QB John Robertson key to Villanova's hopes

Villanova quarterback John Robertson is the Colonial Athletic Association preseason offensive player of the year. He says such distinctions mean more to his parents than they do to him.

Even preseason rankings don't mean much, Robertson said, although the Wildcats are ranked 12th nationally this year after starting last season ranked No. 9.

"Last year, we kind of got our heads in the clouds a little bit," Robertson said.

Robertson had a big year. He ran for 1,405 yards in 2013 while setting a school record by completing 68.4 percent of his passes. The end result, however, was a 6-5 record. The Wildcats were supposed to make a run in the national tournament, but they fell short of the playoffs.

Nobody around Villanova's campus pins any of the struggles on Robertson.

"If there's a better quarterback in the country, I'd like to see him," Villanova coach Andy Talley said, "because this guy can play. He's really good, and he's got a great grasp of our offense now. We just need to keep him healthy."

Other than several early injuries to key players, Talley said he can't quite put his finger on what didn't click last season. The season began with a near-miss at Boston College.

The Wildcats were up a touchdown at halftime but lost by 10. A three-point loss the next week against Fordham put 'Nova on a tightrope the whole season. They finished big with a last-second win over archrival Delaware, but that wasn't enough to meet expectations.

"I think we weren't as together last year as I thought we were," Talley said.

That's the way his leaders see it, too. Joe Sarnese - a senior defensive back, cocaptain, and one of Robertson's roommates - suggested the issues last season went a little beyond high hopes unfulfilled.

"Two years ago, we had a pretty solid defense," he said. "We were together. Last year, I think we had too many guys who were concerned with their own personal goals, such as being all-conference, being all-American."

He sees a difference this preseason.

"We're all working together," Sarnese said. "The biggest thing is trust. . . . The coaches, they're looking for togetherness and just basic straight-out hard work, and that's what we're doing."

On the offensive side, Robertson has already proven his toughness. He waited until after the season to have labrum surgery, to repair cartilage in his nonthrowing left shoulder.

"I played with the shoulder injury for a few games, so it's better to have it healthy," Robertson said of the January procedure. "I'm glad about that. It took about a six-month process. Now I feel good. It's a full-go."

And Robertson at full-go looks better than ever before, Talley said.

The offensive line has a couple of newcomers, but Villanova has a strong running game led by senior running backs Kevin Monangai and Austin Medley, and two more seniors on the line, center Ross Hall and tackle Vince Kowalski, were both named preseason first team all-CAA.

Villanova's defense is led by a veteran linebacker corps and a deep group of safeties led by Sarnese.

From the start, most eyes, especially those of opposing defenses, will be on Robertson.

"We bring a big-play aspect to it," said Robertson of what Villanova's offense is capable of doing.

What can he do better?

"I would say, be a better leader. When I'm scrambling, keep my eyes down the field, try to throw the ball," he added.

What else can Villanova fans expect from their quarterback?

"You've seen everything from Robertson," said Villanova's top receiver, cocaptain Poppy Livers. "John, he can do anything - he can run; he can pass. I think he'll be doing a lot of both this year."

Coach: Andy Talley (204-125-1 in 29 seasons at Villanova).

Last Season: 6-5; 5-3 in Colonial Athletic, fourth place.

John Robertson (QB, Jr., 6-1, 220); Poppy Livers (WR, Sr., 5-7, 170); Joe Sarnese (DB, Sr., 5-11, 200); Kevin Monangai (RB, Sr., 5-8, 210); Austin Medley (RB, Sr., 5-11, 205); Ross Hall (C, Sr., 6-4, 285); Vince Kowalski (OT, Sr., 6-4, 300); Earnest Pettway (TE, Sr., 6-4, 250); Pat Williams (NG, Sr., 6-0, 285); Joey Harmon (LB, Sr., 6-0, 235).

With 15 returning starters, Villanova is picked second in the Colonial Athletic Association. Look for a high-octane offense led by the pass-run threat presented by Robertson, a fourth-year junior who, if he remains healthy, looks like a viable candidate for national FCS player of the year. Of course, Robertson had a big sophomore season, and the Wildcats still had to win their last two games to finish over .500. So the defense will have a lot to do with how far 'Nova goes this season. Friday's opener against Syracuse is the 19th time since 1985 that Villanova has faced a FBS opponent, with a 3-15 record in previous meetings.

- Mike Jensen