Villanova opens football season against Temple in Mayor's Cup

VILLANOVA, WHICH has just about everything back from the young team that struggled to a 2-9 record in 2011, once again will open its season against Temple in the fourth annual (and last scheduled) Mayor's Cup meeting at Lincoln Financial Field on Aug. 31.

The Wildcats will play their home opener a week later against Fordham, and their first Colonial Athletic Association game on Sept. 15 against Rhode Island.

Richmond (Oct. 6), Towson (Oct. 27) and James Madison (Nov. 10) will also visit the Main Line.

After playing Penn at Franklin Field on Sept. 22, the Wildcats travel outside Philadelphia for the first time, to Maine, on Sept. 29. Their road trips are to Old Dominion (Oct. 13), Georgia State (Oct. 20) and the traditional finale with Delaware (Nov. 17).

Villanova and longtime head coach Andy Talley won the FCS national title in 2009 and made it to the semifinals the following season.

- Mike Kern

2012 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL

SCHEDULE

Home games (CAPS) played at Villanova Stadium

Times, TBA

Friday, Aug. 31: *Temple (Mayors Cup)

Saturday, Sept. 8: FORDHAM

Saturday, Sept. 15: RHODE ISLAND

Saturday, Sept. 22: at Penn

Saturday, Sept. 29: at Maine

Saturday, Oct. 6: RICHMOND

Saturday, Oct. 13: at Old Dominion

Saturday, Oct. 20: at Georgia State

Saturday, Oct. 27: TOWSON

Saturday, Nov. 10: JAMES MADISON

Saturday, Nov. 17: at Delaware

*At Lincoln Financial Field