Drive Chart
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Watkins helps lead rally to send Villanova past Eastern Kentucky in 1st round of FCS playoffs
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Connor Watkins threw for a pair of touchdowns and Villanova rallied to beat Eastern Kentucky 22-17 on Saturday in an opening-round game of the FCS playoffs on Saturday.
Villanova, seeded 11th, advances to play No. 6-seed Incarnate Word on Dec. 7.
The Colonels took a surprising 14-0 lead in the first quarter on the Wildcats' home field where Villanova hadn't lost all year. Joshua Carter took the second play from scrimmage and ran 77 yards for the first score.
Eastern Kentucky made it a two-score contest when Matt Morrissey threw an 11-yard touchdown to Marcus Calwise Jr.
Villanova got back in it with a safety early in the second, and four minutes later, Watkins threw a 13-yard touchdown to Devin Smith to reduce the Wildcats' (10-3) deficit to 14-9.
Patrick Nations kicked a 48-yard field goal for the Colonels (8-5) with 8:28 before halftime and Eastern Kentucky never scored again.
Watkins threw a 5-yard touchdown to James Welde in the third quarter and Ethan Gettman made field goals of 42 and 31 yards to seal it.
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Key Players
 |
J. Carter
8 RB 150 RuYds, RuTD, 43 ReYds, 4 RECs |
 |
C. Watkins
4 QB 177 PaYds, 2 PaTDs, INT, 40 RuYds |
1st Quarter
Touchdown
14:10
J.Carter rushed for 77 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
2
plays
79
yds
00:56
pos
6
0
Point After TD
14:04
P.Nations extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
7
0
Touchdown
5:14
M.Morrissey pass complete. Catch made by M.Calwise for 11 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
3
plays
13
yds
1:00
pos
13
0
Point After TD
5:20
P.Nations extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
14
0
2nd Quarter
Safety
14:22
J.Baker rushed for -7 yards. J.Baker FUMBLES forced by J.Hall. Fumble RECOVERED by EKY-J.Baker at EKY End Zone. Tackled by VIL at EKY End Zone. SAFETY.
plays
yds
pos
14
2
Touchdown
10:55
C.Watkins pass complete. Catch made by D.Smith for 13 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
7
plays
46
yds
3:27
pos
14
8
Point After TD
10:55
E.Gettman extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
14
9
Field Goal
8:08
P.Nations 48 yard field goal attempt is good Center-EKY Holder-EKY.
8
plays
4
yds
2:47
pos
17
9
3rd Quarter
Touchdown
10:04
C.Watkins pass complete. Catch made by J.Welde for 5 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
1
plays
5
yds
00:20
pos
17
15
Point After TD
10:04
E.Gettman extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
17
16
4th Quarter
Field Goal
14:20
E.Gettman 42 yard field goal attempt is good Center-VIL Holder-VIL.
11
plays
43
yds
3:46
pos
17
19
Field Goal
1:04
E.Gettman 31 yard field goal attempt is good Center-VIL Holder-VIL.
10
plays
71
yds
5:01
pos
17
22
| Team Stats | |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 17 | 18 |
| Rushing | 8 | 7 |
| Passing | 4 | 8 |
| Penalty | 5 | 3 |
| 3rd Down Conv | 4-13 | 8-15 |
| 4th Down Conv | 1-2 | 0-1 |
| Total Net Yards | 284 | 320 |
| Total Plays | 64 | 65 |
| Avg Gain | 4.4 | 4.9 |
| Net Yards Rushing | 209 | 143 |
| Rush Attempts | 37 | 41 |
| Avg Rush Yards | 5.6 | 3.5 |
| Yards Passing | 75 | 177 |
| Comp. - Att. | 9-27 | 14-24 |
| Yards Per Pass | 2.8 | 6.0 |
| Penalties - Yards | 10-100 | 10-117 |
| Touchdowns | 2 | 2 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 0 |
| Passing TDs | 1 | 2 |
| Other | 0 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Fumbles - Lost | 2-1 | 2-2 |
| Int. Thrown | 0 | 1 |
| Punts - Avg | 5-37.4 | 4-39.8 |
| Return Yards | 0 | 0 |
| Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 1-0 |
| Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Int. - Returns | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Safeties | 0 | 1 |
|
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
|
M. Morrissey
4 QB
|
M. Morrissey | 9/27 | 75 | 1 | 0 |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
|
J. Carter
8 RB
|
J. Carter | 21 | 150 | 1 | 77 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
B. Latham
14 RB
|
B. Latham | 10 | 34 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
M. Morrissey
4 QB
|
M. Morrissey | 5 | 32 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. Baker
49 K
|
J. Baker | 1 | -7 | 0 | 0 |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
|
J. Carter
8 RB
|
J. Carter | 5 | 4 | 43 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
M. Calwise Jr.
83 WR
|
M. Calwise Jr. | 7 | 2 | 19 | 1 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. West
82 WR
|
J. West | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
R. Vann Jr.
6 WR
|
R. Vann Jr. | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. House
16 WR
|
J. House | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
T. Maxwell
85 WR
|
T. Maxwell | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
B. Latham
14 RB
|
B. Latham | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
C. Schlachter
89 TE
|
C. Schlachter | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. Montgomery
23 RB
|
J. Montgomery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
|
P. Nations
46 K
|
P. Nations | 1/2 | 48 | 2/2 | 5 |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
|
J. Baker
49 K
|
J. Baker | 5 | 37.4 | 2 | 50 |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
|
B. Howard
37 LB
|
B. Howard | 1 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
B. Latham
14 RB
|
B. Latham | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. Montgomery
23 RB
|
J. Montgomery | 1 | 21.0 | 21 | 0 |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
|
C. Watkins
4 QB
|
C. Watkins | 14/24 | 177 | 2 | 1 |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
|
D. Avit
24 RB
|
D. Avit | 17 | 92 | 0 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
C. Watkins
4 QB
|
C. Watkins | 13 | 40 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
I. Ragland
20 RB
|
I. Ragland | 9 | 12 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. Mace
30 RB
|
J. Mace | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. Sanchez
5 WR
|
J. Sanchez | 1 | -5 | 0 | 0 |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
|
D. Avit
24 RB
|
D. Avit | 3 | 2 | 75 | 0 | 56 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
L. Kopecky
16 WR
|
L. Kopecky | 8 | 6 | 51 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
C. Colby
80 WR
|
C. Colby | 2 | 2 | 23 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
D. Smith
22 WR
|
D. Smith | 2 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. Sanchez
5 WR
|
J. Sanchez | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. Welde
89 TE
|
J. Welde | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
K. Miles
15 WR
|
K. Miles | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
L. Daly
83 WR
|
L. Daly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
|
J. Hall
53 LB
|
J. Hall | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
|
E. Gettman
45 K
|
E. Gettman | 2/2 | 42 | 2/2 | 8 |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
|
E. Gettman
45 K
|
E. Gettman | 4 | 39.8 | 1 | 46 |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| 1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 15:00 | EKY 21 | 0:56 | 2 | 79 | TD |
| 10:06 | EKY 9 | 3:14 | 5 | 20 | Punt |
| 6:20 | NOVA 24 | 1:00 | 3 | 28 | TD |
| 1:01 | EKY 1 | 1:39 | 4 | -1 | Safety |
| 2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 10:55 | EKY 28 | 2:47 | 8 | 41 | FG |
| 6:56 | EKY 23 | 2:55 | 6 | 16 | Punt |
| 4:01 | NOVA 14 | 2:26 | 6 | 13 | Blocked FG |
| 0:26 | EKY 34 | 0:26 | 1 | 9 | Half |
| 3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 10:22 | EKY 7 | 0:00 | 1 | 0 | |
| 10:02 | EKY 25 | 2:52 | 4 | 13 | Punt |
| 6:59 | EKY 29 | 3:36 | 7 | 19 | Punt |
| 4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 14:37 | EKY 45 | 3:31 | 7 | 35 | Fumble |
| 9:37 | EKY 27 | 3:36 | 7 | 27 | Punt |
| 1:00 | NOVA 42 | 1:00 | 6 | 32 | Game |
| 1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 14:04 | NOVA 40 | 3:58 | 6 | 17 | Punt |
| 6:52 | NOVA 31 | 0:32 | 2 | -5 | INT |
| 5:20 | NOVA 29 | 4:19 | 8 | 75 | Downs |
| 2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 14:22 | NOVA 41 | 3:27 | 7 | 61 | TD |
| 8:08 | NOVA 29 | 1:12 | 3 | 2 | Punt |
| 1:35 | NOVA 16 | 1:09 | 6 | 7 | Punt |
| 3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 15:00 | NOVA 39 | 4:32 | 8 | 50 | |
| 10:22 | EKY 5 | 0:20 | 1 | 5 | TD |
| 7:10 | EKY 41 | 0:11 | 1 | 10 | Fumble |
| 3:23 | NOVA 17 | 3:46 | 11 | 58 | FG |
| 4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 11:06 | NOVA 24 | 1:29 | 3 | 9 | Punt |
| 6:01 | NOVA 20 | 5:01 | 10 | 66 | FG |
- Touchdown (2 plays, 79 yards, 0:56 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) E.Gettman kicks 65 yards from VIL 35 to the EKY End Zone. J.Montgomery returns the kickoff. Tackled by VIL at EKY 21. |
| +2 YD | 1 & 10 - EKY 21 (14:52 - 1st) J.Carter rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by VIL at EKY 23. |
| +77 YD | 2 & 8 - EKY 23 (14:15 - 1st) J.Carter rushed for 77 yards. TOUCHDOWN. |
| PAT Good | (14:04 - 1st) P.Nations extra point is good. |
- Punt (6 plays, 17 yards, 3:58 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| Kickoff | (14:04 - 1st) P.Nations kicks 55 yards from EKY 35 to the VIL 10. J.Mace returns the kickoff. Tackled by EKY at VIL 40. |
| +2 YD | 1 & 10 - NOVA 40 (13:57 - 1st) D.Avit rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by EKY at VIL 42. |
| +6 YD | 2 & 8 - NOVA 42 (13:22 - 1st) C.Watkins pass complete. Catch made by L.Kopecky for 6 yards. Tackled by EKY at VIL 48. |
| +8 YD | 3 & 2 - NOVA 48 (12:46 - 1st) D.Avit rushed for 8 yards. Tackled by EKY at EKY 44. |
| +6 YD | 1 & 10 - EKY 44 (12:09 - 1st) C.Watkins pass complete. Catch made by L.Kopecky for 6 yards. Tackled by EKY at EKY 38. |
| No Gain | 2 & 4 - EKY 38 (11:32 - 1st) I.Ragland rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by EKY at EKY 38. |
| Sack | 3 & 4 - EKY 38 (11:00 - 1st) C.Watkins steps back to pass. Sacked at EKY 43 for -5 yards (J.Bailey). |
| Punt | 4 & 9 - EKY 43 (10:32 - 1st) E.Gettman punts 34 yards to EKY 9 Center-VIL. Out of bounds. |
- Punt (5 plays, 20 yards, 3:14 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| +2 YD | 1 & 10 - EKY 9 (10:06 - 1st) B.Latham rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by VIL at EKY 11. |
| +10 YD | 2 & 8 - EKY 11 (9:30 - 1st) B.Latham rushed for 10 yards. Tackled by VIL at EKY 21. |
| +8 YD | 1 & 10 - EKY 21 (8:55 - 1st) M.Morrissey pass complete. Catch made by M.Calwise for 8 yards. Tackled by VIL at EKY 29. |
| -1 YD | 2 & 2 - EKY 29 (8:23 - 1st) B.Latham rushed for -1 yards. Tackled by VIL at EKY 28. |
| +1 YD | 3 & 3 - EKY 28 (7:46 - 1st) B.Latham rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by VIL at EKY 29. |
| Punt | 4 & 2 - EKY 29 (7:11 - 1st) J.Baker punts 40 yards to VIL 31 Center-EKY. Downed by EKY. |
- Touchdown (3 plays, 28 yards, 1:00 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| +4 YD | 1 & 10 - NOVA 24 (6:20 - 1st) M.Morrissey pass complete. Catch made by J.House for 4 yards. Tackled by VIL at VIL 20. PENALTY on VIL-VIL Roughing the Passer 15 yards accepted. |
| -2 YD | 1 & Goal - NOVA 9 (5:55 - 1st) J.Carter rushed for -2 yards. Tackled by VIL at VIL 11. |
| +11 YD | 2 & 11 - NOVA 11 (5:25 - 1st) M.Morrissey pass complete. Catch made by M.Calwise for 11 yards. TOUCHDOWN. |
| PAT Good | (5:20 - 1st) P.Nations extra point is good. |