Coming off a rain-soaked blowout win against No. 17 Rhode Island, No. 25 Villanova will look to make it two straight against unranked Albany in non-conference play.
Villanova and Albany have met six times in the past 10 years. However, it has been a one-sided rivalry, with Villanova owning a 5-1 record against Albany. Its last win came in October, 2022, 31-29.
In the Wildcats’ third win overall and first conference win of the year against the Rams, they had plenty of offense going with three touchdown rushes by graduate quarterback Connor Watkins.
As for the Great Danes, they stand at 2-2 on the season and are coming off a hard-fought, double-overtime win against Morgan State, which featured two touchdowns from freshman quarterback Reese Poffenberger, as well as scores in both overtime periods by freshman running back Griffin Woodell.
In Villanova’s last win against Rhode Island, it rushed over 250 yards. The Wildcats will aim once again to use their run-heavy attack led by Watkins and graduate running back TD Ayo-Durojaiye to rush the ball against Albany’s 4-3 defensive sets. However, for the Wildcats’ defense, it may be a case of deja vu as Albany’s offense is one very similar to Villanova, as it too runs a power run-heavy attack. Its passing game was a key weakness for the team last year.
This will serve well for Villanova’s defense, though, as it has struggled to prevent passing touchdowns and big plays. Against UCF, the Knights’ backup quarterback, Timmy McClain, threw for more than 300 yards. Even in its 20-plus point win against Rhode Island, Villanova’s defense still allowed the Rams more than 150 yards in the air. Even though the Great Danes’ run often, Villanova will still need to try and get its pass coverage together.
Once again, though, Albany’s tendencies to go run-first may pay dividends for Villanova as against Rhode Island, Villanova limited the Rams to just 68 yards, a season low for URI. If Albany sticks to its prior gameplan, it may be a good day for any Villanovans making the trek to upstate New York.
Defensively, however, the Great Danes have been solid, holding their opponents to an average of 20 points a game which is less than the Wildcats’ defensive average. Albany has also been stout on the run, allowing just under 82 yards a game, However, after this past game’s rushing barrage, headlined by Ayo-Dorujaiye’s 63-yard TD run, Villanova will have no problems staying the course, even staring down Albany’s stout running defense.
The game is set for a 3:30p.m. kickoff next week at Albany’s Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium. It is the first of two straight away games for the Wildcats.
