Villanova Falls To The University Of Pennsylvania For The First Time In 104 Years
History occurred at Villanova Stadium on Thursday night. The University of Pennsylvania defeated the Villanova Wildcats for the first time in over a century. Villanova opened as 27 point home favorites but never led in the game. It also marked the first time since October 26th, 2013 that Villanova dropped a regular season home game.
The tone was set early by the Quakers as they received the ball to open the game. Penn’s junior quarterback, Alek Torgersen, completed a pass to Justin Watson for 12-yards and a touchdown to cap off a four-minute, 75-yard drive.
After a Villanova turnover on the ensuing kickoff, a 4th down stop gave the ball to the Wildcat offense for the first time all night trailing by a touchdown. 2014 Walter Payton award winner John Robertson tore his PCL in Villanova’s 28-21 win over Delaware on 9/19. Redshirt Freshman Zach Bednarczyk, who led Villanova to the second half comeback against Delaware, made his debut as starting quarterback.
After a quick first down for the Wildcats, Bednarczyk was stifled by the Quaker defense for what was the first but would not be the last time, and Villanova was forced to punt. Penn subsequently took six minutes to drive 55-yards and miss a field goal.
Villanova went three and out quickly, as the Quakers embarked on a near six-minute drive that resulted in a touchdown. Torgersen then completed another 33-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver, Watson, to put Penn up 14-0.
Penn tops Villanova on the road for the first time in 104 years - Photo curtesy of Drew Hallowell on pennathletics.com
Villanova was able to force a turnover in their own red zone to prevent further damage in the first half. Sophomore defensive back for the Wildcats, Malik Reaves, picked off Torgersen in the end zone at the end of the first half.
The damage had been done as Penn looked like the team that should have been favored by 27 points. In total the Quakers had the ball for almost 25 to Villanova’s 5 minutes. They out gained Villanova by almost 200-yards and led 14-0.
After trading three and outs, a key Bednarczyk interception set up a Penn field goal to make it 17-0.
At this time Villanova gained less than 50-total yards and it was nearly half way through the 3rd quarter.
Bednarzyck was finally able to get the offense going on a 74-yard drive, which was capped off by senior running back Gary Underwood’s 1-yard run. After a stop, despite the teams struggles, Villanova found themselves with the ball driving down the field only ten points behind.
Junior running back Javon White coughed up the football at Penn’s 8-yard line and Quaker senior linebacker, Tyler Drake, picked it up and returned it for 90-yards. Villanova tacked on a meaningless touchdown on a Jarrett McClenton 8-yard catch from Bednarczyk.
Villanova’s head coach, Andy Talley, was steaming after the game and said, "I really can’t explain it. I'd like to be able to. Probably one of the worst performances of my career here.”
Ray Priore picked up his first win as head coach for Penn. The win could not come under more unbelievable circumstances, "It's really tough to comprehend right now, to be honest with you. Wow, just wow. It's been a long time since this has happened.”
Villanova (2-2) has a bye next week and faces William and Mary on October 10th at Villanova Stadium at 12 P.M. The Quakers (1-1) face Dartmouth in their home opener next Saturday October 3rd at 3:30 P.M.
-Photo curtesy of Drew Hallowell and pennathletics.com