Season Preview 2009 Villanova Football
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Season Preview 2009 Villanova Football 2009 Season Preview illanova returns 31 letterwinners and 15 In two seasons as a kick returner, Babbaro has Vstarters from last year’s squad that went averaged 25.9 yards per return. In 2007, he set 10-3 overall and 7-1 in colonial Athletic Associa- a school record for kickoff return average in a tion play. The Wildcats earned an at large bid to season at 28.9 yards per return. Last year, he was last year’s NCAA playoffs where they advanced to a third team All-CAA choice as a kick returner. the quarterfinal round. With a wealth of experi- Villanova also has high hopes for junior run- ence returning, Villanova is looking for bigger ning back Louis Adeyemi (5-10, 210) and sopho- and better things in 2009. Villanova has been more Lawrence Doss (5-7, 180). Adeyemi has ranked in the top 10 nationally in numerous pre- a good combination of speed and power, while season publications. Doss is a gifted runner who can also be a threat as a receiver. Adeyemi recorded 16 carries for 144 QUARTERBACK yards and two touchdowns last year, while Doss Villanova returns junior starting signal caller registered 19 carries for 54 yards and four catches Chris Whitney (6-2, 230) who became the starter for 33 yards and a score. Senior Tony Canci in week four last year and led Villanova to a 7-1 (5-11, 220) may also see time in the backfield. CAA mark and a quarterfinal appearance in the FCS Canci is a tough nosed competitor who has good playoffs. As a sophomore last year, he completed blocking skills. 120-of-174 for 1,448 yards to go with 10 touch- downs and five interceptions. He also had 467 yards WIDE RECEIVER rushing and four touchdowns. During the 2007 Villanova boasts three talented receivers in campaign, Whitney started six games as a true fresh- junior Matt Szczur (5-11, 195), senior Bran- man. A physical performer with a winning attitude, dyn Harvey (6-4, 205) and sophomore Norman Whitney owns a career record of 11-4. White (6-3, 210). Szczur might be the most The Wildcats have a more than capable back- versatile player in the CAA. Last year, he had 32 up in senior Antwon Young (6-4, 225). Through- Quarterback Chris Whitney will lead a high catches for 511 yards and four touchdowns and out his Main Line career, Young has played in 21 powered Villanova offense this season. 78 carries for 449 yards (5.8 yards per rush) and games and completed 173 of 277 for 2,074 yards three scores. He also had five punt returns for to go with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. just the third player in school history to have a 43 yards and four kickoff returns for 146 yards, Young is a dual threat quarterback who can beat 1,000 yard rushing season when he tallied 1,081 including a 91-yard return for a score versus you with both his arm and with his legs in the yards on 215 carries (5.0 yards per carry) and a Colgate in the first round of the NCAA playoffs. running game. team-high 13 touchdowns. Ball was rewarded for Szczur was a second team All-CAA choice in his play by being named second team All-CAA. 2008 and has been named to the pre-season first RUNNING BACK Junior Angelo Babbaro (5-9, 195) will also see team in 2009. The Wildcats have great depth at running action in the backfield. Last season, Babbaro had Harvey and White are big, athletic targets who back with junior Aaron Ball (5-9, 200) leading 340 rushing yards on 60 carries and two scores. can also catch the deep ball. Harvey is the team’s the way. Last year as a sophomore, Ball became Babbaro will also be a factor in the return game. leading returning receiver who had 43 catches for Offensive Two-Deep K WR RB QB WR WR 49 Nick Yako 4 Matt Szczur 25 Aaron Ball 17 Chris Whitney 3 Brandyn Harvey 8 Norman White 30 John Nelson 84 Dorian Wells 22 Angelo Babbaro 5 Antwon Young 80 Ramin Mobasseri 80 Ramin Mobasseri TE LT LG C RG RT 82 Chris Farmer 71 Ben Ijalana 67 Brant Clouser 60 Brian Brannigan 70 Jonathan Bugli 79 Chidozie Ekweozor 85 Eric Predatsch 77 Travis Poston 74 Chris Otten 61 Michael Sheridan 65 Gene Oakley 76 Ryan Bennett 22 2009 Villanova Football 552 yards and three scores last year. He is also line return from last year’s unit that helped Vil- one of the team’s top blockers. White, who made lanova average 29.4 points per game, 391.3 yards eight receptions for 94 yards a season ago as a true of total offense per contest, including 216.9 freshman, looks poised for a breakout campaign rushing yards per game. Junior Ben Ijalana (6-4, in 2009. 320), who has started every game of his career, Three other Wildcats who will be in the mix will anchor the line. Ijalana is a pro prospect who for playing time at wideout include senior Ramin earned first team All-CAA honors last season. Mobasseri (6-0, 195), sophomore Mikey Reyn- Senior Brian Brannigan (6-2, 285) is a four-year olds (5-6, 165) and redshirt freshman Dorian starter who will provide leadership from his center Wells (5-9, 180). Mobasseri is an experienced position. Brannigan was a third team All-CAA performer with good hands. Reynolds is a tough honoree last year and he was voted a tri-captain competitor with good football instincts who by his teammates for the 2009 campaign. Junior made 10 catches for 136 yards last year. Wells is Brant Clouser (6-2, 290) has started all 24 games coming off a solid spring season and should see of his career at guard and senior Jonathan Bugli the field as a slot receiver. (6-5, 295) started 12 of 13 games in 2008 and turned in a solid season at guard. The only player TIGHT END who needs replaced on the line is Izzy Bauta who The most inexperienced spot for the Wild- finished his career by starting 43 consecutive cats is at tight end. All three players who are in games. The odds on favorite to replace Bauta is the mix for playing time have seen limited time redshirt freshman Chidozie Ekweozor (6-5, 305) throughout their Wildcat career. Senior Eric Pre- who has a good combination of size and strength. datsch (6-4, 245) saw time as a reserve in seven Senior Michael Sheridan (6-2, 300) returns games a year ago. He possesses good strength and for a fifth-year and will bring leadership to the will give the team a blocking force. Junior Chris offensive line. Sheridan is a versatile performer Farmer (6-5, 260) moved to the offensive side who can play guard and center. Junior Gene Oak- Tony Canci returns for a of the ball in the middle of the 2008 season. He ley (6-3, 290) has been injury plagued throughout fifth year in 2009. looked good during spring drills and should push his career but is healthy entering 2009. Oakley for playing time. Redshirt freshman John Jackson has the potential to be a contributor at guard. Johnson (6-2, 245), along with transfer Mario (6-3, 250) has the ability to be a solid receiver. Ryan Bennett (6-4, 300), Chris Otten (6-1, 295) Johnson (6-2, 250) are all expected to be in the and Travis Poston (6-6, 330) will all add depth mix at defensive end. Davis possesses a good OFFENSIVE LINE and fight for playing time. combination of size and strength and has a huge Four of the five linemen along the offensive upside to his game. Marlon Johnson is a talented DEFENSIVE LINE player with all the skills necessary to be a top Graduation hit the Wildcat defensive line notch CAA performer. Mario Johnson comes to as Villanova lost two dominant players in Greg Villanova from City College of San Francisco and Miller and Dave Dalessandro. Miller earned first looks like he is ready to be a contributor this year. team All-American honors after registering 49 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, six tackles for loss and LINEBACKERS two forced fumbles. Dalessadro was the heart Villanova has one of, if not the best linebacker and soul of the Villanova defense and was a 2008 units in the CAA. Leading the way is senior Osayi third team All-League selection. Senior Tim Osunde (6-1, 245) who was a first team All-CAA Kukucka (6-3, 250) will be looked upon to be a selection last year. In 2008, Osunde led Villanova force at defensive end. He was a second team All- in tackles with 75 to go with five tackles for loss, Conference honoree last season after leading the two interception and two forced fumbles. This team in sacks with seven and making a team-high marks the second straight year that he led Vil- tying 15 tackles for loss. The nose guard spot will lanova in tackles. Osunde is a 2009 pre-season be handled by senior Phil Matusz (6-2, 300) who first team All-CAA honoree. Sophomore Marquis is one of the team’s most underrated performers. Kirkland (5-10, 250) garnered second team All- Matusz is an emotional leader for Villanova who CAA accolades last year with 70 total stops and possesses a high football IQ.