VILLANOVA @ UCONN 9/3 - GAME CHAT

[Gangtackle11]

Less than 2 weeks away. Comments, predictions, etc. Have at it.

[2ram]

in an odd twist of events, the 1st two games of the season we'll see:

fordham play army and villanova

uconn play villanova and army

villanova play uconn and fordham

we'll see who has local bragging rights in just the 1st two weeks.

also, will be watching the uconn/nova game. pulling for nova on espn3.

[Fordham]

I think 'Nova wins big

[2ram]

I think 'Nova wins big

yea, based on last years performance, and this years # of replacements, i don't see us turning it around this year either.

[CenMEBlackBearFan]

yea, based on last years performance, and this years # of replacements, i don't see us turning it around this year either.

Seems bizarre but going with the upset and UConn wins their home openerxnodx

[Fordham]

yea, based on last years performance, and this years # of replacements, i don't see us turning it around this year either.
I was referring to the UCONN game fwiw although I do think we'll need a herculean effort to keep it close as well

[KPSUL]

Almost beat a better FBS team last season (should have really), Returning Payton Award winning QB, Picked 1st in the Preseason CAA poll, On everybody's top 5 FCS list and playing a dismal 2014 2&10 FBS team: I don't envy the position NOVA finds itself in. Other than last year's NDSU game with Iowa State, I can't remember an FCS - FBS matchup where the FCS team was favored to win and had so much more to lose than the FBS team.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

I've said all summer that I believe Villanova takes this one. The Wildcats have the better coach and QB which usually goes a long way towards winning.

The only thing that will be tough is the Huskies and their fans will be up for this game. I think Villanova, and especially Robertson, caught Syracuse off guard a bit. Diaco knows he can't afford to lose to a FCS school given his already tenuous status.

This would be a fun game to attend. Temple fans have some interesting stories about UConn loons getting rowdy at the Rent. There's stories from other visiting fans as well.

Villanova vs UConn in East Hartford Thursday and Lehigh vs Central Connecticut State in New Britain Friday? xrotatehx

[bonarae]

Villanova will win a tough but winnable game for the FCS team. Go Nova. I will support you even with the Ivies still in camp mode.

[UNH72Plus]

The Atomic Football site has Nova winning 27-26. They also picked SJSU over UNH 29-25.

[Mattymc727]

Nova will be carrying the CAA flag this year. UNH will be taking a little step back and I dont know if JMU is ready. Richmond and others arent there as well. Best shot at a title the CAA has had in a few years. Good luck against the Huskys, I HATE CT (New England frauds). Nova by 10

[Nova09]

A few hours from kickoff on a light schedule day and this was buried on page 5.

Lines I'm seeing favor Nova around 6.5, 52.5 o/u indicating a score around 30-23

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

I'm really looking forward to this game along with Michigan-Utah tonight!

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

A few thunderstorms popping up to the west of Hartford. They could cause come issues in a couple of hours....

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

UConn 6-0 but Villanova driving...

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Villanova still has major kicking issues. Wildcats miss a 21 yard FG....

still trail 6-0

[The Yo Show]

9 to 6 Villanova! Lets GO VILLANOVA

- - - Updated - - -

At half

[HailSzczur]

Using my laptop to stream. Great First half!!!!

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Villanova gets an interception at the goal line to protect the halftime lead. The Wildcats, for the most part, outplayed UConn in the first half. Robertson has looked good....

[HailSzczur]

Defense has finally settled in. Robertson was able to help keep them off the field which helped. That said our pass defense is still suspect. The pressure on the QB has been very good though

Robertson is doing all he needs to. WR/TE/RB all catching the ball well. I would like to see us get the running back moving a little more. I hope Underwood is okay after that block

- - - Updated - - -

Villanova missed a FG.....Everybody make sure you drink. That and drink when Robertson turns nothing into something are the only 2 rules of the Villanova Football drinking game

[smilo]

This game is making me beyond sick. Very tough to watch. We deserve this so bad, but we aren't even remotely playing like it.

[HailSzczur]

This game is making me beyond sick. Very tough to watch. We deserve this so bad, but we aren't even remotely playing like it.

Should be up at least 12-6 if not more

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

This game is making me beyond sick. Very tough to watch. We deserve this so bad, but we aren't even remotely playing like it.

The kicking game has to get fixed if Villanova wants to challenge for the national title.

[HailSzczur]

Nova outgaining UConn 169-113
Passing: 112-70
Rushing: 57-43
Nova with 17:44 of possession. Keeping the defensive legs fresh for the 2nd half

[HailSzczur]

The kicking game has to get fixed if Villanova wants to challenge for the national title.

Not if Robertson converts ever 4th down......
We're 100% on PATs this season....look it up

....but yeah I agree. With a decent kicker we make the semi's last year without Robertson and who knows how far we go. Could be the same this year

[The Yo Show]

Underwood out in the 2nd half... damn.

[HailSzczur]

Gary Underwood is done for the night

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

UConn with a huge play on the second play from scrimmage to open the second half....1st and goal

[HailSzczur]

Not a great way to start the 2nd half....

[The Yo Show]

Ugh... yeah can't let the linebacker get beat on coverage like that.

[The Yo Show]

Darn was hoping for a safety there.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Villanova DL came to play on that series....

[HailSzczur]

Tonah Kp. and McCann are really stepping up big on defence. Uconn with -10 rushing yards on 7 carries this half

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

The loss of Underwood could be huge. White looks a little lost out there...

[veinup]

sadly i have to go visit my parents instead of continuing to watch this game. damn family. best of luck to villanova

[HailSzczur]

robertson at half of his turnover mark from last year

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

UConn needs to go deep...

[HailSzczur]

Damn, Cam McCurry delivering the big hit

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Villanova defense is legit. Some one needs to help out Robertson on offense. UConn is so meh.....

[HailSzczur]

Any word on the Stony Brook/Toledo delay? Wish I was at work and had 2 screens. Tough just keeping this and the game stream open on a small laptop

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

This could be a must stop for the Villanova D. I'm not sure if their offense can come back from 2 scores....

[HailSzczur]

UConn had about 11 minutes of possession in the 3rd quarter. Need to keep Robertson on the field

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

You got for it at midfield but not there? xeyebrowx

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

This is getting good....

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Wow!! fumble snap on 4th and literally an inch

[HailSzczur]

uggghhhhhhhh
Drive stalls at the 35 after a bad snap on 4th and 3 inches

[The Yo Show]

Yeah... That might have done it in right there. Hoping not though. Villanova's offense can't seem to keep their drive alive.

[HailSzczur]

Need a stop and then some Robertson magic. Clock would work out right for it.....

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Do or die time for the Villanova defense....

[The Yo Show]

Need to step up here.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

LOL...I have no idea how that was worth a personal foul....

[HailSzczur]

This one slipping away. Gonna need a quick TD and an onside kick at this rate

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

TD UConn! That should do it.

The difference in this game was in the trenches. Villanova played well but didn't have the horses, especially on offense, to win imo. The loss of Underwood really hurt too....

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Pretty disappointed in the Wildcats in this one.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Pretty disappointed in the Wildcats in this one.

If they make a chippy FG it's still a one possession game. Their FG situation is a mess....

[The Yo Show]

Making it interesting...

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

wow, what a terrible mistake by the UConn DL...wow....

[The Yo Show]

HUGE penalty on UCONN!!!

[HailSzczur]

Well it's all gonna come down to the onsides kick

[HailSzczur]

kick away.....not sure I agree....

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

It will come down to a 3rd and long 1....

[HailSzczur]

3rd and 1. 1:17 and no time outs. Here we go

[HailSzczur]

Final. UConn 20 Nova 15

Not sure why we didn't go for the onsides kick

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

First down UConn! The Huskies save a little face for the AAC which is good. Villanova played really hard but never could get the offense going. The loss of Underwood hurt imo. The Villanova OL got outmuscled a few too many times too. I thought they played much better against Syracuse last year....

[The Yo Show]

That was a tough loss. Nova made mistakes, but ultimately put their effort out there. Take away a mistake or two though, and maybe they won that game sadly.

[HailSzczur]

The 4th and inches blunder proved to be the turning point in this one

[smilo]

Unacceptable.

The lack of an onside kick is an inexplicable mistake.

[2ram]

a good game. 'nova gave up too much, and didn't make enough of what they were given.

too bad Robertson and co. weren't able to pull of an FBS win in their tenure, they certainly played close enough to deserve one.

[bluehenbillk]

Unacceptable.

The lack of an onside kick is an inexplicable mistake.

Totally agree - coaching blunder there. Especially since the drive before UConn ran wild on a tired D.

[HailSzczur]

Totally agree - coaching blunder there. Especially since the drive before UConn ran wild on a tired D.

If we still had the full compliment of timeouts, or we had scored by like the 2:30 mark I could have seen it. But as it stood if we stopped them on 3rd and 1 we would have been looking at needing to drive 75ish yards in about 40 seconds with 0 timeouts

[Fordham]

Good effort, 'Nova! UCONN actually looked better than the abysmal FBS squad I was expecting. Not saying they looked great but better than my miserably low expectations were for them.

See you at Rose Hill next week, guys.

[Mr. C]

If we still had the full compliment of timeouts, or we had scored by like the 2:30 mark I could have seen it. But as it stood if we stopped them on 3rd and 1 we would have been looking at needing to drive 75ish yards in about 40 seconds with 0 timeouts
Not that John Robertson couldn't have pulled that off.

[HailSzczur]

Not that John Robertson couldn't have pulled that off.

With new receivers and a backfield without Underwood it would have been the drive to end all comeback drives. Move over Elway, that's what I would be referring to as "the drive" had it happened