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DeeWil Barlee, the Episcopal Academy graduate now in his fifth season for Villanova (thanks to an NCAA COVID exemption) rushed 11 times for 102 yards and a touchdown Saturday to help lead the Wildcats to a 38-10 trouncing of Lehigh University in the opener of the 2023 season at Goodman Stadium in Bethlehem.
Along the way, Barlee surpassed the 1,700 career yards mark and now ranks 16th in Villanova history with 1,732 career rushing yards.Also surpassing the 1,700 yard mark was Jalen Jackson, a sixth-year eligible back who carried eight times for 144 yards and two scores as the Wildcats pounded the Engineers on the ground.
“I am happy with the outcome,” Villanova coach Mark Ferrante said. “Our guys prepared well in the preseason and the offseason. They came out and got it done on the field today. It is always good to win your opener. It shows that you have done good things from whenever last season ended and the upperclassmen have done a good job of bringing along the freshmen in summer training and the preseason.”
Villanova’s experience advantage showed through on both sides of the ball.
The defense forced a fumble recovery (by junior linebacker Richie Kimmel, an Archbishop Carroll grad) and picked off two passes, with the offense capitalizing on all three turnovers, turning them into scoring drives.
Starting senior quarterback Connor Watkins hit on 13 of 23 pass attempts for 119 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Rayjuon Pringle caught both touchdown passes.
Although he was picked off twice, Lehigh quarterback Brayten Silbor managed to complete 23 of 38 for 206 yards and a scoring pass to receiver Gaige Garcia.
Widener 42, Lycoming 21 >> Quarterback Chase ‘The Real’ Diehl completed 29 of 42 passes for 366 yards and five big touchdowns Saturday as the Pride hit their stride in the opener.
Isaac Hostetter (145 receiving yards, three touchdowns) and Jordan Baxter (99 yards) reeled in eight catches each, while Zack Vanscovich had six receptions for 48 yards and a TD. Widener’s Shawn Thompson rolled 18 times on the ground for 51 yards.
Lycoming quarterback Will Fish was picked off three times. He did hook up with Dawson Debebe for a touchdown pass.
Five Lycoming defenders contributed to seven tackles each, including Zannder White, Jordan Rhinehart, Hunter Campbell, Austin Rowley and David Schley. For Widener, Colin Murt was in on nine tackles.
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