Playing a home football game for the first time in 468 days, the Villanova Wildcats fell to the visiting Rhode Island Rams in overtime in the spring season home opener on Saturday afternoon. With the loss, Villanova falls to 1-1 on the season, while Rhode Island improves to 1-0.
 
Leading 31-24 early in the fourth quarter, Villanova had a first a goal from the five-yard line. Following a one-yard run and two incomplete passes, the Wildcats settled for a 21-yard field goal from Cole Bunce to take a 34-24 lead with 11:50 to play.
 
After each team failed to score on their next possession, Rhode Island cut the Villanova lead to 34-31 on a one-yard touchdown run by Kevin Brown with 3:36 remaining. The key play of the drive was a 46-yard pass from Kasim Hill to Matt Pires.   
 
Rhode Island's defense came up with the stop it needed forcing a Villanova punt after a three and out by the Wildcat offense.  The Villanova punt went just 19 yards and the Rams were in business at the Villanova 49-yard line with 2:32 on the clock. Facing a 3^rd and 13, Hill connected with Ed Lee for a 19-yard completion and a first down at the Wildcat 21-yard line. The Rams had a first and goal at the nine-yard line when Hill gained four yards on a run to the five-yard line. With 15 seconds on the clock and just one timeout, Rhode Island let the clock wind down until two seconds remained and called the final timeout to set-up the potential game-tying kick. Senior kicker CJ Carrick came on to split the uprights on a 19-yard field goal attempt to send the game to overtime.
 
The Rams won the overtime coin flip and elected to put the Villanova offense on the field first. After losing three yards on its first three downs of overtime, Bunce connected on a 45-yard field goal to give the Wildcats a 38-35 lead.
 
On Rhode Island's first overtime possession it took the Rams three plays to take home the road win. Hill hit Ivory Frimpong on a 23-yard pass on the first play to set-up a first and goal from the two-yard line. After Kevin Brown was stopped for no gain, Hill ran in from two yards out for the game-winner.
 
Rhode Island led 21-14 at halftime, before Wildcat senior running back Justin Covington scored on a 76-yard run on the first play of the second half to even the score at 21-21. On the Rams next possession, Hill was intercepted by Wildcat defensive end Malik Fisher and Villanova had the ball at the Rhode Island 24-yard line. Three plays later quarterback Dan Smith scored on a five-yard scamper and the Wildcats led 28-21. The score was set-up by a 16-yard pass from Smith to Jaaron Hayek.
 
Each team traded third quarter field goals, with Bunce making good on a 25-yard effort and Carrick connecting on 19-yarder.
 
Rhode Island tallied 494 yards of total offense in the victory, including 260 yards passing and 234 yards rushing, while Villanova was credited with 437 yards of offense (321 rushing; 161 passing). Smith finished the afternoon completing 12-of-27 for 116 yards and one interception to go with 10 carries for 110 yards and two scores.  Covington led the Wildcat ground attack with 12 carries for 141 yards and two scores. Jalen Goodman led the Villanova defense with a game-high 13 tackles.
 
Hill led the Rams with 282 yards of total offense with 246 yards passing and 36 yards rushing. He completed 18-of-28. Brown finished with 20 carries for 141 yards and four touchdowns, while Frimpong had eight receptions for 122 yards.
 
Villanova will have a bye next week, before returning home on March 27 to host the New Hampshire Wildcats.