William & Mary at Villanova Game Thread

[Mr. C]

Usually a matchup between William & Mary and Villanova would be must-see FCS TV. But today's matchup will be about two teams trying to salvage their seasons. Both already have a CAA loss, with the Tribe at 2-2 overall and Villanova at 1-3. William & Mary took a major injury hit this week with the loss of dynamic, playmaking receiver Ryan Moody, compromising an already anemic offense. We will see a lot of tailback Jonathan Grimes on offense for the Tribe, while senior walk-on Christian Culicerto will try to manage the game for Villanova against a tough Tribe defense. Like Culicerto, Tribe QB Michael Graham is learning as a starter after beating out oft-injured Michael Paulus. Villanova Stadium is also a place where William & Mary has traditionally struggled. With Villanova's strength also on defense, expect a close, low-scoring game today. Villanova has won six of the past seven games in the series, though William & Mary ended a six-game winning streak last season in Williamsport, Va. We also will get to watch one of the best coaching rivalries in FCS, with Jimmye Laycock of William & Mary going up against Andy Talley of Villanova. Talley leads the series, 11-10-1, with the tie coming in the first meeting between the two coaches.

[Mr. C]

It is sometimes hard to get going in the mornings, as you prepare for a noon game. But it helps when Villanova Stadium is just 30 minutes from my house in the NE Philly suburbs and when the press box has a nice meal. Today, it's some good chicken fingers with honey mustard sauce and a nice fruit salad to get me prepared for the game.

Also, let's give props to the 24-piece Villanova women's choir who knocked it out of the park for the national anthem. They always do a first-class job with that at Wildcat home games.

It's seven minutes to opening kickoff as Villanova takes the field.

[Mr. C]

You can't escape that silly TV lizard anywhere. There is a plane circling the stadium with a Save Money, Geico sign attatched.

With three minutes to play, William & Mary finally decides to leave its cozy quarters in the visiting locker room and make it on to the field.

[Mr. C]

William & Mary won the coin toss and will defer to the second half. Villanova will get the opening kickoff.

[Mr. C]

Jamal Abdur Rahman returns it to the 20 after taking the kick five yards deep in the end zone and then gets a first down with a reception on first down to the VU 33.

[Mr. C]

William & Mary looks like it will be bringing plenty of heat when Culicerto passes today. Third and 10 and Culicerto makes a good decision to take a sack from blitzing LB Brian Thompson.

[Mr. C]

Mark Hamilton's punt rolls dead at the W&M 40, where the Tribe will start its first possession.

[Mr. C]

The Tribe gets the ball to Grimes on a first-play swing pass for one yard.

[Mr. C]

Ronnie Akins on a stop of Grimes for one yard on second down.

[Mr. C]

Marlon Johnson, who stopped Grimes on first down, turned the corner on the weakside and sacked Graham on third down. Drake Kuhn badly shanked the punt for eight yards out of bounds. VU takes over at the W&M 43.

[Mr. C]

The Villanova offense dodged a huge bullet when Culicerto tossed a pass in the flat to Dorian Wells. Wells couldn't catch it and didn't chase the ball, which was perilously close to being behind the line of scrimmage. The officials correctly called it a pass as W&M was diving on the ball.

[Mr. C]

Wells caught a bubble screen for six yards after a VU time out. Third and four and Lawrence Doss was stopped right at the chains for a first down at the W&M 33.

[Mr. C]

Doss goes OT for two yards. W&M looks tough on the defensive front again as Doss is stopped for one at the 30. Third and seven.

[Mr. C]

Nice timing between Culicerto and Wells on an 18-yard flag pattern for a first down at the 13.

[Mr. C]

LB Jabrel Mines sacks Culicerto for an 8-yard loss on first down.

[Mr. C]

Bad drop for Rahman at around the 10.

[Mr. C]

Culicerto goes around the left corner under huge pressure, makes a pump fake and dashes to the 8. Hamilton drills a 25-yard field goal to give Villanova a 3-0 lead with 7:21 left in the first quarter. 10 plays, 35 yards, 3:56 on the drive.

[Mr. C]

The first time that Jonathan Grimes ever played against Villanova, he had a long kickoff return for a touchdown to earn freshman of the week honors in the CAA. This time, Grimes went 31 yards with a kickoff return to give W&M good field position at the 47. On third and short, Grimes went four yards inside for a first down at the VU 40.

[Mr. C]

Tre McBride went 14 yards on a first down run to the 26.

[Mr. C]

Grimes is showing why he is an All-American on this drive. He went for 9 yards to the 16. He gives the Tribe a first and goal at the 10 on the next play.

[Mr. C]

Grimes was stopped for one yard on first down and W&M got nailed for moving too soon on second down.

[Mr. C]

Graham completed an out pattern to MrBride for 13 yards to the one. Third and goal.

[Mr. C]

Big controversy. Grimes fumbled as he was hit by freshman LB Dillon Lucas at the goal line. Ronnie Akins recovered and look to be headed for a TD, but the play was blown dead. I thought it was a fumble from my angle. On the next play, the Tribe went for it on fourth down from the one and Grimes scored easily to make it 7-3 with 2:17 left. 11 plays, 53 yards, 4:55 on the drive.

[LeadBolt]

Grimes scores on 4th and 1. EP good W&M 7 Vill 3

[Mr. C]

Anyone watching this on TV that saw the replay? Would love to hear opinions on this.

[Mr. C]

31 yards for Rahman, who took the kickoff from the goal line.

[Mr. C]

Nice blocking for VU on a Dorian Wells carry for 7 yards.

[Mr. C]

Doss follows a lead block for two yards to the 40. Third and one.

[tribe_pride]

Saw the replay. His elbow was down when he fumbled and commentators agreed. Weird enough though (and the commentators did not bring it up) the ball had crossed the line in the end zone so the 4th down play should never have happened.

[Mr. C]

Zone read is bounced outside for Doss, who turns the corner to the 50 and a first down. DE Stephen Simnott knocked down a first-down pass.

[Mr. C]

Saw the replay. His elbow was down when he fumbled and commentators agreed. Weird enough though (and the commentators did not bring it up) the ball had crossed the line in the end zone so the 4th down play should never have happened.

You really couldn't see that from the angle in the press box. I am right at the 50-yard line, so I had one of the worst views in the house on that one. The first quarter has ended after a short catch for Rahman to the W&M 46. Third and six upcoming after the commercials.

[Mr. C]

Culicerto missed two open receivers in the middle, one of them being Wells around the 25. Hamilton will punt on fourth down and the VU defenders just miss downing it at the one. W&M ball at the 20.

[Mr. C]

A drop by Alex Gottlieb, one of the top tight ends in the country. Third and five.

[Mr. C]

Grimes knifes close to a first down, but is stopped a yard short after a four-yard gain. Punting time for W&M.

[Mr. C]

Procedure penalty on the Tribe. The punt is downed at the VU 43 with 13:24 left in the half.

[Mr. C]

Rahman on a nice carry to the W&M 46 for a first down.

[Mr. C]

Some fancy fakes for Culicerto on a reverse to Rahman for 28 yards to the W&M 18.

[Mr. C]

Shovel pass to Kevin Monagai to the 14.

[Mr. C]

Great Culicerto pass on a quick slant by Wells for a Wildcat TD. Hamilton's PAT is good to make it Villanova 10, William & Mary 7.

[Mr. C]

4 plays, 57 yards, 1:40 on the drive.

[Mr. C]

First quarter stats: VU 18 plays, 64 yards, W&M 14-53. Graham 2-of-4 for 14 passing, Grimes 8-for-32 rushing. Culicerto 4-of-8 for 41 passing.

[Mr. C]

Grimes was stacked up on the kickoff return at the 20, but Villanova got penalized for offsides and the Tribe will start at the 25.

[Mr. C]

Graham scrambles for five yards, even though he doesn't look very mobile.

[Mr. C]

Grimes is stopped by James Pitts for one yard. Third and four.

[Mr. C]

Offsides for Villanova gives W&M a first down. Remember that play. The Tribe is at the W&M 36.

[Mr. C]

Grimes goes for two with Akins on the stop. But Graham hits D.J. Mangus for 20 yards at the sidelines for a first down at the VU 42.

[Mr. C]

Four yards for Grimes to the 38.

[Mr. C]

Grimes stopped by Lucas at the 37. Third and five.

[Mr. C]

Timing pattern to McBride, who is driven back on the play. He may have cut his route too short. But a good spot gives W&M a first down by the length of the football at the VU 32.

[Mr. C]

Graham to Mangus for six as Pitts slams Mangus to the ground. Second and four at the VU 26.

[Mr. C]

Good coverage deep, but a dump pass to FB Kyle O'Brien goes for a first down to the 22. And Grimes bursts for 22 yards and into the end zone at the right end flag.

[Mr. C]

Penalty flag, but it is on Villanova. William & Mary 14, Villanova 10 with 5:49 left in the half. 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:47 on the drive.

[Mr. C]

That 75-yard drive was classic Jimmye Laycock football as the Tribe mixed runs with passes. Laycock has given defensive coordinators fits for years with his offense.

[Mr. C]

Love to hear from folks on these threads. If you have a question, feel free to ask, or if you have a comment, let your voice be heard. It is always more fun with a lot of folks getting into the mix.

[Mr. C]

First down for Villanova at the 20.

[Mr. C]

Ball control is going to be important the rest of the way for Villanova, as the Tribe will try to wear down the Cat defense with Grimes. Third and seven upcoming and Culicerto's pass to TE Craig is dropped. There have been a lot of drops by VU receivers this season.

[LeadBolt]

What is your impression of line play for both teams. Hard to see on the radio...

[Mr. C]

Big punt by Hamilton to B.W. Webb at the W&M 19. W&M will start at the 11 after a 10-yard penalty for an illegal block.

[Mr. C]

What is your impression of line play for both teams. Hard to see on the radio...

I've been impressed as I always am by the Tribe's defensive line. VU has done well up front on defense, too. W&M has started slow on the OL.

[Mr. C]

A tipped pass was intercepted by LB Joey Harmon of VU, (tipped by Antoine Lewis) and the Cats have a great opportunity at the W&M 25.

[Nova09]

I always thought Culicerto had a gorgeous delivery from a pure throwing perspective, but was worried he would get rattled if big d-linemen were in his face knocking him down every play. now that he's getting a chance and more incompletions seem to be drops than anything else, would you say he is handling the position well?

[Mr. C]

Culicerto had a pass deflected on first down, but used the follow pay for six on second down. He was clobbered by Mines and fumbled on third down, but the ball bounced around and was recovered by Villanova at the 29.

[Mr. C]

A great, career-long 45-yard field goal by Mark Hamilton is crushed through the uprights to cut William & Mary's lead to 14-13 (does that score sound familiar) with 1:39 left in the half.

[Mr. C]

Hamilton has hit 11 consecutive field goals, dating back to last season. What was once a shaky part of Villanova's attack has really stabilized into a strength. A 17-yard return gives the Tribe the ball at the 15.

[Mr. C]

Grimes is pounding the ball and its looks like William & Mary is content to run out the first-half clock. Third and two.

[Mr. C]

First down pass to Mangus for two yards on a crossing route (you've got to love the Laycock passing game) and that's the first half.

[bojeta]

This game is close as I expected at half and proves my theory.... WM is not a top 20 team.

[Mr. C]

Surprised to see that New Hampshire is struggling against Holy Cross, hanging on to an 18-13 lead in the first half.

[Mr. C]

This game is close as I expected at half and proves my theory.... WM is not a top 20 team.

The thing is that without a dominating team in the CAA, you can hang in the race by winning close games. The quarterback position in the CAA is particularly down, talent-wise, this year. The best I've seen so far is Kevin Decker of UNH, though Aaron Corp of Richmond has also played well.

[Mr. C]

The W&M folks said that the Tribe fans thought for the most part thought this would be an easy win. Not at all. Unless William & Mary is able to wear down the Cats, this will be a dogfight to the end. The first drive, with the Tribe getting the ball, should be very revealing and should set the tone for this one.

[Mr. C]

A great, career-long 45-yard field goal by Mark Hamilton is crushed through the uprights to cut William & Mary's lead to 14-13 (does that score sound familiar) with 1:39 left in the half.

For you folks who are not historians, the 14-13 reference was the score of the 2009 FCS semifinal game here at Villanova Stadium between the Wildcats and the Tribe. What a game that was, with Matt Szczur working his magic to swing that one. The Cats won the national championship a week later. Fortunately, it isn't 20 degrees out there like it was that night. It is a cool fall day, with overcast skies. If the rain holds off, you couldn't ask for better weather.

[Mr. C]

It's time for the second half and a touch back will give the Tribe the ball at their own 20.

[Mr. C]

Great coverage by VU's Eric Loper on a long pass by W&M. Third and 8 upcoming.

[Mr. C]

VU forces Graham to scramble up the middle and its time for another punt.

[Mr. C]

Bad mistake for W&M on the punt. Up-back Kyle O'Brien moved in front of the sack and deflected it to the ground. Punter Drake Kuhn was tackled at the 10. The replay showed the ball hit O'Brien on the shoulder.

[Mr. C]

Culicerto was sacked on a trick play, double-reverse pass attempt on first down, but hit Wells to the 8 on second down. A third-down pass was misfired and Hamilton is on for a 25-yard field goal attempt that is perfect. Villanova 16, William & Mary 14 with 12:01 remaining in the third period.

[Mr. C]

UNH has apparently been killing itself with penalties and turnovers, but those Wildcats now lead Holy Cross 25-13 after an Orlando TD catch.

[Mr. C]

The Tribe will start the next drive at the 30 after a Grimes kickoff return.

[Mr. C]

Grimes broke loose for 16 yards on first down and should be right around 100 yards for the game. William & Mary coaches wanted a late hit call after the run to the W&M 46.

[Mr. C]

Graham took a big hit (possibly late from Loper) on a run to the VU sideline and is hurt. Check that, it was another player.

[tribe_pride]

Wow. Surprised no late throw down when Grimes was a bunch of yards out of bounds.

[Mr. C]

Grimes charges forward for three and another first down at the Villanova 43. Lucas had the tackle.

[Mr. C]

Gottlieb makes up for a dropped pass earlier for a 25-yard reception up the middle to the VU 19.

[Mr. C]

DE Rakim Cox, was has had another strong game, knocked down a Graham pass.

[Mr. C]

Ronnie Akins came up from his safety position to hit Grimes for a one-yard gain.

[Mr. C]

Bad pass by Graham, behind McBride means its fourth and nine for the Tribe. Kuhn is on for a 34-yard kick that he tucks inside the left post from the left hash. 9 plays, 53 yards, 3:12 on the drive. William & Mary regains the lead at 17-16 with 8:42 left in the third period.

[Mr. C]

Rahman is showing some promise on the kickoff returns. VU will begin at the 35.

[Mr. C]

Third and inches for VU after a Culicert 6-yard pass play on a bubble screen. But third down is stopped. Villanova briefly considers going for it before sending on the punt team. Hamilton was nailed on a rugby punt, but because he was running outside the hashes, it wasn't a penalty on W&M.

[Mr. C]

First down for the Tribe at the 22. Five yards for Keith McBride on first down and three more on second down. Third and two at the 30.

[Mr. C]

Keith McBride picks up a first down at the W&M 35. It looks like the Tribe is trying to wear down Villanova.

[Mr. C]

Graham finds his receivers covered and scrambles for five to the W&M 42. Third and four and Keith McBride is stood up by Joey Harmon at the 44. It looks like the Tribe will go on fourth and one.

[TribeAdvocate]

Nice job by McBride to pick up that first after contact

[Mr. C]

Dillon Lucas filled the hole for Villanova, but Keith McBride made two yards on second effort. First down at the W&M 46.

[TribeAdvocate]

McBride really looking good as the "RB of the future"

[Mr. C]

Gottlieb got deep down the sidelines and nearly made a great catch after pushing off to get seperation, but VU broke up the play. Keith McBride went for seven on second down. Third and three at the VU 47.

[Mr. C]

McBride is stopped by Marlon Johnson at the 45. Fourth and one and the Tribe will go again.

[Mr. C]

Nice play fake by Graham, who hits Gottlieb on the sideline for 30 yards to the VU 15.

[TribeAdvocate]

Awesome play on 4th down by the Tribe. Deep to Gottlieb down to around the 15. Wish Gott could've pulled in the earlier one with the scouts there to see him and Grimes. Wonder why Grimes isn't in, is he hurt?

[Mr. C]

Keith McBride up the middle to the 13 with Lucas and Harmon on the stop. But another costly procedure penalty for William and Mary will move it to the 18 on second down as the third quarter ends.

[bojeta]

The thing is that without a dominating team in the CAA, you can hang in the race by winning close games. The quarterback position in the CAA is particularly down, talent-wise, this year. The best I've seen so far is Kevin Decker of UNH, though Aaron Corp of Richmond has also played well.

Ya, I can see that and I should note, I wasn't making that last comment with too much certainty. I still think we need to get a couple more weeks into this season to see who's really belongs in the top 20. This season is a lot like my friends and I playing "Electric Football" as kids lol.... You just flip the switch and watch what happens!!

[Mr. C]

Awesome play on 4th down by the Tribe. Deep to Gottlieb down to around the 15. Wish Gott could've pulled in the earlier one with the scouts there to see him and Grimes. Wonder why Grimes isn't in, is he hurt?

I absolutely love Laycock's offense. That play was perfectly set up and Gottlieb is one of the best weapons at tight end in the country.

[Mr. C]

Ya, I can see that and I should note, I wasn't making that last comment with too much certainty. I still think we need to get a couple more weeks into this season to see who's really belongs in the top 20. This season is a lot like my friends and I playing "Electric Football" as kids lol.... You just flip the switch and watch what happens!!

We will know a lot more after the games of today, particularly in the CAA. I am very intrigued by the Delaware at Maine game later on. I think Maine and Towson could be real sleepers in this conference.

[Mr. C]

McBride really looking good as the "RB of the future"

Keith McBride looks like a tough back, who can get inside yards. Don't know what kind of wheels he has yet from watching him today.

[Mr. C]

Villanova breaks up a pass to make it third and 13 at the VU 18.

[LeadBolt]

terrible spot.

[bojeta]

We will know a lot more after the games of today, particularly in the CAA. I am very intrigued by the Delaware at Maine game later on. I think Maine and Towson could be real sleepers in this conference.

Regarding UNH and Holy Cross, I'm not surprised at all. I had Holy Cross at #22 on my AGS rankings. I agree that this week will tell us a lot about the CAA. Not sure if it will answer the overall FCS top 20 question though. There are too many teams that are still under the radar after multiple FCS vs FBS matchups as well as DII matchups.

[TribeAdvocate]

Horrible spot, and I'm not sure I agree with JL's decision to kick it. I'll take the points, though.

[LeadBolt]

I guess its harder to see procedure penalties than late hits....

[Mr. C]

Nice pass to Gottlieb on a rollout at the sideline and good blocking makes it fourth and one. William and Mary will settled for a field goal and Kuhn's 24-yard attempt sneaks through to make it 20-16 with 14:24 left after a 15-play, 72-yard drive in 7:16.

[Mr. C]

Another nice return for 35 yards for Rahman to the VU 36.

[tribe_pride]

Right call to kick it. Huge difference between 1 and 4 point lead. Nova now needs to score a TD or 2 FGs

[Mr. C]

Horrible spot, and I'm not sure I agree with JL's decision to kick it. I'll take the points, though.

Gottlieb went out of bounds, that was the problem there. The Tribe had to make sure they got points there.

[Mr. C]

I guess its harder to see procedure penalties than late hits....

Still, I am surprised with the lack of discipline on the William & Mary line. There have been several of those today.

[Mr. C]

Culicerto went for seven yards on a scramble and a measurement showed VU just short of a first down.

[TribeAdvocate]

Nice stop on third and very short for the Tribe.

[Mr. C]

William & Mary stopped Villanova short on third down again and the Wildcats will punt again. Villanova is trying to just stay in the game, but you have to wonder if the defense will get tired.

[Mr. C]

Nice stop on third and very short for the Tribe.

Funny that William & Mary was maligned on defense for years, but now the defensive line is the strength of the team. They have been impressive today.

[Mr. C]

Grimes is back on for William & Mary, as I expected he would be. Third and 8 upcoming for the Tribe.

[TribeAdvocate]

WOW- Gottlieb with a great catch! Nice job holding on to it.

[Mr. C]

Graham throws high into a very small window and Gottlieb comes down with it at the 38 for a first down.

[Mr. C]

WOW- Gottlieb with an awesome catch!

You can see why he is an NFL prospect today. Outside of that early drop, he has been tough.

[Mr. C]

A little reverse to Grimes was a bad idea as Dillon Lucas stays home to set up a third and nine for W&M.

[Mr. C]

Hugh sack on blitz pressure from Joey Harmon to kill the Tribe drive. Kuhn on to punt.

[TribeAdvocate]

You can really appreciate the talent on this youthful VU team. This is an extremely young team, but they have some great looking players.

[Mr. C]

Dorian Wells is tackled at the VU 16 with 9:38 remaining. This could be Villanova's last shot at pulling this one out.

[Mr. C]

You can really appreciate the talent on this youthful VU team. This is an extremely young team, but they have some great looking players.

Anyone who is in the know is aware of the recruiting that Villanova has been doing. The improvement in two weeks has been incredible for the Cats. They may end up with a losing season this year, but look out in 2012 and beyond.

[Mr. C]

Wells with a catch at the 25. Second and one. VU needs to stay in the air now.

[TribeAdvocate]

Dorian Wells is tackled at the VU 16 with 9:38 remaining. This could be Villanova's last shot at pulling this one out.

I knew they'd been killing it on the recruiting trail but this is the first time I've seen them in action this year. I've been impressed, they should feel great about their future.

[Mr. C]

Time out for Villanova with 8:53 after someone appeared to be lined up in the wrong place on an audible.

[Mr. C]

Holy Cross has tied UNH at 25-all in the fourth quarter.

[Mr. C]

Culicerto goes for a first down at the VU 27.

[Mr. C]

Pass to Doss at the VU 33. Second and four.

[Mr. C]

Morgan Craig does his best Gottlieb impression with a first-down catch at the VU 39.

[Mr. C]

I knew they'd been killing it on the recruiting trail but this is the first time I've seen them in action this year. I've been impressed, they should feel great about their future.

If Villanova could somehow slip into the playoffs with seven wins, the Cats could be REAL dangerous.

[Mr. C]

Run by Culicerto and a pass completion makes it third and one at the 48.

[Mr. C]

Great blitz pick-up and hot read by Culicerto, who swings a pass to Doss for 18 yards at the W&M 32. Doss was a step away from six points.

[Mr. C]

Culicerto is tough. He has taken two big hits on this drive.

[Mr. C]

Culicerto isn't pretty, but he has gotten VU to the third and one at the W&M 23.

[Mr. C]

Late pitch to Monagai is stopped at the 24, but Villanova will go for it on fourth and one. Watch for play action.

[LeadBolt]

BWW!

[Mr. C]

Culicerto waited too long, missing a couple of open receivers and Webb made a very athletic play for an interception with just over three minutes left.


6,027 attendance today at Villanova Stadium.,

[Mr. C]

Second and nine for the Tribe at the 24.

[GoAgs72]

What's the score???

[Mr. C]

Grimes goes to the 27 before Pitts brings him down. Third and six.

[Mr. C]

What's the score???

W&M 20, VU 16

[Mr. C]

Graham stays alive on a rollout long enough to find Mangus for a first down at the VU 44. 29 yards on the pass.

[Mr. C]

With 2:30 left, Grimes goes for 2 yards.

[Mr. C]

Grimes smashes ahead to the 38 with Akins on the stop. Third and four.

[Mr. C]

Grimes is tackeld by Lewis at the 35, fourth and one with the Tribe running the clock down to 22 seconds before taking a time out.

[LeadBolt]

another Villanova spot....

[Mr. C]

And it comes down to one last defensive play for Villanova.

[Mr. C]

Grimes slashes through the line and Loper saves a TD after a 16-yard carry. And it is a final from Villanova.

Tribe 20, Wildcats 16 in what was a very entertaining game.

[LeadBolt]

Whew! Glad to have played nova this week, these guys will be a force by the end of the year. Glad to escape with a close W.

[Mr. C]

another Villanova spot....

Grimes looked like he was short from my live angle. But probably the worst thing, officiating-wise, you see from week-to-week in FCS is spotting. If you remember from the national title game last January, the Southern Conference crews are particularly bad at it.

[Mr. C]

Whew! Glad to have played nova this week, these guys will be a force by the end of the year. Glad to escape with a close W.

Get used to it. I think all of the CAA games are going to be like this during the 2011 season.

[Mr. C]

Got to love a college band that loses a tough game and plays Rockin' In The Free World by Neil Young. If I had my keyboard stack here, I'd join in.

[HailSzczur]

Great game today, shame we came out on the wrong end. Just one interception thrown of Culicerto's back foot in the red zone away from a Nova W

[Mr. C]

Jimmye Laycock said it would be a nice bus ride home from Villanova, noting he hasn't had many of those. Laycock also was impressed by how hard his team played and its improvement today. Andy Talley said his team played as hard as it could to stay close ("We took a playoff team to the wire."), but that the Wildcats "have a long way to go."

And now its on to Princeton for the second game of my doubleheader, with the Tigers hosting Columbia tonight.

[Mr. C]

Great game today, shame we came out on the wrong end. Just one interception thrown of Culicerto's back foot in the red zone away from a Nova W

Culicerto missed a couple of open receivers on two Villanova drives that could have made a difference, but that is what you get with inexperience at the quarterback position. He will continue to get better.

[Nova09]

Great game today, shame we came out on the wrong end. Just one interception thrown of Culicerto's back foot in the red zone away from a Nova W

Start WM 43 Gain 35 FG
Start WM 24 Lose 4 FG
Start WM 10 Gain 2 FG

I'd look to any of these for the reason we lost. If just one is a TD, we kick a FG for the lead and interception never happens.

[Nova09]

That, and the fact that we couldn't stop a 4th down play (stat sheet ways WM 4-5, but the one not converted was actually a botched snap on punt)

[TwoFeathers]

This one could have gone either way. Tribe offense has a pulse. Great game 'Nova!

[TwoFeathers]

Great game for Grimes! Good progress for Graham also. Villanova appears to be getting better...

[wmtribe1693]

Tough game. Always great to beat a CAA team.

[tribefan40]

Great game today, shame we came out on the wrong end. Just one interception thrown of Culicerto's back foot in the red zone away from a Nova W

Pretty sure you guys had plenty of breaks today, glad we were able to get one when we needed it. Good game by Nova, you guys will be fun to watch as the season goes on.

[HailSzczur]

Just a general question, what was anyones view of the fumble in the endzone (by Grimes I believe?) that he was ruled down on? From the students section you can't see that corner so all we saw the the ball bouncing. Just wondering if maybe someone saw it on TV or something, did they make the right call there?

[HailSzczur]

Oh wow, didn't quite realize how stagnant our offense was today.
200 Total yards and only 68 rushing
10 first downs
4-13 on third downs

[tribefan40]

Just a general question, what was anyones view of the fumble in the endzone (by Grimes I believe?) that he was ruled down on? From the students section you can't see that corner so all we saw the the ball bouncing. Just wondering if maybe someone saw it on TV or something, did they make the right call there?

Actually looked like a TD to me. (watched on tv) Broke the plane before the ball came loose, didn't get a good look on whether or not he was down before it came out or crossed the goal line.

[Mr. C]

Great game today, shame we came out on the wrong end. Just one interception thrown of Culicerto's back foot in the red zone away from a Nova W

There was an open receiver on the play earlier in the action and Culicerto missed him on the opposite side. If he throws that pass early, its a score. Webb made a great, athletic play on the interception. If Webb doesn't leap and grab it, it is probably a completion. The fact that Villanova was in the game with just 200 yards of offense is pretty incredible.

[Mr. C]

Oh wow, didn't quite realize how stagnant our offense was today.
200 Total yards and only 68 rushing
10 first downs
4-13 on third downs

William & Mary may have had its struggles thus far, but one thing is for sure. The Tribe still plays GREAT defense and that defensive line is just as nasty as it has been the past several years.

[wmmii]

Just a general question, what was anyones view of the fumble in the endzone (by Grimes I believe?) that he was ruled down on? From the students section you can't see that corner so all we saw the the ball bouncing. Just wondering if maybe someone saw it on TV or something, did they make the right call there?

Watched the game and the instant reply. Call was that his elbow hit the ground BEFORE he reached the ball out across the endzone. If the elbow had not touched first it was a close call between a TD and fumble....looked like the ball broke the endzone first and then the fumble but he was down first.

[molly]

The fact that Villanova was in the game with just 200 yards of offense is pretty incredible.

That's what happens when you start in your opponent's territory 3 times, including at the 10 and 24. Keeping Nova out of the end zone on all of those possessions was definitely the reason W&M won.

[Mr. C]

Andy Talley said as much after the game. The offense is a work in progress, but they were one play away from a W.