Jan 19, 2025, 6:00 PM UTC
Dream Bowl
2024 Long Island University vs Villanova

Villanova Football Holds On Against LIU, Wildcats Win 24-10

Villanova Football Holds On Against LIU, Wildcats Win 24-10

Villanova defeated the LIU Sharks 24-10 on Saturday in a final nonconference matchup. Up next for the Wildcats will be seven CAA games and a title defense.

Sep 29, 2024 by Matt Cannizzaro
null

With only three touchdowns scored by Villanova in its 24-10 win over Long Island University on Saturday, some may suggest that the Wildcats’ offense wasn’t exactly dominant, though the Wildcats had possession of the ball for 37 of the 60 minutes and more than doubled LIU’s offensive output.

Regardless, the offensive ‘grind’ was effective for 392 yards and helped the Villanova improve to 4-1 on the season, with seven consecutive Coastal Athletic Association games on the horizon. 

The Villanova defense also could be credited for being the difference in the nonconference win over LIU, as the Wildcats held the Sharks to 176 total yards – 96 on the ground and 80 through the air – with 150 of those yards, and all 10 LIU points, coming in the final quarter.

True freshman running back David Avit provided the spark for Villanova with a breakout performance that included 160 yards and a touchdown – the first of his collegiate career – on 24 attempts. He entered Saturday’s contest with 115 career yards and no more than seven carries in any previous game.

Graduate quarterback Connor Watkins was 10 for 18 for 128 yards, and he added another 30 yards on the ground. 

Redshirt freshman Isaiah Ragland had the other two touchdowns for Villanova as part of a 14-carry, 47-yard night.

In all, the Wildcats had 264 yards on the ground and 128 through the air. They also led 24-0, before allowing the Sharks to narrow the deficit. 

The only turnover in the game was a Long Island fumble that gave Villanova the opportunity to put the game away with a final score just seconds into the fourth quarter. 

Though the Sharks were tamed in the first half, racking up more penalty yards than offensive yards (50-26), they came alive in the second half. 

Graduate running back Ludovick Choquette led the rally and finished the game with 62 yards on nine attempts, while senior running back Pat Bowen had 36 yards and LIU’s lone touchdown, a 25-yard scamper early in the final quarter.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Luca Stanzani was 11 of 24 for 80 yards in the loss.

Villanova and the Sharks played two times previously (2019, 2022), with the Wildcats winning both games – one at home and one on the road.

Saturday's victory was the 12th consecutive home win for the Wildcats, dating back to the 2022 season. 

LIU’s loss to Villanova was the third time this season the Sharks have been defeated by a CAA team. They opened the year with a 27-21 loss to UAlbany and fell to Rhode Island last weekend, 28-21.

Long Island falls to 0-5 this year, as the woes continue for the Sharks. They’re coming off back-to-back 4-7 seasons that started with four (2023) and seven (2022) consecutive losses.

The Sharks now will dive into conference play, with five straight Northeast Conference games ahead on the schedule. Next week, LIU travels to Duquesne.

Villanova, now No. 6 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, shared the CAA title last season with UAlbany and Richmond, and the Wildcats won their first conference contest in 2024 - a 14-13 nailbiter against Towson in Week 3. 

The Wildcats' quest for a second consecutive CAA championship and a return to the FCS Playoffs continue next week with a visit to Stony Brook.

If you missed any of the action from Saturday's Long Island University vs. Villanova football game, scroll down to see how it all unfolded.

Watch The Highlights From The LIU-Villanova Football Game

Highlights: Long Island vs. Villanova | Sept. 28, 2024

null


Final Stats From Long Island University Vs. Villanova Football

StatsLIUVillanova
Total Yds176392
Pass Yds80128
Rush Yds96264
Penalties8-7510-90
1st Downs1022
3rd Downs1-97-14
4th Downs0-00-1
Total Plays4472
Avg Yds/Play45.4
Avg Yds/Completion7.312.8
Avg Yds/Rush4.85
Sack-Adj Rush Yd(Avg)96 (4.8)275 (5.5)
Red Zone0-04-5
Time of Poss22:5537:05:00
Turnovers (Def Pts Off)1 (7)0 (0)
Fumbles-Lost1-10-0
Sacks (Def Yds)3 (11)0 (0)
TFL (Def Yds)5 (14)1 (5)
Points1024

Game Over! Villanova Wildcats Defeat The LIU Sharks 24-10

Though LIU had a 10-point fourth-quarter surge, it wasn't enough for the Sharks to earn their first win in 2024. They fall to 0-5, while Villanova improves 4-1.

Targeting Call Threatens Momentum For Long Island

LIU's Martavious Durden Jr. is called for targeting on the ensuing kickoff. The call is reversed, saving Durden from disqualification and keeping the Sharks from a big penalty.

Villanova starts its drive on its own 32-yard line.

Long Island Adds Fourth-Quarter Field Goal Against Villanova, Wildcats Lead 24-10

Coney is successful from 42 yards to narrow the Sharks' deficit to 24-10 with 6:33 left in the game against Villanova. 

LIU Answers, Sharks Get On The Board Against Villanova

Senior running back Pat Bowen rushes to the left and eases in for a 25-yard touchdown to finally get the Sharks on the board against Villanova. Graduate kicker Michael Coney adds the extra point.

Villanova leads 24-7 with 12 minutes remaining in the game.

You Always Remember Your First Time - David Avit Scores For Villanova

Watch Avit score the first touchdown of his collegiate career.

Villanova Opens Fourth Quarter Against Long Island With Touchdown, Wildcats Lead 24-0

Avit gets the ball again to start the final quarter (first and goal at the 5), and he punches it in for the first touchdown of his collegiate career. Gettman adds the extra point. 

The freshman running back has a team-best 114 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts. 

Villanova leads 24-0.

Third Quarter Ends In LIU Vs. Villanova Football Game

No one scored in the third quarter of the LIU-Villanova contest, but Villanova nearly ended the quarter with a defensive score.

Shane Hartzell recovers an LIU fumble but is pushed out of bounds inside the LIU 10-yard line.

It gives Villanova a chance to run one play before the quarter ends - a 5-yard rush up the middle by David Avit.

Villanova Scores Again...Almost

A 23-yard touchdown pass from Watkins to Sanchez is negated by a holding call on Villanova. 

Instead of another six (or more) points, Villanova ends up with a third-and-18 attempt from the LIU 33-yard line.

The Wildcats end up attempting a 41-yard field goal, but Gettman misses left.

The score remains 17-0 with about three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

WOW!? Fact Of the Game From Villanova-LIU

As the second half gets going, Long Island has more penalty yards than offensive yards. What?!

The Sharks have 39 yards so far (23 passing, 16 rushing), while they've been dinged for five penalties for 50 yards. 

Second Half Begins In LIU Vs. Villanova Football Game

Halftime is complete. Long Island gets the ball to start the second half against Villanova.

First-Half Stats From Long Island University Vs. Villanova Football

StatsLIUVillanova
Total Yds26234
Pass Yds2391
Rush Yds3143
Penalties5-503-25
1st Downs113
3rd Downs0-45-9
4th Downs0-00-1
Total Plays1542
Avg Yds/Play1.75.6
Avg Yds/Completion5.813
Avg Yds/Rush0.64.8
Sack-Adj Rush Yd(Avg)3 (0.6)154 (5.7)
Red Zone0-03-3
Time of Poss7:4922:11
Turnovers (Def Pts Off)0 (0)0 (0)
Fumbles-Lost0-00-0
Sacks (Def Yds)0-00-0
TFL (Def Yds)5(14)1(5)
Points017

Ragland Does It Again For Villanova Football

Villanova drives down the field, and Isaiah Ragland makes it 17-0 as the first half ends.

Quiet Second Quarter Ends With Villanova Touchdown, Wildcats Lead 17-0

Villanova eats up the clock in the second quarter against LIU.

Back-to-back runs from quarterback Watkins - 16 and 17 yards - get the Wildcats to the LIU 1-yard line. 

This allows Ragland to finish the deal with a 1-yard TD run, his second touchdown of the game. Gettman adds the extra point for a 17-0 Villanova advantage.

The drive is 11 plays for 89 yards, taking 4:50 off the clock.

Villanova has had possession for more than 22 minutes in the first half.

The Wildcats earned 13 first downs in the half. LIU had one.

LIU Defense Gets Big Stop Against Villanova

Long Island stops Villanova on fourth-and-3 run attempt. Sharks take over on their own 35-yard line.

With a driving starting reception, the Sharks now have 19 total yards in the game. Villanova has 160.

Watch Villanova's Isaiah Ragland Put Six On The Board For the Wildcats Against LIU

Isaiah Ragland takes it up the left side to help give the Wildcats a 10-0 lead in the first quarter against LIU. That ends the first-quarter scoring. 

Wildcats Capitalize, Villanova Leads Long Island 10-0

Redshirt freshman Isaiah Ragland gets Villanova into the end zone with a 12-yard touchdown run. Gettman adds the extra point to put the Wildcats ahead 10-0.

Villanova Offense Shut Down By LIU, Wildcats Step Up On Special Teams

Villanova QB Watkins is sacked on back-to-back plays, forcing the Wildcats to punt.

The punt is dropped, allowing Villanova's Timmy Furgeson to recover the ball.

Villanova takes over on the LIU 20-yard line.

Long Island Football Includes A Two-Quarterback Attack

Redshirt sophomore Luca Stanzani gets the start.

The Sharks' first drive ends with a punt, which comes after a penalty, near-interception and blocked pass along the way. 

Villanova gets the ball back on its own 45-yard line.

Long Opening Drive For Villanova Ends With Field Goal, Wildcats Lead LIU 3-0

A 13-play, 84 yard drive for Villanova ends with a 24-yard field goal from graduate kicker Ethan Gettman. Villanova leads 3-0.

A 49-yard kick return from graduate receiver Devin Smith is called back due to a holding call, so Villanova starts the game at its own 10-yard line. 

*The field is slick after a day of rain along the East Coast. 

The Wildcats open the game with five consecutive running plays, but the biggest play of the opening drive is a 45-yard connection from graduate quarterback Connor Watkins to junior receiver Jaylan Sanchez. 

Despite the momentum and field position, the Wildcats are unable to find the end zone. 

Villanova Football And Long Island University Underway In Pennsylvania

LIU wins the coin toss and defers to the second half. Villanova will take the ball first in front of the home crowd.

When Is The Long Island University Vs. Villanova Football Game?

The Long Island University Sharks will take on the Villanova Wildcats at Villanova Stadium in Villanova, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Central.

How To Watch The Long Island Vs. Villanova Football Game

Football action is streaming live on FloFootball and the FloSports app, including the Long Island University vs. Villanova football game during Week 4 of the 2024 college football season.

Replays and postgame highlights also will be available on both platforms. 

Sep 28, 10:00 PM UTC

2024 Long Island University vs Villanova


Fast Fact: Villanova Football

The Wildcats have won 11 consecutive home games, a streak that began in the middle of the 2022 season. 

Saturday's matchup with LIU is Villanova's third home game in 2024. The first two were wins over Youngstown State in Week 1 and Towson in Week 3.

Long Island University Among Northeast Conference Football Prime Performers 

The LUI Sharks didn’t have an NEC Football Player of the Week, but the team did land two players – defensive tackle Elijah St. John and quarterback Luca Stanzani – among the conferences “Prime Performers” for Week 4 of the 2024 college football season.

Read more: NEC Football Weekly Release (Week 4)

Tradition > Weather For Villanova FB & Fans

Rain couldn't stop the fans from joining the Villanova Wildcats for the Wildcat Walk on Saturday before their game against Long Island University. Check it out!


Monmouth Shines, Villanova Not Recognized In Sept. 23 CAA Football Weekly Awards

Villanova did not get any love in CAA Football’s weekly awards after losing to Maryland, but Monmouth landed two players among the four winners.

Read more: CAA Football Weekly Awards – Sept. 23

About University Long Island University Football

This history of the Long Island University football program spans nearly a century, though there was a break during the 1930s due to the Great Depression and then a complete elimination of football from 1941-1956.

Originally, the team played as the Blackbirds, but the reemergence of the program in the late 1950s came as the Post Pioneers – and on the school’s new secondary campus. 

Another transition came for the LIU football program in 2019, when the university decided to unify the athletic programs at its two campuses. The result across all the sports was a shift to NCAA Division I competition and a new mascot/nickname – the Sharks, voted on by the students and alumni. 

While the Blackbirds and Post Pioneers managed to combine for 23 national championships and more than 200 conference titles across all sports, that success hasn’t transferred to the latest iteration of the football program.

In their inaugural season as the Sharks, the team went 0-10, and they haven’t won more than four games any year since. Also following the 2019 season, one of LIU’s quarterbacks, Clay Beathard, was killed during a fight outside a Nashville, Tennessee, bar. 

Since making the move to Division I, the Sharks have played in the eight-team Northeast Conference. Last year, while going 4-7 overall, Long Island finished in a four-way tie for second place in the conference at 4-3. Duquesne went 6-1 to take the title. 

In the NEC, the Sharks were last in 2019, tied for third in the COVID-affected 2020 season, tied for sixth in 2021 and third in 2022.

How To Watch Long Island University Football Games In 2024

The majority of the football action for the LIU Sharks can be seen live on the official video network of the Northeast Conference – NEC Front Row. 

In games where the Sharks travel to CAA schools, including this week’s matchup with Villanova, the games will stream live on FloFootball.

Highlights From LIU’s 2024 Homecoming Game Against Rhode Island

Though they came up just short in their homecoming game against Rhode Island (28-21), the LIU Sharks put up a fight and logged a few highlights along the way. Watch now!

About Villanova Football

The Wildcats enter the 2024 contest ranked No. 6 – down one spot – in the latest American Football Coaches Association FCS Coaches Poll.

A year ago, they tied for the top spot in the CAA at 7-1 and earned a spot in the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS Football Championship, where the were eliminated in the national quarterfinals at the hand of eventual national champion South Dakota State (23-12). The Wildcats finished the season at 10-3.

The playoff run was enough for the rest of the CAA coaches to see some potential, as the Wildcats were selected in the conference’s preseason poll to again finish atop the standings. It also didn’t hurt that Villanova was set to return five starters on each side of the ball, including quarterback Connor Watkins. 

So far in 2024, however, Watkins is struggling among the CAA signal callers. Through four games, he’s tied for 10th in completions (50), eighth in attempts (99), 14th in completion percentage (50.5%), 12th in yards (559), tied for sixth in touchdowns (five) and 13th in efficiency (114.6). 

Where the graduate student has shined, is the fact that he’s the only one of the 16 qualifying quarterbacks who has not thrown an interception in 2024.

As a team, the Villanova offense ranks 14th in the 16-team CAA with 324.3 yards per game, while Monmouth tops the list with 510. 

While all of those numbers may be disheartening, they’re also not super important – yet.

The important things to point out are that Villanova still is ranked in the top 10, and the Wildcats are 1-0 in conference play. The seven weeks that follow the Long Island game will be where Villanova needs to put it all together and log those CAA victories.

How To Watch Villanova Football Games In 2024

Coastal Athletic Association and Villanova football home games will stream live on FloFootball and the FloSports app.

Game replays, highlights and breaking news will be posted on both platforms.

You Always Remember Your First Time – Villanova’s Tanner Maddocks Scores First TD

How about this one-handed catch from freshman receiver Chris Colby to set up sophomore Tanner Maddocks’ first career touchdown?!

Long Island University Football Schedule 2024

All times Eastern

  • Aug. 31: UAlbany 27, Long Island 21 (L)
  • Sept.7: TCU 45, Long Island 0 (L)
  • Sept.14: Lehigh 20, Long Island 17 (L)
  • Sept.21: Rhode Island 28, Long Island 21
  • Sept.28: at Villanova, 6 p.m. (FloSports)
  • Oct.5: at Duquesne, 1 p.m.
  • Oct.12: vs. Stonehill, Noon
  • Oct.19: at Robert Morris (Pa.), Noon
  • Oct.26: vs. Central Connecticut State, Noon
  • Nov.9: at Sacred Heart, Noon
  • Nov.16: vs. Saint Francis University, Noon
  • Nov.23: at Wagner, Noon

Villanova Football Schedule 2024

All times Eastern

  • Aug. 29: Villanova 24, Youngstown State 17 (W)
  • Sept.7: Villanova 28, Colgate 3 (W)
  • Sept.14: Villanova 14, Towson 13 (W)
  • Sept.21: Maryland 38, Villanova 20 (L)
  • Sept.28: vs. Long Island University, 6 p.m. (FloSports)
  • Oct.5: at Stony Brook, 3:30 p.m. (FloSports)
  • Oct.19: at Maine, 1 p.m. (FloSports)
  • Oct.26: vs. New Hampshire, 3:30 p.m. (FloSports)
  • Nov.2: at Hampton, 1 p.m. (FloSports)
  • Nov.9: vs. North Carolina A&T, 1 p.m. (FloSports)
  • Nov.16: at Monmouth, Noon (FloSports)
  • Nov.23: vs. Delaware, 1 p.m. (FloSports)

Long Island University Football Roster For 2024

Here is where fans can find the Long Island University football roster.

Villanova Football Roster For 2024

Here is where fans can find the Villanova football roster.

What Were Some Of The FCS Football Scores In Week 4 Of The 2024 Season?

Read more: 2024 FCS Football Scores In Week 4: Monmouth Upsets FIU And More

NCAA Division I FCS Football Rankings

AFCA FCS Coaches Poll (Sept. 23)

No. – School – Record – Points – Previous Ranking

  1. South Dakota State (22) - 3-1 - 644 - 1
  2. North Dakota State (1) - 3-1 - 612 - 2
  3. Montana State (2) - 4-0 - 598 - 3
  4. Idaho (1) - 3-1 - 578 - 4
  5. South Dakota - 2-1 - 515 - 6
  6. Villanova - 3-1 - 475 - 5
  7. Central Arkansas - 3-1 - 467 - 8
  8. North Dakota - 3-1 - 457 - 9
  9. Montana - 3-1 - 453 - 10
  10. Sacramento State - 2-2 - 408 - 11
  11. UC Davis - 3-1 - 366 - 12
  12. William & Mary - 3-1 - 355 - 13
  13. Mercer - 4-0 - 286 - 16
  14. Southeast Missouri State - 3-1 - 277 - 21
  15. Illinois State - 3-1 - 276 - 15
  16. Tarleton State - 3-1 - 263 - 17
  17. Southern Illinois - 2-2 - 248 - 7
  18. UIW - 2-2 - 194 - 18
  19. Northern Iowa - 2-2 - 105 - 19
  20. New Hampshire - 3-1 - 98 - NR
  21. Florida A&M - 2-2 - 85 - 20
  22. ACU - 2-2 - 78 - 23
  23. UAlbany - 1-2 - 73 - 22
  24. Richmond - 2-2 - 73 - NR
  25. Lamar - 3-1 - 68 - NR

Others Receiving Votes: Rhode Island - 54, Lafayette - 49, Chattanooga - 46, Weber St. - 28, McNeese - 23, Eastern Illinois - 20, Missouri St. - 20, Harvard - 19, Lehigh - 19, Stony Brook - 16, Wofford - 14, Monmouth (N.J.) - 10, Youngstown St. - 10, Duquesne - 9, North Carolina Central - 9, Stephen F. Austin - 9, Nicholls - 7, Butler - 6, East Tennessee St. - 6, Indiana St. - 5, Northern Arizona - 4, Southern - 4, Dartmouth - 3, Yale - 3, Central Connecticut St. - 2, Jackson St. - 1, Murray St. - 1, Western Carolina – 1.

Stats Perform FCS Top 25 (Sept. 23)

No. – School – Record – Points – Previous Ranking

  1. South Dakota State (40) - 3-1 - 1379 - 1
  2. North Dakota State (5) - 3-1 - 1308 - 2
  3. Montana State (6) - 4-0 - 1295 - 3
  4. Idaho (5) - 3-1 - 1272 - 4
  5. South Dakota - 2-1 - 1137 - 6
  6. Villanova - 3-1 - 1070 - 5
  7. Central Arkansas - 3-1 - 1008 - 8
  8. Montana - 3-1 - 993 - 9
  9. North Dakota - 3-1 - 959 - 10
  10. Sacramento State - 2-2 - 912 - 11
  11. William & Mary - 3-1 - 798 - 12
  12. Mercer - 4-0 - 699 - 14
  13. Southeast Missouri - 3-1 - 691 - 21
  14. UC Davis - 3-1 - 681 - 13
  15. UIW - 2-2 - 574 - 15
  16. Tarleton State - 3-1 - 568 - 16
  17. Southern Illinois - 2-2 - 549 - 7
  18. Illinois State - 3-1 - 524 - 17
  19. Lamar - 3-1 - 284 - 22
  20. Abilene Christian - 2-2 - 276 - 19
  21. UAlbany - 1-2 - 198 - 20
  22. Rhode Island - 3-1 - 128 - NR
  23. Wofford - 2-1 - 103 - NR
  24. New Hampshire - 3-1 - 101 - NR
  25. Weber State - 2-2 - 94 - 20

Others Receiving Votes: Chattanooga (0-3, 0-1 SoCon) - 80, ETSU (2-2, 0-0 SoCon) - 75, Northern Iowa (2-2, 0-0 MVFC) - 73, Richmond (2-2, 0-0 CAA) - 72, Lafayette (2-2, 0-0 Patriot) - 51, Western Carolina (1-3, 0-0 SoCon) - 47, Florida A&M (2-2, 0-0 SWAC) - 43, North Carolina Central (2-2, 0-0 MEAC) - 28, Columbia (1-0, 0-0 Ivy) - 21, Harvard (1-0, 0-0 Ivy) - 19, McNeese (3-2, 1-0 Southland) - 18, Duquesne (2-2, 0-0 NEC) - 12, Nicholls (1-3, 0-0 Southland) - 12, Lehigh (3-1, 0-0 Patriot) - 10, Stony Brook (3-1, 1-0 CAA) - 9, Monmouth (2-2, 1-0 CAA) - 4, Yale (1-0, 0-0 Ivy) – 3.

Watch More FCS Football On FloFootball

Here’s the FloFootball FCS broadcast schedule for Week 5 of the 2024 college football season. Subscribe to watch. 

All times Eastern

CAA teams bolded.

Saturday, Sept. 28

What Are The Top Conference In The FCS?

Curious about the top performers and strongest conference within the FCS ranks? We’ve got you covered.

See the FCS conferences ranked using a unique system that originally was developed for chess.

When Do The 2024 FCS College Football Playoffs Start?

The FCS playoffs begin on November 30, 2024.

The 2024 Division I FCS College Football Championship game will be played on January 6, 2025, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

Archived Footage On FloFootball

Video footage from all events will be archived and stored in a video library for FloFootball subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

Watch The 2024 College Football Season On FloFootball 

FloFootball is the home of the best FCS, Division II and Division III football action all season long. 

Don't miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloFootball schedule page for the latest games. 

Join the College Football Conversation