Historically, Youngstown State has plagued the Villanova football program, winning three out of the four playoff meetings between the two schools. In the Mark Ferrante era, that is no longer the case.
Villanova ended Youngstown State’s season last year and ruined its start to this season. Coming off a CAA title and led by sixth-year quarterback Connor Watkins, Villanova caused a shift in the Villanova-Youngstown State rivalry.
The Wildcats topped the Penguins, 24-17, on Thursday night at Villanova Stadium.
Coming into the game, Villanova was riding a seven-game season-opening win streak that now is eight games. That streak coincides with the same season head coach Mark Ferrante took over.
Watkins is looking to end his final year of eligibility with a statement. Watkins began that final season passing for 90 yards with six completions on 17 pass attempts. On the ground, Watkins rushed for 107 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
“Connor does what Connor does,” Ferrante said.
Watkins does not plan on changing the way he plays anytime soon.
“I mean, I think their coaches are always gonna try to see the big picture,” said Watkins. “I think players are competitors, they are in the moment and will do what they feel they need to do to make the plays. I’m going to do my thing basically no matter what. I think that [Ferrante] realizes that I am going to play my game regardless.”
Villanova received the opening kickoff and came out flat. Watkins failed to connect on three straight passes and the Wildcats were forced to punt. That was enough to get Villanova fired up. The Wildcats scored on the next three drives, beginning with a field goal from Bryant grad transfer Ethan Gettman.
Watkins returned a drive later, and this time found the endzone. As the pocket collapsed, Watkins turned to one of his best attributes, his feet. He took off and sailed 14 yards downfield for a touchdown. Villanova led, 10-0.
This season brought questions to be answered. It was time for new names to step up and fill big shoes, especially in the running back room. Redshirt freshman Isaiah Ragland already has answered the questions and filled the shoes.
“[The running back position] was our big question mark or outside people’s big question mark, after losing the three-headed monster we had for the last five years with TD Ayo-Durojaiye, DeeWill Barlee and Jalen Jackson,” Ferrante said.
Ragland played in four games before redshirting last season. In the game against Elon on Oct. 14, Ragland was named CAA Rookie of the Week after rushing 161 yards on 24 carries.
Ragland led the running back room in carries, with seven, and was second only to Watkins in total carries. His 31-yard run and three-yard touchdown highlighted his 65-yard night.
While the Wildcat offense clicked, the defense set up the win and sealed it.
Fifth-year Riche Kimmel came into the game on fire, forcing a stop on a third and short and grabbing a fumble recovery on the same drive.
Eventually, Kimmel would end up with the game-sealing interception in between his hands, his first interception at Villanova. The game marked Kimmel’s career-high 10 tackles and one interception.
Often overlooked, special teams played an important part in the success of the Wildcats’ game. Junior Christian Sapp returned a kick for 53 yards.
Villanova left a great half of football on the field heading into halftime. In the second half, the Wildcats struggled to find a way to get that same production going again.
The Wildcats went three and out to start both the first and second halves. To make up for it the team scored a touchdown on a Watkins run and tacked on a field goal a drive later. After that, Youngstown State was making the game interesting again.The Penguins punched in touchdowns on back-to-back drives to shrink Villanova’s lead to 24-17. The Wildcats followed Youngstown States’ impressive two drives with a three-and-out.
The fate of the game was left in the hands of the Penguins with about two minutes left on the clock. Kimmel’s interception would put an end to the Penguins’ attempt at a comeback.
The Wildcats started a new saga in the rivalry and now are 2-0 in the Mark Ferrante era against Youngstown State. Villanova will take on Colgate on Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. est. The game will air on ESPN+.
“I am excited about what we put on tape today and we will make the corrections, build off the positives and go from there, so proud of the way our team played today,” said Ferrante.
