After a narrow loss to UConn in its season opener, Villanova plays its first FCS opponent of the season.
Here’s a closer look:
No. 6 Villanova at No. 16 Fordham
Jack Coffey Field, Bronx, N.Y.
Saturday, 6 p.m.
Scouting Villanova
In their first meeting with former rival UConn since 1999, the Wildcats came up just short, taking a three-point lead into halftime before dropping a 20-15 decision. Head coach Andy Talley seemed to take little solace in his team playing an FBS team so close on the road, lamenting that it was a winnable game. Still, the defense looked solid and star quarterback John Robertson had a nice game with 153 passing yards and a touchdown to go with 66 rushing yards and another touchdown.
Scouting Fordham
While Villanova couldn’t beat an FBS team in its opener, Fordham had no such problem, taking down Army on the road, 37-35, in a memorable start to its 2015 campaign. Despite losing over 30 seniors to graduation and playing 18 new starters, the retooled Rams rode the arm of first-year starting quarterback Kevin Anderson, who completed 15 of 23 passes for 322 yards and rushed for a TD. But their biggest boost came from their biggest returner as reigning Jerry Rice Award winner (presented to the top FCS freshman) Chase Edmonds rushed for 110 yards on 20 carries with three TDs while also catching six passes for 140 yards. Meanwhile, Fordham’s defense came up with a clutch play to stop Army’s game-tying two-point conversion attempt in the final minutes.
History
In a series that dates back to 1897, Villanova holds a commanding 21-5-3 edge, including a 50-6 walloping last year. ’Nova head coach Andy Talley is 11-1 all-time vs. Fordham with his only loss coming in 2013.
Storyline to watch
Gary Underwood came into the season as Villanova’s featured running back but got off to an inauspicious start as he had to leave last week’s game with a chest injury after running for 13 yards on five carries and catching four passes for 39 yards. It looks like Underwood is questionable for the Fordham game, so the question is how effective he’ll be if he gets the call. And if he doesn’t play, what other members of the Wildcats’ offensive supporting cast will fill the void and help out Robertson?
What’s at stake?
A game between Top 20 teams in the second week of the season? Sounds like a great way to get an early assessment of the national FCS landscape. And even though this isn’t a conference game for Villanova, starting off the year 0-2 would certainly dampen some of the team’s lofty preseason expectations.