Villanova Heads To UNH Looking For Fifth Straight Win
By Matt Leon
VILLANOVA, Pa. (CBS) -- The 4-2 (3-0 CAA) Villanova Wildcats will be on the road on Saturday, continuing Colonial Athletic Association action by paying New Hampshire a visit.
The Wildcats are playing outstanding football. They have won four straight and last weekend they put together an all-around great performance, jumping out to a 38-14 halftime lead, eventually winning at then #2 Towson, 45-35.
"One of the best victories we've had here, really," Villanova head coach Andy Talley tells KYW Newsradio.
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Leading the way in this win, once again, was quarterback John Robertson. The sophomore put together a performance for the ages. He completed 17 of 18 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 150 yards on 32 carries and three more scores.
"I don't think you can really get a better performance than that," Talley says. "He was really almost perfect. I mean really amazing performance from John. He ran with great authority, great speed, three touchdown runs, a couple of them real physical runs on the goal line. And he was just pinpoint accurate that night."
New Hampshire is 2-3 this season, but they are still nationally ranked as high as #23 in the country. They are 2-0 at home and they have scored 112 points in those two victories at Cowell Stadium.
"Always a tough place to play," Talley says. "We haven't won up there in a while (2003). It's a very difficult place. And New Hampshire is a playoff team (nine) years in a row, they have a great pedigree. I know they are waiting for us."
Talley says UNH actually runs the same offense his team does.
"They run a spread offense with two quarterbacks that run the option and are quick and they throw the ball," Talley says. "They have a very outstanding tailback by the name of Nico Steriti. He's about 225-pounds and he can run past you, kind of like the young man from Towson (Terrance West), just an outstanding back in the league. So they have a good combination of pass and run."
Defensively, UNH is allowing just under 29 points a game this season.
"They are a 4-3 (front)," Talley says. "They come after you a little bit, not quite as much as Towson did, but I think they'll try and put some pressure on us. That's a good thing for us because that gives John a lot of running room. Hopefully, he's going as their coming."
Villanova and New Hampshire will kick-off at noon on Saturday.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.
