Monmouth Dominates Villanova 51-33 as Robertson Throws 4 TDs

UPDATE: In a thrilling display of offensive prowess, Derek Robertson threw for 397 yards and four touchdowns, leading Monmouth University to a commanding 51-33 victory over Villanova in their CAA opener on September 30, 2023. This marks a significant win for Monmouth, ranked No. 18 in the FCS, as they remain undefeated against the 12th-ranked Wildcats.

The game, held in West Long Branch, N.J., saw Monmouth take control early, scoring on their second play from scrimmage with a stunning 75-yard touchdown pass from Robertson to Josh Derry. Derry was a standout, finishing with eight receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

Villanova responded quickly, tying the game at 7-7 with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Pat McQuaide to Brandon Binkowski. However, Monmouth surged ahead, scoring 24 unanswered points to lead 31-14 at halftime.

Robertson’s performance follows another impressive outing last week, where he also threw for four touchdowns in a loss against FBS Charlotte. Meanwhile, Monmouth’s running back Rodney Nelson shined with 186 rushing yards on 33 carries, scoring twice in the victory.

On the other side, McQuaide threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns, while David Avitt and Luke Colella contributed significantly to Villanova’s offense, with Avitt rushing for 135 yards and two touchdowns, and Colella catching nine passes for 117 yards.

This matchup marks the last time these two teams will face each other as CAA opponents, with Villanova set to join the Patriot League next season. Monmouth improves to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the CAA.

As the season progresses, fans will be eager to see if Monmouth can maintain their momentum and continue to build on this strong start. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.