Well the 2001 Football Campaign is upon us. This year's team starts out with great excitement and great uncertainty. The excitement revolves around Brian Westbrook, who in addition to owning just about every Villanova Football record, has an excellent shot of owning all-time I-AA records, not to mention an opportunity to break some all-collegiate football records. We all know Brian's prowess, and know what he is capable of doing. The questions, though, are will the team be able to support Brian with an improved defense and will the quarterback emerge from injury to get the ball in Brian's and the other offensive weapons' hands.

Either way, I have not been this excited about a Villanova football season in quite some time. Hofstra has been added to the schedule, Delaware will be the season ending game (again), and Homecoming will be played in late October in what looks to be an AMAZING weekend for all Villanova Sports Fans (football, basketball scrimmage, basketball banquet, etc.) For the first time in what seems like a decade there is some continuity in defensive coordinators, as Joe Trainer enters his fifth year on Talley's staff, second as defenisive coordinator.

Brian Westbrook is not the only returning star on the offense. Winding out the skilled positions are junior QB Drew Gordon, senior WR Murle Sango, junior FB Cameron Cross, and junior WR Brian White. All of these players have had excellent careers as Wildcats. Murle Sango will likely leave Villanova in second place on the all-time reception list at Villanova. Overall the 'cats are returning 8 starters from last year's excellent offensive squad. Unfortunately, one of the lost players is Stan Bennet a four year 46-game starter for the 'Cats! Stan is currently in the Chicago Bears training camp.

The offensive line is not without experience, however. Sean McCarthy started last season as a sophomore and will join seniors Eamon Allen and Robert Richardson as the offensive line anchors. Matt Chila will hope to have a sophomore season that duplicates his freshman season where he started in all 11 games as an oustanding blocking Tight End.

What is most intriguing about the offense appears to be the players that will be backing up in the backfield. By all accounts, true freshman Terry Butler (out of Syracuse) and Phil Digiacomo (CB West Grad) are making runs at being back ups to Brian Westbrook and Cameron Cross. Hopefully these two young 'cats will give us a glimpse of the future. All in all, I would expect an improved offense, as long as the team can rebound from Stan's loss.

While the defense has lost 6 starters, all is not lost. Willie Lewis is returning after being redshirted with a broken collar bone in game two. Joining Willie up front will be All A-10 selection (not to mention occasional poster) Kwesi Solomon. The 'Cats will have to replace Kristian Ward and Darren Lenz as Defensive ends but there are a number of sophomores and juniors that have tasted experience in the past. Hopefully one or two will step up on the defensive line.

Unlike the defensive line, the defense returns all three starting linebackers in Jr's Jason McMillon, Jamison Young, and crowd favorite senior Joe Keating. According to the preview on Villanova.com, though, there is not much experience backing up these linebackers. Perhaps a freshman or two might provide the necessary depth?

The secondary was decimated by graduation as only one starter returns, but the play of Clarence Curry and Aaron Smith gives us hope that this position might be improved this year. Each has a chance to start at CB. Clarence saw time last season as a True Freshman and Aaron has rocket like speed. I believe the team's ultimate success rests in the defensive backfield. These guys are the last line in defense of what has been Villanova's achillies hill in the past few years - the big play!

Tonight's game is versus the Raiders of Colgate University. Most Villanova fans will recall Villanova's last game versus Colgate - a first round victory in the 1997 I-AA playoffs. It was a great chance to see the Brians (Finneran and Westbrook) play together. It capped off what many consider to be Villanova's most successful season on the gridiron.

Colgate over the past few years has led the pack in the non-scholarship Patriot League with Lehigh. While their players do not receive Athletic Scholarships, Villanova fans should not think they will be beat-up on. The Patriot League has shown over the past few years that it belongs in the elite leagues of I-AA. Using grants-in-aid (similar to the Ivy League), there is not much drop off in talent between the A-10 and Pat League - at least with Colgate and Lehigh.

Unlike the past years, Villanova is not opening the season against a I-A team. But unlike years that opened with games against West Chester, the Colgate game is no guaranteed victory. The team returns 38 letterman and has made the I-AA playoffs in 3 out of the last 4 years. Some of their players will remember losing at Villanova in 1997. Most scary for 'Cat fans is the return of their QB Tom McCune who was lost for the second half of the season last season. McCune and his receiving corp will likely test our young defensive backfield immediately.

I believe that the 'Cats will prevail based on their tremendous offensive power. Colgate will score some points as the defense is still young, but hopefully this game will begin to provide the defense the necessary experience to battle the other conference powers in Hofstra and Delaware.