Villanova, Penn go hunting for a win

Some call it the Schuylkill Showdown.

This year, Villanova will bring its home game against Penn on Saturday night to the Quakers' Franklin Field. Both squads are thirsty for victory, as the Quakers bring an 0-1 record into the contest and 'Nova is winless after three outings.

The Wildcats have come out on top in each of the last 10 meetings.

"The Penn game for us is at the very wrong time," said 'Nova coach Andy Talley, whose team dropped its home opener last week to Monmouth by 20-9.

No doubt, Talley had the last two meetings with Penn in mind.

Last year, before a crowd of 8,117 at Villanova, Penn threatened to knock the Wildcats from their perch atop the Football Championship Subdivision rankings. The Quakers were holding their own with a 10-9 edge entering the last five minutes. But 'Nova scored 13 unanswered points to take the victory going away.

In 2009, when 'Nova won the national championship, Penn took the Wildcats into overtime before losing, 20-14, at home.

"We've played our tails off, but we have to be able to do more than that," said Penn coach Al Bagnoli. "We've been close, but we couldn't finish the deal."

Both Penn and Villanova entered this season with heavy losses from last year's rosters, when the Quakers won their second straight Ivy League crown and the Wildcats reached the FCS semifinals.

So far this fall, Villanova has been able to mount little offense with inexperienced quarterbacks trying to learn as they go. In its season-opening, 37-12 loss to visiting Lehigh, Penn received uneven play from all-Ivy League quarterback Billy Ragone while thwarting itself with turnovers, penalties, and a blocked punt.

Talley, whose original starter at quarterback, redshirt freshman Dustin Thomas, is sidelined by a separated shoulder, will plug redshirt senior Christian Culicerto into the lineup this week for the first start of his career. Culicerto had seen scant playing time before this season, but was tabbed after freshman Chris Polony showed he wasn't quite ready in the game against Lafayette.

Both quarterbacks are expected to play against Penn. For the season, 'Nova is 45-for-90 passing for 527 yards with five interceptions and only one touchdown pass. In the running game, the Wildcats are averaging 4.0 yards a carry.

"We've not had success running the ball against Penn, and we have to run the ball because our passing game is struggling," said Talley, whose offense failed on third and fourth down to punch the ball in from the 1 against Monmouth. "We have our work cut out for us."

Penn, which was first in the nation in rush defense last year, gave up 105 yards on the ground to Lafayette last week.

"Villanova is the speediest team we're going to see and the most athletic team we're going to see," Bagnoli said. "We have to bring some emotion back and some physicality back."

Notes. According to an official at Villanova, a contract was negotiated several years ago that stipulated Villanova and Penn were to play two of every three games against each other at Franklin Field. This is the last year of the agreement.

When: Saturday at 7 p.m., Franklin Field.

Radio: WNTP-AM (990); ESPN-AM (950).

Records: Penn, 0-1; Villanova, 0-3.

Coaches: Penn, Al Bagnoli (20th season, 131-58); Villanova, Andy Talley (27th season, 188-110-1).

Series: The Wildcats lead, 10-5, and haven't lost to Penn since 1911. Bagnoli is 0-9 against 'Nova.

WHAT TO WATCH

Penn: Can the Quakers rid themselves of the numerous miscues they had against Lafayette that led to a 37-12 defeat and their worst season-opening loss in 31 years?

Villanova: In his first career start, can redshirt senior Christian Culicerto be the answer at quarterback after waiting four years for a chance? He showed he was worthy of a look after going 11-for-24 passing for 183 yards against Monmouth, with 34 yards rushing on 12 carries.

Penn: The Quakers need QB Billy Ragone to return to the form that earned him first-team all-Ivy League honors last fall. He was pulled in the third quarter against Lafayette after going 8-for-23 passing with two interceptions.

Villanova: The Wildcats were shut out in the first half in each of their previous outings. With an offense that has yet to establish anything, 'Nova's coming from behind would be a chore.

Penn: The Quakers can win by taking the lead early and turning to their running game, which picked up 185 yards and 4.4 yards per carry last week. Villanova has allowed 603 yards on the ground in three games, opponents have leaned on their running game after shutting out the Wildcats in the first half of each game.

Villanova: Troubling trend - the Wildcats threw three interceptions and had a fumble against Temple. They lost three fumbles against Towson, and had two interceptions, and one lost fumble against Monmouth.

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW

Penn: The Quakers won the first five games of their series with 'Nova, but that was between 1905 and 1911. They haven't won since the series resumed in 1980.

Villanova: The Wildcats may have a comer in freshman safety Joe Sarnese, who had eight solo tackles (10 total) vs. Monmouth. It was the Holy Spirit High grad's first career start.

Penn: All five of Lafayette's scoring drives last week took less than two minutes. The 2010 title team permitted only six of those quick scores all last season.

Villanova: In its last seven wins over Penn, the Wildcats' average margin of victory was just nine points.

Penn: No program in college history has played more games than the Quakers. The game against 'Nova will be Penn's 1,315th, and no other team has more 1,300.

Villanova: Last week vs. Monmouth, 16 first-year players saw playing time (11 starters), including 10 true freshmen and six redshirt freshmen.

- Kevin Tatum

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