Villanova beats Richmond to keep CAA title hopes alive
The Wildcats are still alive. Zach Bednarczyk's 12-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Gulyas on fourth and 7 with 41 seconds to play proved to be the difference in Villanova's 21-20 homecoming victory over Richmond.
The Wildcats are still alive.
Zach Bednarczyk's 12-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Gulyas on fourth and 7 with 41 seconds to play proved to be the difference in Villanova's 21-20 homecoming victory over Richmond.
The Wildcats (6-4, 5-2 Colonial Athletic Association), winners of four of their last five games, must win their season finale next week at James Madison to have a chance to win the conference title and receive an automatic bid to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
The loss dropped Richmond to 7-3, 5-2.
There is also a distant chance Villanova could qualify as an at-large team.
"The key is that we are winning significant games," Villanova coach Andy Talley said. "Now, the most significant game for us is next week at JMU."
That's because the Wildcats, who have overcome adversity all year long, did so one more time Saturday.
Before the game-winning drive, a sack and fumble recovery by Richmond's Andrew Clyde led to a 53-yard scoring drive that culminated in a 7-yard touchdown run by the Spiders' Jacobi Green with 5 minutes, 6 seconds to play.
Villanova's Reggie Parris and Tanoh Kpassagnon blocked the extra point attempt to keep Richmond's lead at 20-14.
After Gulyas' catch tied the score at 20, there was still the matter of executing the game-winning extra point, something that has not been automatic for the Wildcats this season.
This time, though, Gerard Smith had no problem making the game-winner.
"I knew going in that if I were to make it, our defense was going to hold and we were going to win the game," Smith said. "And I knew that if I missed it we would be going into overtime. There was pressure, but I felt confident as soon as I kicked it. It felt good."
Gulyas' game-winning catch was his second touchdown. He caught a 5-yard strike in the first half, which ended in a 7-7 tie. He finished the game with eight receptions for 122 yards. His longest catch of the day went for 49 yards.
"I think we have come together as a team," Gulyas said. "We'll carry this with us next week and finish strong at JMU."
Talley credited the play of the defense. Richmond came into the game averaging 36.4 points per game.
"They played great," Talley said.
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