Villanova looks to pull off upset in Syracuse

A year ago, Villanova opened its football season by giving host Boston College a major scare. The Wildcats led, 14-7, at halftime before losing, 24-14.

Now, Villanova opens against another Atlantic Coast Conference Football Bowl Subdivision team, with Friday night's game at the Carrier Dome against Syracuse.

Coach Andy Talley is hoping his underdog Wildcats will be competitive, but he is also looking to keep his players off the trainer's table against a much deeper Syracuse team.

"We want to win the game, but also we want to come out of it healthy," Talley said earlier this week.

The Wildcats' best chance is for junior quarterback John Robertson to run wild. Robertson rushed last season for 1,405 yards and 20 touchdowns.

He showed he could perform against an FBS school. Against Boston College, Robertson rushed for 94 yards on 13 carries and threw for 158 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

Robertson is one of the reasons Syracuse won't take the Wildcats lightly.

"Villanova scared the devil out of Boston College last year, and [Talley] has that quarterback, John Robertson, returning, who is a special player," Syracuse second-year coach Scott Shafer said this week in a conference call with reporters.

Shafer insisted Villanova won't be an automatic 'W'.

"They know how to win games and to continue to fight through tough situations," Shafer said. "They will be a good opponent for us."

Villanova is coming off a disappointing 6-5 season, one in which the Wildcats entered with national championship aspirations.

Despite last season's record, Villanova is still highly regarded. The Wildcats are ranked 12th nationally in the Sports Network preseason Football Championship Subdivision Top 25 and No. 13 in the FCS Coaches Poll.

Syracuse went 7-6 last year, including a 21-17 win over Minnesota in the Texas Bowl.

Like Robertson, Syracuse senior quarterback Terrel Hunt (6-foot-3, 234 pounds) is a dual threat, although not to the same extent. Hunt rushed for 500 yards (4.7-yard average) and seven touchdowns and threw for 1,638 yards and 10 touchdowns.