Nov. 16, 2002
Final Stats
VILLANOVA, PA. - On a rainy afternoon at Villanova Stadium, on Saturday, Nov. 16, the 14th ranked Villanova Wildcats cruised to a 45-3 win over Rhode Island in the team's 2002 home finale. With the victory, the Wildcats improve to 8-3 overall on the season and 5-3 in Atlantic 10 play. The Rams fall to 3-8 overall and 1-7 in conference action with the loss.
Villanova got on the board first with a 24-yard field goal by Adam James 3:16 into the game. Rhode Island tied the contest at 3-3 on a 21-yard field goal by Shane Laisle at the 2:55 mark of the first quarter.
On the last play of the first quarter, freshman running back Mo Gibson scored the game's first touchdown on a one-yard plunge. Gibson's score capped off a seven-play, 47-yard drive in 2:55 that gave the Wildcats a 10-3 lead - a lead Villanova would never relinquish.
With just under nine minutes to go before the half, Gary Johnson blocked a Rhode Island punt and recovered it at the 10-yard line. Three plays later, senior quarterback Brett Gordon completed a two-yard touchdown pass to Brian White to increase the Wildcat advantage to 17-3.
Villanova would add one more score before the half on a four-yard touchdown run by sophomore Phil GiGiacomo to take a 24-3 lead into the half.
Gordon and the `Cats came out firing in the second half finding the end zone three more times in the third quarter to take a commanding 45-3 lead. Gordon threw two scoring strikes - a 15-yard touchdown to senior Shaz Brown and a 12-yard scoring pass to junior Matt Chila.
Villanova capped off its scoring at the 5:19 mark of the third quarter on a two-yard touchdown run by Henry Ridley to cruise to a 45-3 victory.
In his final career start at home, Gordon finished 13-of-18 for 179 yards and three touchdowns. He went over the 3,000-yard mark for the second straight season, becoming only the second player in school history to accomplishment that feat. Former Wildcat Chris Boden threw for 3,000 yards three times during his career.
Gibson led the `Cats in rushing on the day with 59 yards on 11 carries to go with one touchdown. Senior wideouts White and Brown also had outstanding games for Villanova, as the two combined to catch six passes for 82 yards and two scores.
On defense for the Wildcats, senior Jamison Young kept up his outstanding season with 11 tackles and one sack. Raymond Ventrone also finished with double-digit tackles making 10 stops.
The win was the 150th of Villanova head coach Andy Talley's coaching career.
In the loss for Rhode Island, running back Jayson Davis rushed for 91 yards on 26 carries, and completed seven-of-14 passes for 70 yards.
Villanova will wind down the 2002 regular season on Saturday, Nov. 23, traveling to Newark, Del., to take on the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens at 1:00 p.m.
