Liberty coach Turner Gill knows all about quarterback play and he is the latest to show his appreciation for Villanova's John Robertson after studying him on film all week.

After a first-round bye, Villanova (10-2) will host Liberty (9-4) in a Football Championship Subdivision playoffs at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Gill was a Heisman finalist and three-time all-Big Eight quarterback at Nebraska. His Liberty team earned the trip to Villanova Stadium after last week's 26-21 win over yet another Colonial Athletic Association team, James Madison. That was the first FCS playoff game in Liberty history.

When asked to compare Robertson to himself, Gill didn't hesitate.

Robertson, among three finalists for the Walter Payton Award, presented to the top FCS player, has thrown 34 touchdown passes and just three interceptions, while completing 67 percent of his passes for 2,629 yards. He has rushed for 978 yards (4.7 avg.) and nine touchdowns.

"He makes everybody around him better," Gill said. "And it carries all the way over to the defensive side of the ball."

Robertson is making his second playoff appearance. As a redshirt freshman, Villanova lost a first-round game at Stony Brook, 20-10.. Robertson feels his second time in the postseason will be different, especially after earning the bye.

"Two years ago we didn't have a week off and the other team did and they seemed well rested and we didn't," he said.

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Robertson leads 'Nova in playoff opener vs. Liberty