BY ROCK HOFFMAN
College Football Editor
In week two, there was plenty of good action among the college teams in the Philadelphia area.
Rowan scored a comeback win at Springfield, 38-35, with the game-winning touchdown coming with just over a minute left as quarterback Mike Husni hit John Maldonado with a 5-yard touchdown pass. Husni finished with a career-high five touchdowns – three of them to Maldonado - and 316 yards.
For his efforts, Husni, a senior out of Toms River North Hight School, is the Football Stories Magazine College Offensive Player of the Week.
“What he lacks in height,” said Widener head coach Mike Barainyak of the 5-foot-10-inch Husni, “I think people don’t realize how big and strong he actually is. He’s incredibly quick and can use his legs. He’s got a strong arm and is a really competitive dude.”
The Profs (2-0) are off this week, they host Salve Regina (2-0) on September 24, at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium.
At Lincoln Financia Field on Saturday, Temple used a strong defensive effort to beat Lafayette, 30-14. The Owls (1-1) held the Leopards to 110 yards of total offense. Linebacker Jordan Magee had a team-high eight tackles, three for a loss including a sack.
For his efforts, Magee, a redshirt sophomore from Dover, DE, is the Football Stories Magazine College Defensive Player of the Week.
On Saturday, the Owls are back at the Linc with Rutgers (2-0) coming to town for the first time since 2012.
Villanova moved to 2-0 with a 38-21 win over LIU, the Wildcats had a pair of backs (DeeWil Barlee and TD Ayo-Durojaiye) run for over 100 yards while as a team they rushed for 365 yards. Quarterback Connor Watkins, despite four interceptions against the Sharks, continues to make big plays, of his 18 completions on the season, eight have gone for 38 yards or more including a 60-yard touchdown pass against LIU.
Saturday, the ‘Cats travel to one of the nicest settings in college football, Michie Stadium, where they’ll take on Army (0-2). It’s the 22nd-time Villanova plays the Black Knights but the first since 1977.
“Just being one of the military schools” said Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante, “it adds a little more excitement to it. Our alumni are thrilled, we have a lot of people going. We’re looking forward to going there.”
Lincoln got into the win column with a 26-21 victory at Central State. It was the Lions (1-1) first road win since 2015. They were led by freshman quarterback Isaiah Freeman, who threw for two touchdowns and was the leading rusher with 70 yards.
Saturday night, Fayetteville State (1-1) visits a refurbished LU Athletics Stadium in the CIAA opener for both schools.
Widener went on the road and brought home a 31-27 victory over Hampden-Sydney. Quarterback Jeff Chaplin threw a pair of touchdowns in the five-and-half minutes to allow the Pride (1-1) to overcome a 10-point deficit.
Saturday, Widener kickoffs at Wilkes (1-0), it’s the first MAC game of the season for both schools.
Delaware Valley University won 14-6 at Montclair State University. The No. 15 Aggies (2-0) are on the road again this Saturday, playing at Kings College (1-0) to open the MAC portion of the schedule.
Delaware topped Delaware State, 35-9. Blue Hens (2-0) quarterback Nolan Henderson had three touchdown passes in the win. This week, Delaware is at Rhode Island (2-0, 1-0 CAA) while the Hornets (1-1) host Virginia University Lynchburg (0-2).
West Chester (1-1) lost to Slippery Rock 35-14. Saturday, the Golden Rams are in Erie to play Gannon University (2-0).
Ursinus lost a wild contest to No. 9 Johns Hopkins, 36-29. The Bears (1-1, 0-1 Centennial) had three tries from the one-yard line in the final minute but couldn’t score. Saturday, it doesn’t get any easier as they host No. 18 Muhlenberg (1-1, 1-0 Centennial).
TCNJ lost to No. 15 Courtland, 63-7. On Saturday, the Lions (1-1) look to bounce back at Endicott College (2-0).
The Ivy League teams kickoff this weekend, Penn hosts Colgate (1-1) at Franklin Field on Saturday at noon while their rival Princeton is at Stetson (2-0).
Email Rock Hoffman at rock@footballstories.com