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The Villanova Wildcats football program represents Villanova University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA). The Wildcats currently compete in the Colonial Athletic Association for football only. They play on campus at Villanova Stadium with capacity of 12,000, and play select games at PPL Park in Chester, PA with capacity of 18,000. Andy Talley has been head coach of the program since it was reinstated in 1985 and led the program to its first NCAA Division I National Championship in 2009. ==History== The Wildcats football team played their first game in November 1894 coached by Mike Murphy. They continued to play as an independent team for 87 seasons participating in several Bowl Games and sending numerous players into Professional football including NFL Hall of Fame defensive end, Howie Long. On April 14, 1981 the program was officially disbanded due to weak attendance and monetary reasons cited by the University Board of Directors. Athletic Director Ted Aceto had stated they had sold only 750 season tickets for the 1980 season with 95 scholarship Players. Under heavy pressure from alumni and students, the program was reinstated by the Board of Trustees in April 1984 and sponsored a sold out Blue-White intrasquad game for Homecoming that November. Led by current head coach Andy Talley, they began playing a couple of regulation NCAA games in September 1985. The reborn program had instant success, beginning with an undefeated 5 game schedule against Division III competition and beatingthe NAVY JV's. The program moved up to 1-AA (FCS) and joined the Yankee Conference in 1987, beginning official competition in 1988. Led by QB Kirk Schulz and WR Robert Brady the Wildcats reached the 1-AA playoffs in 1989, bowing to eventual champions Georgia Southern in a spirited, high scoring game. Led by All-American linebacker Curtis Eller, the 'Cats returned to the 1-AA playoffs in 1991 and 1992, bowing each time to eventual champion Youngstown State. All-American wide receiver Brian Finneran led the Wildcats to the 1-AA playoffs in 1996 before bowing to East Tennessee State. The 1997 season marked Villanova's first undefeated, untied regular season, as well as their first time reaching #1 in the FCS rankings. The 1997 'Cats featured two future Payton Award winners- Finneran and freshman running back Brian Westbrook. The Cat's defeated Colgate in the 1-AA playoffs before falling a 3rd time to nemesis Youngstown State. In 2002, led by All-American QB Brett Gordon, Villanova advanced to the NCAA FCS semifinals, defeating Fordham and Furman before falling to McNeese State. In 2008, a sophomore-laden squad led by all-purpose back Matt Szczur and QB Chris Whitney. Villanova was on the verge of becoming a national powerhouse a vast amount of talent, Ben Ijalana was the starting tackle, and started every single game in his career at Villanova eventually getting drafted in the 2nd round of the NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Ijalana was drafted the 2nd highest in school history, behind Hall-of-famer Howie Long and in front of pro-bowler Brian Westbrook. Linebacker Darrell Young was a very talented player, who ended up signing onto the Washington Redskins and becoming their starting fullback. Young made the improbable switch from linebacker in college, to fullback in the NFL which is almost unheard of in this day and age. Other players that contributed were Brandyn Harvey, Norman White, Phil Atkinson, Aaron Ball, Angelo Babbaro, Tony Canci, Ross Ventrone, Ramin Mobasseri, Fred Maldonado, and many others. Harvey ended up signing with the Atlanta Falcons, and Ventrone was on the New England Patriots in 2012, appearing in the Super Bowl, the 4th Wildcat to do so (Siani, Long and Westbrook are the others). Ventrone became wildly popular in the NFL locker rooms for his off the field comedic antics, and was featured in a segment on NFL countdown in 2012 by ESPN. Tony Canci and Ramin Mobasseri were walk-ons who earned scholarships through their play. Canci was a dominant blocker at fullback, and was a key factor in Villanova becoming the championship team that dominated the 2009 season. Mobasseri was the first walk-on in school history to earn 'most improved' award. Villanova went 10-3 losing only 2 FCS games all season. Both losses were to James Madison on a "hail mary" game ending TD in the regular season and a last minute quarterfinal loss in the NCAA playoffs. In 2009, Villanova won the NCAA Division I FCS National Championship, defeating Montana 23–21 in Chattanooga, TN and finishing with a 14–1 overall record. Junior Matt Szczur was voted Championship Game MVP and was selected as a 1st team All-American at two positions- offense and special teams. Junior Chris Whitney was also voted 1st team All-American. On their way to the championship Villanova defeated FBS Temple, losing only to New Hampshire, and was CAA co-conference Champion with the Richmond Spiders, whom Villanova defeated at Richmond on a 4th down TD pass. Villanova hosted three playoff games, defeating Holy Cross, avenging their regular season loss to New Hampshire with a lopsided victory played in a driving snowstorm, and edging CAA nemesis William & Mary 14-13 under the ESPN TV lights on a frigid night. In 2010 season, Villanova returned to the NCAA semifinals, this time going on a 9,000 mile odyssey while defeating #3 Stephen F. Austin and #1 ranked Appalachian State before losing to eventual champion, Eastern Washington Eagles. Villanova ended the 2010 campaign ranked #3 in the nation in FCS and knocked off two #1 ranked teams on the road in 3 weeks late in the season including National Runner-up Delaware. Following the 2010 season Szczur signed with the Chicago Cubs, making his MLB debut in 2014. The 2012 season was in the midst of a rebuilding campaign by Coach Talley that earned a surprising CAA Conference Championship and another NCAA playoff appearance by the Wildcats who finished 8–4 with a very young squad full of talented underclassmen, particularly freshman QB John Robertson and Soph running back Kevin Monangai. Both would be heard from again. Villanova returned to prominence in 2014, dropping a thrilling opener at FBS Syracuse 27-26 in double OT, serving notice that the Cats were back. QB Robertson continued to march his way into the record books, aided by Seniors Poppy Livers (WR) and Monangai. The much improved Cat defense was led by a standout linebacking corps of Juniors Don Cherry and Dillon Lucas, and Senior Joey Harmon. Senior Joe Sarnese anchored the defensive backfield while Senior NT Pat Williams has steadied the defensive line. The offensive line was led by Senior Ross Hall. The kicking game has been struggling to fill the void left by the graduation of four year P/PK Mark Hamilton. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Villanova Wildcats football」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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