Whitney’s late scoring pass, tough defense enable Villanova to outlast Penn 22-10

Villanova struggles to defeat Penn 22-10

VILLANOVA, Pa. — Chris Whitney’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Norman White put Villanova ahead to stay with less than five minutes left and the Wildcats held off Pennsylvania 22-10 on Saturday night.

Leading 15-10, Villanova (3-1) then turned it over to its defense. James Pitts intercepted Billy Ragone’s pass on the Quakers’ next possession and returned it 56 yards for the final margin.

Penn (1-1) then started at the Villanova 41 after Aaron Bailey’s 46-yard kickoff return and it reached the 25 before losing the ball on downs.

Villanova, the defending Football Championship Subdivision champion, trailed 7-0 early in the second quarter but came back with a safety less than two minutes later when a bad snap sailed into the end zone.

After the ensuing free kick started it at the Penn 42, Villanova took a 9-7 lead into halftime on Angelo Babbaro’s 1-yard touchdown run.