Rhode Island vs Villanova: Rhody Hosts a Beatable ‘Nova Squad This Weekend

Yes, beatable. Who would have thought that two months ago we’d be typing those words in November. But this isn’t the Villanova team that shredded Rhode Island 44-21 last season. And it certainly isn’t the squad that was picked to finish first in the CAA this year. Instead: beatable. Here’s a closer look.

Villanova comes into this one at 4-4 (3-2) on the season and, more importantly, without star quarterback John Robertson. The senior tore the PCL in his right knee versus Delaware in ‘Nova’s third game of the season. Since then, the Wildcats have gone a pedestrian 2-3 (2-2), including back-to-back home losses immediately following the Robertson injury.

Instead of seeing an NFL prospect and one of the better players in the FCS under center, Rhody will now have to deal with redshirt freshman Zach Bednarczyk (bed-nar-zick). The New Jersey native is a dual threat QB, much like Robertson, but his passing attack is a little more… meh.

Bednarczyk has thrown for 946 yards in eight games of work, tallying seven touchdowns and five interceptions for Villanova. He’s also racked up 262 yards and a pair of TDs on the ground. Again, not bad numbers, but not Robertson-like either. It’s becoming clear that the injured QB was masking a lot of weaknesses on this ‘Nova team.

So if you chalked this one up as a loss back in August… let’s hope you used actual chalk. You know, the kind you can erase. Saturday’s game could be a close one.