Chris Whitney returned #6 Villanova (4-2, 2-1) to its winning ways, sans All-America Matt Szczur (ankle injury), with a 48-18 victory over the Maine Black Bears (2-5, 1-3) before a disappointed homecoming crowd in Orono. Whitney enjoyed a career day, despite battling turf toe, connecting on 20 of 25 passes and scoring five touchdowns (three by air ... two by land ... none by sea despite the rainy conditions).
Villanova's offense racked up 559 yards total offense, including 336 yards passing. Wide receiver Dorian Wells caught seven passes for 111 yards and one touchdown. The defense allowed the Bears 330 yards of total offense (244 passing / 68 rushing), but recovered two fumbles and intercepted once.
FCS Top Ten: #1 Appalachian St defeated Citadel 39-10, #2 Delaware defeated Rhode Island 24-17, #3 Jacksonville State DNP, #4 William and Mary DNP, #5 Stephen F. Austin defeated Central Arkansas 30-7, #7. James Madison lost to #16 New Hampshire (28-14), #8. Massachusetts lost to #28 Richmond (11-10), #9. South Carolina State DNP, and #10. Montana State DNP
Cats' Game Press Coverage:
Philadelphia Inquirer: "Villanova rolls over Maine, 48-18"
Delaware County Times: "Whitney Maine Spark In Key 'Nova Road Win"
Villanova.com: "Wildcats Move Even With 48-18 Victory Over Black Bears" [Note from Barney Rubble '87: Villanova.com's byline on the game reads: "Quarterback Chris Whitney throws for three touchdowns and runs for two more as Villanova improves to 3-3." Readers of VUHoops, of course, know that the Cats' record actually improved to 4-2. This will likely mark the end of a well-intentioned but a tad misguided experiment by Villanova Director of Media Relations, Mike Sheridan, which allows the opposing team's media staff to write the game summary.]