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The hype leading up to Saturday's kickoff between Villanova and Delaware was undeniable; a rivalry game, Senior Day, final game of the season, PPL Park.
Through the Battle of the Blue's first three quarters, Delaware's Trent Hurley had thrown for 231 yards and two touchdowns. The Blue Hens' ground game also saw them gain over 160 yards and touchdowns by Jerel Harrison and Andrew Pierce.
The scoreboard was hanging heavy on the shoulders of the Villanova faithful with a single 15-minute frame remaining, as the home team was down 34-12 due to poor defense, failure to convert opportunities on offense, and misguided & ill-timed penalties. "I thought Delaware brought out the worst in us, right up until about the 10 minute mark in the fourth quarter," noted Villanova Head Coach Andy Talley. "We were undisciplined and it just seems like we lost our composure."
Ultimately, the Wildcat fans would go home happy.
John Robertson and the Villanova (6-5, 5-3) offense started their first drive of the fourth from their own 26 with 12 minutes to go in the final frame. Four minutes later, the sophomore quarterback rushed in from 10 yards, to begin the turn of the tides. Robertson finished the game with 165 yards on the ground on 31 carries and that sole touchdown- his 20th rushing TD of the season.
The 'Nova defense would then hold the Blue Hens to two consecutive three-and-outs. When VU returned to offense, Robertson, who finished with 252 yards passing, found Joe Price and Gary Underwood in the endzone on each series. The pass to Underwood pulled 'Nova to 32-34, but Robertson's couldn't connect with tight end Doug Terrell for the two point conversion.
Following in the footsteps of the Defense and Offense, it was Villanova's Special Teams to step up and they did recovering the onsides kick giving Villanova the ball on their own 46 with 105 seconds to play. After two passes and 5 rushes, kicker Mark Hamilton nailed a 24-yard field goal to give Villanova the 35-34 victory.
Quick Notes
- Robertson's 417 yards of total offense was a season high.
- The victory is Villanova's second in a row over Delaware and their sixth in seven games.
- Villanova's 6-3 record is the 22nd winning season for Andy Talley at Villanova.