Villanova Football Doomed After Another Shaky Second Half

Villanova Football fell 28-21 to Colgate at home on Saturday, Sept. 26, another shaky second half dooming the Wildcats (2-3, 1-2 Patriot League) as they continue to try to find an identity. The Wildcats played to a 14-14 tie in the first half, displaying a strong balance on scoring drives that ended with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Pat McQuaide to Braden Reed and a 13-yard tote from running back Isaiah Ragland.

Colgate found an answer both times, however, recovering a fumble forced by Villanova defensive back Jamie Tyson that could’ve stopped an eventual 13-play touchdown drive in its tracks. The Wildcats couldn’t do anything right on Colgate’s first drive of the second half: Dominic LeBlanc’s kickoff went out of bounds, a facemask penalty gifted the Raiders 15 free yards, and Matt Fogler took a short pass 41 yards to the house.

McQuaide promptly threw an interception, and Colgate doubled their lead to 28-14 after they traded three-and-outs. Villanova responded with a four play, 75 yard drive that saw McQuaide find Reed and running back Ja’briel Mace — who cribbed a 25-yard touchdown — for chunk gains.

Defensive lineman Capri Martin stuffed a run on fourth-and-1 to give the Wildcats possession near midfield, but a McQuaide fumble ended the possession.

Villanova’s defense held strong again, giving them a chance to tie the game when a Colgate field goal sailed wide with less than three minutes to play, but the attempted game-saving drive ended after a holding penalty and two sacks.

Up next, Villanova will host Morgan State at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 in their non-conference finale.