Last Second Score Deals Villanova Loss in Wild Opener

NCAA Football Betting Lines

09/03/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Once again it came down to a field goal.

Last year, Villanova kicker Nick Yako was afforded the opportunity to be the hero as he drilled a 32-yard field goal as time expired, giving Villanova a 27-24 win in the inaugural Mayor's Bowl at Lincoln Financial Field.

This year Temple kicker Brandon McManus was afforded that same chance, and like Yako the year before, he delivered in helping the Owls take a 31-24 victory.

This game had more twists and turns than an eight-foot python.

On the second play of the fourth quarter, Villanova quarterback Chris Whitney connected with Norman White for a 21-yard touchdown, giving 'Nova a 21-13 lead.

Following the touchdown, Villanova's offense dipped into a serious lull.

"I think their level went up and I think that we just tailed off some in the second half," said Villanova head coach Andy Talley. "I thought that we played better than they did in the first half and then suddenly they woke up and played a strong second half."

Temple's defense was indeed strong. Villanova went without a score for nearly 13 minutes in the fourth quarter. During that span, McManus hit a 40-yard field goal and quarterback Chester Stewart delivered a 62-yard strike to Michael Campbell, giving Temple a 22-21 lead with 4:07 remaining.

Villanova appeared down, but, as Temple head coach Al Golden knows, the reigning FCS champions are difficult to knock out.

"When you have that many veterans that do nothing but win over the last two or three years, which they have, they are tough to beat," said Golden in a post- game interview.

Villanova had certainly been on a roll, winning its previous nine contests dating back to October 10th, 2009. But with 3:30 to play, and Temple churning the ground and the clock to pulp, 'Nova's streak was in definite jeopardy.

Enter Stewart, who had been turnover-free until coughing up the football with 2:25 to play on his own 25-yard line.

Yako subsequently drilled the 41-yard field goal, giving Villanova a 24-22 lead, and with 1:51 to play it appeared Temple was now the team on the ropes.

Fittingly, in a city known for its beloved, browbeaten, ultimate survivor, Rocky, Stewart and Temple dragged themselves off the mat once more and executed a 46-yard drive which resulted in McManus' game-winning field goal, a 43-yarder that came with three seconds remaining.

"Obviously he won the game for us," Golden said of Stewart. "We had a quarterback that won in the two-minute drill. This time he did it after he made a critical error."

Although this was a tough one for 'Nova, Talley was sure to keep it in perspective.

"I think we played about as hard as we could," Talley said. "We had our chances and we had our opportunities to win the game and it sort of slipped away there at the end. I think we played as well as we could at this point in the season."

Talley makes a valid point. With other teams in The Sportsbook Betting Lines/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 taking on inferior opponents in week 1, Villanova confronted a Temple team that went 9-4 last season and played in its first bowl game in 30 years.

Still, it must be tough, as last year's thrilling Mayor's Cup victory acted as a springboard to a Villanova FCS championship season.

Last year's win over Temple was Villanova's first victory over an FBS opponent in its last six attempts. Previously, 'Nova's last FBS victory had come in 2003, over, guess who, Temple.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, what last year Temple giveth, this year Temple taketh away.