Oct. 30, 2007

VILLANOVA, Pa. - For the first time since late in the 2004 season, the Villanova football team has cracked the national top 25 rankings. For the week of October 29, the Wildcats are ranked No. 23 in the Sports Network Top 25 poll and No. 25 in the FCS Coaches' Poll. This week marks the first time the team has been nationally ranked since Villanova was No. 19 in the Sports Network Poll on November 1, 2004.

The Wildcats are currently 5-3 on the season and 3-2 in the Colonial Athletic Association. Villanova is coming off a 35-31 victory over then-No. 15 Hofstra at home this past Saturday. In that game, the Wildcats received two defensive touchdowns and one from the special teams unit to defeat a ranked team for the first time all season.

Villanova has played consistent football all season long and gained some recognition around the CAA in a narrow 32-24 loss in four overtimes to then-No. 4 Massachusetts on October 13 in Amherst. The Wildcats are one of the top defensive teams in the entire nation, ranking seventh in the country in turnover margin (+13) and tied for seventh in passes intercepted (15).

Entering play this weekend, Villanova is currently one game off the lead in the South Division of the CAA. Delaware, James Madison and Richmond are all tied for the division lead with a league record of 4-1, while the Wildcats are just behind at 3-2.

Remaining games against Richmond and Delaware among its final three regular season contests loom large for Villanova down the stretch. The Wildcats visit No. 11 Richmond this Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. contest that will be televised live on CN8. Last season, the Spiders were ranked No. 15 when they came into Villanova Stadium and were defeated by a 31-21 score.

In this week's Sports Network Top 25 poll, Villanova is one of seven CAA teams to be nationally ranked. The others are Massachusetts (#3), Delaware (#7), New Hampshire (#8), Richmond (#11), James Madison (12) and Hofstra (#20).