No. 9 Villanova Finishes Regular Season With 34-10 Victory Over Sacred Heart

On Saturday, Nov. 22, sophomore running back Ja’briel Mace’s three-touchdown day fueled Villanova football’s 34-10 victory over Sacred Heart at Villanova Stadium. In the final game of the regular season, No. 9 Villanova (9-2, 7-1 Coastal Athletic Association) took on non-conference opponent Sacred Heart (8-4). The victory marked Villanova’s longest win streak since its 2009 national championship season, with eight consecutive victories. It was also its 22nd consecutive home win. Mace rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, and also hauled in a receiving touchdown. The Wildcat defense held Sacred Heart to one touchdown and forced two turnovers. “The seniors are always going to remember their last home game of the regular season on their field,” Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante said. “So, the guys took care of business, and we got the victory. That was the most important thing. So, really excited for whatever tomorrow brings, but right now we’re going to enjoy this one and we’ll worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.” Villanova totaled 455 yards of total offense, averaging 9. 6 yards per rush and 12 yards per pass. Graduate quarterback Pat McQuaide passed for 216 yards and two touchdowns. It was the seventh time this season McQuaide threw for 200 or more yards. He is currently averaging 195. 5 yards per game. Sophomore receiver Chris Colby was McQuaide’s main target, totaling a team-high 112 receiving yards off five catches. “We’re able to spread the ball around to different people, and it was Chris’ turn today,” Ferrante said. “He had that big catch down the sideline for the long gainer, and then he had a couple others. Pat [McQuiade] does a good job distributing the ball to different receivers and different people.” On the opening drive of the game, Mace fumbled at Villanova’s 28-yard line and Sacred Heart recovered. Despite the short field advantage, the Pioneers were forced to settle for a field goal and their only lead, 3-0. Two drives later, Mace got a handoff for the first time since his fumble. He took the ball 80 yards downfield for a touchdown, handing Villanova the 7-3 lead. “We practice ball security, but there’s no reason why I should be fumbling the ball,” Mace said. “But my teammates, like, Temi [Ajirotutu], Pat [McQuaide], and they picked me up and said, ‘Hey, we’re going to come right back to you.’ And then the next play, I scored.” Mace is now averaging 174. 7 rushing yards over the last three games. Villanova was able to hold Sacred Heart freshman running back Mitchell Summers to 29 yards on 13 carries. Mitchell entered the game ranked 11th in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) with 1, 042 rushing yards this season, averaging 5. 6 per carry. “I mean, every week going into the game, the plan is to tackle and stop the run,” graduate linebacker Shane Hartzell said. “And I think when you stop the run, which I think we do well, it makes them one-dimensional, which makes the game plan a whole lot easier.” Hartzell finished the game with six total tackles (four solo), one sack and two quarterback hits. In the second quarter, Mace found the end zone twice. The first time was on a 19-yard rush that capped off a four-play, 80-yard drive. Then, with 27 seconds left in the half, Mace caught a short pass from McQuaide and took it 10 yards downfield for a touchdown. At halftime, Mace had 106 rushing yards. At the half, Villanova had a comfortable 21-3 lead over Sacred Heart. In the third quarter, the Wildcats were forced to settle for two field goals. Graduate kicker Jack Barnum nailed them both from 27 and 29 yards, stretching Villanova’s lead to 27-3. Villanova was able to force two Sacred Heart turnovers in the second half, with one off a fumble recovery by junior linebacker Turner Inge at the beginning of the third quarter. Senior defensive back Kaleb Moody intercepted Sacred Heart quarterback Jack Snyder at the end of the fourth quarter. Villanova now awaits Selection Sunday on Nov. 23 at Noon. The Wildcats will find out their seeding and opponent for the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs.
https://villanovan.com/32172/sports/no-9-villanova-finishes-regular-season-with-34-10-victory-over-sacred-heart/