Villanova Wildcats football
Encyclopedia
The Villanova Wildcats football
program represents Villanova University
in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA). The Wildcats play at Villanova Stadium
with capacity of 12,500.
. The program joined the Yankee Conference
in 1985
, becoming title-eligible in 1988 and winning conference titles in 1989 and 1991. In 1997, the Yankee conference was absorbed into the Atlantic 10, following the NCAA's rule changes regarding single-sport conferences. In 9 years with the A-10, Villanova garnered another 2 conference championships, with the 1997 season marking Villanova's first ever undefeated, untied regular season, as well as their first time reaching #1 in the rankings. In 2005, all A-10 football schools switched conferences and became charter members of the CAA football program. The Wildcats have found great success since joining the CAA, making the playoffs in all but their first year, and were co-conference champions with the Richmond Spiders
as well as national champions in 2009.
. The team defeated the Montana Grizzlies
in the national championship game in Chattanooga by a score of 23-21.
," which Villanova won in its first four years. Villanova leads the all-time series with Delaware 22-20-1. The Wildcats also have a four-year series where they will play Temple University
for the Philadelphia "Mayor's Cup," which Villanova took possession of in the inaugural game in September 2009 (Villanova leads that all-time series 16-12-2).
issues, as well as either a stadium expansion or a move to a larger venue in the region, with early speculation focusing on the new PPL Park soccer stadium
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
program represents Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA). The Wildcats play at Villanova Stadium
Villanova Stadium
Villanova Stadium is a stadium located on the campus of Villanova University in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, USA.Villanova Stadium was originally built in 1927 and dedicated on October 8, 1927, Villanova Stadium plays host to a wide variety of events including serving as home to the Villanova...
with capacity of 12,500.
History
The Wildcats football team played their first game in November 1894 and continued play for 87 seasons. On April 14, 1981 the team was officially disbanded due to monetary reasons. The program was revived in 1985, led by current head coach Andy TalleyAndy Talley
Andrew J. "Andy" Talley is an American football coach. He is currently the head coach of the Villanova Wildcats. Before becoming the Villanova head coach, he served as the coach at St. Lawrence University. In 1997, he was named the AFCA Coach of the Year and the Eddie Robinson Award winner...
. The program joined the Yankee Conference
Yankee Conference
The Yankee Conference was a collegiate sports conference in the eastern United States. It once sponsored competition in many sports, but eventually became a football-only league...
in 1985
, becoming title-eligible in 1988 and winning conference titles in 1989 and 1991. In 1997, the Yankee conference was absorbed into the Atlantic 10, following the NCAA's rule changes regarding single-sport conferences. In 9 years with the A-10, Villanova garnered another 2 conference championships, with the 1997 season marking Villanova's first ever undefeated, untied regular season, as well as their first time reaching #1 in the rankings. In 2005, all A-10 football schools switched conferences and became charter members of the CAA football program. The Wildcats have found great success since joining the CAA, making the playoffs in all but their first year, and were co-conference champions with the Richmond Spiders
Richmond Spiders football
The Richmond Spiders are a college football team representing the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond was the Division I Football Championship Subdivision champion for the 2008 season. Richmond currently competes in the Colonial Athletic Association of the NCAA's Division I...
as well as national champions in 2009.
National championships
The Wildcats won their first national championship on December 18, 2009 under Andy TalleyAndy Talley
Andrew J. "Andy" Talley is an American football coach. He is currently the head coach of the Villanova Wildcats. Before becoming the Villanova head coach, he served as the coach at St. Lawrence University. In 1997, he was named the AFCA Coach of the Year and the Eddie Robinson Award winner...
. The team defeated the Montana Grizzlies
Montana Grizzlies football
The Montana Grizzlies football program represents the University of Montana in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football. The Grizzlies have competed in the Big Sky Conference, where it is a founding member, since 1963...
in the national championship game in Chattanooga by a score of 23-21.
Rivalry games
Villanova plays the University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens in the "Battle of the BlueBattle of the Blue
The Battle of the Blue is an annual college football rivalry game between the University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens and Villanova University Wildcats. Beginning in 2007, the annual Delaware–Villanova game became known as Battle of the Blue...
," which Villanova won in its first four years. Villanova leads the all-time series with Delaware 22-20-1. The Wildcats also have a four-year series where they will play Temple University
Temple Owls football
The Temple Owls football team participates in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference...
for the Philadelphia "Mayor's Cup," which Villanova took possession of in the inaugural game in September 2009 (Villanova leads that all-time series 16-12-2).
Possible conference move
Villanova has considered moving into the Football Bowl Subdivision and joining the Big East Conference in football. The current stadium seats 12,500, less than the 15,000 required for an FBS-eligible team. In September 2010, the Big East extended Villanova a formal invitation to become a football member. The school is currently considering the proposal, which would require not only a move to FBS, but also upgrades to its women's sports program due to Title IXTitle IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a United States law, enacted on June 23, 1972, that amended Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In 2002 it was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, in honor of its principal author Congresswoman Mink, but is most...
issues, as well as either a stadium expansion or a move to a larger venue in the region, with early speculation focusing on the new PPL Park soccer stadium
Soccer-specific stadium
Soccer-specific stadium is a term used mainly in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Korea coined by Lamar Hunt, to refer to a sports stadium either purpose built or fundamentally redesigned for soccer and whose primary function is to host soccer matches, as opposed to a multipurpose...
.