Sept. 16, 2006
Box Score | Quotes
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Visiting Massachusetts (2-1, 1-0 Atlantic 10) staved off a rally attempt by Villanova (0-3, 0-1 A-10) and went on to a 31-21 victory over the Wildcats on Saturday afternoon at Villanova Stadium. The game was the Atlantic 10 Conference opener for each team.
Liam Coen completed a 23-yard pass to Brandon London with 7:11 remaining in the game that stretched a three-point Minutemen lead to 31-21 and effectively put the game out of reach of the Wildcats. Junior Matt Dicken (Cape May, N.J.) had carried for a one-yard touchdown earlier in the quarter that cut the Villanova deficit to 24-21.
On their next possession after the UMass touchdown, the Wildcats fumbled after a 23-yard pass by senior Marvin Burroughs (Atlantic City, N.J.). Villanova forced Massachusetts to go three-and-out and recovered the ball with 4:27 remaining, but were pinned at their own 12-yard line after a 39-yard punt by Christian Koegel.
Burroughs threw for 245 yards and a touchdown, completing 19-of-30 passes. Junior Anton Ridley (Laurel, Del.) had three catches and a team-high 66 receiving yards while senior DeQuese May (Shelbyville, Ky.) had five catches for 46 yards and a touchdown. May totaled 93 total yards as he also carried seven times for 47 yards and a score.
Coen was 21-of-28 for the Minutemen and threw for 350 yards and two touchdowns. London made five catches for a total of 104 yards and Brad Listorti had 49 receiving yards and one score. Steve Baylark tallied 23 rushes for 112 yards and one touchdown.
Villanova provided an early spark to the game, running just two plays to reach the end zone in 41 seconds at the start of the contest. Sophomore Phil Atkinson (Media, Pa.) carried the ball 48 yards on a reverse on the first play from the line of scrimmage and May ran it in for a score from 24 yards out.
The teams went on to trade touchdowns in a span of just over two minutes in the second quarter, as the Minutemen tied the game six seconds into the period only see the Wildcats retake the lead five plays later. Baylark put Massachusetts on the scoreboard with a 10-yard run to cap a four-play drive.
With possession back in Villanova's hands, however, a 26-yard completion from Burroughs to Atkinson set up a six-yard touchdown pass to May at the 12:49 mark of the period.
The Minutemen would gain the lead for the first time late in the half, though, as Chris Koepplin kicked a 33-yard field goal with 7:05 left in the quarter and Tim Washington rushed in from three yards to cap a 67-yard drive with a minute remaining before the intermission.
The score remained 17-14 Massachusetts for the entire third quarter as the Wildcats defense stepped up to keep the game close. Villanova stalled consecutive Minutemen drives and forced its visitors to attempt field goals from 45 yards and 29 yards, respectively. Both tries missed and the Wildcats had a chance to tie the game or retake the lead.
However, Villanova first had a punt blocked and then covered just 20 yards on five plays on successive possessions. Massachusetts scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to extend the margin to 24-14.
The Wildcats face local rival Penn next Saturday at 7 p.m. at Franklin Field.
