In last game, 'Nova wants progress
The Wildcats' season of disappointment will finish at the Union's PPL Park in Chester.
Now it's simply an interesting gimmick: a football game played at a soccer stadium. But five months ago, something bigger seemed to be at work.
Big East Conference officials probably won't be glued to the TV for Saturday's game between Villanova and Delaware. It won't matter much whether the Wildcats' football program can fill the 18,500 seats at PPL Park in Chester.
Expansion rumors no longer swirl around the Wildcats as they did in June when the game was shifted from Villanova Stadium to PPL Park, a possible home site if the Wildcats jumped to the Big East.
The Wildcats (2-8, 1-6 CAA) will host Delaware on Saturday in the season finale at 3:30. It's the first football game at the home of Major League Soccer's Union.
Instead of proving their worthiness in the ever-changing expansion game, the Wildcats will try to continue their recent progress while ending their season of dire frustration on a high note.
"The experience that we gained this year is invaluable. I call it baptism by fire," coach Andy Talley said. "We'll have a much-more experienced football team next season."
The Blue Hens (6-4, 4-3) will prove a formidable test for the youthful Wildcats, who start 21 underclassmen.
Ranked No. 15 in the Sports Network top-25 poll, Delaware features a balanced offense with slashing tailback Andrew Pierce and junior quarterback Tim Donnelly.
The Wildcats, who are coming off a bye week, pulled off a stunning, 35-17 win at Massachusetts on Nov. 5. The Minutemen are bound for the Football Bowl Subdivision postseason and were winners of three of their last four games entering the matchup with Villanova.
Talley said he's found a quarterback with freshman Chris Polony, who has thrown for three touchdowns in two consecutive games.
"It's important to have a guy who we can believe in," Talley said.
The struggling Wildcats defense has shown signs of growth. It forced five turnovers in the upset at UMass.
"The game was going by a little too fast for the young guys on defense," Talley said. "Now we're starting to settle down, we know where the ball is, have an idea of what's going on. Hopefully, we can continue to grow."
Talley was especially proud of the play of his linebackers, including freshman Dillon Lucas, who leads the Wildcats and all conference freshmen with 85 tackles.