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Arriving at Villanova Stadium's turf at 8:15am yesterday, the Villanova football team opened it's 2014 Spring practice season with a two-hour session -- the first of fifteen that the school is allowed to run before summer. The program returns 15 starters and 33 letterwinners from last season's team, that finished a disappointing 6-5 overall and 4-4 in the CAA Conference.
"We are excited to get the spring season started. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and we will have good practice conditions throughout the 15 workouts," said head coach Andy Talley said in a statement.
Star quarterback John Robertson highlights the returning players on offense, after collecting 3,362 total yards in 2013; 1,957 yards passing and another 1,405 on the ground. The Wildcat's signal caller was a second team All-CAA selection last season, one of five All-CAA picks returning. Running back Kevin Monangai, and center Ross Hall were also all-league honorees this fall who will return a veteran presence to the offense.
Don Cherry, a rising-Junior linebacker, headlines the defensive returnees. Also a second-team All-CAA honoree, Cherry led the Wildcats' defense with 99 tackles. He was joined on the all-conference teams by returning safety Cameron McCurry.
"I have been very pleased with the effort we have seen from this group throughout the winter conditioning phase of the schedule," Talley added. "It is now time for us to see how we look on the football field. My goal is for us to have an outstanding spring season and take that momentum into training camp in August."
Spring practices run through April 12 and are scheduled for every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning around 8:15 am. They are usually open to the public, but fans are encouraged to contact the football office for more information.
After the Spring program concludes, players will be able to work out with the Strength and Conditioning coaches through the remainder of the offseason, or will work out independently. The Wildcats' 2014 season opens on Saturday August 30th at the Carrier Dome, against new ACC member, Syracuse.