Villanova Football Preview: Another Blowout Brewing vs UAlbany?

Villanova Football will host the team with the second-worst record in the CAA when they take on the UAlbany Great Danes at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. The Great Danes have played to a 1-6 record this season, going 0-3 in conference play; their lone win was a 13-10 nailbiter over 1-4 Cornell.

No. 11 Villanova (5-2, 4-1 CAA) enters the game on a four game winning streak, meanwhile, and has won their last 19 games at home. The Wildcats have hit their stride after early season struggles, with key offensive transfers finally gelling together and a young secondary settling into their assignments, as head coach Mark Ferrante described during his weekly media availability session.

Great Danes head coach Jared Ambrose said that his team has struggled to maintain pressure up front, which could turn into a glaring issue against a talented Villanova defensive line. Wildcats quarterback Pat McQuaide accounted for six touchdowns in the first half of last week’s game against Hampton, and another dressing down could be in store for UAlbany. 

The Wildcats are a heavy favorite, listed at -10000 on FanDuel, with the point spread at -28.5 and an over/under of 53.5. FloCollege holds the telecast rights for this matchup, as does NBC Sports Philadelphia for those in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Alternatively, fans can tune in to Villanova Sports Radio Network on iHeart Radio (89.1 on the FM band).

Scouting the Great Danes

Great Danes quarterback Jack Shields has struggled in his five starts this season, completing 83 of 161 passes for 1,061 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. If the Wildcats can build up a big lead early, Shields may struggle to play catch up.

Jojo Uga is the team’s leading rusher, picking up 230 yards and a touchdown on 53 carries, while leading receiver Caden Burty has 20 catches for 308 yards and a score.

UAlbany is averaging just 14.86 points per game this season while giving up 33.43; with 2,110 total yards, they’re putting up 301.4 per game. Villanova, on the other hand, is putting up 395.3 yards and 30.86 points per game. 

One aspect where the Great Danes have put together a respectable performance is their defensive line play: junior Balansama Kamara, a Philadelphia native who attended Central High School, has four of UAlbany’s 15 sacks this season along with a forced fumble, making him a player for Villanova to keep a close eye on.

Scouting the Wildcats

McQuaide, meanwhile, has rounded into form after early season miscues as he and his receivers got to know one another. The veteran signal caller has completed 115 of 184 passes for 1,524 yards, 11 touchdowns and just one interception this season, adding two more touchdowns with his legs.

His leading receiver is Princeton transfer Luke Colella, with 41 catches for 630 yards and three touchdowns. Colella has four games with more than 100 yards this season, and that’s despite leaving in the first half of Villanova’s blowout against Hampton.

The Wildcats have three legitimate rushing threats, David Avit (99 carries for 587 yards and seven touchdowns), Isaiah Ragland (87 carries for 310 yards and a touchdown) and Ja’briel Mace (13 carries for 84 yards and two touchdowns). Mace also has a pair of kickoff return touchdowns.