Oct. 21, 2006

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Junior running back Matt Dicken (Cape May, N.J.) rushed for two touchdowns but Villanova (2-5, 1-3 Atlantic 10) was defeated 21-13 on Saturday afternoon by Towson (5-2, 2-2) in its Homecoming game from Villanova Stadium.

The Tigers increased a two-point lead to 21-13 with 9:10 remaining in the fourth quarter and then stalled a Wildcat drive to capture the victory. Eric Yancey caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Sean Schaefer on a one-play drive that began after Villanova threw for an interception.

The Wildcats blocked a punt and an extra point in the game and also recovered a fumble. However, the team also lost two fumbles and had an extra point of its own blocked in the loss. Meanwhile, Towson had 425 yards of total offense to 166 for Villanova.

The Tigers got on the board with a safety early in the first quarter after a failed snap on a Wildcats punt. However, with 5:08 remaining in the quarter Dicken carried in from one yard to get Villanova on the scoreboard and give the Wildcats their only lead of the game at 6-2.

Ryan Meehan caught a two-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and Matt Castor carried from three yards in the third period to give Towson a 15-6 lead six minutes into the second half. Dicken's second rushing touchdown came with 32 seconds left in the third quarter.

Villanova gained 95 yards on the ground thanks to 78 yards by Dicken. Senior quarterback Marvin Burroughs (Atlantic City, N.J.) was 11-of-26 for 71 yards and the one interception.

In his 17th career start for Towson, Sean Schaefer threw for 324 yards on 35-of-45 accuracy. Yancey accumulated 131 receiving yards and Marcus Lee had a team-high nine catches for 84 yards.

The Wildcats are next in action at William & Mary next Saturday at 1 p.m.

NOTES: This was the third game of Dicken's career in which he rushed for two touchdowns ... One of those occasions was also this season, coming against Lehigh on September 9 in the home opener ... Dicken has six rushing touchdowns this season.