Oct. 12, 2001

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VILLANOVA, PA. - Under the lights at Villanova Stadium on Friday night, Oct. 12, the 12th ranked Villanova Wildcats were defeated for the first time in 2001, 17-14 by the Division II University of New Haven Chargers. It was the first time since football was restored at Villanova in 1985 that the Wildcats lost to a Division II opponent. With the loss, Villanova falls to 4-1 overall on the season. New Haven improves to 4-2 overall with Friday's victory.

After fumbling inside the five-yard line on its first possession, Villanova had a 46-yard field goal attempt blocked by New Haven on its second drive. The Chargers' followed with a six-play, 54-yard drive in 2:55 to take the game's first lead. New Haven quarterback Rob D'Innocenzio connected on a 36-yard completion to Sean Fry to move the ball down to the three-yard line giving the Chargers a first and goal. With a third and goal at the one-yard line and less than one minute remaining in the first quarter, Charger tailback Maikel Mehu leaped over a pile at the goal line to give New Haven an early 7-0 lead.

The Chargers increased their advantage to 10-0 on a 46-yard field goal by Peter Dodosh with just over nine minutes remaining in the half. The Wildcats responded as quarterback Brett Gordon found Murle Sango with a swing pass, which Sango took 64 yards for a Villanova score outrunning numerous New Haven defenders.

Getting the ball back with 1:59 remaining in the half on a Steve Neugebauer interception, the Wildcats looked to be marching down field. Charger defensive back Jamar Williams stepped in front of a Gordon pass to force yet another Villanova turnover. Williams returned the interception all the way down to the Villanova 29-yard line, setting up a 13-yard touchdown run by Dawud Hanif to give New Haven a 17-7 halftime lead.

The Chargers began the second half with a drive down to the 19-yard line, but it would go for not as a 36-yard field by Dodosh sailed wide left. The Wildcats failed to capitalize, turning the ball over for the third time of the game, on a fumble by running back Henry Ridley.

Trailing 17-7 after three quarters of play, the `Cats' offense finally caught fire. Villanova drove nine yards on 60 plays in 3:53, scoring on a one-yard plunge by Gordon to cut the New Haven lead to 17-14. The key play in the drive was a 16-yard pass from Gordon to wide receiver Brian White, taking the ball down to the one-yard line.

After getting the ball back off a Charger punt, the Wildcats gave away another opportunity. Gordon threw his third interception of the game, as New Haven defensive end Jermaine Gordon jumped high off the ground to pluck Gordon's pass out of the air.

Villanova got another opportunity just plays later, as cornerback Clarence Curry intercepted a D'Innocenzio pass and returned it to the 39-yard line of the Wildcats. Turnovers continued to plague Villanova, however, as Williams intercepted a pass thrown by Scott Lukash who replaced Gordon just plays earlier as Gordon left with bruised ribs.

The Wildcats got the ball back at their own 20-yard line with 2:41 remaining following a Charger punt. Villanova surged into New Haven territory on a 13-yard pass from Gordon to Shaz Brown, which took the ball down to the 39-yard line. Four plays later, on a fourth down and 10 from the 38, Gordon passed the ball to White, who was stopped two yards short of the first down giving the Chargers a 17-14 victory.

In the loss for Villanova, Gordon completed 26-of-35 passes for 295 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The highlights of the day for the Wildcats came by way of Sango and freshman Phil DiGiacomo. Sango caught eight passes for 118 yards and one touchdown. DiGiacomo caught six passes for 45 yards and rushed three times for 13 yards.

Westbrook played sparingly in the game on an injured ankle. He rushed only 14 times from 64 yards and caught three passes for nine yards.

For New Haven in the win, Hanif rushed 11 times for 51 yards and a score, while Mehu ran nine times for 44 yards and one touchdown. On defense for the Chargers, Alston Sajery had 13 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and one sack.

The Wildcats will get back into action on Oct. 20, traveling to the University of Maine to face the Black Bears at 12:00 p.m.