Football Drops Wild Affair In CAA Opener At #9 Villanova

Saturday, September 18

Villanova, PA

3:30 PM

University of Richmond

2-1 , 0-1

Villanova

3-0 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Richmond

Villanova

Photo by: Mikey Reeves

Football Drops Wild Affair In CAA Opener At #9 Villanova

09/18/2021 | Football

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VILLANOVA, Pa. – In a wild, back-and-forth contest, the No. 18 University of Richmond football team saw No. 9 Villanova score the game's final 21 points in the final 5:01 of the game, erasing the Spiders' spirited third quarter comeback in the Wildcats' 34-27 victory Saturday at Villanova Stadium in the Colonial Athletic Association opener for both teams. The Spiders scored 27 unanswered points of their own in the second half, holding a 27-13 lead in the fourth quarter.

The Spiders saw themselves trailing 13-0 at halftime, being held scoreless in the opening 30 minutes with two turnovers on offense and only five yards on the ground. Redshirt junior Aaron Dykes (Knoxville, Tenn.) started the swing of momentum in the third quarter as he returned the opening kickoff of the second half 98 yards for a touchdown. The kickoff return was the third of Dykes' career as he tallied two kickoff returns for scores in 2019 (at Delaware). He is now tied with Erwin Matthews (1986-88) for most career kickoff returns for a touchdown as a Spider.

Richmond's defense stepped up on the Wildcats' second offensive play of the second half, forcing a turnover. Redshirt sophomore safety Aaron Banks (Stephens City, Va.) stripped the receiver of the ball and Xavier Marshall (Charlotte, N.C.) pounced on it setting up the offense. Four plays later quarterback Joe Mancuso (Blairsville, Ga.) found Isaac Brown (Winchester, Va.) for a 28-yard scoring strike, giving the Spiders a 14-13 lead just nine plays in the second half.

After forcing Villanova into a punt, the Spiders again drove down the field, getting a 44-yard pass from Mancuso to Noah Washington (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) putting the Spiders in Villanova's territory. Mancuso found tight end Connor Deveney (Medford, N.J.) from 33-yards out putting the Spiders in front 21-13. The touchdown was the first of Deveney's career and the Spiders' third tally in less than eight minutes.

Villanova drove down the field on the ensuing possession and got into the red zone. Redshirt freshman Aamir Hall (Baltimore, Md.) came up with the stop as he intercepted Villanova quarterback Daniel Smith for his first career pick. The Spiders used the ground attack to move down the field as Savon Smith (Winchester, Va.) had 30 yards on the drive that ended in a 43-yard field goal from Jake Larson (Baltimore, Md.).

Richmond looked to ice the game away in the fourth quarter, driving down the field and into the red zone on a 19-yard reception by Jonathan Johnson (Baltimore, Md.). The Spiders got down to the six-yard line and on a 4-and-2, elected to kick a 23-yard field goal for the two-touchdown lead at 27-13.

Villanova started its comeback with a 10-play, 76-yard drive capped by a two-yard run by Smith trimming the Spider lead to 27-20. Richmond got the ball with 5:01 remaining but was held to just nine yards and was forced to punt. Smith needed only two plays, connecting with Jaaron Hayek on a 44-yard score, tying the game with 2:02 remining.

Again, the Spiders were forced into a 3-and-out, giving the ball back to the Wildcats. Smith connected with Rayjoun Pringle on a 47-yard scoring play putting Villanova back in front with 38 seconds remaining. Richmond's last minute drive got into the Villanova end, but Mancuso's final pass was intercepted at the 16-yard line sealing the Wildcat victory.

Richmond finished the game with 326 yards of total offense. Mancuso was 18-of-32 for 244 yards and two scores but also had two interceptions. Smith led the Spiders with 32 yards on the ground while Dykes added 30 as Villanova limited the Spiders to only 79 yards on the ground. The Wildcats entered the game leading NCAA FCS in rushing defense.

Villanova finished with 480 yards of total offense, including 350 yards passing from Smith. He finished 26-of-40 through the air with two touchdowns. Justin Covington finished with 92 yards on 18 carries as Villanova was held to 130 yards on the ground.

Defensively, Tyler Dressler (Covington, Va.) led the way with 11 tackles while graduate safety A.J. Smith (Virginia Beach, Va.) had 10 tackles, his most as a Spider. Tristan Wheeler (Bethlehem, Pa.) added eight tackles in the loss.

The Spiders step out of CAA play next weekend travelling to Blacksburg against Virginia Tech. Game time is set for noon at the ACC Network.

--UR—