Amos’ long return part of another outstanding D-day for Villanova
RADNOR » Villanova free safety Jaquan Amos had a chance Saturday to record the second interception of his collegiate career. The freshman from Northeast High School flubbed it.
“As soon as the quarterback threw it I jumped and just missed it,” Amos said of the second-quarter play. “I was very disappointed.”
Seniors Malik Reaves and Rashaan did not allow Amos to hang his head for long.
“They kept telling me, ‘Next play, next play, we’re going to get it,’” Amos said.
Reaves and Stewart were right.
Several plays later, Amos scooped up a fumble that Reaves forced and raced 99 yards for a momentum-changing touchdown in the Wildcats’ 31-0 romp over Maine at Villanova Stadium.
That scoop and score highlighted another incredible effort by the Wildcats defense heading into next Saturday’s showdown against No. 1 James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va. The 12th-ranked Wildcats (4-2 overall, 2-1 Colonial Athletic Association) forced six turnovers (four interceptions, two fumbles) and turned three of those takeaways into touchdowns.
That’s par for the course. Of the 12 turnovers the Wildcats have forced, nine have resulted in a touchdown either by the defense or on the subsequent offensive possession.
It was the second shutout of the season for the Wildcats. The last time that happened was 1966. It also was the second straight shutout at home, a first since Villanova recorded back-to-back 34-0 victories over Detroit and Delaware in 1964.
And it was the first time the Black Bears have been blanked since a 3-0 loss to Albany in 2010.
The Wildcats limited Maine running back Josh Mack, the leading rusher in the FCS at 167.3 yards per game, to 22 yards on 18 attempts. Villanova also held the Black Bears (1-3, 0-3) to eight yards rushing on 29 attempts. That’s the eighth straight opponent Villanova has held under the 100-yard mark.
“There’s a reason they’re the top-ranked rushing defense in the league,” Maine coach Joe Harasymiak said.
The fumble return by Amos, though, turned the tide in Villanova’s favor. Villanova had a precarious 7-0 lead when Amos missed his chance for the second pick of his career. Several plays later the Black Bears had a first down at the three-yard line and threatening to tie the game.
Quarterback Drew Belcher tried to get the equalizer on a quarterback keeper, but Reaves blew in and stripped Belcher of the football. Amos scooped it up and sprinted up the sideline for the longest fumble return in Villanova history and just the third 99-yard fumble return in FCS history.
“I was pressing the receiver and he went to an outside release and I turned my head,” Amos said. “As soon as I turned around the ball was there. I saw the ball and just grabbed it, and it was all she wrote.”
Amos’ day ended on a sour note when he was called for targeting and ejected for a hit on Maine’s Jaleel Reed. Amos will have to sit out the first half against JMU for that infraction.
“We were in Cover 2 and he went outside (and) released,” Amos said. “As soon as I turned around the ball was coming. He kind of like dove for the ball and I was trying to go low and he was already falling. That’s what happened.”
By that time, though, Maine’s offense had been muted. The Black Bears turned the ball over five times on its last nine possessions. Reaves had a pick on Maine’s next possession. Linebacker Keeling Hunter recorded his third interception of the season on the series after that. Both of those turnovers led to scores. Stewart added a pick and a fumble recovery.
That ball-hawking defense has allowed just 44 points since giving up 35 to Lehigh in the season opener.
“We’re just starting to understand the overall defensive scheme as a team better,” Villanova coach Mark Ferrante said. “The difference is we were a step off of making some big plays in that game against Lehigh and now we’re making those plays, getting the ball and creating these turnovers.”
The Wildcats have had to rely on their defense because the offense has struggled, largely due to a rash of injuries on offense. Redshirt freshman Jack Schetelich made his first career start at quarterback because Zach Bednarczyk is out with an injured left knee. The Wildcats have also lost running back Matt Gudzak, tight end Ryan Bell and receivers Alex Padovani and Changa Hodge for the season.
Schetelich struggled. He was 3-for-8 for 61 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also ran for a score. The running game was not much better. It took a while for the Wildcats to get into rhythm. Villanova had 138 of its 158 yards in the second half. Villanova had six three-and-out possessions and punted seven times.
And so, with the offense stuck in low gear, Villanova needed a big effort from its defense and that unit delivered.
“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves so it’s great when it works out like that,” Hunter said, “We pride ourselves on trying to keep every team to zero.”