Villanova at Penn, Mr. C's Official Game Day Thread

[Mr. C]

It is a beautiful day in the Franklin Field neighborhood as we move within an hour of the REAL battle for Philadelphia football supremacy. Who gives a rip about Temple and the Mayor's Cup?

Villanova has won two straight since losing to Temple on Labor Day weekend, but the Cats are banged up. I hear that Norman White is a game-time decision after hurting his shoulder last week against Rhode Island. No worries at QB, where John Robertson has been freshman of the week the past two weeks in the CAA and was named co-freshman of the week by College Sports Journal for his Rhode Island performance.

Penn had seven turnovers last week against Lafayette, but still almost came back to win. Ball security is obviously the issue for the Quakers as they tried to beat Villanova for the first time.

[Mr. C]

As always, feel free to contribute your thoughts, questions and observations for this game.

Teams just left the field as we are under 20 minutes to kickoff.

[Mr. C]

It was just announced that this is the 200th career game for legendary Penn coach Al Bagnoli. He has won 136 of them.

[Mr. C]

It was also just announced that fans are not permitted to throw things on Franklin Field, except toast at the end of the third quarter.

[VUCats02]

Everybody has been picking Nova to win this game on the CAA pickem page, but I'm very worried about this game - especially without Medley and White.

Backups are going to have to step up and I expect this one to be won in the fourth quarter like most UPenn/Nova games are.

[Mr. C]

The anthem has been played, the teams are back on the field and captains are in the center of the field for the coin toss.

[Mr. C]

Everybody has been picking Nova to win this game on the CAA pickem page, but I'm very worried about this game - especially without Medley and White.

Backups are going to have to step up and I expect this one to be won in the fourth quarter like most UPenn/Nova games are.

No matter who plays and doesn't this is always a war.

[Mr. C]

Villanova has won the coin toss and chosen to receive, with Penn defending the west goal (the building/Penn locker room side).

[Mr. C]

Touchback on the kickoff gives VU the ball at the 25.

[Mr. C]

John Robertson on an easy completion to Joe Price for 9 on the first play. 2nd down run by Monangai is stuff by Moody.

[Mr. C]

Robertson tries a Wildcat run on third down and is stuffed. Same old Penn rushing defense. Punt gives the ball to Penn at the 19.

[Mr. C]

Ragone is sacked by Marlon Johnson on first down. Might not be many points today.

[Mr. C]

Jeff Jack breaks free to the VU 35 on a nice run to the right side.

[Mr. C]

Jack again on a trap to the VU 28. 2nd and 3.

[Mr. C]

Lyle Marsh is stopped after a gain of one. Third and 2.

[Mr. C]

Pitch to Jack is just short of the 25, fourth and short. Connor Loftus on for a 43 yard FGA that sails wide left. 10:05 left in the first period.

[Mr. C]

Meanwhile in the UNH-ODU game, it is 61-54 ODU with four and a half minutes left in the fourth.

[Mr. C]

VU starts at the 25 after another touchback and gets a couple of yards running on first down. Robertson's pass to Pettway is knocked down at the line of scrimmage. Third and 8.

[Mr. C]

Nice moves by Joe Price to get open in the middle for a big first down and then he turns it to the sideline to get to the Quaker 30.

[Mr. C]

KM on the run for VU is stuffed for a yard loss and VU is penalized for a chop block on Poppy Livers to put it back to the 46.

[Mr. C]

Not to fear for the Cats as Price hauls in an over-the-shoulder catch at the 19 on a perfect Robertson throw.

[Mr. C]

Skinny post in the end zone to Norman White and he out-leaps and out-wrestles his defender for the TD pass from Robertson from 19 yards out. Villanova 7, Penn 0, 8:21 left in the first period.

[Mr. C]

61-61 now at ODU as UNH scores again in other CAA action. Still 3:21 left there. No defense in that game.

[VUCats02]

Nova has abandoned the running game and probably rightfully so against that tough UPenn front 7. Lots of play action so far. Unlike Nova but it's working.

[Mr. C]

Penn ball on the 21 to start the next drive. Marsh gets one on the run. Marlon Johnson is all over the place for the VU defense.

[Mr. C]

Nova has abandoned the running game and probably rightfully so against that tough UPenn front 7. Lots of play action so far. Unlike Nova but it's working.

If Price can keep getting open, why not? He looks great today.

[Mr. C]

Pass catch for Penn for a first down is wiped out by an ineligible receiver downfield penalty. Stupid call that had NOTHING to do with the results of the play. So typical of Ivy League officiating.

[Mr. C]

Ragone scrambles away from Dylan Lucas on a blitz, but is forced to throw the ball away on third down. Punt time for Penn. FC for Livers at the VU 43.

[Mr. C]

KM and Gary Underwood runs move the ball to the Penn 46 for a first down.

[Mr. C]

Robertson slings a side-armed pass to Norman White to the Penn 40.

[Mr. C]

Slow-developing sweep to KM nets two to the 38. 3rd and 2 for VU.

[bulldog10jw]

Pass catch for Penn for a first down is wiped out by an ineligible receiver downfield penalty. Stupid call that had NOTHING to do with the results of the play. So typical of Ivy League officiating.

Still thinking about that ineligible receiver downfield penalty Penn got against Yale in the OT game Yale won a few years ago?

[Mr. C]

Robertson Wildcats it again and is stacked up for what looks like a spot short of the 41. Chain gang is on the field and it is short. That play looked like a Rugby scrum. VU going on 4th and a foot.

[Mr. C]

False start on the VU line. Punting time.

[Mr. C]

Still thinking about that ineligible receiver downfield penalty Penn got against Yale in the OT game Yale won a few years ago?

I'm sure Al Bagnoli was thinking of that as he steamed on the sideline. This call wasn't as bad as that one (from the half-yard line to wipe out a halfback option TD pass in double OT).

[Mr. C]

Penn starts from its own 10 after the punt and gets a first down at the Penn 22 on a Ragone keeper.

[Mr. C]

First down pass from Ragone to Connor Scott for a 1st Down at the Penn 33.

[Mr. C]

Ragone waits too long with open space on a scramble and is caught for a 2-yard gain at the 35 as the first quarter ends. Villanova 7, Penn 0.

[Mr. C]

Ragone sweeps around the right side to the 39. 3rd and 4.

[Mr. C]

Ragone QB draw is stopped by Devon Bridges at the 40. Punt time again.

[Mr. C]

High snap, but good punt, Twombly with a nice hit on Livers on the return. VU ball at the 13.

[Mr. C]

Daniel Davis out of the secondary for a nice tackle on KM for no gain. Pettway with a catch from TE for a first down at the VU 32.

[Mr. C]

Price on the out for five yards on first down.

[Mr. C]

KM on the draw for one yard. 3rd and 4.

[VUCats02]

Joe Price just eclipsed 100 yards receiving for the game.

[Mr. C]

Robertson does his best Chris Whitney imitation to loft the ball to Price for a first down at the Penn 33.

[Mr. C]

Livers on the reverse cuts inside to the 26.

[Mr. C]

Underwood to the near the first down sticks on a run inside.

[Mr. C]

He is a foot short. 3rd down and VU is going to go for it.

[Mr. C]

Monangai is stacked up and on 4th down, VU's Mark Hamilton is on for a 41-yard FGA, which splits the uprights. Villanova 10, Penn 0. 9:18 left in the second quarter.

[Mr. C]

Joe Price just eclipsed 100 yards receiving for the game.

Price has been the best player on the field on offense. Marlon Johnson earns the same honors defensively thus far.

[Mr. C]

Good kick coverage for Villanova. Penn takes over at the 17.

[Mr. C]

Ragone completion to Joe Holder for a 1st down Penn at their own 30.

[Mr. C]

The Ivy League officials just threw a flag for no penalty before a play. Marsh rips off eight yards on 1st down.

[Mr. C]

Tough 1st-down run to the Penn 42 by Greg Schuster tackle by Lucas.

[Mr. C]

Ragone no gain on a 1st down run

[Mr. C]

Jack on a zone play runs to the 47. 3rd and 6.

[Mr. C]

Ragone to Mitchell for a 1st down, Mitchell might have broken it, if he hadn't fallen down at the VU 40.

[Mr. C]

Time Out for Penn after some mix ups. First time out used. 4:47 left in the half as Villanova leads 10-0.

[Mr. C]

3rd and long upcoming after an incomplete pass for Penn at the VU 42

[Mr. C]

Pressure on Ragone again, he spins out of trouble, but then throws the ball away. Punt time. VU ball at the 20.

[Mr. C]

Helmet-to-helmet contact on Penn on a hit that levels Livers. 1st down at the 45 of VU for the Cats.

[Mr. C]

Monangai burst free to the Penn 44 on a nice run.

[Mr. C]

Brandon Copeland has looked good for Penn at DE and he forced Robertson to scramble to the 43.

[Mr. C]

High pass from Robertson that even Price can't haul in. 3rd and long.

[Mr. C]

Robertson bounces a 3rd-down pass to force a punt from Hamilton with 2:05 left in the half. Penn ball at its 20.

[Mr. C]

Pass to Scott is incomplete. 2nd down

[Mr. C]

Schuster runs for a couple of yards. Tackle by Lucas. Time out Nova with 1:45 left on 3rd and 8 from the Penn 22.

[Mr. C]

Short pass completion to the 26. Punt time with 1:38 left in the half.

[Mr. C]

Great punt with a wind at his back from Scott Lopano to the VU 7.

[Mr. C]

The clock is going to run out on the half as VU goes on the ground with KM twice.

[Mr. C]

SCreen pass to KM to the VU 30 with 16 seconds left.

[Mr. C]

KM run loses yardage and its halftime. Villanova 10, Penn 0.

[Mr. C]

Halftime Stats

Villanova 22 yards, 152 passing (Robertson 9-of-12 for 152 and 1 TD), 70 rushing.
Penn 140 yards, 44 passing (Ragone 4-of-7 for 40), 96 rushing.

[Mr. C]

Second Half kickoff is returned to the 34, but a penalty will back the Quakers up for holding. I hate penalties on returns. Give us XFL rules on kickoffs and punts. 1st down at the 15.

[Mr. C]

Al Bagnoli goes to the bullpen and replaces Ragone for QB Andrew Holland to start the 2nd Half.

[Mr. C]

And Holland winds and delivers ... a three and out. Dylan Lucas and Antoine Lewis on a third-down sack.

[Mr. C]

Holding on the VU punt return and the Cats will start at the 30.

[Mr. C]

Robertson on the bomb to Norman White for 43 yards on first down to the Penn 27.

[Mr. C]

QB run near the 20 is coming back on an illegal chop block. VU is back to the Penn 36.

[Mr. C]

KM is stacked up and we have the 4th flag of the 2nd Half. 4 flags in like 9 plays. Holding on Nova.

[Mr. C]

3rd and 17 from the Penn 34 for VU.

[Mr. C]

Bad read by Robertson and poor throw makes it 4th down and Hamilton is on to punt. 10:41 left in the third.

[Mr. C]

Delay of game on VU to the Penn 39 as the penalty-fest continues. FC of the punt for Penn at the 9.

[VUCats02]

Penalties...

[Mr. C]

Another play and another flag for holding against Penn. This is getting ridiculous. Penn is backed up to the five.

[Mr. C]

Penalties...

I don't care if there are infractions on every play, officials need to be judicious of when to throw them. They are ruining the second half.

[Mr. C]

High throw from Holland on third down and Penn will punt from its end zone. 9:25 left in the third.

[Mr. C]

FC by Livers at the VU 46.

[Mr. C]

Completion to Livers at the Penn 44.

[Mr. C]

QB sneak on 3rd and inches give Robertson a first down at the Penn 43.

[Mr. C]

Taylor Brown with the inside pressure on Robertson forces an incompletion. Underwood for a gain to the 37 on second down. 3rd and four.

[Mr. C]

Delay route to Underwood for a first down at the Penn 32. Nice catch, going up high for the grab.

[Mr. C]

Robertson missed a wide-open Pettway on a post for what would have been a TD on play-action on 1st down. KM for five on 2nd down.

[Mr. C]

A hold by Josh Bucci on the next play opens a hole for Robertson to scramble up the middle for a touchdown. Now that is one that should have been called, because it had a direct influence on the play. Villanova 17, Penn 0, 5:43 left in the third period.

[Mr. C]

Ironically, I am sitting by the officials observer in the 2nd Half. He has been writing furiously in the third period.

[Mr. C]

Penn return to the Quaker 25.

[Mr. C]

Fumble is covered by Penn's LG Steve Szostak to avert further disaster on 1st down.

[Mr. C]

Spencer Kulcsar goes to the VU 47 on a second-down draw play.

[Mr. C]

Quick pass to the 38 and a run for a first down at the VU 37 for Jack.

[Mr. C]

Kulcsar catches a pass to the 34 on first down.

[Mr. C]

Delay of game on Penn. 2nd and 12.

[Mr. C]

Good protection on a blitz and a nice back-shoulder throw by Holland, but Scott is called out of bounds.

[Mr. C]

Scott on the hitch screen to the 34 again. 4th and 7 and Penn is going for it.

[Mr. C]

Time out Penn, the Quakers' first of the half. 1:32 left in the third period.

[Mr. C]

Very poor throw by Holland on fourth down with an open receiver across the middle and the ball goes to VU at its own 34.

[Mr. C]

Time out VU with 15 seconds left in the third period after nearly getting a delay of game.

[Mr. C]

3 and out for VU and Hamilton punts. FC Penn at the Quaker 20 with 6 seconds left in the third period.

[Mr. C]

Jeff Jack runs to the 21 as the third period ends.

[Mr. C]

Raise a toast to Penn. It's time for the toast toss, one of the finest in Franklin Field traditions. One of the last times I was here for football, the Yale fans actually booed the Penn fans as they tossed toast. Maybe it was because the Bulldogs were losing ...

[Mr. C]

Over 13,000 in the house for today's game. I'll never understand why Philadelphia fans are so CLUELESS about college football. Beautiful day to be out for a football game between great rivals.

[Mr. C]

Jeff Jack on a draw play for a 1st down at the Penn 31.

[Mr. C]

Nice cutback by Spencer Kulcsar to the VU 41.

[Mr. C]

Flea flicker is well covered by Nova and Holland has to throw it away.

[Mr. C]

Nice diving catch by Joe Holder at the VU 35. 3rd and 4.

[Mr. C]

Sack off the edge by Rakim Cox at the VU 42. Punt time for Penn with 11:46 left and the ball is downed at the VU 5.

[Mr. C]

KMon to the 9 on 1st down

[Mr. C]

And KMon back to the 9 on 2nd down. 3rd and 6.

[Mr. C]

Nice call and nice blocking up front as Robertson takes a QB draw through the right side for a 1st down at the 19.

[Mr. C]

PF dead ball on Penn after the next play and VU has a first down at the Cat 44.

[Mr. C]

Third Quarter stats

VU 337 yards
Penn 188 yards

[Mr. C]

KMon scampers to the Penn 29 for another 1st down.

[Mr. C]

Underwood to the 14 of Penn for another 1st down. VU is starting to dominate up front against the smaller Quakers on this drive.

[Mr. C]

Monangai churns in for 14 off-tackle to the right for a TD that makes it 24-0 after the Hamilton PAT. 8:09 left.

[Mr. C]

The only question now is if Penn can score. This is Al Bagnoli's 200th career game at Penn and the Quakers have never been shut out in his years as the coach here.

[VUCats02]

And Nova has yet to give up a single point to an FCS team in the 2nd half so far this season...

[Mr. C]

Great pass and catch under pressure at both ends for Penn for a 1st down to the Quaker 48.

[Mr. C]

Holder for a catch at the VU 38.

[Mr. C]

O'Malley catch to the VU 15.

[Mr. C]

Rakim Cox with a sack at the VU 18 on 1st down.

[Mr. C]

Jack on the draw to the VU 15, 3rd and 10.

[Mr. C]

Schuster battles to near the first down on a 3rd down catch. 4th and 1 for Penn and Holland sneaks for a 1st down at the VU 4.

[Mr. C]

VU smells out the bootleg draw to Jack and stuffs him at the 5. 2nd down.

[Mr. C]

Holland runs a bootleg to the right, almost waits too long and then throws to Connor Scott, who pulls in the TD toss. Two-point pass on a deep pattern in the back of the end zone. Villanova 24, Penn 8. 3:14 left.

[Mr. C]

And here comes the onside kick

[Mr. C]

Kevin Gulyus makes a smart fair catch at the VU 35 of a high-popped kick for the Cats. Well-prepared on that play. Good coaching there.

[Mr. C]

Chris Polony is on at QB for the final three minutes for Villanova.

[Mr. C]

Unless Nova fumbles, we won't get another wild finish in this game like we've seen so often in the past.

[Mr. C]

With 1:15 left, Penn calls its second time out as Villanova faces a 3rd and 2 from the Quaker 46. Ballgame right here.

[Mr. C]

Steve Jones clinches it with a four-yard burst.

[Mr. C]

Victory formation for Chris Polony and the Wildcats. Villanova 24, Penn 8. Final from Franklin Field.

[Mr. C]

Final Stats

Villanova 438 yards, 213 passing (Robertson 13-of-20, 1 TD)
225 rushing (Monangai 17-109, 1 TD)
Price 5-113 receiving

Penn 300 yards, 142 passing (Holland 11-of-17, 102, 1 TD, Ragone 4-of-7, 40 yards)
158 rushing (Jeff Jack 14-88)

[HailSzczur]

What a game. I wish I was there, but alas St. Thomas of Villanova service day called me away from football for the day. Great to see the Cat's offense become 2 dimensional and put up a great passing game. Robertson probably just won himself rookie of the week in the CAA again this week. And the defense was huge as they have been all season. 3-1 feels pretty good after the disaster that was last season. Real excited for a great matchup next weekend in Orno. If the Cats win up there, then we know they are for real.

Some interesting Nova facts and tidbits courtesy of a @NovaFootball and @Brian_Ewart

Penn's late score broke a 91 minute scoreless stretch by the Nova Defense.
For a young team it is very impressive to note that this is now 3 straight games without turning the ball over once.
Villanova has rushed for 200+ yds in each of the first 4 games.
Tonight was the first time since playing SFA in the 2010 playoffs that the Nova offense threw for 200+ yds. The same game was the last time Nova had a 100 yd receiver (Matt Szczur) prior to Joe Price's 113yds.

[VUCats02]

The turnover point is a big one. I have noticed that too. Robertson has had zero turnovers so far, which is remarkable for a red shirt freshman. He is a really smart player, and whenever he misses, he misses at a spot where the defense can't intercept it. I am highly impressed by the kid. The announcers on the TV feed compared him to Szczur about 3 or 4 times today. This year he will most likely struggle as Nova gets into the heart of their schedule, but I think the next couple of years look incredibly bright for Nova.

[Tubby Raymond]

The 27 people who cared about this game were all in that decrepid ball yard

[Ivytalk]

Always good to see Penn take it in the nuts.:D

[Pards Rule]

And how!! Especially "big" Al!!

[Mr. C]

The 27 people who cared about this game were all in that decrepid ball yard

Amazing how some Delaware fans are such party-poopers. Some one who watches games at the Tub, calling Franklin Field decrepit (note the spelling of the word)?

Have you ever been to a Villanova-Penn game? If not, you are clueless about one of the great rivalries of FCS. I guarantee you that this was a more fun game than that great Delaware-Bucknell rivalry from the previous week, or that Delaware-West Chester game.

[caribbeanhen]

Amazing how some Delaware fans are such party-poopers. Some one who watches games at the Tub, calling Franklin Field decrepit (note the spelling of the word)?

Have you ever been to a Villanova-Penn game? If not, you are clueless about one of the great rivalries of FCS. I guarantee you that this was a more fun game than that great Delaware-Bucknell rivalry from the previous week, or that Delaware-West Chester game.


what was the attendance?

[Ivytalk]

what was the attendance?

Just under 14K

[caribbeanhen]

Just under 14K

more than I would have thought, the Hens are only about 4K over that

[HailSzczur]

Highlights from yesterday's game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4-CJh2TIDx4

[Mr. C]

Here is the link to the column on Saturday's Villanova-Penn game. Hope you enjoy reading:

http://www.college-sports-journal.com/index.php/ncaa-division-i-sports/fcs-football/357-villanova-penn-play-familiar-roles-as-a-philly-rivalry-plays-out-to-another-cat-win

[GannonFan]

Amazing how some Delaware fans are such party-poopers. Some one who watches games at the Tub, calling Franklin Field decrepit (note the spelling of the word)?

Have you ever been to a Villanova-Penn game? If not, you are clueless about one of the great rivalries of FCS. I guarantee you that this was a more fun game than that great Delaware-Bucknell rivalry from the previous week, or that Delaware-West Chester game.

Amazing how some Appy St homers get all riled up whenever UD fans talk about nova games. Talk about a party-pooper. And yes, I've been to Franklin Field and to nova and Penn games. And no, I would not consider nova/Penn to be one of the great rivalries in FCS football, unless you're making a real long list of great rivalries.

[HailSzczur]

Amazing how some Appy St homers get all riled up whenever UD fans talk about nova games. Talk about a party-pooper. And yes, I've been to Franklin Field and to nova and Penn games. And no, I would not consider nova/Penn to be one of the great rivalries in FCS football, unless you're making a real long list of great rivalries.

Very forced one. It works for basketball because of the collection of rivalries that is the Big 5 and all the history there. But football, no way. I mean they're 12 miles away and we'eve played them less than 20 times? Plus I don't know of too many rivalries that thrive being played almost exclusively on 1 teams campus.

A better way to phrase it would be crosstown rivalry maybe? Just to imply that any sense of a rivalry is because they are the 2 FCS teams in the this corner of the state.

[Go Green]

Very forced one. It works for basketball because of the collection of rivalries that is the Big 5 and all the history there. But football, no way. I mean they're 12 miles away and we'eve played them less than 20 times? Plus I don't know of too many rivalries that thrive being played almost exclusively on 1 teams campus.

A better way to phrase it would be crosstown rivalry maybe? Just to imply that any sense of a rivalry is because they are the 2 FCS teams in the this corner of the state.

There's also the fact that Penn hasn't beaten Villanova since 1911. While Penn has put up a good fight and come close when they've been strong, it's only a matter of time before Penn has rough years and multiple-touchdown Nova victories become the norm in the series. That's pretty much what happened with Dartmouth-UNH and Yale-UConn. We will see if Penn still has the stomach to continue the series after that, or cry "uncle" like Dartmouth and Yale did.

[bluehenbillk]

Very forced one. It works for basketball because of the collection of rivalries that is the Big 5 and all the history there. But football, no way. I mean they're 12 miles away and we'eve played them less than 20 times? Plus I don't know of too many rivalries that thrive being played almost exclusively on 1 teams campus.

A better way to phrase it would be crosstown rivalry maybe? Just to imply that any sense of a rivalry is because they are the 2 FCS teams in the this corner of the state.

That's a fair assessment. I've been in or around Philly for about 95% of my life & I work a stone's throw away from St. Joe's and about 10-15 minutes max from VU. The VU-TU game has got some play around here & some local interest. Penn football, even when they were winning they Ivy a few years ago is invisible. Philly is MUCH more a college hoops town than a college FB town, always has been.

[HailSzczur]

There's also the fact that Penn hasn't beaten Villanova since 1911. While Penn has put up a good fight and come close when they've been strong, it's only a matter of time before Penn has rough years and multiple-touchdown Nova victories become the norm in the series. That's pretty much what happened with Dartmouth-UNH and Yale-UConn. We will see if Penn still has the stomach to continue the series after that, or cry "uncle" like Dartmouth and Yale did.

That may just be the most leading fact in all of Villanova football. Sure we have now won 12 in a row against them (that's the part thats impressive, not the 100 yr part), but those 12 times have been the only times we've played them in that 100 year span.

[HailSzczur]

That's a fair assessment. I've been in or around Philly for about 95% of my life & I work a stone's throw away from St. Joe's and about 10-15 minutes max from VU. The VU-TU game has got some play around here & some local interest. Penn football, even when they were winning they Ivy a few years ago is invisible. Philly is MUCH more a college hoops town than a college FB town, always has been.

Temple can't even fill the bottom bowl of the Linc on a weekly basis. It's a common thing through out much of the Mid Atlantic and New England area. Football just doesn't draw that big of crowds.
But like you say, basketball on the other hand....We have over a 20 year wait on season tickets. SJU just expanded their gym. Every year Drexel whines because they aren't in the Big 5. Basketball more than dominates the college sports scene

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I remember that OT game where I thought Penn was going to take you guys out... then the interception.

[bulldog10jw]

There's also the fact that Penn hasn't beaten Villanova since 1911. While Penn has put up a good fight and come close when they've been strong, it's only a matter of time before Penn has rough years and multiple-touchdown Nova victories become the norm in the series. That's pretty much what happened with Dartmouth-UNH and Yale-UConn. We will see if Penn still has the stomach to continue the series after that, or cry "uncle" like Dartmouth and Yale did.

Actually, UConn dropped Yale because of the bowl eligibility factor. I'm not saying Yale was not glad the series ended, the beatings were only going to get worse, but UConn made the first move.

[Go Green]

Actually, UConn dropped Yale because of the bowl eligibility factor.

But didn't UConn replace Yale with other I-AA opponents for a couple of years? If bowl eligibility was the reason for ending the series, replacing Yale with Colgate, Maine, and Northeastern didn't seem to make any sense for UConn.

Yes, I understand that the current rules allow FBS teams to count (one) win against a scholarship FCS team. But I don't think that was the case in the late 1990s.

[HailSzczur]

I remember that OT game where I thought Penn was going to take you guys out... then the interception.

You and me both.

That game was HUGE for the history of Villanova football though, It turned the tide of not only that season, but the next 2 years as well. After that game Whitney took over and we never looked back, going 31-8 in the rest of his starts.

[bulldog10jw]

But didn't UConn replaced Yale with other I-AA opponents for a couple of years? If bowl eligibility was the reason for ending the series, replacing Yale with Colgate, Maine, and Northeastern didn't seem to make any sense for UConn.

Yes, I understand that the current rules allow FBS teams to count (one) win against a scholarship FCS team. But I don't think that was the case in the late 1990s.

I have no idea who replaced Yale on UConn's schedule. I do know Yale was not sad to see the series end.