The Terps had a successful first road trip of the 2024 season when they traveled to Virginia and beat the Cavaliers 27-13 thanks to a defensive shutout by the Terps in the second half. The Terps will look to keep the winning ways going as they will take on the 3-0 Villanova Wildcats to finish off their non-conference slate of the 2024 season.
Villanova is led by head coach Mark Ferrante. Ferrante is in his eighth season as head coach and his 38th season with the Villanova program overall. Villanova is 3-0 coming off a 14-13 victory over Towson last week. The last time Villanova beat an FBS opponent was 2018 against Temple. Meanwhile, the Terps are on a 14-game non-conference win streak and will look to keep that alive as they prepare for the bulk of conference play.
Offense
Key Players: RB Isaiah Ragland, QB Connor Watkins, WR Devin Smith
Points: 22 ppg
Passing: 151 ypg
Rushing: 204.3 ypg
Turnovers: .66 per game
The Wildcats are very much a run-heavy team. They have three rushers with over 100 yards on the season and are the 13th-best rushing attack in the FCS right now. Ragland leads the way for the Wildcats with 36 attempts for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Ragland is 16th in the FCS in rushing yards per carry with 7.3. The Wildcats also love to use Watkins in the run game as well. Watkins has 29 attempts for 190 and three touchdowns averaging 6.6 yards per carry as well. The Terps will need to not bite on option plays and will need to contain Watkins in the passing game to make sure he does not beat them with his legs.
Watkins also is 38/70 for 453 yards and four touchdowns and has not thrown an interception yet this season. Overall as a team, Villanova does not turn the ball over a lot. That will surely be tested this week against the Terps who are now leading the country in turnover margin with +9 so far on the season. The Terps have picked off opposing quarterbacks six times in three games and will look to keep that going against Villanova.
Although Villanova does not pass the ball a lot, Watkin’s favorite target is Smith. Smith leads the team in receptions (9), Receiving yards (122), and is tied for receiving touchdowns (2). Villanova has a very balanced passing attack, but Smith has seemed to be Watkins’ favorite target through the first three weeks of the season.
If the Terps can simply force Villanova to have to throw the ball around, this could be a very long game for the Wildcats’ offense. Look for the Terps to rely on their advantage in the trenches on Saturday to slow Villanova down.
Defense
Key Players: LB Richie Kimmel, LB Brendan Bell, DL Nigel McSween
Points: 11 ppg
Passing: 187.67 ypg
Rushing: 138.7 ypg
Turnovers: 1.33 per game
Villanova's defense is a very balanced unit. The Wildcats are led by their linebackers in Kimmel and Bell. Bell leads the team in total tackles (28) and in tackles for loss (2.5). Kimmel is third on the team in tackles with 19 while also registering one of the team's three interceptions this season. Villanova does a good job eliminating the big plays deep in the passing game and not letting teams get to the third level on run plays. Their opponents only average 4.3 yards per carry and only 5.36 yards per attempt on passes, giving a potential test for the Terps' run offense. The Wildcats have made teams earn every yard and aim to make opposing offenses grind out drives.
While their linebackers lead the defense, their secondary has been stellar to start the season as well. The Wildcats secondary has only allowed one passing touchdown and the longest pass they have allowed so far this season is only 36 yards. A big reason for the secondary playing so well is the Wildcats' pass rush. Villanova has five sacks on the season through three games but has hit the quarterback 12 times this season. McSween leads the team in sacks with just 1.5 so it is very much a rush by committee defense just like Virginia. The Terps' wide receivers will be tested this week by trying to take the top off the Wildcats' defense, an area that's been a work in progress through the first three weeks. Look for Villanova to play two deep safeties to keep everything in front of them and to try and limit the Terps explosive plays.
The Terps offensive line should be able to handle the Villanova defensive line thanks to their size advantage, however with left tackle Andre Roye banged up, it will be interesting to see how things look on Saturday back at home. The Terps have played clean games for the most part so far this season when it comes to turning the ball over. Villanova has forced four turnovers on the year with three of them coming off interceptions. Terps QB Billy Edwards only has one interception on the season so far. Should be something interesting to look out for this Saturday if Edwards can keep the ball out of Villanova’s hands.
Kickoff is set for noon on BTN on Saturday.
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