Sept. 2, 2004

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VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - Terry Butler rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown, and Villanova's defense made a crucial goal-line stand as the Wildcats held off Bucknell 20-14 Thursday in the season opener for both teams.

Villanova (1-0) dominated the entire first half, holding Bucknell (0-1) to only one first down, and led 20-0 after three periods.

An interception by Bucknell's Jerome Acy led to a 3-yard touchdown run by Daris Wilson with 12:36 left to play.

A Villanova fumble then resulted in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Ian Nutt at the 10:52 mark, making the score 20-14, and two plays later, the Bison's Kevin Ransome recovered another fumble at the Wildcats' 30.

Wilson then carried five straight times, putting the ball on the 1-yard line, but on fourth down, Blamah Sarnor was stopped for no gain with 7:10 remaining in the game.

After a scoreless first quarter, Marvin Burroughs capped a 14-play, 78-yard drive with an 8-yard TD run, and the Wildcats made it 13-0 with 41 seconds left in the half when Burroughs hit Phil DiGiacomo from 3 yards out.

Villanova had 14 first downs in the first half and outgained Bucknell 223 yards to 43.