Villanova picked up a crucial conference win Saturday on the road at the University of New Hampshire and remains in contention in a tight race for the 2023 Coastal Athletic Association Football title.

The Wildcats capitalized on a handful of uncharacteristic New Hampshire mistakes to escape with a 45-33 victory.

The Villanova defense had three interceptions in the game—two of which came within two minutes of each other in the third quarter—to help end a five-game losing streak against New Hampshire.

The teams last met in 2019, but Villanova’s last victory in the series came a decade prior in the 2009 playoffs. It was the 26th meeting between the teams, and New Hampshire still holds a 14-12 advantage.

Entering Saturday’s matchup, New Hampshire quarterback Max Brosmer was the national leader in five statistical categories (passing yards, passing touchdowns, passing yards per game, points responsible for, points responsible for per game), but one of the most impressive stats was that he’d only thrown one interception in eight games this season.

Villanova’s Christian Sapp, Brendan Bell and Shane Hartzell were responsible for Saturday’s interceptions, and the defensive performance helped Villanova improve to 7-2 on the season. 

It was the team’s fourth consecutive win, but more importantly, the Wildcats now are 5-1 in CAA play and locked in a five-way tie atop the conference standings with Delaware, Elon, UAlbany and Richmond. It all came together with Elon’s 33-27 victory Saturday over front-runner Delaware.

New Hampshire, which shared the CAA title last season with William & Mary, slips to 4-5 overall in 2023 and 2-4 in conference games.

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Villanova Football In 2023: What To Know About The Wildcats

New Hampshire Football In 2023: What To Know About The Wildcats

The Villanova and New Hampshire offenses were evenly matched Saturday, putting up 436 and 397 yards, respectively.

Villanova opened the scoring with a 44-yard field goal from graduate kicker Matthew Mercurio, but New Hampshire answered quickly with a 75-yard touchdown run from senior running back Dylan Laube.

Laube entered the game leading the nation in all-purpose yards per game at 214.25, and he was a spark again for the Wildcats, though it wasn’t enough in the end. 

Against Villanova, Laube rushed 19 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns, caught 10 passes for another 75 yards and snatched another 103 yards on three kick returns for a 310-yard day.

Villanova’s signal caller Connor Watkins put the game away five minutes into the fourth quarter with the final score of the day, a 68-yard touchdown strike to graduate wide receiver Rayjuon Pringle.

Pringle finished with 104 yards and a touchdown on four catches, while three other Villanova receivers had 25 or more yards, too. 

Watkins was 15-of-25 in the game for 188 yards and two touchdowns, but he also had a third-quarter interception.

On the ground, graduate running back Jalen Jackson set the pace for Villanova with 145 yards and two touchdowns on 19 attempts.

In the loss, Brosmer was 27-for-40 for 259 and a touchdown, while Laube led New Hampshire in rushing and receiving. Brosmer’s lone touchdown pass of the game was a 7-yard toss to sophomore D.J. Linkins to open the second-half scoring.

Up next for New Hampshire is a road game against Monmouth, before finishing the year at home against Maine. Both are conference games.

Villanova’s title hopes will take the Wildcats home to host Towson, before hitting the road to end the year against Delaware in what could be the deciding game for the CAA title – or at least a piece of it.

Highlights: Villanova Vs. New Hampshire | 2023 CAA Football

Watch the highlights of the Villanova vs. New Hampshire game on Nov. 4, 2023.

Final Stats From Villanova At UNH Football Game

Villanova Lets Clock Run Out, Defeats UNH Football At Home

Villanova was able to capitalize on New Hampshire's penalties and turnovers to come away with a 45-33 victory. 

The win snapped a five-game losing skid for Villanova in the series. 

New Hampshire still leads 14-12 all-time. 

Villanova Misses Field Goal Against UNH Football

Matthew Mercurio misses a field-goal opportunity from 47 yards.

Score remains 45-33 (Villanova advantage) with 4:44 to play in the game.

Check Out This Watkins-Pringle Connection For Villanova Against UNH Football

🕺 Nifty moves from Rayjuon Pringle after the beautiful pass from @r_c_w4 and it's another #NovaNation touchdown @NovaFootball | @CAAFootball pic.twitter.com/ReTkaJ4sRo

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) November 4, 2023

Villanova Answers, Scores Again

On second and 13, Villanova quarterback Connor Watkins connects with Rayjuon Pringle for a 68-yard touchdown bomb. 

Matthew Mercurio adds the extra point to make it 45-33 with less than 10 minutes to play.

UNH Football Adds Touchdown

Dylan Laube adds his second rushing touchdown of the day for New Hampshire. This time, it's a 2-yard rush up the middle. Wildcats behind 38-33.

A two-point conversion attempt is no good. The score stands at 38-33 with Villanova leading.

UNH Football Converts On Fourth Down

New Hampshire is 3-for-3 on fourth-down attempts Saturday against Villanova. 

For the year, 14-for-23.

This time, Max Brosmer hits Kyle Lepkowski for six yards on fourth-and-2. A new set of downs starts on the Villanova 19-yard line.

Third Quarter Ends In Villanova-New Hampshire Football Battle

Villanova leads New Hampshire 38-27 heading into the final quarter.

Villanova First To Capitalize On Flurry Of Third-Quarter Turnovers

Villanova quarterback Connor Watkins is able to redeem himself for throwing an interception. 

This time, he helps the Wildcats march 56 yards on seven plays and ends the drive on his own with a 6-yard touchdown run.

Matthew Mercurio adds the extra point to push Villanova ahead 38-27 in the final seconds of the third quarter.

Interceptions Continue In Villanova-New Hampshire Game

New Hampshire throw interception. Villanova throws an interception. New Hampshire quarterback Max Brosmer gets intercepted AGAIN right away.

Sophomore linebacker Shane Hartzell makes the pick.

Villanova takes over at its own 44-yard line.

New Hampshire Answers With Takeaway

The UNH Wildcats answer with an interception of their own. 

Senior safety Max Oxendine gets the pick. He's back on the field after missing two games. It's his second interception of the season.

Villanova With Another Interception Against UNH Football

New Hampshire quarterback Max Brosmer is picked off for the second time Saturday against Villanova. He entered the day with one INT through eight games.

Brendan Bell credited with the pick.

Villanova takes over at the UNH 43. 

Villanova Capitalizes On Good Fortune

TD Ayo-Durojaiye makes up for nearly losing the ball a play earlier, and he catches an 18-yard touchdown pass from Connor Watkins. 

It's the first passing touchdown of the day for Watkins and the Wildcats. Matthew Mercurio adds the extra point to put Villanova back ahead, 31-27.

Forced Fumble Bounces Out Of Bounds

New Hampshire running back TD Ayo-Durojaiye gets the ball knocked away on a rush, but it bounces out of bounds. Villanova maintains possession on the UNH 21-yard line.

Villanova's Jalen Jackson Runs Free

Nothing but open space for Villanova's Jalen Jackson, who rumbles 48 yards to the UNH 25-yard line. It came immediately after a 4-yard rush up the middle.

UNH Football Scores First In Second Half Against Villanova

Max Brosmer connects with D.J. Linkins for a 7-yard strike and score. It's Brosmer's first touchdown pass of the game and Linkins' first TD reception of the year. 

Nick Mazzie adds the extra point, and New Hampshire leads 27-24.

UNH Gets Ball To Start Second Half Against Villanova

A 24-yard pass from Max Brosmer to Logan Tomlinson allowed New Hampshire to cross midfield early, but a fourth-and-1 run from Dylan Laube allowed the Wildcats to continue the drive.

First-Half Stats From Villanova At UNH Football

UNH Football Ends Half With Field Goal Attempt

With three seconds remaining in the first half against Villanova, New Hampshire makes a 50-yard field goal attempt 

It has the distance but hits the goal post. No good.

Villanova leads 24-20 at halftime. 

Massive Kick Return From Dylan Laube Gives UNH Opportunity In Final Seconds Of First Half

Dylan Laube returned the kickoff 55 yards to the Villanova 42-yard line.

There's 13 seconds left on the clock.

Villanova Adds Score As First Half Winds Down Against UNH Football 

Villanova's quarterback connected with Rayjuon Pringle for 22 yards to set up a first-and-goal opportunity on the UNH 1-yard line.

Despite a 5-yard false-start penalty, Villanova is able to make things happen.

Jalen Jackson runs in for the 6-yard touchdown to give Villanova a 23-20 advantage.

Matthew Mercurio adds the extra point to make it 24-20, Villanova over UNH with about 30 seconds left to play in the half.

New Hampshire Settles For Field Goal, Leads 20-17

The downfield march ended for New Hampshire, but the Wildcats were able to regain the lead with another Nick Mazzie field goal, this time from 34 yards. 

There's four minutes left in the first half against Villanova.

UNH Football Converts With On Fourth-And-2 Pass

A 20-yard pass from Max Brosmer to Dylan Laube keeps the New Hampshire drive alive on fourth and 2. 

Wildcats advance to Villanova's 31-yard line.

Villanova Answers With Watkins Touchdown

A quarterback draw from Connor Watkins sees the signal caller rush 16 yards for his seventh rushing touchdown of the season.

Matthew Mercurio adds the extra point to tie the game at 17 with just under nine minutes to play in the first half.

Check Out The UNH Score And Villanova Answer

6️⃣🔛6️⃣ 😼 Dueling touchdowns in a back-and-forth @CAAFootball contest between @NovaFootball and @UNH_Football pic.twitter.com/WNue76Z4aC

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) November 4, 2023

UNH Football Jumps Back Ahead On Ensuing Kickoff

Junior Caleb Mead takes the kickoff 82 yards for a New Hampshire touchdown.

Nick Mazzie adds the extra point to put New Hampshire ahead 17-10.

Villanova Finds End Zone On Two Plays

Graduate running back Jalen Jackson carries twice for Villanova and finds the end zone on his second attempt, a 2-yard rush up the middle to close the deficit to 10-9.

It's the fifth rushing touchdown of the year for Jackson.

Matthew Mercurio adds the extra point to tie the game at 10-10 with 11:18 left in the first half.

Villanova Forces Fumble, Runs For Red Zone

Dylan Laube caught a quick 5-yard pass from Max Brosmer, getting the Wildcats to the UNH 40-yard line, but it was knocked free by Brendan Bell.

Elijah Glover picks it up and scrambles into the red zone. Villanova takes over at the UNH 6-yard line.

Villanova Unable To Capitalize

The Villanova Wildcats are unable to capitalize on the interception. After three quick plays, including a penalty, Villanova punts the ball away.

Nathan Fondacaro boots it 43 yards for Villanova.

New Hampshire gets the ball back on its own 35-yard line.

Villanova Intercepts Brosmer Pass

Sophomore defensive back Christian Sapp picks off a Max Brosmer pass up the middle. 

Villanova takes over: first-and-10 on its own 28-yard line.

It's the second interception of the year by UNH's Brosmer, who entered the game leading the nation in five categories.

UNH Football Able To Do It Through The Air, Too

A 43-yard pass from Max Brosmer to Caleb Burke has the Wildcats marching again, though there's an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play to call it back 15 yards to the UNH 22.

The first quarter ends with New Hampshire at midfield.

Watch Dylan Laube Scamper For 75 Against Villanova 

Senior RB Dylan Laube had the first touchdown of the UNH-Villanova game. It was his eighth rushing TD of the year. Check it out!

The first @EnviroVantage TOUCHDOWN!

Dylan Laube scores off a 75 yard run!

Game Day Central ➡️ https://t.co/Ln0KKDVdiO #CAT2UNT4MED pic.twitter.com/qJI1rXfPwl

— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) November 4, 2023

UNH Football Settles For Field Goal, New Hampshire Leads 10-3

A third-and-goal pass attempt from standout quarterback Max Brosmer was unsuccessful, so New Hampshire is forced to attempt a field goal. 

Despite being pushed back due to a false start, Nick Mazzie is able to send it through from 31 yards for a 10-3 lead.

Mazzie is 11-for-15 on field goals this season.

Onside Kick Successful For New Hampshire 

A successful onside kick recovery gives UNH the ball once again. The Wildcats get this drive started at the Villanova 21.

UNH Football's Dylan Laube Breaks Free For Wildcats

Senior running back Dylan Laube makes a move to the outside and takes it 75 yards down the left sideline to put New Hampshire out in front, 6-3.

It's the longest rushing play this season for UNH. Laube leads FCS football in all-purpose yards this year with more than 214 per game.

Sophomore kicker Nick Mazzie kicks the extra point to make the score 7-3.

Villanova Football Opens Scoring Against UNH With First-Quarter Field Goal

Graduate kicker Matthew Mercurio kicks one through from 44 yards to give Villanova a 3-0 lead to start the scoring against New Hampshire.

Villanova Converts On First Third-Down Opportunity

Graduate quarterback Connor Watkins connects with Jaaron Hayek for 11 yards to keep the opening drive alive and help the Wildcats into UNH territory.

UNH Football Kicks Off To Start Game Against Villanova

The New Hampshire Wildcats have started the action with the kickoff, but they'll get the ball to start the second half.

Villanova won the coin toss and elected to receive.

Villanova starts on its own 15-yard line.

When Is The Villanova Vs. University Of New Hampshire Football Game?

Villanova will take on the University of New Hampshire at Wildcat Stadium in Durham, New Hampshire, on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. Eastern.

How To Watch The Villanova Vs. New Hampshire Football Game

Football action is streaming live on FloFootball and the FloSports app, including the Villanova vs. New Hampshire football game during Week 10. 

Replays and postgame highlights also will be available on both platforms. 

Today In The CAA

Check out the other scores from around the CAA today:

North Carolina def. Campbell, 59-7
*Towson 42, North Carolina A&T 32 - fourth quarter
*UAlbany def. William & Mary, 24-8
*Hampton def. Maine, 42-35
*Monmouth def. Stony Brook, 56-17
*Elon def. Delaware, 33-27

*Streaming live on FloSports

Read more: UAlbany Vs. William & Mary And More CAA Week 10 Picks From FloFootball

Villanova Has A Top-Notch Receiving Corp

For the second time in school history, the Villanova Wildcats have three players reach 100 yards receiving in the same game. It happened last week in the Wildcats’ homecoming win over Stony Brook.

Rayjuon Pringle (196), Jaylan Sanchez (103) and Jaaron Hayek (102) were the three. 

The last time the feat was achieved was in a loss to Delaware in November 2000.

Graduate quarterback Connor Watkins was the gunslinger in the win, connecting on 13-of-19 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns. His longest toss of the day was a 76-yard touchdown strike to Pringle in the second quarter. 

Watkins now is the first quarterback in the program’s history with three passes over 75 yards in a single season. 

🔢 Rayjuon Pringle's first half by the numbers:
4️⃣ catches
189 yards
47.3 YPC @NovaFootball | @CAAFootball pic.twitter.com/Kb1uRPvb6y

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) October 28, 2023

UNH Football Putting Up Big Numbers This Season

New Hampshire leads the nation in blocked kicks (10) and blocked punts (five). Senior cornerback Randall Harris is responsible for four of them. 

The Wildcats are No. 2 in passing offense (334.1 yards per game), No. 7 in scoring offense (38 points per game), No. 8 in total offense (448.5 ypg) and kickoff returns (25.05 yards per return) and No. 9 in turnover margin and turnovers lost.

Senior running back and kick returner Dylan Laube leads the country in all-purpose yards per game with 214.25.

Junior quarterback Max Brosmer leads the country in five statistical categories. 

Charles Briscoe III blocked a 27-yard field goal attempt at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime, but URI prevailed in OT on Saturday.

We're back at Wildcat Stadium on Nov. 4 vs. Villanova.

Buy tickets ➡️ https://t.co/2vTVQLTP9p#CAT2UNT4MED pic.twitter.com/IV4GNTW1t2

— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) October 28, 2023

Villanova Football Also With Track Record Of Success

Fast Fact: Over the past five seasons (2019-2023), Villanova has the best overall winning percentage among current CAA teams, having posted a 33-16 record for a .673 winning percentage.

Over the last 10 seasons, the Wildcats are second in the same category. In that time, they’re 69-40 for a .633 winning percentage. 

The highest winning percentage belongs to CAA newcomer North Carolina A&T (.706).

Should UNH Football Be The Favorite At Home Against Ranked Villanova?

Fast Fact: Since 2008, New Hampshire is 68-17 at home in Durham and 26-12 at Wildcat Stadium, which opened in 2016.

Villanova Enjoys Homecoming Success

Villanova’s Week 9 win over Stony Brook (48-13) was its homecoming game for 2023. Eight decades of alumni were expected for the game.

Check out the recap now:

𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐩.

On to New Hampshire tomorrow. ✌️#WeOverMe #TapTheRock pic.twitter.com/R0gzT9veI2

— Villanova Football (@NovaFootball) November 3, 2023

UNH Quarterback Max Brosmer Among Nation's Best

UNH quarterback Max Brosmer leads the nation is five statistical categories – passing yards (2,664), passing touchdowns (23), passing yards per game (333), points responsible for (166) and points responsible for per game (20.8).

Brosmer needs 53 passing yards to reach 8,000 for his career. He’s also closing in on the school’s single-season top 10 for passing yards. He’s at 2,695, and 10th is 2,734.

Watch Brosmer in action:

Who’s On The Call For The Villanova Vs. UNH Football Game?

For the FloFootball broadcast of the Villanova-New Hampshire game, Joe Weil will provide the play-by-play coverage, and Evan Gray will be the analyst. 

On the Wildcat Sports Radio Network, Justin McIsaac will handle play-by-play duties, and Brian Espanet will add expert analysis. 

Watch: CAA Top 10 Plays Of The Week | Week 9

Check out the Top 10 CAA Plays of the Week from Week 9:

Other CAA Football News This Week

Villanova graduate quarterback Connor Watkins was named the CAA Football Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Wildcats’ 48-13 win against Stony Brook.

Watkins completed 13-of-19 passes for a season-high 361 yards and a season-best four touchdowns. He leads the FCS this year with 18.7 yards per completion. He shared the offensive honor with Delaware running back Marcus Yarns. 

CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week honors went to Richmond linebacker Tristan Wheeler, the CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week was Hampton return man Romon Copeland and the CAA Football Rookie of the Week was William & Mary tight end Sean McElwain. 

Read about all the award winners: CAA Football Week 9 Award Winners

CAA Football Awards For Villanova And New Hampshire This Season

Villanova
Brendan Bell (senior linebacker), Co-Defensive Player of the Week, Sept. 25
Isaiah Ragland (freshman running back), Rookie of the Week, Oct. 16
Connor Watkins (graduate quarterback), Co-Offensive Player of the Week, Oct. 30

New Hampshire
Dylan Laube (senior RB/kick returner), Special Teams Player of the Week, Sept. 4
Dylan Laube (senior RB/kick returner), Co-Offensive Player of the Week, Sept. 11
Dylan Laube (senior RB/kick returner), Special Teams Player of the Week, Sept. 25
Charles Briscoe III (senior cornerback), Special Teams Player of the Week, Oct. 2
Max Brosmer (junior quarterback), Offensive Player of the Week, Oct. 23

Last Week’s Highlights For Villanova And New Hampshire

• Highlights: Stony Brook Vs. Villanova | Oct. 28, 2023
• Highlights: New Hampshire Vs. Rhode Island | Oct. 28, 2023

Things To Watch This Week, Courtesy Of The CAA:

Villanova Football Schedule 2023

All times Eastern

• Sept. 2: Villanova 38, Lehigh 10 (W)
• Sept. 9: Villanova 42, Colgate 19 (W)
• Sept. 16: University of Central Florida 48, Villanova 14 (L)
• Sept. 23: Villanova 35, Rhode Island 9 (W)
• Sept. 30: UAlbany 31, Villanova 10 (L)
• Oct. 7: Villanova 37, North Carolina A&T 14 (W)
• Oct. 14: Villanova 21, Elon 0 (W)
• Oct. 28: Villanova 48, Stony Brook 13 (W)
• Nov. 4: at New Hampshire, 1 p.m., FloSports
• Nov. 11: Towson, 1 p.m., FloSports
• Nov. 18: at Delaware, 1 p.m., FloSports

UNH Football Schedule 2023

All times Eastern

• Sept. 2: New Hampshire 51, Stonehill 17 (W)
• Sept. 9: Central Michigan 45, New Hampshire 42 (L)
• Sept. 16: New Hampshire 24, Dartmouth 7 (W)
• Sept. 23: Delaware 29, New Hampshire 25 (L)
• Sept. 30: Towson 54, New Hampshire 51 (L)
• Oct. 14: New Hampshire 38, UAlbany 31 (W)
• Oct. 21: New Hampshire 45, Stony Brook 14 (W)
• Oct. 28: Rhode Island 34, New Hampshire 28 (L)
• Nov. 4: Villanova, 1 p.m., FloSports
• Nov. 11: at Monmouth, noon, FloSports
• Nov. 18: Maine, 1 p.m., FloSports

The Week 10 CAA Football Schedule

Here’s what the CAA action looks like this week. All times are Eastern.

Saturday, Nov. 4

Campbell at North Carolina, noon
*Towson at North Carolina A&T, 1 p.m.
*Villanova at New Hampshire, 1 p.m.
*William & Mary at UAlbany, 1 p.m.
*Hampton at Maine, 1 p.m.
*Stony Brook at Monmouth, 1 p.m.
*Elon at Delaware, 1 p.m.

*Streaming live on FloSports

2023 CAA Football Standings

Stats Perform FCS Top 25 As Of Oct. 30, 2023

Here is the Week 10 Stats Perform FCS Top 25

Others Receiving Votes (schools listed on two or more ballots): Central Arkansas 94; Harvard 80; Holy Cross 48; Tennessee State 48; Tarleton State 14; Richmond 13; Gardner-Webb 5; UC Davis 3.

Archived Footage On FloFootball

Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloFootball subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

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