 Fred J . Crolius (1904-11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . .302 Martin L . Caine (1903) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .500 Timothy M . O’Rourke (1902) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .571 John J . Egan (1900-01) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .400 John A . Powers (1900) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . .722 Richard F . Nallin (1899) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . .750 John F . Bagley (1897-98) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . .375 James A . McDonald (1895-96) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .700 Michael J . Murphy (1894) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . 1 .000 TOTALS 122 623 486 41 .562 *Served as interim head coach (3 games) for season noted After a stellar Villanova playing career, Lou Ferry was a longtime member of the Wildcat coaching staff, including serving four seasons as the program’s head coach. During his two years as Villanova head coach Jim Leonard guided the Wildcats to a .667 winning percentage. 2019 FOOTBALL V I L L A NO V A . C OM 106 HISTORY ALL-TIME HEAD COACHES ROSTER2019 FOOTBALL 107 V I L L A N O VA . CO M HISTORY PLAYOFF | BOWL HISTORY 1937 BARCARDI BOWL Havana, Cuba • January 1, 1937 VILLANOVA 7, AUBURN 7 Villanova’s history in bowl games began in 1937, when the Wildcats were invited to participate in the 1937 contest which eventually became known as the Bacardi Bowl . Not only was it Villanova’s first football bowl game appearance, but it was also the first bowl game to be played outside the United States . The ‘Cats opponent, Auburn University, had rolled up an impressive 7-2-2 record and had closed out the regular season with impressive wins over Loyola, 44-0, and Florida, 13-0, their fifth and sixth shutout wins of the season . Villanova, under coaching great Maurice “Clipper” Smith, piled up a sterling 7-2 record, and had earned victories over the likes of Penn State, Boston University, Detroit and South Carolina . Like Auburn, Villanova boasted of an outstanding defense, one that had recorded four shutouts and had not allowed any opponent more than seven points . Played in Havana, Cuba as the climactic event of Cuba’s National Sports Festival, the game almost never came to be because of a bloodless revolution led by Fulgencio Batista, who, over 20 years later, would be overthrown by Fidel Castro . Yet the game went on, and it was Auburn which flexed its muscles first in the contest . The Tigers mounted an offensive attack that saw the ball pushed to the Villanova 10-yard line . But the ‘Cats defense stiffened and took over the ball on downs . Unable to do much offensively, Villanova punted the ball away, and on the ensuing possession, Auburn put together its only scoring drive of the day . The Tigers broke the scoreless tie when halfback Billy Hitchcock broke through the Wildcat defense and rambled 40 yards for a touchdown . The extra point was good, and Auburn had a 7-0 lead . As expected, the defense of both squads continued to dominate play, and at halftime Auburn still held their lead . Midway through the third period, however, Villanova’s offense, behind the direction of Anthony Stopper, drove to Auburn’s 12- yard line, but came away scoreless after Auburn’s defense rallied to stymie the ‘Cats . Late in the fourth quarter, with time running out for the Wildcats, Auburn had possession of the ball inside its own 15-yard line . Facing second down and eight yards to go for a first down, Auburn mentor Jack Meagher called for a quick kick, a play Auburn had used successfully on a couple occasions in the first half . Shifting into the quick kick position at the Auburn goal line, Villanova’s John Wysocki and Valentine Rizzo blocked the kick, and lineman Matthew Kuber grabbed the ball at the two-yard line and went in for the touchdown . William Christopher kicked the all-important point after, and the Wildcats had gained a 7-7 tie . VILLANOVA 0 0 0 7 7 AUBURN 0 7 0 0 7 Scoring Summary: AU — Hitchcock 40 yard run (Fenton kick) VC — Kuber 2-yard blocked punt return (Christopher kick)5 1947 GREAT LAKES BOWL Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio • December 6, 1947 KENTUCKY 24, VILLANOVA 14 Under the direction of Wildcat head coach Jordan Olivar, in 1947 the Villanova College football team ventured to Cleveland, Ohio for the inaugural Great Lakes Bowl . Their opponent was the Kentucky Wildcats . Paul “Bear” Bryant coached the Kentucky squad, who were led on the field by legendary quarterback Jack “George” Blanda . Villanova missed a golden opportunity to strike early when on the opening kickoff, Villanova’s kick rolled around on the Kentucky two-yard line and no Kentucky player seemed eager to grab the loose pigskin . As three Villanova players converged on the ball, Kentucky’s Blanda realized just in time that the ball was up for grabs, and quickly dove on the ball . Later in the first quarter, Kentucky moved the ball from Villanova’s 46 to the 16, and settled for a 27-yard field goal by Blanda on the last play of the first quarter, giving Kentucky a 3-0 advantage . The scored remained the same through the second quarter, but midway through the third quarter Kentucky’s Jim Howe took a pitch from Blanda and stormed past Villanova’s defenders for a 29-yard touchdown . Blanda added the extra point, and Kentucky took a 10- 0 advantage . Yet Villanova, behind the accurate throws of highly-touted quarterback Andy Gordon, marched back . Two plays into the fourth period, Villanova’s Ralph Pasquariello, carrying several Kentucky defenders on his back, rambled 11-yards into the endzone . John Siano’s conversion pulled Villanova within a field goal, 10-7 . Later in the fourth quarter, Kentucky’s Jack Griffin broke through the Villanova line to partially block a punt, giving Kentucky excellent field position at the 25-yard line . Several plays later, Kentucky’s Bill Boller raced 25 yards for a touchdown, and after the Blanda extra-point, Kentucky had cushioned its lead to 17-7 . With time now against them, Villanova went to the air, but Kentucky’s Boller intercepted a Gordon pass and returned it 49 yards for another touchdown . Now trailing 24-7, Gordon returned to the air . First hitting Zip Zehler with a 38-yard strike, Gordon then connected with John Sheehan for a 13-yard touchdown pass . Yet in the end, this battle of the Wildcats was won by Kentucky . KENTUCKY 3 0 7 14 24 VILLANOVA 0 0 0 14 14 Scoring Summary: UK — Blanda 27-yard field goal UK — Howe 29-yard run (Blanda kick) VC — Pasquariello 11-yard run (Siano kick) UK — Boller 25-yard run (Blanda kick) UK — Boller 49-yard interception return (Blanda kick) VC — Gordon 13-yard pass to Sheehan (Siano kick) 1949 HARBOR BOWL Balboa Stadium, San Diego, Calif. • January 1, 1949 VILLANOVA 27, NEVADA 7 For a second consecutive season, Villanova head coach Jordan Olivar led the Wildcats to a post-season football bowl game . Recording a 7-2-1 regular season, with impressive wins over Texas A&M, Miami, North Carolina State, and a tie with Kentucky, the ‘Cats headed west for the Harbor Bowl . Their opponent was Nevada, who was 8-1 and had recorded lopsided wins over Tulsa, Wichita, Fresno State and San Jose during 1948 . A crowd of over 20,000 on an overcast and rainy New Year’s Day witnessed a dominating Villanova defense, and a fast-paced Wildcat offense, overwhelm Nevada, 27-7 . The Wildcats got on the scoreboard early, scoring 13 first quarter points . First, Peter D’Alonzo dove the final three yards of a Wildcat drive for the day’s first score . Robert Polidor went the final four yards on Villanova’s second touchdown in the first quarter, giving the ‘Cats a 13-0 advantage . Neither team managed a score in the second period, but Nevada opened the second half by serving notice they were not about to quit . Tommy Kalmanir raced 66 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Wildcat lead to 13-7 . Later in the third quarter, Wildcat end John Geppi drove another nail into Nevada’s coffin when he raced 80 yards for another Wildcat touchdown . Geppi would finish the game with 114 yards on six carries . Any remaining Nevada hopes for a comeback ended when D’Alonzo scored his second touchdown of the day on an eight-yard jaunt, giving Villanova a 27-7 lead, and their first bowl game victory . VILLANOVA 13 0 14 0 27 NEVADA 0 0 7 0 7 Scoring Summary: VC — D’Alonzo 3-yard run (Kick no good) VC — Pollidor 4-yard run (Clavin kick) NU — Kalmanir 66-yard run (Corley kick) VC — Geppi 80-yard run (Clavin kick) VC — D’Alonzo 8-yard run (Clavin kick) The 1937 Villanova team played in the Bacardi Bowl in Havana, Cuba.Next >