Villanova crushes Delaware, still alive for playoff berth

NEWARK, Del. - Before he rode the bus to Delaware Stadium, Villanova defensive back Ronnie Akins had to tear himself away from another game on television.

Quarterback John Robertson admitted peeking at the out-of-town scoreboard in the fourth quarter.

The Villanova football team didn't control many of the variables about their playoff future Saturday, but they took care of their part by beating Delaware, 41-10, to clinch a share of the Colonial Athletic Association title.

Then they crossed their fingers and hoped for a mountain of help - and they got it.

Towson and Richmond won early afternoon games, and Old Dominion won late Saturday night, a fortuitous chain of events that gave Villanova the CAA's automatic bid to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

There were sixteen scenarios to determine the playoff spot at the start of the day. The one that happened was the only one that would have delivered it to Villanova.

Playoff seedings and a first-round schedule are expected to be announced Sunday afternoon.

"The toughest thing about this whole job is trying to get out of the CAA and into the playoffs," Villanova coach Andy Talley said. "Heck, I think we'll do well in the playoffs."

The Wildcats (8-3, 6-2 CAA) have beaten the Blue Hens (5-6, 2-6) six of the last seven times, and four straight at Delaware Stadium, capping a turnaround after last year's stunning 2-9 record.

"It's a beautiful thing to see your hard work come into reality and your goals about to be achieved," running back Kevin Monangai said.

Robertson and Monangai each rushed for more than 130 yards and a touchdown.

Robertson didn't practice until Thursday after leaving last week's game with a concussion. He took a lot of what he called "mental reps" in practice, shadowing backup Chris Polony on his drop backs.

After an opening drive that included a 40-yard run and a 13-yard touchdown pass to Norman White, Robertson declared himself fully back.

"After that I was like, 'You know what? I'm fine,' " Robertson said. "Coming into the game I was maybe a little hesitant, but [then it was] let's have some fun and play football."

The Wildcats gained 305 yards rushing, the fourth time in their last five games they've surpassed 300. Monangai, the CAA's leading rusher, had his fifth straight 100-yard game, giving him nearly 1,200 on the season. Only Brian Westbrook in 2000 and 2001 had more.

Villanova led 17-10 heading into the fourth quarter. But Eric Loper and Akins, who had two interceptions in the quarter, each returned picks for touchdowns to break it open.

But they still didn't learn their fate until nearly 10:30 p.m., when Old Dominion's game ended.