No. 6 Villanova (3-1, 1-0 Colonial Athletic Association) will face Long Island University (0- 4, 0-0 Northeast Conference) at Villanova Stadium this Saturday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. for the annual Family Weekend game. The Wildcats return home after a difficult, 38-20 loss last week at Maryland. The Terrapins put points on the board on each of their first four drives, including three touchdowns, as they cruised to victory.
Following the loss, Villanova dropped to No. 6 in the FCS Stats Perform Poll.
Villanova’s defense has performed well against its first three FCS opponents, allowing just 11 points per game. In College Park, Villanova allowed 38 points, the most since the Wildcats’ last matchup with an FBS member, a 48-14 loss to Central Florida in September of 2023.
Villanova graduate quarterback Connor Watkins continued to protect the football. Watkins has not registered a turnover this season, but ball security alone could not save the outmatched Wildcats. Villanova allowed 497 yards of total offense, three rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns.
Additionally, Villanova’s running backs struggled against Maryland. The ‘Cats mustered 2.3 yards per tote on 32 team carries, netting 75 yards. Redshirt freshman Ja’briel Mace led the ‘Cats with 24 rushing yards.
The Wildcats will look to recapture their prolific ground game they leaned on in their first three games in the upcoming contest against LIU.
The Sharks have had a very difficult start to the season, failing to pick up a victory in any of their first four games.
LIU led for most of the second half in its most recent defeat at home against Rhode Island. The Sharks held a 21-14 lead over the Rams before allowing two touchdowns in the final 3:40 of the fourth. The Sharks have two other one-score losses, against No. 20 UAlbany and Lehigh.
LIU’s offensive attack is led by sophomore quarterback Luca Stanzani. Stanzani has thrown for 569 yards and 7 touchdowns on the season to go along with two interceptions.
The most recent matchup between the ‘Cats and the Sharks came on Sept. 10, 2022. Villanova defeated LIU, 38-21, in a wire-to-wire victory in Brookville. The ‘Cats lead the all-time series with the Sharks, 2-0.
Villanova will look to recapture its early-season success against LIU this Saturday. The game will be broadcast on FloSports.
