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Villanova's national title hopes could hinge on line's development

Quarterback John Robertson was unquestionably the best Football Championship Subdivision player in the land last season, which is why the senior returns as the reigning Walter Payton Award winner.

Villanova coach Andy Talley.
Villanova coach Andy Talley.Read more(David Swanson/Staff Photographer)

Quarterback John Robertson was unquestionably the best Football Championship Subdivision player in the land last season, which is why the senior returns as the reigning Walter Payton Award winner.

But Villanova coach Andy Talley issued a word of caution regarding the Wildcats, who went 11-3 last season and were eliminated at home in the FCS quarterfinals, and it is because of the question marks on the offensive line.

"We do have some concerns there," Talley said.

The Wildcats open the season Thursday at Connecticut. Ranked No. 3 heading into the season, they have had to do some major shuffling on the offensive line. Three starters return from last season, and only one - starting left tackle Brad Seaton - returns to his original position.

"It's going to be a challenge for all of us to jell, but I think we are headed in the right direction," said senior center Kyle Wallace. "We have guys who I believe are going to step up for us."

Wallace started at guard last season. He moves over to center to replace 2014 second team all-Colonial Athletic Conference center Ross Hall. Junior Jake Prus slides over from guard to replace first-team all-CAA tackle Vince Kowalski, who started every game of his career.

The biggest question marks are at guard, where two juniors, Nico D'Angelo and Jonathan Green, are the starters. D'Angelo started a few games last season and is less of a concern. Green played in some spots last season and this will be his first go-around as a starter.

"Our biggest concern is with Green because he is so new there," Talley said. "He's going to have to step it up."

Robertson led the rushing attack with 1,078 yards last season. Villanova will have to replace second-leading rusher Kevin Monangai, who led the Wildcats with 12 rushing touchdowns. His workload will fall to senior Gary Underwood. Although he was limited to eight games by injuries, Underwood rushed for 343 yards (7.4 per carry) and still earned third-team all conference honors.

Kevin Gulyas, who caught 27 passes for 677 yards and nine touchdowns last year, is the top returning receiver. Mike Burke, who caught 21 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns, is recovering from a torn knee ligament and is not expected to return until midseason.

While big things are expected from the offense, Talley says the defense should be significantly improved from 2014.

"What's going to help us this year is our defense is better," Talley said. "I don't think we'll give up as many points. I think we'll be in the low 20s. If we do that, I think we can win a lot of games."

The Wildcats return eight starters from last season's defense. This includes middle linebacker Don Cherry, who finished second in the Buck Buchanan Award balloting for the top defensive player in the FCS. The secondary returns intact as well, anchored by cornerback Jason Ceneus, an all-conference selection who led the league in interceptions.

The defensive line was hit hard by graduation, losing three of its top six players. The strength of the line should be at end, where junior Tanoh Kpassagnon and senior Reggie Paris should play well. The bigger question is at nose guard, where sophomores Ricky Young and Eric Drains will be asked to replace the departed Pat Williams, an all-CAA selection.

All this has Talley confident that this will be another good season for Villanova.

"I don't know where the league is going, but we're as good as we were last year at this time. So I think we're on pace. The intangibles are the things you don't know."

The quality of the offensive line is one of those intangibles.

@JmitchInquirer