10:50: It's a beautiful morning in Boone for today's FCS Quarterfinals between App and Villanova. The top seeded Mountaineers enter today's contest with a 10-2 mark and advanced with a 42-14 victory over Western Illinois in last weekend's snow bowl, while the defending national champion Wildcats enter with an 8-4 record and advanced with a 54-24 victory over Stephen Austin. In the past five years, the teams have combined for four national titles.
Villanova is led senior quarterback Chris Whitney who has thrown for 2,040 yards and 21 touchdowns. Norman White has been Whitney's favorite target as he has 62 receptions and 10 touchdowns.
DeAndre Presley has been the leader for the Mountaineers has the Walter Payton finalist has thrown for 2,270 yards and rushed for 1,017 yards. Presley has combined for 32 touchdowns so far this season. (
While the sun is out today, the snow is still hanging around in the stands and hills surronding Kidd Brewer Stadium to help set the scene for this huge matchups. The matchup can be watched on ESPN at noon. (NCAA Graphics courtesy of http://www.ncaa.org/)
Villanova is led senior quarterback Chris Whitney who has thrown for 2,040 yards and 21 touchdowns. Norman White has been Whitney's favorite target as he has 62 receptions and 10 touchdowns.
DeAndre Presley has been the leader for the Mountaineers has the Walter Payton finalist has thrown for 2,270 yards and rushed for 1,017 yards. Presley has combined for 32 touchdowns so far this season. (
While the sun is out today, the snow is still hanging around in the stands and hills surronding Kidd Brewer Stadium to help set the scene for this huge matchups. The matchup can be watched on ESPN at noon. (NCAA Graphics courtesy of http://www.ncaa.org/)
11:38: Both teams are on the field warming up as the clock continues to count down. The sun is peaking out as the weather looks to be pretty but cool. Of course, we would rather have the weather today then the weather forecasted for tomorrow and Monday. It's almost football time in Boone!
12:06: Gametime is finally here. App won the toss and elected to recieve.
Midway 1st: App made quick work of their first drive as they drove down the field in three plays and scored when Travaris Cadet broke free for a 46-yard touchdown. The Wildcats took 12 plays, but responded with a two yard touchdown from Matt Szczur to tie the game at 7 apiece.
End of the first: After the touchdown by Villanova, App moved the ball past midfield, but a fumble turned the ball over. However, the Wildcats were unable to get anything going. App got a 74 yard pass from Presley to Devin Moore but was unable to score and settled for a field goal to take a 10-7 lead. 'Nova got back on the board when Szczur found White for a 54-yard touchdown to take a 14-10 lead into the second period.
Midway 2nd: After App was unable to get their offense moving to start the period, 'Nova responded with a 30 yard touchdown pass from Whitney to Szczur to take a 21-10 lead. With that Szczur has already thrown, caught, and ran for a touchdown in the game. App went for a 4th and 1 on the Wildcat 40, but was stopped and turned the ball over on downs with 8:47 left in the game.
Half: The Mountaineers trail 28-10 at the break as Szczur scored again on a 24 yard run. App was forced to punt, but pinned the Wildcats inside their own 10 with a 63 yard punt. That led to a 3 and out and App took over at midfield. However, App was unable to convert on a 4th and long with a minute left in the half.
Midway 3rd: The second half as saw neither team's offense able to move the ball as the score remains 28-10 with 9:41 remaining in the third quarter.
End of the 3rd: App cut into the Wildcat lead when Presley hit Ben Jorden for a 14 yard touchdown pass with 4:39 left in the third. However, Villanova answered with a drive of their own that sees them inside the App five yard line as time expires in the quarter.
Midway through the 3rd: The Wildcats took advantage as Szuzur dived in from one yard out on a 3rd and one play. The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds setting the Mountaineers up at their 40. App responded when Presley hit Brian Quick for a 38 yard touchdown pass. The ensuing kickoff poised problems again for the Wildcats as a fumble gave the ball back to App at midfield, but App was stopped on 4th and six with 10 minutes left in the game. It only took two plays and 37 seconds for Villanova to take advantage as they scored when Whitney ran into the endzone from five yards out to take a 42-24 lead with 9:51 left in the game.
Final: The Mountaineers will come up short as they will see their season end with a 10-3 mark. The Wildcats will face the winner of Eastern Washington and North Dakota State. We will have more on the game later in the weekend!
