Villanova thumped by Towson, 31-10

TOWSON, Md. - A spirited Towson team pounded Villanova, 31-10, in the Colonial Athletic Association opener for both teams Saturday night.

The Wildcats are 0-2 for the first time since 2006, when they went 6-5 on the season. They also lost redshirt freshman quarterback Dustin Thomas, who left the game in the third quarter with a strained left shoulder.

Fresh off a five-touchdown win over Morgan State last week, the Tigers (2-0) were led by quarterback Grant Enders and a tough defense that forced three fumbles.

Villanova got off to a promising start on offense, marching down the field on their opening drive. On third-and-goal inside Towson's 10-yard line, Towson linebacker Chris Paterson forced a fumble after sacking Thomas. The Tigers took advantage of the turnover and scored on an opening drive that went for nine plays and 81 yards, when Dominique Booker took a screen pass from Grant Enders into the end zone.

A tipped Towson punt by Patrick Haggerty gave the Wildcats momentum and good field position, but Nick Yako missed a 28-yard field goal after the ensuing drive.

The Tigers looked to widen their lead after Enders ran 52 yards to the Villanova 5. But two plays later, Ronnie Akins intercepted Enders on the 2, and the Wildcats took over with less than six minutes remaining in the first half.

Villanova couldn't keep momentum going on offense and were forced to punt. The Tigers went up 14-0 with 1 second remaining when Terrance West ran three yards for his first career touchdown.

Towson continued its dominance on both sides of the ball in the second half, causing a fumble and then driving 73 yards to go up, 21-0, with 8:41 left in the third quarter.

On the next Wildcats drive, a hard hit on Thomas took him out of the game with 7:16 remaining.

Senior walk-on Christian Culicerto, replacing Thomas, threw a touchdown on his first passing attempt, bringing the Wildcats within two touchdowns. Culicerto found Kenny Miles in the end zone for the junior wide receiver's first career score. The teams traded field goals before Towson added another rushing touchdown to go up, 31-10.

The Wildcats are 17-7 under coach Talley in conference openers.