The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Villanova No. 8 in Hero Sports preseason poll
The start of the college football season may be up in the air due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the most serious health issue in a century can’t stop the preseason polls from coming out.
Hero Sports released its preseason FCS top 25 Wednesday and Villanova is in the top 10 at No. 8. The Wildcats are one of five CAA teams ranked in the poll. James Madison is fifth, followed by Villanova, Delaware (No. 15), New Hampshire (No. 17) and Albany (No. 24). The Wildcats are scheduled to play James Madison, Delaware and Maine this season
Villanova returns 10 starters on offense and eight on defense from a team that went 9-4 and reached the FCS playoffs, where it dropped a 45-44 decision to Southeastern Louisiana in the first round of the tournament. The Wildcats finished the season ranked No. 17 in the final poll.
The Wildcats have their leading passer, rusher receiver and tackler back from a year ago. Senior quarterback Dan Smith led the FCS in points responsible for at 288). He completed 236 of 396 passes for 3,274 yards and 35 touchdowns. That was the third-most passing
Quarterback Daniel Smith is one of 10offensive starters returning for Villanova. The Wildcats are ranked No. 8 in the Hero Sports preseason top 25.
yards and tied for the third most touchdown passes in a season. Smith also ran for 457 yards and 12 scores and was a third-team All-CAA selection.
Senior Justin Covington led Villanova in rushing even though he only played in six games due to a knee injury. Covington carried the ball 90 times for 727 yards and three TDs. He was leading the FCS in rushing at the time of his injury. He also was a third-team allleague pick.
Receiver Changa Hodge had a breakout year as a junior. He led the Wildcats in receptions (65), receiving yards (1,118, fifth best in program history) and receiving touchdowns (13, fourth all-time) and was a third-team All-CAA selection.
Senior linebacker Forrest Rhyne earned firstteam All-CAA honors and topped the Wildcats in tackles (116) and was second in tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (six). Senior defensive back Jaquan Amos, a thirdteam all-league choice, had a team-high four picks.
In all, Villanova had nine players who are expected back earn All-CAA honors last season. Offensive lineman Paul Grattan and punter Nathan Fondacaro were named to the first team. Offensive lineman Colin Gamroth and defensive lineman Malik Fisher earned third-team honors.
The Wildcats are slated to open the season at home Sept. 3 against Lehigh. The time of that game has not been announced.