Connor Watkins' 197 total yards, 2 TDs lead Villanova over Youngstown State 24-17 in opener
PHILADELPHIA -- — Connor Watkins carried it 10 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns, and he completed six passes for 90 yards to help Villanova beat Youngstown State 24-17 on Thursday night in a season opener for both teams.
Watkins, the Coastal Athletic Association preseason offensive player of the year, scored on a 29-yard run in the third quarter to extend the lead to 24-3.
Youngstown State battled back to get within seven points with 4:24 left in the fourth quarter. Then Villanova was forced to punt on its next possession, but Ethan Gettman booted a 62-yarder that was downed at the Youngstown State 6-yard line.
Richie Kimmel sealed it for Villanova with an interception.
Beau Brungard was intercepted two times for Youngstown State. He finished with 152 yards passing and a touchdown.
Villanova opened the scoring on Ethan Gettman’s 42-yard field goal in the first quarter — his eighth career make from 40-plus yards. Watkins added a 14-yard touchdown for a 10-0 lead. Isaiah Ragland also had a rushing touchdown in the first half from 3-yards out.
Zahmir Dawud intercepted a pass with 1:27 remaining in the first half and Villanova took over near midfield. The Wildcats led 17-3 at the break, aided by two Youngstown State turnovers.
It was a rematch of last year’s second round playoff game when Villanova tallied its third win in the all-time series with a 45-28 victory to begin its 2023 playoff run.
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Game Information
2024 Missouri Valley Football Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State | 7-1 | 13-2 |
| South Dakota State | 7-1 | 12-3 |
| South Dakota | 7-1 | 11-3 |
| Missouri State | 6-2 | 8-4 |
| Illinois State | 6-2 | 10-4 |
| Youngstown State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Indiana State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| North Dakota | 2-6 | 5-7 |
| Southern Illinois | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Northern Iowa | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| Murray State | 0-8 | 1-11 |
2024 Coastal Athletic Association Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond | 8-0 | 10-3 |
| Rhode Island | 7-1 | 11-3 |
| Villanova | 6-2 | 10-4 |
| Delaware | 6-2 | 9-2 |
| New Hampshire | 6-2 | 8-5 |
| Stony Brook | 5-3 | 8-4 |
| Towson | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Elon | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| William & Mary | 4-4 | 7-5 |
| Monmouth | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Maine | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| UAlbany | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Hampton | 2-6 | 5-7 |
| Campbell | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| Bryant | 0-8 | 2-10 |
| North Carolina A&T | 0-8 | 1-11 |
NCAAF News
