WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – It was a shootout in Villanova's first ever visit to Kessler Stadium, the teams combining for 73 points in VU's highest scoring contest of the season as the 'Cats fell to the Monmouth Hawks 40-33 on Saturday afternoon.
Sixth-year quarterback Connor Watkins (Williamsport, Pa.) set a career-high with 20 completions, throwing for 235 yards and accounting for three touchdowns in the loss. Six receivers had multiple catches in the bout for Villanova (8-3, 5-2 CAA), including a career-best four for 56 yards by freshman Chris Colby (Rowley, Mass.).
First-year running back David Avit (Potomac, Md.) accounted for 108 total yards and a rushing touchdown, setting a career-high in both receptions (three) and receiving yards (43).
Redshirt freshman Ja'briel Mace (Somers Point, N.J.) had his best game of the season as a kick returner, bringing back one for 50 and another of 40 for a career-high 94 all-purpose yards.
Ty Trinh (Owings Mills, Md.) led the defense on his season-best eight tackles (seven solo), while linebacker Brendan Bell (Basking Ridge, N.J.) added eight takedowns with one TFL and senior lineman Obinna Nwobodo (Wilmington, Del.) added five tackles and a pass breakup.
Monmouth worked its way down the field in a hurry to begin the matchup, needing just seven plays and four minutes to notch the game's first touchdown but failing on the point after for a 6-0 edge.
The Wildcats moved clinically in their opening drive with Watkins completing all six of his passes to different receivers. The sixth-year quarterback found the end zone on fourth down to even up the scoreboard, scrambling to his left and powering through a pair of defenders for a 7-6 Wildcat lead.
Quarter two started with another quick drive by the Hawks, using just over three minutes of clock as a 32-yard screen pass went to the house before VU stifled a two-point trick play. Monmouth added to that advantage after a Villanova three-and-out, needing just five plays to bring the score to 19-7.
Mace started the 'Cats with strong field position in response, returning a kick to the 41-yard line for what was then the longest return of his career. His fellow running back Avit finished the job a few plays later, bouncing off multiple tacklers for a 25-yard rush to the end zone.
The Villanova defense forced MU's first punts of the afternoon on back-to-back drives, but could not make use of it as the half ended in a 19-14 lead for the hosts.
Period three featured a pair of Monmouth touchdowns to create some distance on the scoreboard, running just six offensive plays in the quarter but putting 14 points on the board. Villanova scored between those drives on a 26-yard field goal by Ethan Gettman (Daytona Beach, Fla.), but trailed 33-17 at the end of three.
Watkins began the fourth with a scramble up the middle for six to notch his second touchdown of the afternoon, then converted a two-point rushing attempt shortly after
After Monmouth answered with six to get up 15, the 'Cats went on a 12-play, 79-yard drive capped off by a Devin Smith (Durham, N.C.) receiving TD and Watkins run up the middle for two to make it a seven-point ballgame.
Monmouth got the ball with 6:03 remaining and sought to kill the clock. The Wildcats got MU to fourth down with 1:12 left, but the Hawks converted a 30-yard pass on fourth down to ice the matchup.
UP NEXT: The 'Cats will wrap up the regular season next weekend, welcoming the Delaware Blue Hens to Villanova Stadium next Saturday afternoon.
