RADNOR — In treacherous weather conditions, facing two high-powered offenses, Villanova and Rhode Island Saturday had to decide which of their opponents’ strengths each defense would try to eliminate.
Villanova, identifying the Rhody run game, stayed true in its execution. Rhode Island wasn’t quite so effective.
Villanova bottled up an explosive URI offense, keeping them out of the end zone until the latter stages of the fourth quarter, and the Wildcats ran for five touchdowns in a 35-9 win in a battle of ranked CAA teams.
No. 25 Villanova (3-1, 1-0 CAA) held a URI offense that entered seventh in the Football Championship Subdivision in yards per game average (458 ypg.) to a paltry 88 in the first half, building a 21-3 lead at the break. The Rams, 17th in FCS in scoring, didn’t get into the end zone until 5:09 remained and finished with just 241 yards of offense.
“I think we played true to our game,” Villanova defensive back and Lower Merion grad Jalen Goodman said. “We didn’t give up any big plays, and we knocked them down. We made them make field goals. We knew this was a statement game, so we came ready to play.”
It started up front. Notwithstanding last week’s struggle at FBS team Central Florida, the Wildcats had allowed just 111 rushing yards against two FCS opponents. That average will go up slightly after relenting 60 yards on 28 carries, but it’s a tally with which coach Mark Ferrante accepts.
“Our focus was to stop the run,” Ferrante said. “If they couldn’t establish the run, then you make them one dimensional and maybe it’ll work out in our favor.”
Even with starting linebacker and leading tackler Shane Hartzell out, the Wildcats surrendered little. Led by Brendan Bell, with Archbishop Carroll All-Delco Richie Kimmel and Turner Inge stepping in, Villanova’s defense kept quarterback Kasim Hill, who is third in program history with more than 6,000 career yards, to 14-for-26 for 175 yards and an interception.
Bell and Inge had two tackles for loss each. Kimmel had a half TFL and a pass breakup.
“It gave someone else an opportunity to show what they can do,” Ferrante said. “Richie was in there more, Turner Inge was in there more, and that’s the way it is. We rotated a lot of guys on defense.”
The defense created two turnovers, both in the hands of Goodman, including an interception at the 2-yard line in the fourth that he returned 81 yards. Goodman also recovered a fumbled kickoff late in the second quarter, jarred loose by Danny Abraham.
The plan of defense for 17th-ranked URI (2-2, 2-1) wasn’t so effective. Villanova’s big-play reputation precedes it, with quarterback Connor Watkins as the leader in yards per completion in FCS. In a constant crosswind and occasionally lashing rain, Rhode Island seemed determined to take away big plays. But that left plenty of underneath cushion for Watkins to hit gains in the 10-to-20-yard range.
Once Villanova established the run, things got easier. Watkins, with 10 carries for 113 yards and three TDs, had his 100 yards by half, his second career 100-yard game and first with three rushing scores. TD Ayo-Durojiaye added seven carries for 103 yards, and Villanova ran for 287 yards.
“I think they played a lot of soft coverage on us and were hoping that the jump fronts and movements and stuff like that was going to beat us up in the run,” Watkins said. “We were able to counter that and figure it out.”
They did so without Jalen Jackson, the starting running back who missed with a lower-body injury.
Watkins’ one-yard TD with 5:23 left in the first quarter capped a six-play, 65-yard drive, the big gainer his 38-yard keeper. Watkins then found Jaylan Sanchez for 19 yards and Ayo-Durojaiye for 24 on the next series. It softened the URI secondary, allowing Watkins to break loose off left end on a 23-yard score, shaking safety Brent Jackson at the 5, with 91 ticks left in the quarter.
Watkins found Jaaron Hayek on a seam route for 40 yards late in the second quarter to get into plus territory, setting up a five-yard scoring run.
Watkins was 8-for-14 for 166 yards. He found Hayek three times for 78 yards and Rayjuon Pringle twice for 45.
It could’ve been worse before the break on Goodman’s fumble recovery. Villanova went conservative with its play-calling to spare URI, a bad snap preventing Matthew Mercurio attempting a 45-yard field goal.
The Rams’ respite was short-lived: After punting for the sixth time after a three-and-out on the first series of the third, Ayo-Durojaiye needed one snap to dash 63 yards. Episcopal Academy All-Delco DeeWil Barlee added the fifth rushing touchdown of the day in the fourth, a six-yarder after Goodman’s interception.
Springfield All-Delco Ja’Den McKenzie, a grad transfer from West Chester, led URI with nine carries and 24 yards. He had 121 yards in a win over New Hampshire last week.
Source: Berkshire mont