Football Drops Homecoming Game To Villanova

Saturday, November 3

Richmond, Va.

3 PM

University of Richmond

3-6 , 1-5

Villanova (Homecoming)

4-5 , 1-5

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Villanova

Richmond

Photo by: Scott Brown

11/03/2018 | Football

Box Score Richmond Villanova Book Photo Gallery

RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Richmond suffered a 45-21 loss to Villanova Saturday afternoon at Robins Stadium on Homecoming as the Wildcats scored 24-unanswered points in the second half to pull away from the Spiders. Richmond will close out the home portion of the season next Saturday afternoon as it hosts Maine.

The Spiders (3-6, 1-5 Colonial Athletic Association) turned the ball over seven times in the loss, with four coming in the second half when the game swung into Villanova's direction. Richmond scored early in the second half to narrow the deficit to 20-14 when wide receiver Caleb Drake (Troy, N.C.) hit quarterback Joe Mancuso (Blairsville, Ga.) on a trick play for a 28-yard receiving touchdown to pull the Spiders within six points. The scoring drive was highlighted by the Spiders' fake punt that saw senior running back Dale Matthews Jr. (Bowie, Md.) run for a first down on a 29-yard jaunt.

Richmond had two possessions down six with a chance to take the lead, but had a three-and-out on one possession and Mancuso was intercepted on the second possession. Villanova's Nowoola Awopetu returned the interception 20 yards for a touchdown and the Wildcats never looked back from that point on.

Mancuso finished the game just 6-of-15 for 105 yards through the air and three interceptions before leaving the game with an injury. He led the Spiders on the ground with 71 yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with his receiving touchdown. Junior Kevin Johnson (Atlanta, Ga.) came on in relief, but threw a pair of interceptions on his first three passes.

Redshirt sophomore Reid Chenault (Goochland, Va.) was the Spiders' third quarterback and finished the game 8-of-10 for 58 yards. Chenault connected with freshman Isaac Brown (Winchester, Va.) on a seven-yard touchdown for his first career touchdown pass.

Villanova (4-5, 1-5 CAA) posted 427 yards of total offense, including 257 on the ground in the victory. Aaron Forbes led the Wildcats with 160 yards rushing on 20 carries, including one touchdown. Qadir Ismail finished the game 8-of-17 through the air with 132 yards and a touchdown.

Matthews Jr. led the Spiders' defense with 12 tackles, including his first sack of the season. Sophomore Colby Ritten (Orlando, Fla.) added 12 tackles as well while Billy Caughell (Apopka, Fla.) registered 11 tackles, including a sack.

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