IS CHATTING DAY 2 OF THE MADNESS
National
On Friday, Tyler Bitancurt kicked a 43-yard field goal on the final snap to give West Virginia a three-point win over visiting Pittsburgh.
Villanova's Matt Szczur, who in early January will be a bone-marrow donor for a 1-year-old girl suffering from leukemia, had 238 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in a 38-28 win over visiting Holy Cross in an FCS first-round playoff.
The Wildcats (11-1), the second seed in the tournament, have now made it to the second round for the second straight year and fourth time in as many postseason appearances going back to 1997.
The only time they've ever made it to the semifinals was 2002, when they lost at McNeese State (39-28).
Last season they lost their second game, at James Madison. This time they've earned the right to be at home, against New Hampshire (10-2), the only team they've lost to this season. That was on Oct. 10, on the road, 28-24. New Hampshire advanced with a 49-13 win at McNeese (9-3), scoring the last 35 points.
Coach Andy Talley has made no secret of the fact that he'd rather not have to play Colonial Athletic Association teams again. Yet with all four CAA teams that got in still standing, it's hard to avoid rematches.
At least the 'Cats will have revenge on their side. Of course, they also had that going for them a year ago.
Kickoff on Saturday is 3:30.
Anyway, everyone knows the way to beat the Wildcats is through the air. Dominic Randolph went 31-for-51 for 347 yards and three TDs. It still wasn't enough. But it was 14-14 after a quarter. By the half Villanova led by 14. The Crusaders drew within 35-28 early in the fourth period, and had a strong wind behind them. But 'Nova got a short field goal, then held HC near midfield.
The 'Cats are now 4-0 against Patriot League teams, with the games all played on the Main Line. They rushed for 298 yards, on 61 carries. QB Chris Whitney was 16-for-23 for 239 yards. And he ran 10 times for 62.
Szczur's 130 receiving yards, on seven catches, was a career-high.
As for the other CAA teams, both of which Villanova has beaten, Richmond (11-1) got past Elon (9-3) at home, 16-13, and William & Mary (10-2) beat visiting Weber State (7-5), 38-0.
Richmond, seeded fourth, hosts Appalachian State (10-2), the team it beat in last year's quarterfinals en route to a national title. William & Mary heads to No. 3 Southern Illinois (11-1).
In a second-round game, host Delaware Valley (10-2) led 3-0 at intermission. Albright (11-1) won the next 30 minutes, 27-0.
The Aggies had beaten Albright, also at home, 45-16 on Nov. 7.
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