Villanova Football Solidifies Top Ten Spot; Hartzell Earns Weekly Honor

Villanova Football tightened their grip on a top ten spot in the FCS in the polls released on Monday, Nov. 17, moving up one spot to No. 9 in the Stats Perform Poll and holding steady at No. 7 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.

Villanova (8-2, 7-1 CAA) linebacker Shane Hartzell earned Defensive Player of the Week honors from the CAA after racking up 10 tackles (eight solo), 2.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks, helping to kill a pair of drives during the Wildcats’ 30-27 overtime win over Stony Brook on Saturday, Nov. 15 as he pushed the Seawolves back behind the chains. 

Hartzell’s recognition marks the second time this season and third time in his career that he’s earned a weekly award from the conference: his other came after the William & Mary game in September, which began the Wildcats’ ongoing seven game win streak.

They’ll have a chance at a share of the regular season CAA title — in their final season in the conference, no less — if Rhode Island loses their game against Hampton. The Wildcats could even clinch an outright title and first round bye in the FCS playoffs if the games break their way.

This week, Villanova will close their regular season schedule at home against Sacred Heart in an out-of-conference matchup. The independent Pioneers, not members of any conference, enter this game with an 8-3 record.