On Saturday, Oct. 4, Villanova football won its second consecutive game, defeating New Hampshire, 37-7, on the road at Wildcat Stadium.
The Wildcats (3-2, 2-1 Coastal Athletic Association) dominated New Hampshire on both sides of the ball, combining for 461 yards of total offense and limiting the host Wildcats to their lowest point total of the season.
The Wildcats’ 30-straight unanswered points led to the blowout victory, placing them at fourth in CAA standings. With the win, Villanova also moved up to No. 17 nationally in the Football Conference Subdivision (FCS).
Villanova dominated throughout the game. It started with redshirt freshman defensive back Anthony Hawkins’ interception during New Hampshire’s opening drive. Villanova then scored an early first-quarter touchdown by a rush from sophomore running back David Avit. This one went for 34 yards. Avit continued to lead the charge on the ground, running for 102 total yards.
UNH quarterback Matt Vezza managed to score on the following drive, with a 34-yard run of his own to even up the score.
The game remained tied, 7-7, going into the second quarter, but Villanova struck instantly, scoring on the ground yet again. Sophomore running back Ja’briel Mace ran 35 yards for his first of three touchdowns on the day.
Mace went on to score again later in the second quarter on a two-yard rush.
The Wildcat defense remained strong, preventing UNH from scoring any points for the rest of the half. Graduate kicker Jack Barnum nailed a 27-yard field goal to end the half with Villanova up, 24-7.
The second half was more of the same for Villanova, as defense dominated the game.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but the ‘Cats got back into the endzone early in the fourth on a one-yard rush from Mace yet again. Mace finished the day with three carries for 34 yards and three touchdowns. He took advantage of all of his opportunities, scoring on each of his three touches.
With the game in full control, Villanova was able to tack on a three-yard touchdown from senior running back Isaiah Wright with just 1:54 left to play. He was the third different Wildcat running back to score, marking the fifth rushing touchdown of the day.
While he did not have a touchdown, sophomore running back Isaiah Ragland led the backfield in carries. He recorded 19 carries for 87 yards, demonstrating that any Villanova running back is a threat to opposing defenses.
Villanova had success outside of the run game as well. Graduate quarterback Pat McQuaide finished the day with 219 passing yards and no turnovers. Graduate wide receiver Luke Colella tied a career-high nine catches for 139 yards.
Villanova’s next game comes this Saturday, Oct. 11, against Elon (4-2, 2-0 CAA) on the road. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (FloSports). The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 3-1.
