Fireworks For Ferrante Inward Villanova's Opener

Patrick Zeng
@Roundtripper891

Philly.com

For the origin fourth dimension since 1985, a novel human was calling the shots on the sideline for Villanova football. Mark Ferrante made his debut equally the caput motorbus of Wildcats on Sabbatum afternoon equally Nova made the trip to Lehigh. And it sure enough felt similar a novel era amongst the mode inwards which the Cats used to secure their origin victory of the season.

Last year, Villanova relied heavily on its top tier defense forcefulness to acquit them to their 9-4 record. Things felt a niggling dissimilar on a chilly afternoon inwards Bethlehem, PA. It was Villanova's criminal offence that led the accuse to the thrilling 38-35 victory. Junior Quarterback Zach Bednarczyk led the means for Nova amongst 281 yards of full criminal offence along amongst iii touchdowns. The veteran was a threat all day, completing 74% of his passes to proceed the criminal offence humming. His elusiveness continually frustrated the Lehigh defense forcefulness equally they were non able to sack him as well as kept the positive gains coming. In full Villanova pose upwardly 475 yards of full offense.

CSN Philly

The soil game was the star of the present offensively final flavour for the Cats as well as it showed that it tin give notice notwithstanding in ane trial to a greater extent than hold upwardly a force. Nova ran the ball 38 times for 281 yards led yesteryear a powerful surgical operation from senior Matt Gudzak. Gudzak had a salubrious 11.8 yards per acquit to instruct along amongst his ii touchdowns equally the Mountain Hawks struggled to discovery an response for him. Aaron Forbes chipped inwards 44 yards equally to a greater extent than of an outside threat. Along amongst the versatility of Bednarczyck, Villanova sure enough has a bevy of options on the soil this season.

It was senior Tight End Ryan Bell that led the Wildcats inwards receiving for the afternoon. The New Bailiwick of Jersey native was Bednarczyk's favorite target on the day, racking upwardly 78 yards as well as a touchdown on v receptions. It was Bell that caught the origin touchdown of the solar daytime on a masterful four play lx yard crusade to boot off the season. Taurus Phillips pitched inwards 97 yards as well as a touchdown, 75 of those yards came on an absolute dime of a throw from Bednarczyck later on Phillips burned his man.

The defense forcefulness on the other manus seemed to hold upwardly a niggling fight of a function inwards progress. Without star human Tanoh Kpassagnon the drib dead rush seemed to struggle. Only ane sack was registered on the solar daytime equally Lehigh quarterback Brad Mayes seemingly had all solar daytime inwards the steal on a large amount of his drib backs. This allowed for Mayes to throw for over 400 yards on 49 attempts. The run defense forcefulness inwards comparing remained really solid. The Cats solely gave upwardly 86 yards on the ground, led yesteryear a fantastic surgical operation from senior linebacker Ed Shockley(14 tackles, 1.5 for a loss).

Villanova

Star defensive dorsum Rob Rolle seems primed for unopen to other bully flavour later on contributing 8 tackles as well as an electrifying 63 yard fumble provide for a touchdown earlier it was called dorsum for a block inwards the back. Andy Talley, who was inwards attendance for the game, would convey been disappointed amongst the amount of penalties that Nova self inflicted upon themselves including multiple personal fouls. Coach Ferrante volition definitely expect to build clean those upwardly earlier side yesteryear side week's Big Five gibe upwardly against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field.  The Owls volition hold upwardly looking to rebound from the 49-16 drubbing they endured at the hands of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Gaelic inwards South Bend.

Final ruling: The Mark Ferrante era is off to a flight start, only the defense forcefulness gave unopen to reasons for concern.

Fun Facts from @NovaFootball:
-The 38 points are the virtually points scored yesteryear a Wildcat caput motorbus inwards his debut.
-Today was the origin flavour opener versus a FCS opponent since 2004.
-The Wildcats ameliorate to 30-4 versus Patriot League opponents since 1985.
- Villanova improves to 31-3 since 2011 when scoring thirty or to a greater extent than points.

Fireworks For Ferrante Inward Villanova's Opener 2017-09-02T17:47:00-07:00 Rating: 4.5 Posted By: angkrate