Villanova revels in third road win of the season following narrow victory over Hampton

Behind a formidable defensive front and a few risky plays, No. 13 Villanova picked up a 20-14 road win against the Hampton Pirates on Saturday afternoon.

It was the Wildcats’ first road win against the Virginia school, which joined the Coastal Athletic Association in 2022. Additionally, it was the third road win for Villanova (7-2, 4-1).

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Hampton (5-4, 2-3) struck first, but Villanova led after the 7-minute, 11-second mark of the second quarter. Graduate linebacker Brendan Bell took some offensive snaps and even scored his first touchdown of the season on a 4-yard run in the third quarter.

Graduate quarterback Connor Watkins was 9-of-22 with 149 passing yards. The Pirates held Watkins to just 1 rushing yard on six attempts; he entered the day averaging 32.5 rushing yards per game this season.

Instead, freshman running back David Avit was the Wildcats’ go-to option on the ground. Avit rushed for 76 yards on 26 carries and scored a touchdown from 1 yard out in the second quarter. It was Avit’s sixth touchdown of the season.

Hampton gave Villanova a wake-up call on its opening drive. Quarterback Chris Zellous, who completed 5 of 11 passes for 79 yards, threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kymari Gray at the 11:46 mark.

After the quick score, though, the Wildcats suppressed what’s normally a productive Pirates offense.

Villanova graduate defensive back Tyrell Mims picked off Zellous on the first play of Hampton’s second drive. The Wildcats kept the pressure on, and forced three-and-outs on the Pirates’ next three drives. Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Nigel McSween then made a pivotal stop with Hampton going for it on fourth-and-1.

It was a six-point game entering the fourth quarter. Graduate defensive back Jalen Goodman shut down Hampton’s hopes of a comeback by knocking away a fourth-down pass attempt. The stop gave the Wildcats possession with 3:53 left, and they ran out the clock.

Junior linebacker Shane Hartzell continued leading the defense with nine tackles. Apart from his touchdown, Bell recorded seven tackles and a sack.

Villanova graduate kicker Ethan Gettman made a 40-yard field goal midway through the third quarter, his second-longest of the season behind his 42-yarder in Week 1 against Youngstown State.

Later in the third quarter, Watkins turned risks into rewards for Villanova.

Junior wide receiver Jaylan Sanchez fueled Villanova’s second touchdown of the day. On a third down midway through the period, Sanchez ripped off a 72-yard catch-and-run. He sprinted for the end zone but stepped out of bounds just before the goal line.

Two plays later, Bell ran in the 4-yard touchdown.

The Wildcats return to familiar territory against North Carolina A&T (1-8, 0-5) on Saturday (1 p.m., FloFootball) at Villanova Stadium.

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