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Streaking Villanova Headed to Maine Saturday

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Villanova Wildcats have found their footing as the 2012 season rolls on.  After that season opening loss to Temple, Villanova has run off three straight victories including that 24-8 win over Penn this past weekend.

"So far, so good," Villanova head coach Andy Talley tells KYW Newsradio.  "We were trying to play four quarters, we hadn't done that prior to the Penn game.  We were a second half team.  Against Penn we were able to play well right through the first half and into the second half and against a good team like that, we needed to have that."

Redshirt freshman quarterback John Robertson had his most efficient game passing the football against Penn, going 13 of 20 for 213 yards and a score.  He also ran for 55 yards and another touchdown and Talley says his continued development is big for the offense.

LISTEN: Matt Leon's interview with Andy Talley

"With him as a threat as a runner and a passer, it really gives us the opportunity to put pressure on people offensively in a lot of ways now."

Next up for the Wildcats, a visit to Orono to take on the 1-2 Maine Black Bears on Saturday.

"(Maine's) a big physical football team that is looking to get into (their) first CAA game and prove to people they are going to be a factor," Talley says.  "They were a deep playoff team last year, they were one of the top eight in the country, so we have our work cut out for us."

Maine is averaging nearly 400 yards of offense a game.

"They are a spread offense," Talley says.  "They run the ball and they are going to hang their hat on running the ball.  Their quarterback is a young quarterback and he is just getting in the mix, like our guy John Robertson, for the first time.  He is more passer than runner."

The Black Bears defensive coordinator is very familiar to Talley.  Paul Ferraro served in that same capacity on the Main Line back in the mid-80's and Talley says he knows he will have their defense ready.

"They run a 4-3 and they are very stout.  They don't blitz a lot, they play great base defense."

Villanova and Maine will kick-off up in Orono on Saturday at 3:30pm.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.

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