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Villanova Wildcats
File:VillanovaWildcats.png
First season1894
Head coach
26th season, 179–103–1 (.634)
StadiumVillanova Stadium
(capacity: 12,500)
Field surfaceAstroPlay
LocationVillanova, Pennsylvania
All-time record564–442–39 (.558)
Bowl record2–2–1 (.500)
Claimed national titles1
Conference titles5
ColorsBlue and White
   
Fight song"V for Villanova"
MascotWill D. Cat
RivalsDelaware Fightin' Blue Hens
Temple Owls
WebsiteVillanova.com

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.

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.[1] The program was revived in 1985, led by current head coach Andy Talley. 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.[2] 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.

National championships

The Wildcats won their first national championship on December 18, 2009 under Andy Talley. The team defeated the Montana Grizzlies 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 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 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.[3] 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 IX 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.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Villanova U. Drops Football". Youngstown Vindicator. April 16, 1981. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  2. ^ "Yankee Conference" (PDF). Villanova Football Guide. 2003. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  3. ^ "Villanova Football Considering Jump to Big East". CSNPhilly.com. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
  4. ^ "Villanova considering Big East invitation". ESPN.com. September 10, 2010. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
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