Villanova Wildcats
CAA
Villanova hopes to send Coach Andy Talley out with a nice run in the playoffs. He has had great success with the Wildcats since taking over the program in 1985 and there would be no better way to send off Coach Talley then with another championship.
2016 Record: 8-3, 6-2
Coach: Andy Talley
Big Wins: 9/10 Lehigh (26-21), 11/5 at Maine (26-7)
Bad Losses: 10/15 at Richmond (0-23), 11/12 James Madison (7-20)
Strengths:
A strong defense has carried Villanova into the playoffs and that is why this team could make a deep run. The team allows a mere 14.9 points per game and every yard they give up is a tough yard earned. It starts up front where Tanoh Kpassagnon has emerged as one of the best linemen in the CAA and he is always a threat to get to the quarterback. With some help from linebackers Austin Calitro and Ed Shockley, the Wildcats spend a lot of time in the opposing backfield. Teamed up with sophomore Jeff Steeb, Villanova has a great group of linebackers. Rob Rolle leads a very good secondary that has performed very well thanks to the consistent pressure provided by the front seven.
Weaknesses:
The offense has not had to do too much for Villanova to win games, but that will not be the case throughout the playoffs. Running backs Aaron Forbes and Javon White are a formidable running back duo. They may not be flashy, but they can get the job done. If the Wildcats are going to make a deep run in the playoffs though, getting more out of one back or the other will be necessary. Quarterback Zach Bednarczyk gained some valuable experience in 2015 and turned into a consistent quarterback in 2016. Like the running backs, at some point in the playoffs Bednarczyk will need to make some big plays and the offense has yet to prove that they can consistently do that.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Aaron Forbes, RB, 745 yards
Passing: Zach Bednarczyk, QB, 1,684 yards
Receiving: Taurus Phillips, WR, 459 yards
Tackles: Austin Calitro, LB, 83
Sacks: Tanoh Kpassagnon, DL, 8.5
Interceptions: Rob Rolle, DB, 6
2016 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 206.3 (24th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Passing Offense: 157.3 (104, 7)
Total Offense: 363.6 (74, 3)
Scoring Offense: 23.8 (77, 5)
Rushing Defense: 99.3 (10, 1)
Pass Defense: 169.6 (10, 4)
Total Defense: 268.9 (3, 1)
Scoring Defense: 15.4 (3, 1)
Turnover Margin: 0.50 (30, 5)
Sacks: 2.30 (33, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 2.20 (73, 10)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2014 Second Round Defeated Liberty
2014 Quarterfinals Lost to Sam Houston State
2012 First Round Lost to Stony Brook
2010 Second Round Defeated Stephen F. Austin
2010 Quarterfinals Defeated Appalachian State
2010 Semifinals Lost to Eastern Washington
2009 First Round Defeated Holy Cross
2009 Quarterfinals Defeated New Hampshire
2009 Semifinals Defeated William & Mary
2009 Championship Defeated Montana
2008 First Round Defeated Colgate
2008 Quarterfinals Lost to James Madison
2002 First Round Defeated Furman
2002 Quarterfinals Defeated Fordham
2002 Semifinals Lost to McNeese State
1997 First Round Defeated Colgate
1997 Quarterfinals Lost to Youngstown State
1996 First Round Lost to East Tennessee State
1992 First Round Lost to Youngstown State
1991 First Round Lost to Youngstown State
1989 First Round Lost to Georgia Southern
*all team stats through 11/12
