Villanova Wildcats Football - History

History

The Wildcats football team played their first game in November 1894 coached by legendary trainer and coach Mike Murphy. They continued to play as an independent team for 87 seasons participating in several Bowl Games and sending numerous players into Professional football including NFL Hall of Fame defensive end, Howie Long. On April 14, 1981 the program was officially disbanded due to weak attendance and monetary reasons cited by the University Board of Directors.

Under heavy pressure from alumni and students, the program was reinstated by the Board of Trustees in April 1984 and sponsored a sold out Blue-White intrasquad game for Homecoming that November. Led by current head coach Andy Talley, they began playing regulation NCAA games in September 1985. The reborn program had instant success, beginning with an undefeated 5 game schedule against Division III competition. The program moved up to 1-AA (FCS) and joined the Yankee Conference in 1987, beginning official competition in 1988.

Led by QB Kirk Schulz and WR Robert Brady the Wildcats reached the 1-AA playoffs in 1989, bowing to eventual champions Georgia Southern in a spirited, high scoring game.

Led by All-American linebacker Curtis Eller, the 'Cats returned to the 1-AA playoffs in 1991 and 1992, bowing each time to eventual champion Youngstown State.

All-American wide receiver Brian Finneran led the Wildcats to the 1-AA playoffs in 1996 before bowing to East Tennessee State.

The 1997 season marked Villanova's first undefeated, untied regular season, as well as their first time reaching #1 in the FCS rankings. The 1997 'Cats featured two future Payton Award winners- Finneran and freshman running back Brian Westbrook. The Cat's defeated Colgate in the 1-AA playoffs before falling a 3rd time to arch-nemesis Youngstown State.

In 2002, led by All-American QB Brett Gordon, Villanova advanced to the NCAA FCS semifinals, defeating Fordham and Furman before falling to McNeese State.

In 2008, a sophomore-laden squad led by all-purpose back Matt Szczur and QB Chris Whitney, Villanova went 10-3 losing only 2 FCS games all season. Both losses were to James Madison on a "hail mary" game ending TD in the regular season and a last minute overtime quarterfinal loss in the NCAA playoffs.

In 2009, Villanova won the NCAA Division I FCS National Championship, defeating Montana 23-21 in Chattanooga, TN and finishing with a 14-1 overall record. Junior Matt Sczur was voted Championship Game MVP and was selected as a 1st team All-American at two positions- offense and special teams. Junior Chris Whitney was also voted 1st team All-American. On their way to the championship Villanova defeated FBS Temple, losing only to New Hampshire, and was CAA co-conference Champion with the Richmond Spiders, whom Villanova defeated at Richmond on a 4th down TD pass. Villanova hosted three playoff games, defeating Holy Cross, avenging their regular season loss to New Hampshire with a lopsided victory played in a driving snowstorm, and edging CAA nemisis William & Mary 14-13 under the ESPN TV lights on a frigid night.

In 2010 season, Villanova returned to the NCAA semifinals, this time going on a 9,000 mile odessey while defeating Sam Houston State and #1 ranked Appalachian State before losing to eventual champion, Eastern Washington Eagles. Villanova ended the 2010 campaign ranked #3 in the nation in FCS and knocked off two #1 ranked teams on the road in 3 weeks late in the season including National Runner-up Delaware.

The 2012 season was in the midst of a rebuilding campaign by Coach Talley that earned a surprising CAA Conference Championship and another NCAA playoff appearance by the Wildcats who finished 8-4 with a very young squad full of talented underclassmen.