Villanova hosts Penn in its final non-conference tune-up of the season, while the Quakers aim to snap a century-long losing streak against the Wildcats (see preview). Here's a closer look:
Penn at No. 19 Villanova
Villanova Stadium
Saturday, 5 p.m.
Scouting Penn
The Quakers (1-0) opened up their 2013 campaign with a 27-21 win last week over Patriot League foe Lafayette. Billy Ragone threw for 218 yards and two TDs and an interception on 21-for-28 passing in his first game back since breaking his ankle late last season. Brandon Colavita added 58 yards on 15 rushing attempts, and four receivers pulled in five catches apiece.
Ragone and Colavita, both fifth-year seniors, have had a great deal of experience against Villanova. Ragone hasn't fared well. In four games, he's passed for 437 yards, one TD and four picks -- three of which were returned for second-half scores.
Scouting 'Nova
The Wildcats (1-2) opened the season with two very tough road contests, falling to Boston College and Fordham. They rebounded with a 35-6 win over Stony Brook last week. John Robertson threw for 140 yards and a score and ran for 119 more and another score. The multi-dimensional QB leads Villanova in rushing, with 241 yards and three TDs. He's also thrown for 462 yards, two TDs and two picks.
Poppy Livers is Robertson's favorite target, with 13 grabs for 163 yards. When Robertson hands the ball off, the carries are split between La Salle high school product Jamal Abdur-Rahman (21 carries, 154 yards) and Kevin Monangai (27-128).
History
There's plenty of it in this matchup. It's the 18th overall meeting in a recently renewed rivalry that dates back to 1905. But after Penn won the first five meetings by a combined score of 113-12, the schools didn't meet against until 1980.
The Wildcats have since won all 12 contests, which have been played annually since 2004. But the Quakers have come close -- four of their nine losses have been by one possession.
What's at stake?
A win for Penn would be its first over Villanova since 1911 and first ever at Villanova Stadium. It would also mark the first 2-0 start for the Quakers since 2003 and be head coach Al Bagnoli's first win over the Wildcats, against whom his teams are 0-11.
For Villanova, a victory would be No. 200 for Andy Talley as head coach of the Wildcats. It would also extend their dominance over Penn to 13 straight games and serve as an important non-conference win for a potential playoff bid after they dropped their first two of the year. A loss would likely drop 'Nova out of the FCS Top 25.