< Previouschickiesandpetes.com @chickiesandpetes @chickiesnpetes @chickiesandpetes YOUR HOME BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE GAME2023 VillanoVa Football Gameday First team all-americans www.villanova.com 51 First Team all-americans Eamonn Allen (offensive line, 2001) — associated Press all-america. Paul Berardelli (Guard, 1988) — american Football coaches association/Kodak all-america. Chris Boden (Quarterback, 1997) — walter camp. Don Cherry (linebacker, 2014) — associated Press, 2015 associated Press, the sports network, walter camp. Robert David (Fullback, 1944) — all-catholic all-america; ncwc news service all-america. Joseph W. DeRose (center, 1951) — colliers all-america specialists. Curtis Eller (linebacker, 1991-92) — 1991: american Football coaches association/Kodak all-american, 1992: associated Press, american Football coaches association/Kodak all-american. Eugene C. Filipski (Back, 1952) — look magazine; Football writers’ association of america; consensus all- america; ncaa Football Guide; colliers all-america. Brian Finneran (wide receiver, 1996-97) — 1996 american Football coaches association all-america; 1997 associated Press; sports network; aFca; walter camp. Tyrone Frazier (linebacker, 1994) — american Football coaches association/schooner’s all-american; sports network; Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. Brett Gordon (Quarterback, 2002) — walter camp. Brian Hulea (linebacker, 2005) — sports network, aFca, walter camp. Ben Ijalana (offensive tackle, 2009-10) — 2010 associated Press, sports network, walter camp, aFca. Charles W. Johnson (tackle, 1962) — williamson all- america. Brian Hulea earned All-America honors for his play in 2005. Tanoh Kpassagnon (Defensive end, 2016) — associated Press, aFca, walter camp, stats, inc. William Kuzman (end, 1944) — all-catholic all-america; ncwc news service all-america. Domenic G. LIpotta (Guard, 1951) — colliers all-america; american Football coaches association; consensus all-america; ncaa Football Guide; Grantland rice; look magazine. John G. Mellus (tackle, 1939) — new York sun. Edward J. Michaels (Guard, 1936) — associated Press; United Press international; Pop warner; Fosters all- america; international news service; lawrence Perry; russel Gnau; Hearst syndicate; liberty magazine; elgin. Greg Miller (Defensive line, 2008) — sports network; walter camp Foundation; american Football coaches association. Eugene P. O’Pella (end, 1958) — williamson all-america. George L. Randour (Back, 1933) — international news service. John Robertson (Quarterback, 2014) — the sports network, walter camp; aFca; Fcs aDa. Bryan Russo (center, 1989) — american Football coaches association/Kodak all-america; the sports network. John Sandusky (tackle, 1949) — new York sun. Michael J. Siani (end, 1971) — sport magazine, the sporting news. Matt Szczur (wide receiver, 2009) —sports network, walter camp, associated Press. Brian Westbrook (running Back/Kick returner, 1998, 2000, 2001) — associated Press all-america; the sports network all-america; 2000-the sports network all- america (return specialist); aFca all-america (return specialist); associated Press all-america (all-Purpose Player); (running back, 2001) - associated Press all- america, aFca all-america, the sports network all- america. John G. Wysocki (end, 1937-38) — alexander m. weyand consensus, David J. walsh, United Press international, newspaper enterprise association, liberty magazine, all-america Board of Football coaches, all Players, United Press. NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS 1997: Andy Talley .................. eddie robinson award ............... Gte/aFca national coach of the Year 1997: Brian Finneran ................. walter Payton award 1998: Chris Boden ...................... ernie Davis award 2001: Brian Westbrook ............... walter Payton award 2009: Andy Talley ........ aFca national coach of the Year 2012: John Robertson .................... Jerry rice award 2014: John Robertson ................ walter Payton award ................ Fcs aDa offensive Player of the Year2023 VillanoVa Football Gameday Wildcats in the Pros WWW.villanova.com 53 Wildcats In The Pros Ted Aceto, QB: hamilton tiger-cats 1963; montreal alouettes 1963 Darrel Adams, DL: hamilton tiger-cats 2007-2009 Ted Andrulewicz, B: newark Bulldogs 1930 Al Atkinson, LB: new York Jets 1965-74 Ed August, B: Providence steamroller 1931 Ducarmel Augustin, RB: saskatchewan roughriders 2004 John Babinecz, LB: dallas cowboys 1972-74; chicago Bears 1975 Nick Basca, B: Philadelphia eagles 1941 Alex Bell, B: detroit lions 1940 Christian Benford, DB: Buffalo Bills 2022 Paul Berardelli, OG: london monarchs 1991-92 Ed Berrang, E: Washington redskins 1949-51; detroit lions 1951; Green Bay Packers 1952 Don Blanchard, B: Boston shamrocks 1936-37 Sam Brazinsky, B: Buffalo Bisons 1946 Charlie Broadnicki, C: Philadelphia eagles 1934; Brooklyn dodgers 1934 Dan Brown, E: Washington redskins 1950 Jere Brown, LB: new York stars 1974; charlotte hornets 1974-75 Frank Budd, E,WR: Philadelphia eagles 1962; Washington redskins 1963; calgary stampeders 1965-66 Terry Butler, RB: new York Jets 2005 Chuck Bushbeck, K: memphis showboats 1984 Austin Calitro, CB: seattle seahawks 2018-19; Jacksonville Jaguars 2019; cincinnati Bengals 2020; denver Broncos 2020; chicago Bears 2021-present Gene Ceppetelli, C: hamilton tiger-cats 1963-67; Philadelphia eagles 1968-69; new York Giants 1969; montreal alouettes 1970-71 Don Cherry, LB: Philadelphia eagles 2016-present Andrew Chisick, C: chicago cardinals 1940-41 Andy Cobaugh, LB: san antonio (cFl) 1995 Bill Conlin, T: long island Bulldogs 1930 Ed Corisky, C: Boston Yanks 1944 Rakim Cox, DL: carolina Panthers 2015 Clarence Curry: arizona cardinals 2004 Peter D’Alonzo, B: detroit lions 1951-52 Bob David, G: los angeles rams 1947-48; chicago rockets 1948 Dave Difilippo, G: Philadelphia eagles 1941 Joah Dolbin, WR: Philadelphia eagles 1998 Dan Driscoll, LB: montreol alouettes 1979-80; Philadelphia eagles 1980-81. Leo Elter, B: Pittsburgh steelers 1953-54, 1958-59; Washington redskins 1955-57 Ralph Farina, C: Pottsville maroons 1927 Lou Ferry, T: Green Bay Packers 1949-50; chicago cardinals 1951; Pittsburgh steelers 1952-55 Gene Filipski, B: new York Giants 1956-57; calgary stampeders 1958-62 John Finn, B: Frankford Yellowjackets 1924 Brian Finneran, WR: seattle seahawks 1998; Barcelona dragons 1999; Philadelphia eagles 1999; atlanta Falcons 2000-10 Art Forst, B - Providence Steamrollers 1926 Christian Gaddis, OL: Buffalo Bills 2007-09 Stan Galazin, C: new York Giants 1937-39 Larry Glueck, DB: chicago Bears 1963-66 Anthony Griggs, LB: Philadelphia eagles 1982-86; cleveland Browns 1987-89 Andy Gordon, QB: ottawa rough riders 1949-50 Ethan Greenidge, OL: new orleans saints 2019-present Sam Gruneisen, C: san diego chargers 1962-72; houston oilers 1973 Brandon Harvey, WR: arizona cardinals Practice squad 2011 Bill Hegarty, T: oakland raiders 1953; Pittsburgh steelers 1953; Washington redskins 1953 Ben Ijalana, OL: indianapolis colts 2011-13; new York Jets 2013-present Kevin Ingram, QB: montreal alouettes 1984 Billy Joe, FB: denver Broncos 1963-64; Buffalo Bills 1965; miami dolphins 1966; new York Jets 1967-68 Charlie Johnson, G: Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1965 Ed Kasky, T: Philadelphia eagles 1942 Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE: Kansas city chiefs 2017- 20; new orleans saints 2021-present Phil Kuczo, B: staten island stapletons 1929 Bernard Lee, B: Pittsburgh steelers 1938 Fred Levinsky, LB: Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1968 Howard Lebengood, B: Pottsville maroons 1925 William Lilienthal, T: los angeles dons 1948 Tom Lomaskey, E: staten island stapletons 1929 Howie Long, DT: oakland raiders 1981; los angeles raiders 1982-1993 Paul Longua, E: orange tornados 1929; newark Bulldogs 1930 Don Luzzi, T: calgary raiders 1958 Leo Lynch, C: Frankford Yellowjackets 1920 Jim Magee, C: Boston Yanks 1945-46 David Martin, DB: denver Gold 1983-85; arizona Wranglers 1985; san diego chargers 1986; Buffalo Bills 1987 John McAndrews, HB: long island Bulldogs 1930 Don McComb, E: Boston Patriots 1960 John Mellus, T: new York Giants 1938-41; san Francisco 49ers 1946; Baltimore colts 1947-49 Ed Michaels, G: Washington redskins 1937; Pittsburgh steelers 1943; Philadelphia eagles 1943-46; ottawa rough riders 1947-50 Joe Miller, DT: houston texans 1974; shreveport steamer 1974-75; ottawa rough riders 1976; saskatchewan rough riders 1976-80 Rich Moore, DT: Green Bay Packers 1969-70 Richard Moynihan, B: Frankford Yellowjackets 1927 Walt Nowak, E: Philadelphia eagles 1944 Tom O’Donnell, E: Boston shamrocks 1936 Gene O’Pella, E: saskatchewan rough riders 1959 Willie Oshodin, DT: denver Broncos 1993-95 Brad Parpan, QB: rhein Fire 1996 Ralph Pasquariello, B: los angeles rams 1950; chicago cardinals 1951-52 Lou Pessalano, T: staten island stapletons 1929 Frank Polito, DB: Philadelphia Bell 1974-75 Al Postus, B: Pittsburgh steelers 1945 William Potts, B: Pittsburgh steelers 1943; Pittsburgh americans 1946 Steve Pritko, E: new York Giants 1943; cleveland rams 1944-45; los angeles rams 1946-47; Boston Yanks 1948; new York Bulldogs 1949; Green Bay Packers 1949-50 Chester Pudluski, T: cleveland rams 1944 Joe Restic, E: Philadelphia eagles 1952 Kevin Reilly, LB: Philadelphia eagles 1973-74; new england Patriots 1975 Bill Rogers, T: chicago cardinals 1938; detroit lions 1938-40, 1944 Steve Romanik, B: chicago cardinals 1953-54 Sal Rosato, B: Washington redskins 1945-47 Joe Ryan, E: new York titans 1960 John Sandusky, T: cleveland Browns 1950-55; Green Bay Packers 1956 Brad Seaton, OL: cleveland Browns 2018-19; tampa Bay Buccaneers 2019-present Americo Sapienza, HB: new York titans 1960 Matt Sherry, TE: cincinnati Bengals 2008 Gary Shugrue, DE: Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1976 Mike Siani, WR: oakland raiders 1972-77; Baltimore colts 1977-80 George Smith, B: chicago cardinals 1943 John Sodaski, SS: Pittsburgh steelers 1970; lB Philadelphia eagles 1972-73; Philadelphia Bell, (World league) 1974 Paul Stenn, T: new York Giants 1942; Washington redskins 1946; Pittsburgh steelers 1947 Mike Strofolino, LB: los angeles rams 1965; Baltimore colts 1965; st. louis cardinals 1966-68; hamilton tiger-cats 1969-70 Willie Sydnor, WR: Pittsburgh steelers 1982 Jason Tenner, OL: san Francisco 49ers 1999-2000 Vince Thompson, FB: detroit lions 1981-84 Raymond Ventrone, DB: new england Patriots 2005-06; 2007-08; n.Y. Jets 2007; cleveland Browns, 2009-10; san Francisco 49ers 2013-14 Ross Ventrone, DB: new england Patriots 2010-12; Pittsburgh steelers 2013-15 Billy Walik, WR: Philadelphia eagles 1970-72; Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1973; Florida Blazers 1974; shreveport steamer 1974 Brian Westbrook, RB: Philadelphia eagles 2002-09; san Francisco 49ers 2010 George Winslow, P: cleveland Browns 1987; Buffalo Bills 1988; new orleans saints 1989 Frank Vail, C: long island Bulldogs 1930 Darrel Young, FB: Washington redskins 2010-15; Frank Youngfleish, B: Pottsville maroons 1926-27 Zygmund Zamlynski, B: san Francisco 49ers 1946 Vince Zizak, T: chicago Bears 1934; rochester tigers 1937 All players listed have at least signed a professional football contract with the team listed, after playing at least one collegiate season at Villanova. Players listed have played in the National Football League (NFL); American Football League (AFL); All- American Football Conference; Canadian Football League (CFL); World Football League (WFL); United States Football League (USFL), World League of American Football (WLAF) and NFL Europe. Compiled with contributions by: Michael Connolly (1991 revisions), Dave Coskey, Rev. Michael J. O’Donnell, O.S.A., Jay Langhammer, Craig Miller, Jim DeLorenzo, the National Football League and the Football Hall of Fame.2023 VillanoVa Football Gameday Milestones in VillanoVa History www.VillanoVa.coM 55 milestones In Villanova History NOVemBeR 22, 1894: Villanova college’s first football game, a 24-0 victory over the logan athletic association. NOVemBeR 13, 1895: Villanova’s first “intercolle- giate” football game, a 12-0 win over Hahneman college. OCTOBeR 8, 1927: SePTemBeR 28, 1928: sophomore football play- er leo J. Goodreau suffers severe injury during football practice. OCTOBeR 2, 1928: sophomore football player leo J. Goodreau dies as a result of injuries suf- fered during practice. may 7, 1930: Members of leo J. Goodreau’s class dedicate the playing field in Villanova stadium to his memory. JaNUaRy 1, 1937: Villanova and auburn play to a 7-7 tie in the first, and only, Bacardi Bowl in Havana, cuba. deCemBeR 6, 1947: the Kentucky wildcats beat the Villanova wildcats, 24-14, in the Great lakes Bowl in cleveland’s Municipal stadium. JaNUaRy 1, 1949: Villanova beats nevada, 27-7, in the Harbor Bowl in san Diego’s Balboa stadium. SePTemBeR 23, 1950: Pete D’alonzo carries the ball 23 times for 201 yards in a 39-28 sea- son-opening Villa nova victory against Duquesne. His yardage will stand as the sin- gle-game leader for 41 years. OCTOBeR 31, 1952: First night game at Villanova stadium, under portable lights. wildcats battle to a 20-20 tie against the Parris island Marines. NOVemBeR 4, 1961: Villanova beats west ches- ter, 40-13, in the first game ever televised from Villanova stadium. the game is carried live on Phil adelphia’s channel 3, then known as wrcV-tV. deCemBeR 30, 1961: the wildcats shock the wichita shockers in the sun Bowl, at Kidd Field in el Paso. the ‘cats collect a 17-9 victo- ry. it’s remembered as one of the greatest days in Villanova athletic history, for later that day the wildcat men’s basketball team won the Quaker city tournament in Phil adelphia. deCemBeR 15, 1962: the ‘cats lose to oregon state, 6-0, in the liberty Bowl at Philadelphia’s Municipal stadium, in their last bowl game appearance. later that day, the wildcat men’s basketball team loses to niagara at the Pales- tra, 73-61. rich richman plays in both games for the wildcats, as a quarterback at Municipal stadium, and off the bench as a forward at the Palestra. SePTemBeR 27, 1969: “one of the most dramat- ic comebacks in college football’s 101 years,” claimed Philadelphia Bulletin writer Frank Brady. the wildcats trailed at Delaware by 26 points three minutes into the final period, when quarterback Drew Gordon came in off the bench to hit 7-of-17 passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns. Villanova beat Dela- ware, 36-33. SePTemBeR 27, 1980: Villanova stadium is re-dedicated, after installation of astroturf, lights and a new track. at halftime of the Bos- ton college-Villanova contest, the track is ded- icated to legendary track coach James “Jumbo” elliott. the wildcats win the game, 20-9. aPRIL 14, 1981: Villanova’s board of trustees elects to discontinue football, citing economic reasons. deCemBeR 1, 1981: the committee to restore Football at Villanova hosts their first benefit, featuring Bob Hope at the academy of Music in Philadelphia. the night is nicknamed, “Hope for Football.” NOVemBeR 3, 1982: Villanova’s student govern- ment released results from a student survey, showing 96.07 percent of students responding want football back. deCemBeR 14, 1982: Villanova board of trustees agrees to review its position on football. deCemBeR 13, 1983: Villanova President John M. Driscoll, o.s.a. announces that the board of trustees has elected to restore football. may 29, 1984: the task of rebuilding Villanova Football is placed on the shoulders of andrew J. talley, the 30th football head coach in wild- cat history. OCTOBeR 10, 1984: Villanova announces it will be a member of the ncaa Division i-aa yan- kee conference. NOVemBeR 3, 1984: a sold-out Villanova stadi- um crowd of 13,400 is on hand for the first Vil- lanova University football Home coming game since 1980, a Blue-white scrimmage. com- prised of walk-ons who worked out for one month, the blue team beats the white, 23-7. SePTemBeR 2, 1985: Villanova beats iona, 27-7, and goes on to a 5-0-0 season back on the gridiron. NOVemBeR 19, 1987: a sold-out Villanova stadi- um is on hand for a nationally-televised esPn clash with Holy cross, the first night game at Villanova stadium since 1952. the ‘cats lose to Holy cross, 39-6. SePTemBeR 24, 1988: Villanova beats Boston University, 31-24, in a day of firsts. the game, played at Boston University’s nickerson Field, is Villanova’s first in the yankee confer- ence. it’s also Villanova’s first overtime game. tied 24-24 at the end of regulation, the wild- cats had possession of the ball first in over- time. on fourth and goal the ‘cats fake a field goal, as holder Bob Brady found tight end rich lage alone in the endzone for the score. Villanova’s defense then held the terriers in their possession, to win the game. OCTOBeR 7, 1989: it took 3 hours and 40 min- utes, but Villanova captured a 41-35 victory in six overtimes against connecticut at Villanova stadium. the game was won on Villanova’s fourth play of possession in the sixth extra frame, as freshman Jeff Johnson ran for three yards off left tackle for the game winning touchdown. NOVemBeR 25, 1989: Playing in the post-season for the first time in 27 years, Villanova loses to eventual national champion Georgia southern, 52-36, in the first round of the ncaa Division i-aa Playoffs. OCTOBeR 26, 1991: Pat Kennedy rushed for 249 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries against william & Mary, in a 35-21 Villanova vic- tory. it’s the second greatest game ever by a Villanova running back. NOVemBeR 30, 1991: Villanova loses to eventual national champion youngstown state, 17-16, in the first round of the ncaa Division i-aa Playoffs. NOVemBeR 28, 1992: Making it to the ncaa Division i-aa Playoffs for the third time in four years, the wildcats lose at youngstown state, 23-20. Mike Pettine was a running back on the 1961 Wildcat team that defeated Wichita in the Sun Bowl.Guiding Vision and Values into Exceptional Design Architecture l Interior Design www.blackneyhayes.com 215.829.09222023 VillanoVa Football Gameday Milestones in VillanoVa History www.VillanoVa.coM 57 milestones In Villanova History SePTemBeR 30, 1995: Head coach andy talley sets new Villanova standard for most all-time coaching victories on the Main line, earning his 66th win in a 28-3 drubbing of Buffalo. OCTOBeR 5, 1996: Villanova defeats connecticut 38-27 in storrs, conn. the win marked the 100th career victory for wildcat head coach andy talley. also in the game, junior wide receiver Brian Finneran tallies a school record 16 receptions. NOVemBeR 30, 1996: Villanova loses, 35-29, at east tennessee state in the first round of the ncaa i-aa playoffs. in the loss, junior running back curtis sifford becomes the first wildcat back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. JULy 1, 1997: Villanova becomes a member of the atlantic 10 conference who takes over the day-to-day operations of the yankee conference. OCTOBeR 4, 1997: senior wide receiver Brian Finneran becomes Villa nova’s all-time leading receiver for career receptions and career receiving yards versus JMU. in the win, Finner- an tallied eight receptions for 144 yards and four touchdowns. OCTOBeR 20, 1997: Villanova gains no. 1 nation- al ranking for the first time in school history. the ‘cats reached the top spot in both the sports network and esPn/sportsticker polls. NOVemBeR 22, 1997: the wildcats complete the first-ever undefeated, untied full season in school history with a 49-35 win over northeastern. NOVemBeR 29, 1997: Hosting the first-ever post season game at Villanova stadium, the wild- cats record their first ncaa i-aa playoff victo- ry with a 49-28 win over colgate. deCemBeR 1, 1997: Head coach andy talley and wide receiver Brian Finneran make national headlines, as talley earns the eddie robinson award as the top i-aa coach in the country and Finneran garners the walter Payton award, symbolizing the best player in i-aa. NOVemBeR 21, 1998: in a 27-15 win over rhode island, sophomore Brian westbrook became the first player in the history of college football at any level to rush for 1,000 yards and receive for 1,000 yards in the same season. OCTOBeR 30, 1999: Head coach andy talley records his 100th victory at Villanova with a 31-28 victory over the University of new Hampshire. NOVemBeR 24, 2001: running back Brian west- brook becomes the all-time leader in the histo- ry of college football at any level for career all-purpose yards with a 46-yard rush in the second quarter versus william & Mary in wil- liamsburg, Va. westbrook finished his illustri- ous Villanova career with 9,512 yards of all-pur- pose offense in 44 regular season games. deCemBeR 20, 2001: Brian westbrook wins the walter Payton award as the top player in ncaa i-aa football at a banquet in chatta- nooga, tenn. aPRIL 20, 2002: Brian westbrook becomes the first wildcat to be drafted by the nFl since Howie long in 1981 when he was selected in the third round by the Philadelphia eagles. aUGUST 31, 2002: in the season opener in Pisca- taway, n.J., Villanova defeats rutgers by a score of 37-19, giving the wildcats their first win over a Division i-a opponent since becom- ing a i-aa program in 1985. deCemBeR 7, 2002: Quarterback Brett Gordon completes 26-of-30 for 219 yards and two touchdowns as Villanova earns a 24-10 quar- terfinal win over Fordham and advances to the semifinal round of the ncaa i-aa Playoffs for the first time in school history. SePTemBeR 6, 2003: Villanova defeats temple, 23-20 in overtime, becoming the first Division i-aa school to defeat a i-a team from a Bcs conference in back-to-back seasons since the Bowl championship series was formed in 1998. the game was also the first regular sea- son football game of any kind to be played at lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. may 6, 2006: Villanova honors the history of wildcat football by hosting the Gridiron Gala. More than 300 people attended the on-cam- pus event including wildcat legends Howie long, Billy Joe, Brian Finneran and Brian westbrook. JULy 1, 2007: Villanova becomes a member of the colonial athletic association who takes over the day-to-day operations of the atlantic 10 conference. NOVemBeR 8, 2008: the wildcats defeat new Hampshire by a score of 24-13 making head coach andy talley the all-time winningest coach in caa history. deCemBeR 18, 2009: Villanova wins its first-ev- er national championship in football with a 23-21 victory over previously undefeated Mon- tana in a game played at Finley stadium in chattanooga, tenn. Junior Matt szczur led the wildcats with a career-high 159 yards rushing and 270 all-purpose yards en route to being named the game’s Most outstanding Player. aPRIL 29, 2011: wildcat offensive tackle Ben ijalana is selected by the indianapolis colts in the second round of the nFl Draft with the 49th overall pick. deCemBeR 17, 2012: redshirt freshman quarter- back John robertson wins the Jerry rice award at a banquet held in Philadelphia. the rice award is given to the top freshman in Fcs Football. SePTemBeR 28, 2013: wildcat head coach andy talley records his 200th win at Villanova with a 35-6 victory over the visiting Penn Quakers. talley becomes the 37th coach in all divisions of college football to win 200 games at one school, and just the eighth active head coach with that distinction. deCemBeR 15, 2014: at a banquet at the sher- aton society Hill in Philadelphia, junior quar- terback John robertson wins the walter Pay- ton award which is given to the top player in Fcs Football. robertson becomes the third Villanova player to win the Payton award, with all three winners playing different positions. wide receiver Brian Finneran won the award in 1997 and running back Brian westbrook earned the honor in 2001. Villanova is now the only school to have three walter Payton award winners. OCTOBeR 21, 2016: Villanova University dedi- cates the andrew J. talley athletic center with a ribbon cutting ceremony. the talley center will be home to the wildcats football program and contains several amenities that will bene- fit every student-athlete on campus. deCemBeR 3, 2016: SePTemBeR 2, 2017: 2021 SPRING SeaSON: Due to the coViD-19 global pandemic, the 2020 fall football season was cancelled and moved to the spring where Villanova played four caa games in March and april in an abbreviated season. Brian White was a starting wide receiver on the 2002 Villanova team that defeated Fordham on December 7, 2002 to advance to the semifinals for the first time in program history.58 www.villanova.com RetiRed JeRseys 2023 VillanoVa Football Gameday 1994 INDUCTION CLASS the first group of honorees to the villanova wall of Fame was an impressive one, and shows the history and tradition of 100 years of outstanding football student-athletes on the main line. Lou Ferry (1945-48 Player; 1960-2003 Coach) • all-east and all-america honoree • Played for seven seasons in the nFl • villanova head coach from 1970-74 Dominic Liotta (1949-51) • Played offensive guard; co-captain in 1951 • earned mention on six different all-america teams • appeared on the “ed sullivan show” Ed Michaels (1933-35) • villanova’s first-ever all-american in 1935 • Played in the nFl and canadian Football league • villanova assistant coach from 1951 to 1961 Mike Siani (1969-71) • Ranks near top of every villanova receiving record • owns record for receiving yards in a single season • nFl player with oakland Raiders, Baltimore colts John Wysocki (1936-38) • consensus all-american two straight years • Played 1937 Bacardi Bowl, first villanova bowl • Had three career touchdowns on blocked kicks 1995 INDUCTION CLASS in 1995 the wildcats continued a new tradition by inducting three more players onto the wall of Fame. this year’s induction class included nFl Hall of Fame inductee Howie long. Howie Long (1977-80) • mvP of Blue-Gray all-star classic as a senior • Registered 313 tackles during his wildcat career • 10-time Pro Bowl selection during nFl career • nFl Hall of Fame Jordan Olivar (1935, 1937 Player; 1943-48 Coach) • co-captain and co-mvP of undefeated 1937 team • Head coach at villanova from 1943-48 • compiled 33-20-1 (.620) record as a head coach John Sandusky (1946-49) • Regarded as one of quickest big men in the nation • Garnered all-america honors in 1949 • Player and coach in the nFl Retired Jerseys Lou Ferry was part of the inaugural induction class to the Wall of Fame in Villanova Stadium. at halftime of the University of delaware game in 1994, villanova University began a “wall of Fame” by retiring the jerseys of five former wildcat Football greats in a special ceremony to honor their outstanding careers. the retired jerseys are permanently recognized on the wall of the swimming center next to the scoreboard in the west end of villanova stadium in the form of football-shaped plaques, bearing each recipient’s name and number. Below are profiles of each of the individuals who are honored on the wall of Fame. WALL OF FAME HONOREES BY YEAR 1994 . . . . . . . . . lou Ferry, dominic liotta, ed michaels, mike siani, John wysocki 1995 . . . . . Howie long, Jordan olivar, John sandusky 1997 . . . . . . . . . . al atkinson, eugene Filipski, Billy Joe 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Berardelli, curtis eller 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bryan Russo, sam Gruneisen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bob Brady, charlie Johnson 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John mellus, Harry stuhldreher 2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Finneran, John Babinecz 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian westbrook Howie Long, Jordan Olivar and John Sandusky represent the second induction class.Next >