A week after reviving its season with a 37-point dismantling at Albany, Villanova will look to keep it rolling with another conference game on the road. Here’s a closer look at the matchup:
No. 23 Villanova (3-3, 2-1 CAA) at Towson (3-3, 1-2 CAA)
Johnny Unitas Stadium, Towson, Md.
Saturday, 7 p.m., The Comcast Network
Scouting Villanova
After two straight rough losses and the news of star quarterback John Robertson being lost for the season, the Wildcats picked up a much-needed win last week with head coach Andy Talley calling the 37-0 rout of Albany the “turnaround game for us this year.” Redshirt freshman Zach Bednarczyk, Robertson’s replacement who had previously struggled, completed all 12 of his pass attempts for 152 yards and two touchdowns to be named CAA Rookie of the Week. Senior safety Cameron McCurry also garnered league accolades, getting selected as the defensive player of the week for accounting for three turnovers. Villanova currently ranks first in the CAA in total defense, allowing less than 300 yards per game.
Scouting Towson
The Tigers snapped a two-game losing streak with a 21-14 triumph over Stony Brook last week. To get back into the win column, Towson rode its defense, which finished with 13 tackles for loss, four sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Running back Darius Victor, who’s averaging 5.3 yards per carry and 95.5 yards per game (fifth in the league), and dual-threat QB Connor Frazier lead an offense that’s churning out a healthy 358.7 yards per game.
History
Villanova leads the series, 7-4, including an easy 42-14 win last year. The Wildcats also won their last game at Johnny Unitas Stadium, beating the previously unbeaten Tigers in a big 2013 contest.
Storyline to watch
It’s probably fair to say that Bednarczyk won’t have another perfect game throwing the ball like he did against a weak Albany team. The key this week will be for tailbacks Gary Underwood and Javon White to try to move the chains against a Towson defense that ranks in the top 20 in the FCS in rushing defense. If they can’t, the inexperienced Bednarczyk could potentially show the same kind of struggles he did in the Wildcats’ last two losses.
What’s at stake?
Last week’s win gave the Wildcats at least a sliver of hope that the FCS playoffs are still possible. But another loss may squash those dreams.