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Villanova Needs That Ohio Judge to Grant a Preliminary Injunction Overturning Their Preposterous Choke Job
Published:
I’m still trying to process what happened on Friday night over on the Main Line. Ranked Villanova scored two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter against William and Mary, took a 10-point lead, and then inexplicably lost in regulation:
This has to be typed out sequentially because it’s so stupid:
- This was Villanova’s first game as a Patriot League member.
- 5th year quarterback Pat McQuaide was allowed to play after an Ohio judge filed on Friday a preliminary injunction, essentially overruling a conference decision to deny McQuaide another season of eligibility.
- Nova was up 17-10 at halftime, then went punt/downs/fumble/interception on their first four possessions to open the second half.
- Trailing by five, the Wildcats picked off a William and Mary pass about midway through the fourth quarter, then put together a 7-play, 32 yard drive to take a 25-22 lead.
- Nova held on the ensuing drive, then scored on the very next play to go up 32-22 with 2:43 remaining on the clock.
- William and Mary went 12 plays, 52 yards and kicked a field goal to cut the deficit to 7.
- Nova muffed the onside kick.
- William and Mary scored on a bomb to tie the game with 22 seconds left.
- McQuaide threw a pick with 5 seconds left.
- William and Mary walked it off with a 45-yard field goal.
It was unbelievable. The choke to end all chokes. The onside kick was bad enough, but third and eight from almost midfield and you let the guy get behind you for a touchdown? How does that happen? HOW DO YOU DO THAT! <Stephen A Smith voice>
It’s hard to not consider the karma storyline when you think about the McQuaide situation and last-minute injunction. He went 17-30 with 270 yards and a touchdown, but threw three interceptions, two of which took place in the fourth quarter. So if you’re an outsider you might be thinking “well Villanova got what they deserved,” which, of course, is cherry-picking, but that narrative can certainly be crafted by those despicable William and Mary fans, and other Patriot League undesirables.
The Villanova football season is now over. We turn to the Philadelphia Eagles and Temple Owls.
HOW DO YOU DO THAT
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com