Villanova Preview: Wildcats Need to Replicate Performance at Elon

Villanova Football looks to extend their winning streak to three games when they take on the Elon Phoenix in Elon, N.C. at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.

The No. 18 Wildcats (3-2, 2-1 CAA) played their best game of the season last week, crushing New Hampshire 37-7 on the road. Now, they’ll have to do it again against an Elon team that won their first two CAA games by a combined score of 58-23. Villanova holds a 3-1 record against the Phoenix since 2016, winning their last matchup 21-0 in October 2023.

The New Hampshire game should serve as a solid blueprint for this matchup, as the Wildcats needed to get off the field against an offense that liked to hold the ball. If they can replicate their success on third down, it will go a long way toward picking up a crucial conference win on the road.

Although FanDuel Sportsbook sets the point spread at a narrow -3.5 in the Wildcats favor, Villanova is a comfortable -170 favorite on the road; the over/under sits at 51.5. FloCollege holds the telecasting rights for this crucial CAA matchup, while a live audio feed can be found via iHeart Radio on the Villanova Sports Radio Network. Here’s what to expect as the Wildcats take on the Phoenix in a pivotal CAA showdown.

Scouting the Phoenix

Elon head coach Troy Trisciani described his team as a run-first offense during his weekly media session on Monday, Oct. 6: click here to read more about what he had to say. Redshirt freshman quarterback Landen Clark has completed 76 of 145 passes for 1,226 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions. A dangerous running threat, Clark also has 94 carries for 292 yards and five touchdowns, but that includes yardage lost due to 13 sacks taken.

Running back Jimmyll Williams leads the team in rushing with 48 carries for 426 yards and two touchdowns, averaging close to a first down per carry, and has 3 catches for 73 yards on the season. TJ Thomas Jr. completes the Phoenix’s three-headed backfield monster with 64 carries for 284 yards and four touchdowns.

Isaiah Fuhrmann (25 catches/413 yards/3 touchdowns) and Landyn Backey (13 catches/273 yards/3 touchdowns) are Elon’s leading receivers in an aggressive passing offense that likes to take shots downfield.

The Phoenix have 17 sacks on the season, so Villanova’s offensive line will receive a stiff test; with seven interceptions, including three from defensive back Ishmel Atkins, Wildcats’ quarterback Pat McQuaide will need to continue playing a turnover-free game.

Scouting the Wildcats

Facing Elon’s run-heavy offense, Villanova linebacker Shane Hartzell may end up as the Wildcats’ most important player on Saturday. The veteran middle linebacker has 34 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks this season and is leading the team or tied for the lead in each of those categories.

Villanova’s secondary, which looked shaky in their conference opener at Monmouth, will face a tough test against Clark’s aggressive downfield approach.

On the other side of the ball, Wildcats’ quarterback Pat McQuaide has completed 81 of 139 passes for 1,072 yards, three touchdowns and an interception this season. Much like Elon, Villanova’s offense runs through their ground game. David Avit (74 carries/472 yards/7 touchdowns), Isaiah Ragland (63 carries/211 yards/1 touchdown) and Ja’briel Mace (12 carries/102 yards/3 touchdowns) should all see solid opportunities at some point or another, although Wildcats head coach Mark Ferrante has emphasized wanting to unlock his passing game in recent weeks.

Luke Colella is the Wildcats’ leading receiver by far with 30 catches for 471 yards, while Lucas Kopecky (12 catches/186 yards/1 touchdown) is a solid second option.