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Analysis: Villanova 37, UNH 7

DURHAM – Here’s how dominating the Villanova offense was during a 37-7 victory over the University of New Hampshire on Saturday: The Pennsylvania Wildcats didn’t turn the ball over, and they didn’t punt. 

This was a contest that reminded fans that football games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage. Villanova (3-2, 2-1 CAA) ran for 238 yards and five touchdowns on 42 rushing attempts, and held UNH (3-3, 1-1 CAA) to 89 yards rushing on 24 carries.

“I think those were the two biggest things – the most glaring things,” UNH coach Rick Santos said. “We were outmatched in all three phases. They owned the line of scrimmage on both sides. Their offensive line imposed their will on us. We didn’t tackle nearly well enough. Offensively, we couldn’t sustain drives. They just tackled extremely well. I think in the second half their defensive line … they wore us down a little bit.” 

It looked like a fair fight early. One play after safety Anthony Hawkins intercepted a Matt Vezza pass on UNH’s first offensive possession, running back David Avit (14 carries, 102 yards) scored on a 34-yard run. UNH responded with Vezza’s 35-yard TD run on the ensuing possession that helped make it 7-7 with 10:08 to play in the first quarter, but Villanova asserted itself after that. The other Wildcats led 24-7 at halftime and added 13 points in the final quarter.

“Defense, our goal is try to stop the run and try to make a team one-dimensional,” Villanova coach Mark Ferrante said. “Then on the other side of the ball we want to establish the run. A lot of people say that, but we’re not good when we’re throwing more passes than we’re running. We’re a better team when we have more runs than passes. That sets up the RPO game and some of those things.” 

Villanova, the No. 18 team in the Stats Perform Top 25, ran 20 more offensive plays that UNH did (68-48) and had a 461-207 edge in total offense. Running back Ja’briel Mace carried the ball three times and ran for 34 yards and three TDs. Villanova also received an 18-yard touchdown run from Isaiah Wright. Wide receiver Luke Colella caught nine passes for 139 yards.

It was the first time Villanova hasn’t punted in a game since the 2008 season.

“I think one of our games, Penn State, we punted eight times,” Ferrante said. “When you’re not sending your punter out there, that’s a good thing.”

Vezza completed 12-of-23 passes for 118 yards, and also rushed for a team-high 71 yards. No UNH running back had more than 30 yards on the ground.

“Anytime you get in obvious passing situations against that defense they have the advantage, rushing three and dropping eight into coverage,” Santos said. “That’s kind of what the whole second half was.

“The game plan was to be efficient early on first and second down, get it to third and manageable. … It was off-kilter from the beginning. And then defensively we couldn’t get timely stops when we needed to.

“This one stings. It’s ugly. We pride ourselves on playing hard, being the aggressor, being the more physical team and that certainly was the complete opposite today.”

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