'Nova runs right to playoffs

NEWARK, Del. - Forget the sophisticated passing game and the finesse that have marked some of Villanova's more successful teams during the 24-year Andy Talley era.

The 2008 Wildcats are headed to the Football Championship Series (Division I-AA) playoffs and telling their opponent: Hey, we're going to run the football, and we dare you to stop us.

The Wildcats ran yesterday for a season-high 317 yards. Tailback Aaron Ball and quarterback Chris Whitney each ground out more than 100, and Villanova methodically rolled to a 21-7 victory over Delaware on a bone-chilling day at Delaware Stadium.

Villanova, which tonight will find out the opponent and venue for its first playoff game since 2002, finished the regular season 9-2 (7-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association), its fewest losses since 1997. The Blue Hens, the FCS runner-up last season, wound up 4-8 (2-6 CAA) and set a school record for defeats.

Ball rushed 20 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns, one on a 51-yard dash in the second quarter. Whitney picked up 102 yards in 23 carries with one score.

Wide receiver Matt Szczur, running 13 times from what is called - fittingly, in this case - the Wildcat formation, added 96 yards.

Talley said the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Whitney sets the tempo for the Wildcats' rushing mentality.

"It's something our offensive line grooves to, because quarterbacks are usually pretty boys," he said. "When you see your quarterback pushing like that, you want to block for him. That's an intangible that our offense has right now.

"We used to be pretty much a finesse offense. I still like to think that we have the ability to finesse and do some of those things, but it seems like when we get in a tough situation, the toughness is what pulls us through."

Three times yesterday, Whitney faced third down with 9 or more yards to go and rushed for a first down.

"I just refuse to go down," the sophomore from St. Joseph's Prep said. "I know where I've got to go for the first down. I have to figure out how to use my strength and get to the sticks."

Two plays after his defense stopped Delaware on fourth and 1 from the 'Nova 40, Ball found a hole over left tackle and broke it. He had gained 2 yards on his previous eight carries.

"My coaches kept telling me, 'Be patient; the run is going to come,' " Ball said.

The Blue Hens had only three first downs and 70 yards through three quarters. They avoided a shutout in the fourth quarter on Robby Schoenhoft's 34-yard pass to Martwain Johnston.

"The strength of that offense is their offensive line," Delaware coach K.C. Keeler said. "They have not typically been a smash-mouth team. They're still finesse, but they're not afraid to run the football at you with that offensive line."