PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Zack Bednarczyk and the Villanova Wildcats improved to 4-4 and 3-2 in Colonial Athletic Association play with a 13-3 win versus the Maine Black Bears on Saturday night.
Bednarczyk, a freshman, passed for 143 yards and a score, and also rushed for 123 and an additional touchdown to account for all of Villanova's scoring on the night.
21 carries were also taken by Gary Underwood for 92 yards for the Wildcats, who outgained Maine by just 19 yards.
The Wildcats' D was once again sturdy in the win, giving up three of just 31 points allowed by Villanova over all their four wins combined this season.
After a missed field goal on their opening drive, Bednarczyk hit Aaron Wells for a big 64-yard touchdown early to take a 6-0 first-quarter lead due to a missed PAT. Wells had 88 yards on four touches (three receptions, one rush) on the night.
The teams then traded turnovers on downs and missed field goals in each of their next two series. Maine ended the half on a high note, driving 69 yards downfield on ten plays to gain a field goal and get on board before halftime.
Turnovers were the name of the game for the third quarter as well, and Bednarczyk and the Wildcats sealed the victory with a 14-yard score on a QB keeper.
With 7:38 remaining and Maine in possession at their own 42, quarterback Drew Belcher hit Jordan Dunn for a 43-yard completion down to Nova's 15 yard line. However, the 'Cats' D stepped up to force another turnover on downs.
Belcher threw for 180 yards and ran for 97 more while throwing a pick on the night. Dunn led the Black Bears in receiving with eight catches for 96 yards on the night.
Villanova ran out the final six-to-seven minutes of the game with a variety of runs and passes orchestrated by their freshman QB to get back to .500 with a 4-4 record.
The Wildcats will face Rhode Island next week in an away game Friday night.