University of Maine
Villanova
Football Falls in CAA Home Opener to #6/5 Villanova, 40-21
10/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
ORONO, Maine -- University of Maine senior receiver Arthur Williams (Springfield, Mass.) hauled in a pair of touchdowns but it wouldn't be enough as the Black Bears (2-3, 1-1 Colonial Athletic Association) dropped a 41-20 decision to visiting Villanova (4-1, 2-0 CAA) on a drury Saturday afternoon at Alfond Stadium.
Maine quarterback Dan Collins (Williamstown, N.J.) went 20-for-35, throwing for 210 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. Collins found Williams for two of his scores and hit Jordan Dunn (Hamilton, N.J.) for the third. Damarr Aultman (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.) paced the receiving corps with game highs of nine catches and 88-yards while Dunn notched a career-high seven catches for 47-yards and Williams racked up 87-yards on four catches.
John Robertson led the Villanova offensive charge as he found four different receivers for touchdowns, paced by Poppy Livers three catches for 87-yards and a score. Robertson finished 16-for-25 through the air for 285-yards. Gary Underwood rushed for 70-yards and score on just eight carries while Robertson added 58-yards on the ground. The Wildcats racked up 481-yards of offense to Maine's 276.
Maine linebacker Cabrinni Goncalves (Taunton, Mass.) tallied nine tackles and a fumble recovery while Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga (Laval, Que.) and Patrick Ricard (Spencer, Mass.) each added seven stops. Ricard picked up a 1.5 sacks while redshirt freshman Najee Goode (Philadelphia, Pa.) snatched his first career interception.
The Black Bears struck first as Collins completed a 12 play, 82-yard drive by lobbing a 25-yard touchdown strike to Williams to take an early first quarter lead.
Villanova responded on its next possession as a 28-yard Underwood rush led to a 1-yard bounce into the endzone from Kevin Monangai.
Robertson and the Wildcats took a 14-7 lead just seconds into the second quarter when the junior quarterback hit Livers for a 23-yard touchdown.
Maine responded as it took advantage of its defense shutting Villanova down on a fake field goal attempt. Collins and the Black Bears took over on their own 20 as completions of 20-yards and 12-yards to Dunn moved Maine to the Villanova 41. Collins hit Aultman on a deep route down to the Villanova two before a quick out to Dunn found the endzone. Maine would miss its extra point and trailed 14-13 with 1:52 left in the half.
The Wildcats had an answer before the break as Robertson found Lincoln Collins on a 25-yard passing score to give Villanova a 21-13 lead at the half.
Villanova added to its lead on the opening possession of the second half when Robertson found his tight end Earnest Pettway for a 10-yard touchdown. The Wildcats began to distance themselves when they took advantage of a Maine three-and-out as Robertson found Kevin Gulyas on the first play from scrimmage for a 43-yard tally. Villanova would carry its 34-13 lead into the fourth quarter.
Collins and the Black Bears chipped into the Villanova lead when the sophomore quarterback rushed for a 20-yard gain down to the Villanova 30-yard line. The rush led to a 30-yard strike to Williams for the duos second touchdown hook-up of the day.
Villanova regained its 21-point edge late in the quarter when Underwood broke tackles on the far sideline before crossing the goal line for an 18-yard score to put the game out of reach late.
Maine continues CAA action on the road next weekend when it travels to take on Stony Brook. Game time is scheduled for 7 PM on Saturday, Oct. 11.
