BY ROCK HOFFMAN
Villanova dominated Stony Brook winning 48-13 Saturday afternoon on Goodreau Field at Villanova Stadium. The ‘Cats used a potent air attack as they threw for 398 yards as a team and a trio of wide receivers each gained more than 100 yards receiving and had, at least, one touchdown catch.
Rayjoun Pringle had a touchdown and a career-high 196 yards, Jaaron Hayek caught a pair of touchdowns to go with 102 yards while Jaylan Sanchez went for 103 yards and a score.
"The more multidimensional we can be," said Villanova's head coach Mark Ferrante, whose team gained 158 yards on the ground in the game, "it will make it a little more of a challenge for the defense. It was good to see us be able to do that, they were loading up the box to stop the run because of what we've been doing the last two games. Our wideouts, Connor [Watkins], and the protection of the o-line made them pay."
The Seawolves' defense stopped Villanova once in the first half when the Wildcats went for a first down on fourth-and-one at their 34-yard line. TD Ayo-Durojaiye was stopped for no gain ending the 'Cats' first series. Stony Brook was unable to take advantage of the good field position when they missed a 34-yard field goal. From there, it was off to the races.
On the first play of their second possession, Watkins completed a 75-yard pass to Pringle which set up a five-yard touchdown run by Ayo-Durojaiye. The game Seawolves answered with a 12-yard scoring pass from Casey Case to Dez Williams. Stony Brook gained 38 yards the rest of the half on five times with the ball.
On the next series, Watkins hit an extremely wide-open Jaaron Hayek for a 43-yard touchdown and a 14-7 Villanova lead. Early in the second quarter, Watkins and Hayek combined for a 20-yard score. Two-and-a-half minutes later, Jalen Jackson rolled 44 yards for six points. Then just before halftime, Pringle bettered his season-high longest catch, which was the 75-yarder earlier in the game, by one yard and a 34-7 lead at the half.
About the only thing the 'Cats did wrong in the first half was muff a punt which was nullified when Danny Abraham intercepted a Case pass and had an extra point blocked after Pringle's score.
Sanchez’s touchdown was the only scoring of the third quarter then in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats’ backups were able to matriculate the ball down the field with Isaiah Wright running in from the two-yard line to cap the scoring for Villanova.
"Today was one of those situations where it gives everybody confidence coming into the
homestretch of the season," said Watkins. "With the final three games, they're all going to be tough ones. They're all must-wins. I think everybody right now is in a good headspace and we're clicking."