Whitney threw for three touchdowns and ran for a fourth to lift the 14th-ranked Wildcats to a 35-0 lead late in the second quarter, and the visitors held on for a 38-28 win yesterday in a Colonial Athletic Association game at Zable Stadium.

Whitney, a St. Joseph's Prep graduate, completed 17 of 21 passes for 163 yards in the opening two quarters and threw touchdown passes to tight end Stephen Pimm, running back Lawrence Doss, and wide receiver Matt Szczur.

The Wildcats (4-1 overall, 2-0 CAA) scored 21 points after a blocked field goal, fumble recovery, and blocked punt. Aaron Ball, who rushed for 137 yards on 22 carries, capitalized on the turnover with a 32-yard scoring run.

"We took advantage of some opportunities," Villanova coach Andy Talley said. "They had the week off, and they came out a little sluggish, and we jumped on them early."

In last year's game at Villanova, the Wildcats took advantage of turnovers by the Tribe to race out to a 35-14 lead. They won by 63-24.

Wildcat fans had to squirm a little after the Tribe (2-2, 0-1) cut the deficit to 10 points with 4 minutes, 20 seconds to play. But Szczur made a leaping catch of an onside kick to ease their minds.

Szczur made a one-handed catch of Whitney's throw for a touchdown with 51 seconds left in the first half that put the Cats up by 35.

"It was one of the more spectacular catches I've seen at Villanova, and that includes Brian Finneran," said Talley, referring the former Walter Payton Award winner.

For the day, Whitney completed 20 of 27 passes for 186 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. He also had 19 carries for 60 yards and a score.

"Whitney played a really good game," Talley said. "We were always in control."