Villanova Football manhandles LIU Post, 35-7

The Villanova Wildcats faced off against the Long Island Sharks under Friday Night Lights at Villanova Stadium and had their way with the newly ordained Division I and 0-8 Sharks, winning 35-7.

The Wildcats and Sharks traded off punts to start the game, but on Villanova’s second drive they took control. They went 75-yards in nine plays with quarterback Daniel Smith finishing it off with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Simon Bingelis to put Villanova up 7-0.

Just three plays later, junior Nowoola Awopetu intercepted a LIU pass, giving Villanova the ball back at their own 41-yard line. Smith made quick work of the ensuing drive, capping it off with a seven yard touchdown pass to Jaaron Hayek to grow the lead to 14-0.

The Sharks set up to punt on the next drive, but then Elijah Solomon got his hand on the ball and gave Villanova the ball six yards from the end zone. Smith needed just one play to find Changa Hodge for a touchdown and a 21-0 lead.

LIU answered with a score of there on, but a few drives later Solomon had another blocked punt, this time giving Villanova the ball at the Sharks 30. Smith again needed just one play for a 30-yard touchdown pass to Hodge, making it a 28-7 lead at the half.

Early in the third quarter, Smith finished off a drive with a five-yard rush to make it a 35-7 advantage for Villanova.

The Wildcat offense finished with 346 total yards, including 201 yards for Smith on 15-22 passing with four touchdowns. Hodge caught two of those touchdown passes and totaled 103 yards on seven catches.

Villanova’s defense held LIU to only 183 yards and only 34 passing yards.

Villanova improves to 8-3 on the season. They’ll resume action in their regular season finale at home against Delaware next Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.