Temple and Villanova may be on different levels of the college football world, but the Mayor's Cup has turned into a nice rivalry between the schools over the past several years. Sadly, it is one that will disappear from schedules for the time being.
Friday's matchup marks the 33rd meeting between the two teams and the fourth straight year the two will play, with the 2009 FCS champions actually holding the 16-14-2 edge over their top-tier competition. Three of the four games contested between the two teams in the past 10 years have been highly competitive, with the game being decided on the final play.
The Owls and Wildcats first met in 1908, but the two teams didn't play much in the modern era until a stretch of 11 games from 1970-1980. The rivalry then went on hiatus again, with the teams not facing off until 2003. That game was a thriller, with 'Nova forcing double overtime in Temple's first home game at Lincoln Financial Field, pulling out a 23-20 victory thanks to clutch kicking.
In 2009, the game began to be called the "Mayor's Cup." The Wildcats, en route to a championship, again came back late and walked off winners when Nick Yako nailed a 32-yard field goal. The 2010 game had a crazy finish, with Temple pulling ahead 25-24 on a late field goal by Brandon McManus, and Villanova's attempt at lateraling its way to victory ended with the ball in Temple's hands as it scored another touchdown with time expired, winning 31-24. Last year's matchup was not so kind to the FCS team, as the Owls ran away with a 42-7 victory.
Temple and Villanova are off each other's future schedules for the time being, meaning this will be the last iteration of the Mayor's Cup for at least three more years.
For more on the Mayor's Cup, the Temple Owls and Villanova Wildcats, be sure to stick with SB Nation Philly. and visit our Villanova blog VUHoops.