RADNOR — By whichever metric you choose Saturday, Villanova’s 22-17 victory over Eastern Kentucky in the first round of the FCS playoffs came by the thinnest of margins.
A few inches of Eastern Kentucky’s Jackson House trying to tip-toe along the back of the end zone on the final play? A few millimeters of Ty Trinh’s pass breakup intended for Marcus Calwise Jr. two plays earlier? Whatever miniscule margin by which Villanova quarterback Connor Watkins’ arm was judged to be moving forward in wiping out a fumble recovery touchdown by EKU?
It summed to a wild, windy affair at Villanova Stadium that included four turnovers, a safety, a blocked punt, a blocked field goal and a chance by the Colonels to win it at the horn.
“Thankfully that guy was standing on the white part of the field and not the green part of the field on that last play,” coach Mark Ferrante said. “Just real happy we have another opportunity to play another week.”
The No. 11 Wildcats (10-4) earned a trip to No. 6 University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. It’s the second straight year Villanova has made the tournament quarterfinals. Saturday was the 16th straight win at Villanova Stadium, a program best.
Villanova, which trailed 14-0 after one quarter, pitched a second-half shutout. The only touchdown of the second half came on the first career college reception for Bonner & Prendergast graduate James Welde, a five-yarder that augmented two Ethan Gettman field goals, the go-ahead with 14:37 to play.
“I was excited, obviously more for the team,” Welde, a senior tight end, said. “We got down to the 5, so I was excited to get in, excited to make the play.”
Four turnovers, 20 accepted penalties and consequential review calls made for a wild ride. But it was built on Nova’s excellence in the second half all season: With a 13-0 margin after the break, Villanova is plus-87 in the second halves of games this year and plus-61 in the fourth quarter.
The game’s sharpest turn came with 1:58 left in the third. At its 17, Watkins was pressured by linebacker Frank Lee, who appeared to poke the ball out, defensive lineman Jeremiah Bailey scooping and rumbling 30 yards for a touchdown. But video review overturned the call, saying Watkins’ arm was moving forward, trying to shovel toward a receiver.
“I wish I could be honest,” EKU coach Walt Wells said. “I really do. My mom and dad told me to be honest always, but I’m going to choose not to use my words today. We had a lot of points taken off the board today.”
“My arm was moving forward,” Watkins testified. “It’s one of those calls that if you’re on our side of the thing, you’re going to say is an incomplete pass. If you’re not on our side, you’re going to say it’s definitely a fumble. That was the make-or-break-it play.”
Watkins recovered to find David Avit for a 19-yard completion on the next play, with a 15-yard flag on Wells tacked on. It led to Gettman’s go-ahead field goal, a 42-yarder that tied his season-long.
The game was undecided to the final seconds. Neither team moved the ball consistenly. Joshua Carter, who busted a 77-yard TD on the second play from scrimmage thanks to a block at the second level by quarterback Matt Morrissey, was the only reliable source for EKU. He carried 21 times for 150 yards and caught four balls for 43 yards, more than half of the total for Morrissey (9-for-27, 75 yards).
Villanova struggled on the ground, Avit finishing with 17 carries for 94 yards, half on a final clock-draining series. Watkins was 14-for-24 for 177 yards and rushed for 42 yards.
Villanova couldn’t seal the deal late, Gettman kicking a 31-yard field goal with one minute left when a touchdown would’ve ended it. Watkins had to hit Lucas Kopecky for 14 on third-and-11 to even get that. A personal foul on Trinh on the ensuing return gave the Colonels the ball at Villanova’s 42. Carter rushed for 19. On third-and-3 from the 16, Trinh rattled Calwise Jr. on a crossing route to separate man from ball at the 2 with 10 seconds left. Initially flagged for targeting, it was overturned on review.
That still left a Morrissey dump-off to Carter for six yards on fourth-and-3, then a Morrissey scramble where he hit House in the back of the end zone, but both of House’s feet were already out of bounds.
The first half, beyond Carter’s touchdown, was rough. The Colonels, in the playoffs for the 23rd time but looking for their first win since 1994, led 14-0 at 10 minutes. Darrian Baker intercepted a Watkins pass that Bailey had tipped at the 19, then Morrissey hit Calwise on a 11-yard slant.
But Villanova, which saw a 21-point lead evaporate in the second quarter last week before subduing Delaware, didn’t flinch.
“I told our guys when we were up 14-0, I’ve been here, in this tournament at other schools like this,” Wells said. “You can’t relax. Getting the lead early is not the greatest thing, especially against good football teams.”
Villanova couldn’t get anything going on the ground, with five yards on its first 13 carries, including four carries stacked up after first-and-goal at the 2. At least that turnover on downs forced EKU to punt from the end zone, Jason Hall punching the ball away from punter Jacob Baker and out for a safety.
Watkins took to the air to cash in on the ensuing drive, hitting Devin Smith for a 13-yard touchdown. Villanova, though, gave EKU three first downs on the next drive, ending on a season-long 48-yard field goal from Patrick Nations behind just four yards of offense.
Nova’s defense stiffened before half. An exchange of punts worked in EKU’s favor when Tanner Maddocks muffed one, Brady Hensley recovering at the 14. But Shane Hartzell burst through the line to bat away Nation’s 26-yard field goal and leave it 17-9 at half.
Welde’s score epitomized the effort from Villanova. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. In the playoffs, only the latter counts.
“We did enough to make it happen today,” Watkins said. “We won, and that’s all that matters.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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