Villanova fails to upset James Madison in Talley's likely final home game

Share

VILLANOVA, Pa. — After 31 seasons running the Villanova football program, Andy Talley announced last January that his 32nd season would be his last. 

With no more home games scheduled this season and the possibility of Villanova hosting a playoff game slim, Talley likely coached his last game at Villanova Stadium on Saturday when the No. 9 Wildcats fell to No. 6 James Madison, 20-7 (see Instant Replay).

Villanova’s communications team thought the moment was important, putting Talley on the front cover of the media book on Saturday. For Talley, it was like any other one of the many games he’s coached in his career.

“I didn’t have a lot of emotion regarding my last appearance here,” Talley said. “Maybe I should, but I think most football coaches have real tunnel vision with regards to what’s available and what’s left.”

“I’ll be around next year,” Talley added. “It’s not like I’m leaving. I sort of had mixed emotions about it because I was so focused on trying to pull this upset off and get this done and be a 9-2 team and go to the playoffs.”

Talley thought his defense needed to hold James Madison to 20 points on Saturday for the Wildcats to pull off the upset. 

Heading into the game, James Madison was averaging more than 49 points per game, which ranked second in the FCS. They were also giving up more than 26 points per game.

Talley got what he wanted out of his defense, but the offense did not fulfill its role. 

James Madison stopped the run and forced the Wildcats to throw the ball. After a 56-yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Zach Bednarczyk with 11:52 left in the first half, the Wildcats were held scoreless for the rest of the game. Bednarczyk threw for just 71 yards and tossed four interceptions.

“It was very frustrating,” said sophomore running back Aaron Forbes, who finished with 65 yards rushing. “Their defense is very athletic, very good. They run to the ball very well, so we just had to keep tapping at the rock. We tried, but they just happened to come out on top today.”

The Wildcats were playing for more than a win in their coach’s last home game on Saturday. There was a conference championship on the line. 

James Madison came into the game undefeated in Colonial Athletic Association play. The Wildcats had a chance to even things up at the top of the league standings with a win. Instead, the Dukes sat with the CAA trophy at the podium during their postgame press conference.

Next week, Villanova travels to Delaware where it hopes to keep its playoff hopes alive.

“I told the team after we got in the huddle, ‘We gotta focus on next week. This week’s out the window,’” senior linebacker Austin Calitro said. “Our goal coming into the season was to win the CAA and make the playoffs and unfortunately we didn’t get our first goal, but our second goal is still very attainable.”

After the game, Talley told James Madison coach Mike Houston he hoped to see the Dukes in the playoffs. That’s not something the first-year James Madison head coach wants to happen.

He knows a Talley-coached team is a dangerous one.

“Certainly all of us in the league and around the country have tremendous respect for what he’s done for 32 years here at Villanova,” Houston said. “I can only hope to have that kind of career. He’s certainly an example for everyone, not just with his success on the field, but also the way he’s run a program for such a long period of time.” 

Contact Us