Villanova erupts in second half to beat Fordham, 28-13

It took a while for Villanova's defense to get used to the frenzied Fordham spread offense, patterned after the University of Oregon's.

The Wildcats' offense took just as long to get adjusted to Fordham's active defense.

Yet after trailing at halftime, Villanova ruled the final two quarters on both sides of the ball during Saturday's 28-13, nonleague win in the Wildcats' home opener at soggy Villanova Stadium in a game whose start was delayed two hours by impending bad weather.

Both teams are 1-1.

Austin Medley led Villanova with 125 yards rushing on 16 carries. Kevin Monangai added 99 yards on 13 carries, including a touchdown. The Wildcats, who rushed for 212 yards against Temple last week, rushed for 287 against Fordham, including 245 in the second half.

"Their high-speed offense really put us on our heels," said Villanova coach Andy Talley, whose team trailed by 13-7 at the half.

In the second half, Talley said he wanted the team to run the ball more, and the Wildcats obliged.

Villanova took its first lead of the game, 14-13, with a 1-yard run by Monangai with 9 minutes, 12 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Wildcats extended the lead to 21-13 on an unconventional score that was started by redshirt freshman quarterback John Robertson, who broke through for a 35-yard run before fumbling the ball. Sophomore receiver Clay Horne picked up the ball and ran it in the final 27 yards with 2:33 left in the third quarter.

"It was a bizarre play, and I was lucky to have Clay keep following me down the field," Robertson said.

Robertson was named the starter ahead of sophomore Chris Polony after coming in relief during last week's 41-10 loss to Temple and giving the offense a spark.

Talley said that Robertson will remain the starter.

Fordham scored on the game's first possession, driving drove 91 yards in 18 plays with backup quarterback Michael Nebrich scoring from 6 yards out.

The Rams use two quarterbacks, frequently in the same drive, with Ryan Higgins the starter and the more accomplished passer. Nebrich, a transfer from Connecticut, is known more for his legs and rushed for three touchdowns runs in last week's opening, 55-0 win over Lock Haven.

Following Fordham's opening score, Villanova's Joe Sarnese returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards to the 15. After one play that resulted in a penalty, the Wildcats tied the score when Robertson hit Norman White in stride for a 25-yard scoring pass.

Fordham got field goals of 50 and 37 yards by Patrick Murray to take the 13-7 halftime lead.

The Wildcats averted any further first-half damage when Sarnese intercepted a tipped pass in the end zone on a third-and-4 play from the Villanova 9-yard line with 17 seconds left in the first half. It was the first career interception for Sarnese, a sophomore and second-year starter.

"We needed something to spark the defense, and I think that did it," Sarnese said of the interception. "No points on the board, go in and fix what we needed to fix, and come out in the second half the way we did."