Oct. 27, 2001

Final Stats

VILLANOVA, PA. - On Saturday, Oct. 27 at Villanova Stadium, the Villanova football team celebrated Homecoming by defeating the University of Massachusetts by the score of 47-13. The victory, a dominating effort on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats, improved Villanova's record to 5-2 overall on the season and 4-1 in the Atlantic 10. The Minutemen fell to 1-6 overall and 1-4 in conference play with the loss.

Villanova marched down field on its first possession, going 64 yards on six plays. A 28-yard pass from quarterback Brett Gordon to tight end Matt Chila gave the `Cats a first down and 10 at the 10-yard line. Gordon then found wide receiver Brian White with a crossing pass in the end zone for a 10-yard scoring strike at the 11:38 mark to give Villanova a 7-0 lead.

The Minutemen struck right back, scoring on a three-yard run by running back Kevin Quinlan. The Massachusetts drive went 56 yards on 10 plays in 3:13. The extra point was blocked by Wildcat defensive end Willie Lewis, however, to preserve a one-point lead for Villanova at 7-6.

With time winding down in the first quarter, the Wildcats went on fourth and four from the UMass 29-yard line. Gordon swung a pass out to running back Brian Westbrook on the right side, good enough for four yards and a Villanova first down. A few plays later, Gordon dove for a one-yard touchdown to give the Wildcats a 14-6 lead with 35 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

At the 10-minute mark of the second quarter, Villanova added to its lead. Westbrook made a diving 22-yard touchdown catch off a Gordon pass to give the Wildcats a 20-6 advantage. Holder Chris Birch bobbled the extra point snap as the PAT failed keeping the Villanova lead at 14 points.

The Wildcat defense followed suit, stepping up to stop the Minutemen on a fourth-and-one attempt with 7:12 remaining in the half. Villanova took advantage of the turnover on downs, as freshman running back Phil DiGiacomo caught a two-yard touchdown pass to increase the Wildcat lead to 27-6.

On a third down and nine from the two with 5:13 left in the third quarter, a Gordon pass was deflected and intercepted in the end zone on a diving catch by Valdamar Brower for a Massachusetts touchdown. The score cut Villanova's advantage to 27-13.

On the Minutemen's next possession, UMass quarterback Matt Guice was sacked by Wildcat linebacker Jamison Young, whose hit jarred the ball loose. Villanova defensive tackle Kwesi Solomon picked up the fumble and went 13 yards for a Wildcat score. The Villanova extra point failed as the `Cats led 33-13.

The Wildcat defense forced yet another turnover on Massachusett's next possession. A Guice pass was intercepted by Jason McMillion and taken back to the seven-yard line. On the next play, Westbrook took the handoff and scampered seven yards for a Villanova touchdown to increase the Wildcat lead to 40-13.

Entering the fourth quarter of play, Westbrook had 188 all-purpose yards in the game (96 rushing, 40 receiving, 52 return), placing him just 26 yards shy of Jerry Azumah's I-AA career all-purpose yards record of 8,376 which he registered at New Hampshire from 1994-98.

At the 13:44 mark of the fourth quarter, Young forced another fumble on a sack of Guice. The fumble was recovered by Mike Tesei, giving Villanova the ball on their own 43-yard line. On a second and one from the 43, Gordon found receiver Shaz Brown down field for a gain of 53 yards down to the three- yard line. A three-yard Westbrook touchdown, his second running score of the day and third touchdown overall, gave the Wildcats a 47-13 advantage.

Westbrook finished the day with 199 all-purpose yards, placing him just 15 yards away from Azumah's record. He recorded 103 rushing, 40 receiving, and 54 return yards on Saturday, to go along with three touchdowns. The 100-yard rushing game was Westbrook's fourth of the season and 17th of his career.

On defense for Villanova, Young finished the contest with three sacks and two forced fumbles. Solomon was outstanding got the `Cats as well, tallying one sack, two tackles for a loss and his first collegiate touchdown.

Villanova will get back into action on Nov. 3, traveling to the University of New Hampshire for an Atlantic 10 contest at 12:30 p.m.