Villanova gets by James Madison, 14-7

Villanova was leading the Colonial Athletic Association in scoring, averaging more than 32 points going into its homecoming game Saturday against James Madison.

But on a day when the sixth-ranked Wildcats did not display their usual explosiveness, they still managed to get by with a 14-7 victory over the No. 11 Dukes at Villanova Stadium.

"It was a bit of an ugly game, for sure," said Wildcats coach Andy Talley, whose team had 368 yards of total offense. "The day we had yardage-wise should have produced more points for us. But I have to just be happy we won the game."

The victory - Villanova's 14th straight win at home - wasn't secured until the Wildcats' James Pitts picked off JMU quarterback Drew Dudzik in the end zone on the last play of the game.

Pitts' interception ended a Dukes drive that had begun at their own 6-yard line with 1 minute, 38 seconds remaining following a fumble by Wildcats quarterback Chris Whitney.

With the win, Villanova improved to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the CAA. JMU is now 4-3, 1-3.

The victory allowed Villanova to stay on the heels of conference leaders Delaware and William and Mary. Those two are 4-1 after William and Mary beat visiting Delaware, 17-16, on Saturday. The winning Tribe also handed Villanova a 31-24 loss on Oct. 2.

"All in all, the name of the game in the CAA is to survive and move on," Talley said.

After a scoreless first quarter, Villanova used a fake punt to jump-start its offense. Punter Dominic Scarnecchia took off with the snap and wasn't stopped until he had picked up 23 yards to the Dukes' 27-yard line.

Seven plays later, Whitney connected with wide receiver Norman White on a slant pattern from 7 yards out for a 7-0 lead with 4:19 remaining in the second quarter.

A 54-yard pass play from Whitney to Mikey Reynolds with 1:19 left in the half gave Villanova a 14-0 halftime advantage.

JMU scored its only touchdown in the third quarter on a 2-yard run by wide receiver Kavon Seaton out of a Wildcat set.

Notes. Villanova star Matt Szczur, who's been out with an ankle sprain, did not suit up. It was the fourth straight game the all-purpose athlete sat out. . . . With a 7-yard run in the third quarter, Wildcats running back Aaron Ball became Villanova's No. 2 all-time rusher. He finished the game with 55 rushing yards and now has 2,571 for his career. Former Eagle and current San Francisco 49er Brian Westbrook has the school record with 4,499 yards.