Oct. 5, 2002
Final Stats
VILLANOVA, PA. - The 7th ranked Villanova football team capped off the Homecoming festivities with a dominating 35-7 win over Atlantic 10 foe Hofstra on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Villanova Stadium. The Wildcats controlled the game, keeping the ball for over 36 minutes, and senior quarterback Brett Gordon had yet another outstanding game completing 26-of-35 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns. The `Cats improve to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in Atlantic 10 play with the win, while the Pride fall to 2-4 overall and 2-3 on conference action.
With time running down in the first quarter, Villanova linebacker Brian Hulea intercepted Ryan Cosentino and returned the ball seven yards to the Hofstra 15 yard line. The Wildcats took the first lead of the contest on a 16-yard scoring strike from Gordon to Brian White.
The Villanova offense opened up the flood gates in the second quarter, punching in three more scores as Gordon tossed touchdown passes of 13 yards to Shaz Brown, three yards to Phil DiGiacomo, and six yards to Anthony Wright. Gordon's scoring strike to Wright came with just 38 seconds to go before the half, and gave the Wildcats a 28-0 advantage at intermission.
In the third quarter, Villanova picked up right where it left off. Getting the ball at their own three-yard line at the 12:53 mark, the Wildcats marched 97 yards on 13 plays in 4:47, scoring on a 12-yard run by senior fullback Cameron Cross.
The Villanova defense looked to be on its way to a shutout, but Hofstra found the endzone for the first time with only 1:12 remaining in the game, as Andrew English completed a 33-yard scoring pass to Devale Ellis. That was as close as the Pride would come, as the Wildcats went on for the 35-7 victory.
The Wildcat offense put on a dominating performance, recording 397 total yards with 234 coming in the air and 178 on the ground. With 26 first downs, Villanova has now amassed 90 first downs in the last two contests combined.
The Sports Network's National Player of the Week, Gordon was impressive yet again and is 66-of-92 for 655 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception the last two weeks.
Gordon completed passes to 10 different targets on Saturday, with Cross catching six passes for 51 yards, Brown catching four passes for 41 yards and one touchdown, and White making four receptions for 36 yards and one score.
On the ground for Villanova, Terry Butler rushed 17 times for 95 yards, while Cross had five carried for 50 yards and one touchdown.
The Wildcat defense was just as impressive, holding the Hofstra offense to 259 total yards of offense including only 165 yards in the air. Hulea made seven tackles and had one interception to lead the way, while senior linebacker Jamison Young had four tackles and one sack.
On offense for the Pride, Cosentino completed 14-of-28 for 122 yards and one interception. English came in the game in the fourth quarter and completed two-of-five passes for 43 yards and one score.
Villanova will get back into action on Thursday, Oct. 10, hosting the University of Pennsylvania at 7:00 p.m.
