Villanova, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Villanova is scheduled to wrap up its spring football practices on Friday - the culmination of 15 sessions that will help shape the Wildcats for the 2015 season.
Unlike many FCS programs, Villanova hasn't conducted a spring game since 2002. But veteran coach Andy Talley has a good understanding of the driving forces on his team.
Villanova will return 14 starters and 32 letterwinners from last year's 11-3 squad, which was the CAA runner-up, reached the FCS national quarterfinals and finished with a No. 7 final ranking in The Sports Network FCS Top 25.
Senior quarterback John Robertson won the 2014 Walter Payton Award as the outstanding player in the FCS. He also was named the CAA Offensive Player of the Year, accounting for 46 total touchdowns (35 passing, 11 rushing)
First-team All-CAA linebacker Don Cherry was the runner-up for the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in the FCS. He returns as a senior.
Villanova also brings back two third-team All-CAA honorees in senior running back Gary Underwood and junior cornerback Jason Ceneus.
The Wildcats will open Talley's 31st season with the program on Sept. 3 at Connecticut.