Villanova Preview: Wildcats Finally Back Home vs Hampton

Villanova Football will return to the Main Line for just their second home game in the past month when they host the Hampton Pirates at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. The No. 15 Wildcats (4-2, 3-1 CAA) carry a three game winning streak into their matchup with the hapless Pirates (2-5, 0-3 CAA) and should get a jolt from playing in front of their home crowd again.

Much of Hampton’s problems this season stem from ineffective performances on the part of their offense, to hear head coach Trenton Boykin tell it. During his weekly media appearance, Boykin described how the Pirates will make mental errors like thrown interceptions or penalties, giving away possessions or writing themselves off before they even get started as they are forced to play from behind the chains.

With that said, the Pirates have talent, so Villanova will need to stick to their maxim of preparing for each opponent in the same way in order to avoid a trap game.

Currently occupying the No. 3 spot in the CAA, the Wildcats don’t have much margin for error as the season hits its midway point and they try to climb up the leaderboard.

FloSports College holds the telecasting rights for this matchup, as does NBC Sports Philadelphia for viewers in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Alternatively, fans can tune in to the Villanova Sports Radio Network via their online broadcast.

Here’s what to expect as the Wildcats look to stretch their home winning streak to 19 games.

Scouting the Pirates

Quarterback Braden Davis leads the Pirates with 92 passing attempts on the season, completing 57 of them for 651 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions. Davis threw two picks in the second half of Hampton’s loss to Campbell on Saturday, including one returned for a touchdown, so the Wildcats’ secondary has a chance to feast this weekend after hauling in just one interception this season.

Although Davis has played in all seven of their games so far, the Pirates have also turned to backup quarterback Isaiah Freeman at times this season. Maxwell Moss, owner of 16 catches for 226 yards and a touchdown, is the Pirates’ leading receiver this season on a team that has just six total passing touchdowns through seven games played.

Jah’Kel Chavis (52 carries for 281 yards and three touchdowns) is the leading rusher; Freeman has also scrambled for more than 250 yards during his limited action, while Ja’Quan Snipes (39 carries, 234 yards and three touchdowns) gives the Pirates an excellent second option.

Scouting the Wildcats

If the Wildcats can shut down Hampton’s ground game, whether through an early lead or dominant play up front, they should be cooking with gas… although Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante emphasized the Pirates’ dangerous athleticism in his weekly press conference.

Graduate transfer quarterback Pat McQuaide leads the Villanova offense, fresh off his best passing performance of the season at Elon. On the year, McQuaide has completed 104 of 170 passes for 1,327 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception. While he manages to keep the ball out of his opponents’ hands, McQuaide isn’t afraid to throw air it out, connecting with leading receiver Luke Colella (40 catches for 596 yards and two touchdowns on the season) for a pair of long scores at Elon.

Running back David Avit leads the ground game with 91 carries for 535 yards and seven touchdowns, but Isaiah Ragland (82 carries, 279 yards and a touchdown) and Ja’briel Mace (13 carries, 112 yards and three rushing touchdowns, and a pair of kickoff return touchdowns to boot) both serve as excellent reserve options. Kicker Jack Barnum has made just six of ten field goals this season but has put up consecutive perfect performances.