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Villanova With Key CAA Matchup vs. Towson on Saturday

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The Villanova Wildcats are rebounding from a loss for just the second time this season as they get ready to host CAA foe Towson on Saturday night.

The 7-2 Wildcats (4-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association) lost a heartbreaker this past Saturday, dropping a 10-9 road decision at Richmond. A missed extra point proved critical for the Wildcats, who were held to a season-low 253 yards of total offense by the Richmond defense.

"(Richmond) played really well," Villanova head coach Andy Talley tells KYW Newsradio. "Wasn't our best game, but they had a lot to do with it. Two heavyweight teams, it was ugly and a slugfest. We just came up short. We have to build off that and take on Towson now, because we've got three tough games coming up."

Listen to the whole interview with Villanova's Andy Talley

The Wildcats are now tied with Richmond for second in the CAA, a game behind New Hampshire.

Towson went to the FCS National Championship game last season but it's been an uneven road for the Tigers here in 2014. They come into Saturday's game just 4-5 (2-3 in the CAA), although they have won their last two games over Delaware and Elon.

"They have a lot of talent leftover from the team that went to the national championship," Talley says. "And they have a great pedigree now, so they believe they can beat anybody. They've been trying to put the pieces back together, they've had a little trouble up front. But they have talent. It's going to be a very physical game, I know that. But it's a must (win) game for us."

Towson was led last season by running back Terrance West and his 2,509 yards rushing and incredible 41 rushing touchdowns. He's now in the NFL with Cleveland. But Talley says they still have talent in the backfield.

"They have a tremendous tailback by the name of Darius Victor, who probably is the best running back in the league," Talley says. "(106) yards a game. He is very good. We're going to have to slow him down."

Last season these two teams met down in Maryland, Villanova winning, 45-35.

Saturday's game at Villanova Stadium will kickoff at 7:00 pm.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.

 

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