NCAAF

Villanova Wildcats at Maryland Terrapins

· NCAA - Football
3-1, 1-1 Away
Final
20 - 38
3-1, 2-1 Home

Tai Felton shines again as Maryland cruises past Villanova 38-20

Nolan Ray punches in 1-yard TD for Maryland

“I just view myself as a dominant player,” said Felton, who has 604 receiving yards and four TDs through four games of his senior season. “I do it for the team. These guys inspire me to be great every day.”

Billy Edwards Jr. completed 28 of 32 passes for a career-high 328 yards and two TDs, Roman Hemby and Nolan Ray each ran for scores and Kaden Prather caught a 19-yard TD pass to open a ruthlessly efficient first half.

“Me and Tai for sure, but definitely me and a lot of the receivers, we've developed that trust pretty quickly," Edwards said. “Where I know if they're 1-on-1 on an island, I can throw the ball up and give them a chance.”

In its final non-conference game and only matchup against FCS opposition, Maryland (3-1) outgained Villanova 326-51 in the first two quarters to enter halftime with a 24-0 advantage.

The only blemish before the break was Colby McDonald’s fumble inside the red zone that halted a potential fifth consecutive scoring drive with 27 seconds remaining.

Villanova (3-1) entered ranked fifth in the FCS coaches and media polls, but in their lone meeting with an FBS foe fell behind 17-0 before recording a first down.

Connor Watkins threw for a third-quarter score to Devin Smith but completed only 12 of 29 passes for 106 yards.

“Our offense only has one returning skill player from the previous two years,” said Villanova coach Mark Ferrante. “So the timing with the running backs and the wideouts for our veteran quarterback is still a work in progress.”

Felton set the tone with eight first-quarter catches and continued to establish himself as one of the nation's elite wideouts.

His 41 receptions is the most in the first four games of a season in Terps history, and his four consecutive 100-yard games also ties a Maryland record. His 14 catches Saturday is the most in a game for a Maryland receiver since Torrey Smith made 14 in 2010.

His best moments came with the victory relatively secure, a 9-yard TD catch on a well-covered fade route late in the third quarter, and an acrobatic 61-yard grab between two defensive backs in the fourth.

“He looks like a difference maker, for sure” Ferrante said of Felton. “We knew he was going to be a good player and we knew they would take some shots.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Villanova: The Wildcat defense played reasonably well in defeat, forcing two turnovers and not allowing the Terps a gain of more than 23 yards before halftime. But the passing offense will have to improve to contend against elite FCS opposition.

Maryland: A lackluster third quarter, in which Edwards threw an interception and Villanova recovered an onside kick, will give coach Mike Locksley enough fodder to keep his team focused re-entering Big Ten play despite an otherwise dominant win.

UP NEXT

Villanova: Hosts LIU next Saturday at 6 p.m.

Maryland: Visits Indiana next Saturday at noon.

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How To Watch

How can I watch Villanova Wildcats vs. Maryland Terrapins?
  • TV Channel: Wildcats at Terrapins 2021 College Football, week 4, is broadcasted on BTN.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Matchup Prediction

Terrapins: 95.2%
Wildcats: 4.8%
*According to ESPN's Basketball Power Index

Scoring Summary

MD TD 1st Period 9:38 Kaden Prather 18 Yd pass from Billy Edwards Jr. (Jack Howes Kick)
MD TD 1st Period 5:52 Roman Hemby 6 Yd Run (Jack Howes Kick)
MD FG 1st Period 1:29 Jack Howes 46 Yd Field Goal
MD TD 2nd Period 2:39 Nolan Ray 1 Yd Run (Jack Howes Kick)
VILL FG 3rd Period 7:17 Ethan Gettman 33 Yd Field Goal
VILL TD 3rd Period 4:15 Devin Smith 17 Yd pass from Connor Watkins (Ethan Gettman Kick)
MD TD 3rd Period 0:36 Tai Felton 9 Yd pass from Billy Edwards Jr. (Jack Howes Kick)
VILL FG 4th Period 10:33 Ethan Gettman 37 Yd Field Goal
MD TD 4th Period 9:06 MJ Morris 14 Yd Run (Jack Howes Kick)
VILL TD 4th Period 1:11 Tanner Maddocks 8 Yd Run (Ethan Gettman Kick)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/222.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originVILL https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/120.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originMD
20 1st Downs 25
4-13 3rd down efficiency 7-10
1-2 4th down efficiency 1-1
231 Total Yards 497
156 Passing 338
16/33 Comp/Att 29/34
4.7 Yards per pass 9.9
75 Rushing 159
32 Rushing Attempts 30
2.3 Yards per rush 5.3
3-15 Penalties 8-89
0 Turnovers 2
0 Fumbles lost 1
0 Interceptions thrown 1
32:16 Possession 27:42

Game Information

SECU Stadium

Location: College Park, MD
Attendance: 38,006 · Capacity:
Full Standings

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