Nov. 30, 2002
Final Stats
Villanova, Pa.- The Villanova University football team overcame a 31-14 second half deficit to beat the visiting Furman Paladins, 45-38 in Division I-AA playoff action. Senior quarterback Brett Gordon passed for 250 yards and three touchdowns en route to breaking Chris Boden's single-season record of 3,707 passing yards. With the win, the Wildcats will take on Fordham, who emerged with a 29-24 victory over Northeastern. Host sites will be finalized by the NCAA on Sunday. Furman concludes their season with an 8-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in Southern Conference play.
The Wildcats got on the board on their opening drive, when Gordon found senior Cameron Cross for a seven yard touchdown strike.
Furman then broke onto the scoreboard with 5:55 remaining in the first quarter when Dan Marshall booted a 38 yard field goal through the uprights. Villanova then fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Furman took over on the Wildcat 17 yard line. Senior quarterback Billy Napier put the Paladins ahead on a five yard touchdown scamper.
At the start of the second quarter, Napier led Furman 70 yards down the field, resulting in his second touchdown run of the day. On Villanova's next possession, the Wildcats attempted a fake punt, but were held to no gain and Furman took over on Villanova's 27 yard line. Furman would capitalize on their opportunity as Brandon Berry scored on a three yard run, making the score 24-7.
The Wildcats quickly changed the momentum of the game when Mo Gibson ran Brian Kovach's kickoff back 96 yards for the Villanova touchdown. The score would remain 24-14 heading into the locker room.
The Paladins used their opening possession of the second half to drive 79 yards, culminating in a Hindley Brigham four yard touchdown run.
From this point, the Villanova offense would come back to score 17 unanswered points to take a 38-31 lead with just 6:19 to go in the game. Gibson started the offensive attack when he capped off an eight-play, 80 yard drive with an 11 yard run. On the drive, Gordon completed a 15 yard pass to Brian White and an 18 yard strike to tight end Matt Chila to move the 'Cats down the field.
The Wildcats defense received two big plays from Jamison Young to force Furman to punt. On the drive, Young broke through the line of scrimmage twice to stop the Paladins for negative yardage.
Gordon then led the Wildcats 46 yards to set up a 30 yard field goal from Adam James, cutting Furman's lead to 31-24.
Villanova kept its momentum going when Young turned in another fine defensive play, intercepting a Napier pass across the middle and returning it to the Furman 29 yard line. Gordon followed with four completions, culminating in a five yard touchdown strike to White. James' extra point was good, knotting the score at 31-31 with 9 minutes remaining in the game.
On the following kickoff, senior Darnell Greene forced fumble, which was recovered by Villanova's Gary Johnson. Johnson took the ball 16 yards to the Furman 39 yard line. The Wildcats took advantage of their field position with Gordon completing four of his next five attempts. White hauled in a 14 yarder, while John Dieser caught a 12 yard pass, bringing the 'Cats to the eight yard line. On first and goal, Gordon rolled out and found Chila in the back of the end zone, putting Villanova ahead for the first time since the first quarter. James' extra point attempt put the Wildcats ahead 38-31 with 6:19 left to play.
Napier then moved the Paladins 74 yards, completing four passes for 50 yards, setting up Torico O'Neal's 16 yard touchdown run. Marshall split the uprights, tying the game at 38.
With 3:58 remaining, the Villanova offense took the field. Terry Butler's 12 yard run gave Villanova a first down at their own 41 yard line. Villanova kept the chains moving when Gordon hit White cutting across the middle for a 30 yard completion. On the next play from scrimmage, Butler took the ball 24 yards up the middle, giving the Wildcats a first down at the Furman five yard line. Butler then gave Villanova the lead with a five yard touchdown run with 3:08 to go.
Napier and the Paladins mounted a late rally, driving to the Villanova 29 yard line, however the Villanova defense held its ground and four passes to senior Bear Rinehart fell incomplete, sealing the Villanova victory.
The playoff win was the first for the Wildcats since they defeated Colgate 49-28 in the first round of the 1997 playoffs.
Leading the way offensively for the Wildcats was Gordon who finished 27 for 40 with 250 yards and three touchdowns. Gibson added two scores, while Butler, White and Chila all added one. Defensively, Young finished with 11 tackles, five of which were for a loss and one interception. Johnson also added nine tackles.
