Too many mistakes prove costly for Villanova in conference loss to Colgate
It was the first time Villanova has lost to Colgate since 1978, snapping an eight-game win streak.
Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante says the Wildcats have become their ‘own worst enemy.’
The Wildcats returned home to Villanova Stadium for the first time in four weeks, searching for their first win at home since last November. After a competitive first half against Colgate, Villanova’s costly penalties and inability to stop Colgate on third downs, coupled with communication miscues, found the Wildcats on the losing end of a 28-21 final.
It was the first time Villanova (2-3, 2-1 Patriot) has lost to Colgate (4-1, 3-0) since 1978, snapping an eight-game win streak.
“Right now we’re our own worst enemy, and we’ve got to stop being our own,”Ferrante said. “We’ve got to stop being the opponent [to] ourselves.”
Graduate quarterback Pat McQuaide threw for 192 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. McQuaide had a couple of opportunities for big plays with open receivers downfield, but overthrew them. He finished 12-for-23 passing.
The duo of running backs Ja’briel Mace and Isaiah Ragland combined for 98 rushing yards on 23 attempts. Ragland picked up a rushing touchdown in the first half, while Mace hauled in McQuaide’s lone passing touchdown.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Mace said when asked about the one-two punch of himself and Ragland. “But again, the one-two punch didn’t get us the win today. So, I mean, the most important thing to me is winning football games, and we’re not doing that right now. We need to be better.”
Time not on the Wildcats’ side
The Wildcats were unable to retain possession of the football for long periods. Colgate led Villanova in total time of possession by almost 15 minutes. A main factor in the discrepancy was the Wildcats’ inability to stop Colgate on third down, allowing the Raiders to go 8-for-15.
“We’ve got to get off the field on third down on defense,” Ferrante said. “I would say [our opponents] are averaging over 50% against us in the first five games in third-down conversions, and too many of them [are] because of penalties.
“Looking at the stat sheet, 8-for-15, that’s more than 50%. Time of possession is ridiculous. We need to get off the field on defense. We need to stay on the field and hang on the football on offense.”
Through its first five games, Villanova has allowed every opponent except one to convert at least 50% of its third-down conversions. The only game under 50% was against Bucknell in Week 2 (30.8%).
Penalties continue to derail momentum
Villanova has struggled this season with penalties. The Wildcats have given up seven or more penalties in four of its five games.
Against Colgate, Villanova gave up 68 yards on eight penalties. Some of those penalties came on crucial third downs where Villanova had the opportunity to force Colgate into punting or settling for a field goal.
“We have to be smarter,” Ferrante said. “We have to be more disciplined. We’re giving up too many first downs in big plays because of our penalties. So we’ve got to make sure, number one, we stay outside so we don’t give them a free five yards and move the sticks, and number two, during the course of the play we’ve got to make sure that we’re playing clean football as opposed to giving them pass interference calls and hand-to-face calls and personal follow calls.”
Villanova’s offensive line
The program has put an emphasis on what a strong offensive line has done for them in successful seasons.
Villanova’s offensive line has been hit with injuries this early in the season, particularly up front. That was especially seen against Colgate, allowing McQuaide to be sacked seven times, with the final one sealing Colgate’s victory.
At times the pass protection was there, but not consistent enough. The offensive line troubles have almost seeped through to the run game. No Villanova running back has rushed for over 100 yards this season.
Last season, Villanova running backs had seven 100-plus-yard rushing performances.
Up next...
Villanova will stay on the Main Line for a conference matchup against Morgan State (3-1, 0-0 Patriot League). The Bears will enter off a bye week.
Villanova last faced off against Morgan State in 2014, when the Wildcats defeated the Bears, 48-28, at Villanova Stadium.
