I Bleed Blue and White

Game recap and box score for those who couldn’t see the game.

Ball had a big day despite being slowed by injury.

In their conference opener for the season, Villanova (4-0, 1-0) made short work of visiting Northeastern (0-4, 0-2) as they trounced the Huskies 56-7 behind one of the best rushing attacks in school history. Villanova amassed 410 yards on the ground and 6 different Wildcats scored touchdowns. The 410 yards they gained on the ground was the most since 1991, and the 3rd highest total in school history.

RB Aaron Ball had a magnificent day as he totaled over 100 yards on the ground and was resting an injury on the sideline after getting some work in. (WR Brandyn Harvey had 102 yards receiving to create a 100-100 tandem). Ball got things started with a 31-yard TD run on the 3rd play of the game.

All week the main story concerning ‘Nova was the dilemma at QB after Chris Whitney was replaced in favor of Antwon Young. In our pregame report we called for the use of both QB’s, and when given the chance, neither disappointed. Whitney ran for 98 yards and passed for 84 along with a touchdown while Young passed for 58 and ran for 35 while accumulating a touchdown both ways. It looks like the platoon system worked wonders, at least for one week.

The defense has been spectacular to open the season and once again, led by John Dempsey’s team-leading 7 tackles, they did not disappoint holding Northeastern to just 7 points and 239 yards of offense. The defense picked off the Huskies 3 times on the afternoon.

Most of all though, Villanova needed a game like this to open the conference slate. The next 3 weeks bring games against Top-10 teams (the CAA is just brutal this year) and they’ll need all the rest they can get as their season unofficially begins next week against William & Mary.

The Game: #2 Villanova (3-0, 0-0) vs. Northeastern (0-3, 0-1)

Location: Villanova Stadium in Villnova, PA

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Broadcast: The Comcast Network

Brief Rundown: Villanova is coming a a hard fought, but sloppily played 14-3 win over Penn last weekend. The Wildcat defense was superb again, sacking the Penn QB multiple times and forcing a couple of turnovers. There wasn’t much offense for ‘Nova, and QB Chris Whitney was replaced in the 3rd quarter by Antwon Young, who led the team to it’s only offensive touchdown of the night. Whitney will start, but Young will most likely see extended action this week.

Northeastern has started off the season 0-3, with their only competitive game being a 17-7 loss to Maine at home. They are averaging just 9.3 points per game while allowing over 36 per game, and their offensive averages in both rushing and passing are under 130 yards per outing.

Last year Villanova won the meeting 20-14. On paper, this should be a nice tune-up into the CAA season for Villanova, but as we saw last week, never overestimate an opponent.

Injury Report:

• RB Aaron Ball (hip pointer) – Probable
• NG Thomas Weaver (turf toe) – Probable
• OT Chidozie Ekweozor (high ankle sprain) – Questionable

3 Keys to Victory:

1. Defense sets the tone – Villanova’s defense is big, fast, and nasty. They’ve been adept at getting to the QB and causing turnovers, and must continue to do so against a woeful offensive opponent.
2. Use both Whitney/Young - Antwon Young has earned more playing time after he came to the rescue last week. He may not be starting, but he brings a new dimension to the offense with his running ability. Whitney must get hiss passing attack back on track after a dreadful outing against Penn.
3. Feed off the home crowd – It is Parents’ Weekend at ‘Nova, so the home crowd should be pretty full. Feed off the students and alumni and put this game away by the early 2nd half.

Links:

• Villanova Game Notes (PDF)
• Where has the rushing attack gone? (Philadelphia Inquirer)
  

Football coach Andy Talley came out and defended starting QB Chris Whitney just two days after he pulled him in favor of 5th year senior Antwon Young. Talley stated that Whitney “wasn’t happy” about being pulled (ya think?) but that he will be the starter this weekend against Northeastern. So for now, no controversy.

But if Whitney struggles this weekend, and Young (who was replaced by Whitney as the starter last year against Penn, ironically) does well leading the team, what is next? I find it unusual that the #2 team in the country has this issue, but it is what it is. Hopefully Whitney rebounds and this can all end. On to some morning reading…

• Speaking of the Quakers, at least one man thinks that Penn doesn’t need Villanova in football. Usually you want to play the best competition, but not those Ivy Leaguers! Keep on striving boys!
• Tim Thomas had surgery on his right knee to repair torn cartilage. No word on how long he’ll be out.
• Tweeted this earlier, but in case you aren’t on Twitter the CAA announced that the October 3rd football game between William & Mary and Villanova will be broadcast nationally on VERSUS, at 3:30 p.m. It will be the first time a CAA regular season game has been broadcast nationally. Now I won’t have to watch us on crappy backdoor internet links, at least for one week.
• Time may be running out for the injury-prone Brian Westbrook in Philadelphia. As a Giants fan, let me extend a thank you to the Eagles’ front office.

It isn’t always pretty, but the good teams always find ways to scrap these types of games out. Villanova defeated Penn 14-3 on Saturday night at Franklin Field, but it was a hard fought contest that had ‘Nova fans nervous everywhere.

Young gave the 'Nova offense a big lift.

Things couldn’t have started much better for Villanova as WR Matt Szczur took the opening kickoff back 87 yards for a touchdown, but after that, nothing came easily. Villanova gained just 187 yards of offense on 50 plays and QB Chris Whitney struggled mightily throughout the night, finishing 3-7 for 38 yards and an interception.

QB Antwon Young accounted for Villanova’s other score late in the 3rd quarter when he came in to replace Whitney. Young led the Wildcats on a 78 yard drive which culminated in a TD pass to WR Brandyn Harvey. Young also had a 24 yard run on 3rd-and-11 early in the drive.

The Villanova defense were the stars of the night, holding Penn to 239 yards and just 3 points while they were on the field far more than they would have liked.

The win pushes Villanova to 3-0 as they await a visit from Northeastern next weekend when they kick off their CAA schedule.

…Ugly, ugly, ugly…but we deal with this in basketball and it’s even more true in football: a win is a win…Glad to see Antwon Young get a chance to make an impact, and do so to provide Villanova some cover late in the game…

…I said it at the top and I’ll say it again, good teams win these types of games…when you’re not at your best you still find ways to win…good for Villanova…

The Game: #2 Villanova (2-0) at Penn (0-0)

Location: Franklin Field in Philadelphia, PA

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Broadcast: Comcast Network, ESPN 950-AM

Brief Rundown: Villanova travels in to famed Franklin Field after last week’s home-opening win over Lehigh where the Wildcats racked up over 300 yards on the ground. Villanova leads the all-time series 8-5, and is 7-0 since head coach Andy Talley took over the program. Last year, Villanova won the matchup 20-14 in overtime.

For Penn, WR Kyle Derham and RB Mike DiMaggio are the top returning players on the offensive side of the ball, while LB Jake Lewko is the top returning tackler and the leader of the defense. Coach Al Bagnoli ranks 2nd on the active coaches winning percentage list, and his Penn teams are usually amongst the best in the Ivy League.

3 Keys to Victory:

1. Stick with the ground game – As they say, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Villanova tore apart Lehigh on the ground last week, and will most likely attempt to do the same this weekend. Even if it’s not working early, expect a heavy dose of Aaron Ball and Angelo Babbaro.
2. Lean on Whitney – It seems like more and more the sophomore QB is getting the reigns of the Villanova offense. Quietly, he’s making a name for himself by efficiently running a vaunted Villanova attack. If this game is close down the stretch, don’t be afraid to give him the ball.
3. Crowd support – The first two weeks have gotten good reviews from the ‘Nova staff about the attendance levels, so hopefully the students and alumni make the short trip to inner-Philly in droves to support the ‘Cats. Those are the things that can help good teams out in tough road spots.

Links:

• Villanova Game Notes (PDF)

It was all good for Villanova in their home opener on Saturday night as they took care of business and defeated Lehigh 28-17 behind a monster rushing attack. QB Chris Whitney had a career rushing day, finishing with 130 yards on the ground and 106 in the air. He accounted for 3 touchdowns in all (2 through the air, 1 on the ground).

Whitney had a career day.

Whitney was just the tip of the iceberg for the Wildcats however. WR Matt Szczur had his first career 100-yard effort carrying the ball, including a 75-yard scamper that set up a ‘Nova field goal. In all, Villanova amassed 310 yards on the ground.

RB Angelo Babbaro and WR Norman White caught passes from Whitney for scores, and DE Marlon Johnson returned a fumble 19-yards for a touchdown near halftime that effectively put the game out of reach.

Make sure you check out Lehigh Football Nation’s report on the game. Sounds like they were very impressed with ‘Nova last night.

…I really wish I could watch these games…I probably won’t be able to watch a game until homecoming weekend but I really like what I’m hearing about the team…sounds like Whitney is efficiently running an offense that has the potential to be very high powered…

…Good, solid win by the football team…they take on Penn next weekend at Franklin Field…

The past few days have provided some of the Villanova programs to spring an upset, and their is some new hardware coming to The Main Line. Updates on football, men’s soccer and women’s volleyball to follow.

• Villanova stunned Temple in the waning moments last night, and if you weren’t able to see the game Villanova’s game recap provides a bit more information about the contest. Sounds like Chris Whitney had a great game in leading ‘Nova back.
• Kyle Soroka scored on 82 minutes for Villanova as the men’s soccer team upset hosts#18 Loyola (MD) 1-0 on Tuesday to win their season opener. Soroka put his strike in the top left corner from about 25 yards out for the game winner.
• The women’s volleyball team swept Long Island on Tuesday night to run their record to 4-0 on the season. The women committed just 6 errors on the night. Morgan Petkovich led the team with 16 kills.
• Women’s soccer player Katie Ryan was named to the Big East Honor Roll after she scored in each of hte first three games. The team will travel to North Carolina this weekend to face Charlotte and Davidson.

Nick Yako kicked a 32-yard field goal as time expired to give Villanova a 27-24 victory over Temple in the inaugural Mayor’s Cup played at Lincoln Financial Field. The field goal was set up after John Dempsey picked off Temple QB Vaughn Charlton with 49 seconds remaining.

QB Chris Whitney

Villanova came back to win despite a 10-point 4th quarter deficit. QB Chris Whitney was the star for ‘Nova as he completed 24 of 35 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns.

It was the Wildcat’s first win over an FBS school in their last 5 tries (their last win was a 23-20 win over Temple in 2003), and a great start to a campaign in which Andy Talley’s men have their sights set on an FCS National Championship.

…I listened to a little bit of this game on the radio tonight, but wasn’t in an area where the game was available on TV…if anyone watched any of it feel free to comment below…

…Regardless, a great win and this could be the boost the team needs as it looks to make a run towards a title…