[ Photos and article by Rick Pettine ]
March 13, 2021 – Villanova, PA — Wait a minute…isn’t it almost Spring? Yep, but since their entire 2020 football season was canceled last year, the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) decided to play a Spring AND Fall season in 2021! Yes – more football!!
Each CAA team (in 2 divisions) will compete in six games during the regular season. The playoffs will begin in late April, and the NCAA Football Championship will be in Frisco, Texas in mid-May.
But if Villanova wants a shot at the game in Texas they’ll need to get the train back on track. After a road win against Stony Brook last week, the wildcats dropped a heartbreaker on their home turf to the University of Rhode Island (URI) Rams in overtime.
After URI scored first on a 4-yard touchdown run, Villanova struck back on a TD from Jalen Jackson from the 1-yard line. The game was extremely close all afternoon, and scoring seesawed in the first half, with the Rams taking the lead 21-14 at the half.
The Wildcats tied the game quickly in the 3rd quarter, and led the entire second half of regulation play. But with 2 seconds left, the Rams tied the game 34-34 with a 22-yard field goal, extending the contest into overtime.
Nova took possession first in OT, and went ahead 37-34 on a 47-yard field goal by Cole Bunce. But Rhode Island wasted no time when it was their turn, and completing a long pass to put the ball on the 2 yard line. Two plays later, Kasim Hill scored on a QB keeper to win the game.
The Wildcats have a by-week coming up, and host New Hampshire on March 27 at Villanova Stadium.
– Click on thumbnails to view game action photos in the gallery below –
(contact Photographer for use of full-resolution photos)
