NCAAF

Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Villanova Wildcats

· FCS Championship - First Round
Final
17 - 22
10-3, 7-0 Home

Watkins helps lead rally to send Villanova past Eastern Kentucky in 1st round of FCS playoffs

Villanova, seeded 11th, advances to play No. 6-seed Incarnate Word on Dec. 7.

The Colonels took a surprising 14-0 lead in the first quarter on the Wildcats' home field where Villanova hadn't lost all year. Joshua Carter took the second play from scrimmage and ran 77 yards for the first score.

Eastern Kentucky made it a two-score contest when Matt Morrissey threw an 11-yard touchdown to Marcus Calwise Jr.

Villanova got back in it with a safety early in the second, and four minutes later, Watkins threw a 13-yard touchdown to Devin Smith to reduce the Wildcats' (10-3) deficit to 14-9.

Patrick Nations kicked a 48-yard field goal for the Colonels (8-5) with 8:28 before halftime and Eastern Kentucky never scored again.

Watkins threw a 5-yard touchdown to James Welde in the third quarter and Ethan Gettman made field goals of 42 and 31 yards to seal it.

How To Watch

How can I watch Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs. Villanova Wildcats?
  • TV Channel: Colonels at Wildcats 2021 College Football, week 14, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Scoring Summary

EKU TD 1st Period 14:04 Joshua Carter 77 Yd Run (Patrick Nations Kick)
EKU TD 1st Period 5:20 Marcus Calwise Jr. 11 Yd pass from Matt Morrissey (Patrick Nations Kick)
VILL SF 2nd Period 14:50 Team Safety
VILL TD 2nd Period 10:41 Devin Smith 13 Yd pass from Connor Watkins (Ethan Gettman Kick)
EKU FG 2nd Period 8:28 Patrick Nations 48 Yd Field Goal
VILL TD 3rd Period 9:10 James Welde 5 Yd pass from Connor Watkins (Ethan Gettman Kick)
VILL FG 4th Period 14:37 Ethan Gettman 42 Yd Field Goal
VILL FG 4th Period 1:00 Ethan Gettman 31 Yd Field Goal

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2198.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originEKU https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/222.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originVILL
19 1st Downs 20
3-13 3rd down efficiency 8-15
1-2 4th down efficiency 0-1
286 Total Yards 324
75 Passing 177
9/27 Comp/Att 14/24
2.8 Yards per pass 7.4
211 Rushing 147
37 Rushing Attempts 41
5.7 Yards per rush 3.6
10-86 Penalties 10-104
1 Turnovers 3
1 Fumbles lost 2
0 Interceptions thrown 1
27:33 Possession 32:27

Game Information

Venue: Villanova Stadium

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Attendance: 1,722 · Capacity:
Full Standings

College Football News

Iowa State, Matt Campbell finalize extension through 2032

Iowa State, Matt Campbell finalize extension through 2032

Iowa State and coach Matt Campbell have finalized a contract extension through 2032 after the winningest coach in program history led the Cyclones to their first-ever 11-win season in 2024.

CFP 2025: 32 teams can make the College Football Playoff

CFP 2025: 32 teams can make the College Football Playoff

Using ESPN Analytics, Heather Dinich breaks down the 32 teams that can make the playoff.

Fade Texas?  Four College Football Playoff bets to consider

Fade Texas? Four College Football Playoff bets to consider

Pamela Maldonado breaks down four bets that offer excellent value to make/miss the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State's Ryan Day explains what will decide QB competition

Ohio State's Ryan Day explains what will decide QB competition

Ohio State coach Ryan Day has yet to name a starter at quarterback as the defending national champions seek to replace the departed Will Howard.

Stanford hires former Nike CEO John Donahoe as AD

Stanford hires former Nike CEO John Donahoe as AD

Stanford has hired former Nike CEO John Donahoe as the school's new athletic director.