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Happy Monday Nova Nation! Villanova football won its season opener against Colgate this weekend in impressive fashion. In fact, impressive is a great way to describe head coach Mark Ferrante’s record on opening day with the Wildcats. In three seasons, Ferrante is a perfect 3-0 in the first game of the year. The last two seasons went sideways with key injuries to star players on both sides of the ball, but Ferrante’s record shows that he’s great at motivating his team to start strong. If they can stay healthy, that’s something he can build on.
What makes these three season opening wins even more impressive, is the drought that came before them. Under former head coach Andy Talley, Villanova had lost its previous seven season openers. Many of these losses were to FBS schools on the road, games in which Villanova was a major underdog. But Ferrante even passed that test last year when he led the Wildcats to a victory at Temple to open the 2018 season.
Villanova’s next two games are vs Lehigh and at Bucknell. If the Wildcats can come up with two more victories, it’ll be the first time the team started 3-0 since 2009. You know, the year they won the National Championship. I’m not saying that we should expect that level of success this season, but Ferrante has certainly shown that he’s got the program pointed in the right direction. Be sure to see the Wildcats for yourself in two weeks when Villanova holds its home opener against Lehigh.
In other “news”, Kyle Lowry brought the NBA Championship and good will to North Philly, Donte DiVincenzo is set for a great second season, and Villanova Women’s Soccer remains undefeated this season. Enjoy!
Villanova Basketball
College Basketball 2019-2020 Preseason Top 25 | NBC Sports
NBC says it's "The only top 25 you need to read."
Dick Vitale's preseason Sweet 16 | ESPN
As the 2019-20 season draws closer, Dick Vitale has identified his top 16 teams in the country.
NBA Wildcats
Kyle Lowry brings the NBA championship trophy to North Philly | Inquirer.com
A sweet trip down memory lane. But a 10-year-old reminded what the stop was intended to be. Coming back, still worthwhile.
USA Basketball: Final roster set after Kuzma ruled out with injury | SI.com
USA Basketball has finalized the team's 12-man World Cup roster.
Lowry gives back to community during visit with Larry O'Brien Trophy | Yahoo! Sports
Kyle Lowry wanted to give those who showed up to see the NBA championship trophy a special experience and the tools to succeed in the classroom.
Salesianum's Donte DiVincenzo anticipates bounce-back season with Milwaukee Bucks | The Dialog
Donte DiVincenzo was the most outstanding player in an NCAA basketball championship game and the 17th overall pick in the 2018 National Basketball Association draft. But the Newark native and Salesianum School graduate put his pro career aside for a week in mid-August to pass along some of his knowledge to a large group of boys and girls at his first camp.
Villanova Football
Second Quarter Burst Leads Wildcats Past Colgate, 34-14, in Season Opener | Villanova University Athletics
Junior quarterback Daniel Smith (Leesburg, Va.) threw for 205 yards and three touchdowns in his Wildcats debut.
Villanova, Smith handle Colgate to open college football's 150th season | Yahoo! Sports
Now the Wildcats seek to build off the momentum of a 34-14 victory at No. 13 Colgate Saturday in Hamilton, New York - the first game of college football's 150th anniversary season. Daniel Smith, a grad transfer from Campbell, led the way with four total touchdowns, throwing for three in the second
VIDEO: Villanova's Jalen Jackson Scores 1st Touchdown of the 2019 College Football Season | 12up
Villanova Wildcat Jalen Jackson scored the first touchdown of the 2019 college football season.
Top Videos: Highlights: Colgate at Villanova | CBSSports.com
Watch CBSSports.com Video Online
Villanova Women’s Soccer
Wildcats Draw 1-1 Against Saint Joseph’s | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova, Pa.- Despite a surge of late game pressure and a Kristin Barbour goal to even the game, the Villanova Wildcats couldn't find the game-winner as they posted
Wildcats and Hawks Battle to a Draw in Women’s Soccer | Philly College Sports
Both teams were coming off opening game shutout victories. Villanova upset #24 LSU 1 – 0 while Saint Joseph’s defeated city rival Drexel in their match by the same score. Last season the Wildcats started the year by posting road wins over both teams. This season Nova and Saint Joe’s battled to a 1 – 1 double overtime tie at the Higgins Soccer Complex in an expected close game.