Villanova’s surging defense ready to roll into Albany
The big question for Villanova coming into the season was how the Wildcats would replace the likes of Tanoh Kpassagnon and Austin Calitro from a unit that was No. 1 in the FCS in both scoring and total defense a year ago? Quite nicely, thank you. Heading into Saturday’s CAA opener at Albany (7 p.m.), the seventh-ranked Wildcats (2-1) are tied for first in the FCS with three defensive touchdowns, seventh in rushing defense (48.3 yards per game), No. 21 in scoring defense (17.0 points per game) and 28th in total defense (304.7 ypg). Villanova has allowed a total of 179 rushing yards in its last five games.
The Great Danes (2-1) enter with a twogame winning streak and have one of the top defensive units from a statistical perspective. Albany is eighth in total defense (243.7), No. 17 in scoring defense (15.0), No. 18 against the run (73.3 ypg.) and No. 27 against the pass (170.3).
The Wildcats have won all three meetings since Albany joined the CAA, including a 37-0 triumph two years ago in their first visit to Casey Stadium. WIDENER AT ALBRIGHT » Call this separation week in the MAC. The teams picked to finish in the top four spots in the preseason poll go head-to-head this weekend as the Pride head to Reading and Delaware Valley hosts Stevenson.
The Lions (3-0, 2-0) have won two straight against the Pride and feature the league’s top scoring offense (36.3 ppg).
Widener (2-1, 2-0) leads the MAC and is No. 17 in Division III in scoring defense (11.2 ppg).
The big question, though, is on offense. Quarterback Sean McGaughey injured his right (throwing) shoulder in last week’s 3421 victory over Misericordia. If he can’t go, Graham Jesperson, a redshirt sophomore, will get the start. CHEYNEY AT BLOOMSBURG » The Wolves (1-2) have scored nearly as many points in three games (86) than they did all of last season (94). The new offense, led by quarterback Dominick Trautz, is the reason for the improved production. Trautz has completed 53.8 percent of his passes and has thrown for 662 yards and eight touchdowns.
The problems have been turnovers and defense. The Wolves are tied for third in Division II with the most turnovers lost (12) and are seventh in scoring defense (49.0 ppg).
The Huskies (2-1) have won two in a row after opening the season with a 44-28 loss to Stonehill and are receiving votes in the AFCA top 25. Bloomsburg’s pass defense ranks fifth in the PSAC and the Huskies are third in quarterback sacks with seven. WILLIAMSON AT WIDENER JV » The visiting Mechanics are 2-0 for the first time since 2005, largely due to a defense that has forced 14 turnovers. Widener has won the last two games and five out of the last six meetings to tie the series, 13-13. Williamson’s last victory came in 2010.
Freshman wide receiver Darnell Wideman (Chester/STEM Academy) was named the USCAA Player of the Week. He caught two touchdown passes and had 101 receiving yards in Williamson’s 45-20 victory over Gattaca.