Villanova Downs Towson 14 – 13 in a CAA Battle
September 14, 2024 –
A league game win is to be prized. And this win was a squeaker at Villanova Stadium as host Wildcats hold off the Towson Tigers 14 – 13. It came down to the end. Towson had the chance to end the 11-game home winning streak for Nova, but missed a 37-yard field goal as time expired. Villanova won their conference opener for the 10th time in the last 13 seasons. Coach Mark Ferrante expected the battle they received.
“It’s a CAA game so we know no matter who we play in the CAA it’s going to be challenging,” Ferrante said. “Towson came in ready to play and we dodged a bullet. Thankfully, they pushed that last one right, and the other hit the bar. And we had a block earlier in the game. I’ve said many times over my career that we’ll take a win any way we can get them. An ugly win is better than a pretty win any day of the week.”
The points for Villanova came on two touchdown receptions by wide receiver Jaylan Sanchez, the winning catch came with 1:16 in the third quarter.
Special Teams
The game came down to the last possession by the Tigers. The visitors took control of the ball recovering a fumble by Nova running back Isaiah Ragland recovered by Myles Brodie at the Villanova 44-yardline with 1:03 remaining in the game. Towson drove to 20 yards away from the goal line. Then set up for the potential game winning field goal by Tigers kicker Keenan Vaughn. The kick was wide right.
Special Teams played a big role. Do not understate how important the two successful extra point kicks by Wildcats kicker Ethan Gettman. Vaughn made two field goals, but missed a 48-yarder hitting the bar with 1:13 to play. In the third quarter as 3:47 showed on the clock Nova linebacker JR Strauss blocked the 31-yard attempt.
What the Numbers Say
Sanchez caught 4 passes for 59 yards. The scoring receptions were from 20 and 6 yards out. Quarterback Connor Watkins completed 14 of 25 passes for 116 yards and no interceptions. He ran for 65 yards. Ragland led the ground game gaining 141 yards. Nova rushed for 235 yards.
Towson ran for 161 yards with Devin Matthews gaining 135. Quarterback Sean Brown completed 20 of 36 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown, a 30-yard pass to Carter Runyan to open the scoring. Runyan caught 6 passes for 88 yards.
Brendan Bell and Shane Hartzell had 7 tackles each, 5 solo for Bell.
Up Next
Villanova takes a trip to play the University of Maryland in College Park. A week later Nova hosts LIU.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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