October 17, 2022 –
Penn Dominates Columbia, Villanova and Temple Fall on the Road
Penn 34 Columbia 14
Noteworthy: The University of Pennsylvania is off to a 5 – 0 start, their best since 2003 when the team posted a 10 – 0 record. That team was coached by Al Bagnoli, who is the present coach of Columbia. The defense got the Quakers rolling, then the offense behind wide receiver Joshua Casilli put the game away. The Red and Blue is 2 – 0 in the Ancient Eight. Late in the first quarter defensive lineman Micah Morris intercepted a Joe Green pass and ran it back 30-yards for a touchdown and a 10 – 0 lead. Turnovers became a factor as Columbia committed four turnovers. Defensive back Kendren Smith intercepted a pass and recovered two fumbles. The takeaways negated a big offensive play by the Lions and the other set up the Quakers in the red zone. Casilli caught a career-high 10 passes for a collegiate-best 157 yards. He added a touchdown reception. The Quakers scored the first 34 points. The Lions got the last two scores.
What the Numbers Say: The Columbia defense was ranked number one against the run. Penn rushed for 100 yards. Trey Flowers did not play due to injury. Jonathan Mulatu gained 60 yards on 19 carries. Quarterback Aidan Sayin completed 29 of 45 passes for 299 yards and 3 touchdowns. Julien Stokes caught two scoring tosses. Sayin completed passes to 10 different Quakers. Columbia threw for 355 yards led by JJ Jenkins with 162 yards, and Bryson Canty who gained 122 yards.
#21 Richmond 20 #17 Villanova 10
Noteworthy: The Villanova Wildcats have the ability to run the ball, their staple. They have lost two conference games this season when they were outrushed. Richmond joined Monmouth in that category 227 – 129 in a key CAA contest between two top-25 teams in Virginia. The Wildcats played without Jalen Jackson. DeeWill Barlee started, but the ground game was led by TD Ayo-Durojaiye who gained 106 yards on the ground, his second 100-yard game in his career. The Spiders had 4 runners who gained double-digits in yards led by Aaron Dykes with 89 on 23 carries. The Wildcats got off to a 7 – 0 lead on a Connor Watkins 13-yard touchdown run. But the only points they would add came on a Matthew Mercurio 24-yard field goal. Richmond countered when Reece Udinski threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Connor Deveney to take a 14 – 10 lead at halftime. The Spiders connected on two field goals in the fourth quarter. Nova had 8 penalties for 59 yards. Bottom line: the Cats fall in the CAA standings.
What the Numbers Say: Wide Receiver Jaaron Hayek had 4 receptions for 89 yards. Watkins accounted for 177 yards and had a touchdown and one pass picked off. On defense Shane Hartzell made a career-high 15 tackles. Ethan Potter reached double-figures in tackles for the second straight game getting 11 stops.
UCF 70 Temple 13
Noteworthy: The Owls played under Thursday Night lights looking to compete with the upper echelon of the American standings. It was not an outcome they wanted. Playing in Orlando Temple got the first score of the game and held a 10 – 7 lead late in the first quarter when Jose Barbon caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from E.J. Warner. Then the UCF offense behind quarterback John Rhys Plumlee became unleashed. The Knights gave up a field goal in the second quarter and held a 14 – 13 advantage. Then, the Knights scored touchdowns on their next 8 possessions. Plumlee accounted for 4 touchdowns, one by running, three through the air. In total yards UCF had 737 yards to 293 for Temple. Plumlee threw for 373 of their 433 yards. On the ground the advantage for the Knights 304 – 59. The Owls need a bounce-back effort against Tulsa on Friday.
What the Numbers Say: Jose Barbon led the Owls offense with 7 catches for 103 yards. Adonicas Sanders also caught 7 tosses from Warner for 57 yards. Warner went 24 of 43 for 234 yards. Kobe Hudson gained 121 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Ryan O’Keefe had 7 catches for 11 yards and he scored twice.
RECORDS / SCHEDULE
All three teams are home. Temple is under the lights on Friday
Villanova 3 – 3 overall, 1 – 2 CAA Next: October 22 vs. Albany at Villanova Stadium
Temple 2 – 4, 0 – 2 American Next: October 21 vs. Tulsa at the Linc
Penn 5 – 0, 2 – 0 Ivy League Next: October 22 vs. Yale at Franklin Field
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