Another opener and another loss for the Wildcats. For the 6th straight year Villanova fell to 0-1 to start their football schedule. This time Villanova entered Connecticut as 7 point road favorites.
Villanova entered coming off of a 12-3 season in the Colonial Athletic Association in 2014 with a returning Walter Peyton award winner in quarterback, John Robertson. Connecticut entered after a 2-10 year in the American Athletic Conference with 2nd year coach Bob Diaco, former Notre Dame defensive coordinator.
After a quick three and out by Villanova, Connecticut started with a methodical, well-balanced drive that ended with quarterback Bryant Shirreffs 14-yard pass to tight end Tommy Myers. Villanova subsequently blocked the extra point.
Villanova was finally able to sustain a drive at the end of the first and beginning of the second quarter as a trick play had running back Gary Underwood hit wide receiver Kevin Gulyas for 36-yards into UCONN territory. After a 3rd down stop, Villanova’s head coach Andy Talley decided to turn to his kicker, Steve Weyler, to attempt a 24-yard field goal, which went wide right. Villanova ended up getting on the board three plays later as Connecticut was pushed back to their own goal line. Linemen Andreas Knappe was called for holding in the end zone, resulting in a safety.
John Robertson and his offense responded with their best drive of the day on the next series. Converting a third down with a ten yard throw to running back Gary Underwood and a 4th down conversion with a Javon White run, Villanova was able to enter the red zone for the second time in the quarter. This time Robertson hit sophomore running back Matt Gudzak for 13-yards for a touchdown on third down to give Villanova the lead.
Connecticut attempted to get some points on the board before the end of the half and entered the red zone thanks to some costly defensive penalties by Jason Ceneus and Wes Smith. Ceneus redeemed himself by picking off Shirreff and preventing Connecticut from scoring. Villanova entered the half up 9-6.
Connecticut received the ball to come out of the second half and seized control. Shirreffs completed a pass to TE Myers for 69-yards to the Villanova 2-yard line. Two plays later, Connecticut running back Ron Johnson scored on a 1-yard run to make the score 13-9 in favor of the home Huskies.
Villanova’s next three drives produced only 58 yards and two turnovers. The Huskies retained possession and scored in just under four minutes to make it a two-possession game. The back breaker being the third and thirteen conversion from Villanova’s 27-yard line when Shireffs hit running back Arkeel Newsome for a touchdown to extend the lead to 20-9.
Villanova was finally able to put some points on the board as Robertson Scampered into the end zone with 1:45 left on the clock to make it 20-15. Robertson and wide receiver Alex Padovini could not connect on the two point conversion.
In a curious move, coach Talley decided to send it deep instead of attempt an onside kick with just two timeouts left in his possession. Connecticut RB Johnson converted on 3rd and short to seal the win for the Huskies.
Coach Talley remarked after the game; “What you're hoping to do is get a [D1] team into the 4Q and all of sudden have them go 'Hey, we could lose this game.’ ”
Quarterback John Robertson remained positive on the outlook of this season. “Our defense played really well. Our offense has to pick it up,” said Robertson. “If we both do, I think we're going to be a really good team.”
Villanova will face Fordham at 6 P.M. next Saturday in the Bronx.