Mistakes prove costly for Villanova in conference loss to Colgate
It was the first time Villanova had lost to Colgate since 1978, which snapped an eight-game winning streak.
Villanova coach Mark Ferrante says the Wildcats have become their “own worst enemy.”
The Wildcats returned home to Villanova Stadium for the first time in four weeks, searching for their first win home win since last November. After a competitive first half, costly penalties, an inability to stop Colgate on third down, and communication miscues led to a 28-21 loss.
It’s the first time Villanova (2-3, 2-1 Patriot League) has lost to Colgate (4-1, 3-0) since 1978, snapping an eight-game winning streak.
“We’ve got to stop being the opponent [to] ourselves,” Ferrante said.
Graduate quarterback Pat McQuaide completed 12 of 23 passes for 192 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. McQuaide had a couple of opportunities for big plays with open receivers downfield, but overthrew them.
Running backs Ja’briel Mace and Isaiah Ragland combined for 98 rushing yards on 23 attempts. Ragland picked up a rushing touchdown in the first half, while Mace hauled in a touchdown catch.
“But, again, the one-two punch didn’t get us the win today,” Mace said. “So, I mean, the most important thing to me is winning football games, and we’re not doing that right now. We need to be better.”
Time not on the Wildcats’ side
The Wildcats were unable to retain possession of the football. Colgate led Villanova in total time of possession by over 15 minutes. A main factor in the discrepancy was the Wildcats’ inability to stop the Raiders on third down, allowing them to go 8 for 15.
“We’ve got to get off the field on third down on defense,” Ferrante said. “I would say [our opponents] are averaging over 50% against us in the first five games in third-down conversions, and too many of them [are] because of penalties.
“Looking at the stat sheet, 8 for 15, that’s more than 50%. Time of possession is ridiculous. We need to get off the field on defense. We need to stay on the field and hang on the football on offense.”
Through its first five games, Villanova has allowed every opponent except one to convert at least 50% of its third downs. The only game under 50% was against Bucknell in Week 2 (30.8%).
Penalties continue to derail momentum
Villanova has struggled this season with penalties. The Wildcats have committed seven or more penalties in four of its five games.
Against Colgate, Villanova was penalized eight times for 79 yards. Some of those came on third downs when Villanova had the opportunity to force Colgate into punting or settling for a field goal.
“We have to be smarter,” Ferrante said. “We have to be more disciplined. We’re giving up too many first downs in big plays because of our penalties. So we’ve got to make sure, No. 1, we stay outside so we don’t give them a free 5 yards and move the sticks, and No. 2, during the course of the play, we’ve got to make sure that we’re playing clean football as opposed to giving them pass interference calls and hand-to-face calls and personal foul calls.”
Villanova’s offensive line
The program has emphasized a strong offensive line in successful seasons.
But the offensive line has been hit with injuries. That was evident on Saturday, as McQuaide was sacked six times, including on the Wildcats’ final play to seal Colgate’s win.
At times the pass protection was there, but it was not consistent enough. And the run game was affected, too: No Villanova running back has eclipsed the 100-yard mark this season.
Last season, Villanova running backs had seven 100-plus-yard rushing performances.
Up next
Villanova will stay on the Main Line for a conference matchup against Morgan State (3-1). The Bears are coming off a bye week.
Villanova last faced Morgan State in 2014 and defeated the Bears, 48-28, at Villanova Stadium.
