More than rivalry on the line for 'Nova, Delaware
It has become one of the best football rivalries in Football Championship Subdivision and when Villa visits Delaware on Saturday at noon, more than just local bragging rights will be on the line.
It has become one of the best football rivalries in Football Championship Subdivision and when Villa visits Delaware on Saturday at noon, more than just local bragging rights will be on the line.
Villanova is 9-2 with a 6-1 record in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Wildcats are ranked No. 6 in the nation by The Sports Network and in the FCS Coaches' Poll. A win over Delaware (6-5, 4-3) would almost assuredly earn Villanova a coveted bye in the first round of the 24-team FCS playoff field, which will be announced Sunday. The top eight seeds will receive byes.
Villanova could also earn a tie for the CAA title with a win and a loss by New Hampshire at Maine. (Villanova and New Hampshire didn't play each other this season).
"I look at it as the first round of the playoffs," said Villanova wide receiver Kevin Gulyas, who has 23 receptions for 486 yards and seven touchdowns. "It is a playoff game to us and that is how the atmosphere is going to be."
Delaware is likely out of playoff contention, but it won't lessen the intensity of the game.
"I think it is one of the best rivalries in the country," Villanova coach Andy Talley said. ". . . Their fans are great and we love playing there."
Added Delaware coach Dave Brock, "For our fan base, this is the biggest game of the year."
Last season when neither team earned a playoff berth, the game at PPL Park had a postseason feel. Villanova won, 35-34, by scoring the game's final 23 points, all in the fourth quarter.
Delaware is coming off last week's 43-14 loss at New Hampshire, which is ranked first nationally by the Sports Network. The Blue Hens trailed 23-14 after a 2-yard touchdown run by Wildwood High graduate Wes Hills with 9 minutes and 2 seconds left in the third quarter before New Hampshire pulled away.
In going for the upset, Delaware will have to game plan around stopping Villanova quarterback John Robertson, who has thrown for 2,412 yards with 31 touchdown passes and two interceptions. He has rushed for 861 yards (4.6 avg.) and nine touchdowns.
"I think he is the best player in the country," Brock said of Robertson.
Delaware has a capable quarterback in Trent Hurley, who has completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,063 yards, but has thrown 11 touchdown passes compared to 13 interceptions. Last season Hurley threw 22 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions.
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