From the Other Side: Best-On-Best as Villanova Travels to Face Elon

The Elon Phoenix (4-2, 2-0 CAA) ran for 247 yards in their conference road opener at Towson, controlling the clock for more than 36 minutes as they gutted out a 17-3 win. Running backs Jimmyl Williams (14 carries for 90 yards) and TJ Thomas Jr. (13 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown) led the charge alongside redshirt freshman quarterback Landen Clark (17 carries for 81 yards).

During his weekly CAA press conference, Elon head coach Tony Trisciani said that Towson’s odd front required their linebackers to make plays, evading offensive linemen rushing to the second level or trying to shoot the gaps to make a play in the backfield. Incidentally, No. 18 Villanova Football’s 3-3-5 base defense also employs an odd front, which means that star linebacker Shane Hartzell could turn into an X-factor during the Wildcats’ trip to North Carolina.

The Wildcats will also need disciplined play from their secondary. Trisciani described his running game as a horizontal attack, trying to beat opposing defenses to the sideline and turn upfield. That means that Villanova’s cornerbacks will need to be prepared to make tackles while their linebackers and defensive ends do their best to set the edge and cut off running lanes. Trisciani also said that the Phoenix like to take deep shots, letting their running game set the stage for aggressive plays downfield.

Elon had five receptions of 15 or more yards against Towson, while Clark completed 15 of 25 passes for 181 yards and an interception. Villanova’s stated desire to make opposing offenses one-dimensional, shutting down the running game and forcing them to pass, contrasts with the Phoenix’s run-heavy strategy, a best-on-best matchup that will determine this critical conference matchup.