Andy Talley takes it personally
"I think it's one of the more important games in my stay at Villanova," Wildcats coach Andy Talley said of Saturday's game at Richmond.
I know a lot of people are still smarting from the Phillies' loss last night. But the great thing about sports is that we can always find something to talk about, so let's give it a try.
Villanova coach Andy Talley led off the list of speakers at yesterday's local college football coaches' luncheon. His Wildcats are preparing to face Richmond this weekend, and the excitement is building.
"It's a very big game in the country, No. 4 versus No. 1," Talley said. He added that the stakes include the CAA title, at least one home game in the playoffs and a potential top-four seed in the playoff bracket.
Talley noted that the two teams are largely the same as they were last year, when the Wildcats beat the Spiders on the Main Line. Then he did something that I don't ever remember him doing: he put himself in the middle of the conversation.
"This game is everything that I would want in a career game," Talley said. "I think it's one of the more important games in my stay at Villanova because of the implications. And last year, when you miss a championship by 4.5 seconds you come back really hungry to see if your program can get what you need to get to win a championship."
There are plenty of football coaches out there who can talk a lot and make any game into a big deal. This game really is one, and it was refreshing to see Talley admit how much it means to him.
You can hear more from Talley in the audio player below. Before that, though, check out what the region's Division II and Division III teams are up to.
And come back later today for my interview with Mike Hlas of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, the writer who put Temple on his AP Top 25 ballot. He has an interesting explanation of why he put the Owls on his ballot.
West Chester
Last week: Home win vs. Bloomsburg, 30-14
This week: 11/7 vs. Mercyhurst, 1:00 p.m.
Delaware Valley
Last week: Road win vs. King's College, 47-21
This week: 11/7 vs. Albright, 1:00 p.m.
Rowan
Last week: Road loss vs. Kean, 23-20 (OT)
This week: 11/7 vs. Montclair State, 1:00 p.m.
Yes, it's fair to wonder whether the Profs should have saved up a few points from the last few weeks...
Ursinus
Last week: Home loss vs. Moravian, 20-19
This week: 11/7 vs. Muhlenberg, 1:00 p.m.
Widener
Last week: Home loss vs. Lebanon Valley, 24-0
This week: 11/7 at Wilkes, 1:00 p.m.
Lincoln
Last week: Road loss vs. St. Paul's College, 16-6
This week: Season over
Cheyney
Last week: Home loss vs. Shippensburg, 31-10
This week: 11/7 vs. Clarion, 12:00 p.m.