Villanova unable to outlast Monmouth on the road and falls further behind in CAA title race

Villanova found itself locked in a high-octane battle with Monmouth that featured multiple touchdowns in all four quarters. But the Wildcats came up short, 40-33, on Saturday in West Long Branch, N.J.

Monmouth’s sub-.500 record, it gave No. 9 Villanova (8-3, 5-2 Coastal Athletic Association) one of its toughest defensive tests yet in quarterback Derek Robertson. Robertson completed 22 of 23 passes for 358 yards and three touchdowns to power Monmouth’s 502 yards of total offense. Robertson, who entered the game with the third-most passing yards in the FCS, now has 3,401 passing yards on the season.

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Despite the loss, it was one of Villanova graduate quarterback Connor Watkins’ most efficient performances this season. He completed 20 of 32 passes for 235 yards, a touchdown, and two rushing touchdowns.

Villanova entered Saturday allowing just 15.8 points per game to CAA opponents. But Monmouth (5-6, 3-4) piled up the most points of any team this season against Villanova, outscoring even FBS opponent Maryland, which beat the Wildcats, 38-20, on Sept. 21.

The Hawks controlled the tempo early in the game and broke into the end zone on their first three drives. Early in the second quarter, Villanova’s leading tackler, junior linebacker Shane Hartzell, exited with an undisclosed injury.

As Villanova scrambled to adjust to Hartzell’s absence, Monmouth sophomore wide receiver Josh Derry corralled a 32-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing play.

The Hawks dialed up a trick play to score again in the second quarter on a 19-yard pass from Robertson to Maxwell James. Although Villanova ended the first quarter ahead, 7-6, Monmouth maintained the lead it built in the second quarter for the rest of the game.

In the first half, Watkins and the Villanova offense fought to keep up with Monmouth’s aggressive start. The Wildcats found some answers using the run game and finished with 93 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

On fourth-and-goal early in the first quarter, Watkins delivered Villanova’s first touchdown of the day with a 2-yard sprint.

Freshman running back David Avit was Watkins’ go-to player in critical moments. Avit finished the day with 14 carries for 65 rushing yards — a large chunk of which came on a 25-yard touchdown run with 6 minutes, 26 seconds left in the first half — and caught three passes for 43 yards.

Freshman Chris Colby led the Wildcats’ receivers with 56 yards on four receptions.

The Wildcats managed only a field goal in the third quarter, and two Monmouth touchdowns put them behind 33-17 entering the game’s final 15 minutes.

Watkins took matters into his own hands to get Villanova back in action. After a pass intended for Lucas Kopecky in the end zone flew off target, Watkins rushed 6 yards for a touchdown, then added a two-point conversion in the first 10 seconds of the fourth quarter.

But Villanova couldn’t get the defensive stops that it needed to complete the comeback. Monmouth’s ground-and-pound attack surprised Villanova, and it collected six first downs in the period.

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The Hawks converted on fourth-and-4 on their final scoring drive, which they capped with a 1-yard push by Sone Ntoh to take a 15-point lead.

As the clock waned, the Wildcats continued to respond offensively. Also on fourth down, graduate wide receiver Devin Smith caught a 17-yard touchdown pass to end a 12-play drive. Watkins ran in a second two-point conversion.

Villanova did not get another chance to come back, as Monmouth held possession throughout the last 6:03.

Villanova will host Delaware (9-1, 6-1) in its regular-season finale in a game that becomes even more crucial for the Wildcats’ postseason chances. Kickoff is 1 p.m. Saturday (NBCSP, FloFootball).