UAlbany Makes CAA Statement in Win Over Villanova
UAlbany erased a couple of 'nevers' Saturday night. The Great Danes had never beaten Villanova in their brief head to head history (0-3) and they had never picked up a win over a top 10 ranked FCS opponent. Both of those nevers no longer exist.
In a game filled with untimely turnovers and penalties, UAlbany's resolve proved to be greater than Villanova's in an overtime win. The Danes held a 3-0 lead at halftime and into the 4th quarter before the Wildcats finally got on the board with a field goal of their own. With a little more than 2 minutes to play in the game, Karl Mofor broke the goal line for the first time in the game and UAlbany was seconds away from holding onto that 10-3 lead.
As Villanova put together a final drive in regulation, a third down throw into the end zone was broken up and fell incomplete, but with only 3 seconds left on the clock, UAlbany was flagged for pass interference. That gave the Wildcats time for one more play and they converted with a shovel pass for a game-tying touchdown.
After the Danes started overtime with a field goal, Villanova passed up on a game-tying 33-yard attempt only to fumble on 4th and 1. The loose ball was scooped up by linebacker Eli Mencer who returned it 80 yards for a touchdown putting the exclamation mark on a 19-10 win.