September 22, 2009

TwoDecks
VUSports.com Publisher

VUSports.com: While Penn's defense was tremendous, your's was not too shabby. Your team held the Quakers to just 3 points and created some critical turnovers. What was the key to the defense yesterday?
Coach Talley:We played very physical and that was the difference. The speed was also a factor, our D was faster that their offense.

VUSports.com: Talk about how fortunate it is to have two upperclassmen quarterbacks, with experience, that you can play when one is hurt or struggling? Also, are situations like the Penn game the reason why you always try to get Antwon a series or two in the first half of games?
Coach Talley: Exactly! Chris Whitney was hit hard early in the head area and I think perhaps he was off timing wise. Antwon is a great back-up QB because he can turn things around quickly and give the team some spark, which he did Saturday night. Also, he is a great change up for the defense and he takes hits away from Whitney.

VUSports.com: On the QB front, why did you make the change when you did? And then once it worked, why did you go back to Whitney?
Coach Talley: We usually play Antwon in the first half, but I wanted to give Chris a chance to work things out since we only had the ball in the first quarter for 8 plays. So Young was inserted in the second half and he changed the game around, so I kept him in for a second series. I felt comfortable when we were up 14 to 3, so I put Chris back to manage the game and see if we could get him some rhythm back. We have 2 good ones and it does give you some flexibility.

VUSports.com: When you look at Penn, they're a "non-scholarship" school and Villanova is one of the top teams in I-AA, yet every season this game comes down to a battle in the fourth quarter. What makes the Quakers so tough for you?
Coach Talley: Our schedule in the league is on our minds no matter what you say. For Penn it is the game of the year, for us it is a tough game against a team that is pointing for us all year. We can't do that because we play the best, week in and week out. The city rivalry kicks in as well and I guess as much as we love the game the national scope of the CAA just presents the same deal that maybe the Big five does with the Big East.

VUSports.com: Any update on the injury front?
Coach Talley: All is well, we probably will be without Chidozie Ekweozor our starting offensive tackle. We moved John Bugli from guard to tackle and played true frosh Dan Shirey at guard. Dan held his own vs. Penn and should be a good one.

VUSports.com: You have Northeastern next weekend at Villanova to open up conference football. The Huskies are struggling mightily this season, but no team in the CAA can be taken lightly. What should we expect on Saturday?
Coach Talley: Northeastern has been to war with BC, Maine and Youngstown. They are ready for us and they are always a big physical football team with a lot of talent. We need to be ready for this and show that we have a solid offense that can run and pass. This is an important game for us since it is the league opener, on TV and it is a sell out. We will be ready.

VUSports.com: Congrats again and good luck next week