'Nova's Robertson is CAA offensive player of year

Villanova quarterback John Robertson, who was the Colonial Athletic Association's offensive player of the year in the preseason, earned the award when it counted.

Robertson, a junior, was named the league's offensive player of the year on Tuesday in a vote by coaches.

"It's a great award and I am very happy and it's a credit to my teammates," Robertson said in a telephone interview. "I got attention as preseason player of the year and was glad that I was able to live up to it, but my main goal is to help the team win."

The 6-foot-1, 221-pound Robertson was CAA offensive player of the week six times for the 10-2 Wildcats.

Villanova coach Andy Talley feels the awards should continue to come Robertson's way. "I would be very disappointed if he didn't win the Walter Payton Award," Talley said of the award given to the nation's top Football Championship Subdivision player.

Robertson is second in the Football Championship Subdivision with 34 touchdown passes. He has thrown for 2,629 yards and has been intercepted just three times. He also has rushed for 978 yards and nine touchdowns.

Villanova has a bye this week before hosting a second-round FCS playoff game on Dec. 6. The Wildcats will play the James Madison-Liberty winner.

In addition to Robertson, Villanova had two other players earn first-team all-conference honors: senior offensive tackle Vince Kowalski (Williamstown High) and junior linebacker Don Cherry.

Second-team choices were senior receiver Poppy Livers, senior center Ross Hall, senior nose guard Pat Williams and senior safety Joe Sarnese (Holy Spirit). On the third team were senior running back Kevin Monangai, junior running back Gary Underwood and sophomore cornerback Jason Ceneus.