IS BUYING CROSS-COUNTRY SKIS
The Colonial Athletic Association cochampion has the makings of a national champion.
"I think we set the table exactly the way we wanted to set it," coach Andy Talley said of Villanova's being in position to win the FCS title. "If we don't take advantage of it, shame on us. Nobody can come between what we are trying to do now other than us."
Today at noon, the No. 2-ranked Wildcats (10-1) will face Patriot League champion Holy Cross (9-2) at Villanova Stadium in the first round of the FCS playoffs. Tom Gilmore, a former Ivy League player of the year at Penn, coaches the 17th-ranked Crusaders.
"Oh, my God, I'm very excited," said Osayi Osunde, an outside linebacker for the Wildcats.
Don't confuse his excitement with overconfidence. The fifth-year senior and his teammates are taking this game seriously.
"We definitely have to be on our P's and Q's and make sure we scheme right . . .," Osunde said. "We have to make sure that we are ready."
That's because Holy Cross quarterback Dominic Randolph, an NFL prospect, has the skills to help the Crusaders pull off an upset.
The poised 6-foot-3, 223-pounder has completed 279 of 434 passes for 3,429 yards and 31 touchdowns with 15 interceptions this season. The fifth-year senior has 111 rushes for 474 yards and six touchdowns.
Randolph is the Crusaders' career leader in touchdown passes (114), passing yards (13,108), yards of total offense (13,887), completions (1,100), pass attempts (1,735), and completion percentage (.634). He ranks fourth all-time in the FCS in passing yards and total offense.
"This guy is on the hit list of every NFL team out there," Talley said. "He's a big-time concern. . . . All the pro guys tell me that he is a tremendous passer."
But Randolph must contend with an opportunistic defense.
Yielding just 12.9 points per game, the Wildcats boast the nation's second-ranked scoring defense. Villanova gives up an average of 239.5 passing yards but is known for making key stops and causing turnovers. The Wildcats have intercepted 17 passes and recovered six fumbles.
Sophomore cornerback James Pitts leads Villanova with four interceptions. Jacob Wade has three, and Eric Loper, Fred Maldonado, and Ross Ventrone have two apiece.
Today at noon,
Villanova Stadium.
Football Championship Subdivision first-round playoff game
Radio: ESPN-AM (950)
Records: Holy Cross, 9-2; Villanova, 10-1.
Coaches: Holy Cross, Tom Gilmore (fifth season, 36-19); Villanova, Andy Talley (25th season, 175-111-1).
Series: Holy Cross won the last meeting, 38-17, in 1989. Villanova holds a 12-9 series advantage.
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