ANGELO BABBARO

BY ROCK HOFFMAN

For the New Hampshire Wildcats it must have felt like they were playing two opponents, the Villanova Wildcats and they weather; they beat neither. A fumble on the first play from scrimmage that Villanova safety John Dempsey returned four yards for a touchdown set the tone in the 46-7 ‘Nova win in a NCAA Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinal playoff game at windy, snowy Villanova Stadium.

“I wanted to kick with the wind,” said Villanova head coach Andy Talley on how the weather effected strategy “and let their offense settle in with the conditions; we weren’t sure what we could do. When they had the bad snap and John recovered it and ran it in for a touchdown. I think that was an indication that it was going to be a rough day to handle the ball. I think having the understanding of what was going on in the game weather wise helped us a lot.”

“They did what they do very well,” said UNH head coach Sean McDonnell when asked about the weather. “We just couldn’t do what we wanted to do and then it snowballed and it snowballed big time”

As if dealing with the wind and a couple inches of snow weren’t enough, UNH (10-3) had to deal with the Villanova defense, set a school record for fewest rushing yards allowed by holding UNH to minus 66 yards. For good measure, the ‘Nova defense also got a safety in the third quarter. New Hampshire didn’t record their initial first down of the game until the 6:30 mark of the third quarter by then they trailer 32-0.

The Villanova (12-1) offense didn’t put it all on the defense’s shoulders as they – seemingly impervious to the weather conditions – run for 343 yards while only passing five times. Four ‘Nova players ran for at least 40 yards with Angelo Babbaro leading the way with a career-high 148 yards. He also scored on touchdown runs of 25 and 59 yards. Matt Szczur scored on 29-yard run while quarterbacks Chris Whitney and Antwon Young each scored from a yard out.

Due to an injury, Babbaro missed the game earlier this season against New Hampshire which was Villanova’s only loss. Prior to this game, he wrote a letter to his teammates imploring them not to take their second chance for granted.

“I had a lot of stuff in my heart I wanted to relay to them,” said the 5-9, 195 junior from Canfield, OH, where he said he played several games in the snow. “I felt I could get a lot more of it out if I wrote it out versus talking to the team.”

Villanova – which tied a school record with 12 wins – moves to the semifinals for the second time in their history.

“Coach was telling us that there have only been two teams in Villanova’s history to do that,” said senior defensive lineman Phil Matusz, “and we’re one of them. To be here and be a captain on this team is truly an honor.”

Seven years ago they lost to McNeese State on the road. This time, they’ll host conference foe William and Mary on Friday night at 8 o’clock. Earlier this season, Villanova beat the Tribe 28-17 at Villanova Stadium.