UCF's first opponent this weekend, Villanova University, is better known for their basketball program but the Wildcats have a football team that dates back to 1894. The Philadelphia area school was founded in 1842 and has an enrollment of 6,200. Come inside for more interesting tidbits about the VU program.
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Villanova is coached by Andy Talley, who is in his 22nd season at the school. He has compiled a 142-89-1 record during that time, making him Villanova's all-time winningest football coach. Talley has led the Wildcats to the NCAA Playoffs six times (1989, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 2002).
Villanova is a member of the BIG EAST in all sports except football, where they compete as a Division I-AA program in the Atlantic 10. University of Connecticut was in a similar situation several years ago before they upgraded football to the I-A level.
Villanova has faced a Division I-A team 11 times since the school reinstated football in 1985. They lost the first eight meetings, but have won two of the last three games against I-A opponents. The Wildcats beat Rutgers 37-19 in 2002 and the following season in 2003 knocked off Temple 23-20 in double overtime. The game against Temple was the first ever game at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Villanova, 4-7 in 2005, was selected to finish fifth this season in the Atlantic 10's South Division.
Villanova has several players from Florida, including one from Orlando. Sean Malone played center at Bishop Moore High School. Other Florida natives include DB Jarred Corey (Davie), OL Christian Gaddis (North Miami Beach), DB Martel Moody (Tampa), DB Justin Murrell (Bradenton), TE Stephen Pimm (Tampa), WR Chris Polite (Miami), DB Terrance Reaves (Gibsonton), P Zach Ugarte (Ocklawaha) and QB Antwon Young (Fort Lauderdale). Gaddis, Reaves, Polite and Ugarte are starters, while Gaddis is also a team captain.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook is one of several former Villanova players in the pros. Westbrook, who played at VU from 1997-01, was the first player to be drafted since Howie Long in 1981. Westbrook, a third round pick, won the Walter Payton Award after the 2001 season. The Payton Award, similar to the Heisman, is given to the top Division I-AA football player.
Villanova played their fist ever game on November 22, 1894, a 24-0 win over the Logan Athletic Association.
Villanova dropped football in 1981, citing cost, but the sport was reinstated in 1985. Andy Talley has served as head coach since that year.
Villanova has appeared in five bowl games, including the 1937 Bacardi Bowl which was held in Havana, Cuba. The Wildcats tied Auburn in that game, 7-7. They also appeared in the 1947 Great Lakes Bowl in Cleveland, losing to Kentucky 24-14; the 1949 Harbor Bowl in San Diego, losing to Nevada 27-7; the 1961 Sun Bowl in El Paso where they defeated Wichita 17-9 and the 1962 Liberty Bowl in Memphis where they lost to Oregon State, 6-0.
