Decker, UNH extend winning streak
Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com
DURHAM -- Villanova coach Andy Talley called the University of New Hampshire's Kevin Decker the best quarterback in the Colonial Athletic Association on Saturday, and if you watched Decker's performance in UNH's 47-17 victory you know why.
Decker, a senior, matched a career-high by completing 23 passes and set a career high by passing for 395 yards in the game. He also led UNH in rushing with 46 yards on six carries.
"When you match up in this league quarterback against quarterback, when you have a really terrific quarterback and the other team has a youngster coming along, you're in for a rough day -- and that's pretty much what it came down to," Talley said.
"I think Decker is, from what I've seen in the league so far, I think he's the best quarterback in the league. And I think he did a great job today scrambling and finding people. He's exhibiting poise, accuracy, running ability, toughness -- all of things that you need to win a championship in this league and go farther in the playoffs."
Decker tossed three TD passes and ran for another. He opened the scoring on a 3-yard run. He TD passes went to freshman wide receiver R.J. Harris (66 yards) sophomore wide receiver Justin Mello (35 yards) and freshman wide receiver Jimmy Giansante (16 yards).
UNH led 15-0 after one quarter, 27-10 at halftime and 37-10 entering the fourth.
UNH raised its record to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the CAA. UNH has won four games in a row since opening the season with a 58-22 loss to Toledo.
Villanova dropped to 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the conference.
"I thought it was a pretty good effort by our team," UNH coach Sean McDonnell said. "Really pleased with some of the improvements we made on the defensive side of the ball. We pressured the quarterback better."
FULL OF POLONY: Villanova is still without starting quarterback Dustin Thomas, who suffered a separated shoulder during a 31-10 loss to Towson. Villanova started senior Chris Culicerto on Saturday, but turned to true freshman Chris Polony in the second quarter.
Polony completed 15 of 19 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown. He was intercepted twice.
Polony played for former UNH assistatnt coach Tony Trisciani at Whitehall (Pa.) High School. UNH was among his scholarship offers.
"We made a change with our quarterback," Talley said. "We got a freshman guy who could use the experience, and until our quarterback gets back it's tough to make a total amount of progress like we would like to. We're a team that's pretty vulnerable right now.
"Chris Polony completely imploded at Monmouth and we took him out because [it was] a bad experience for him. And today was a 100 percent turnaround. He did some nice things. It was a confidence-builder for us and for him. I was pleased to get him some work."
PORTSMOUTH PRIDE: Defensive back Rod Walker, who played at Portsmouth High School, made his first career interception when he picked off a Polony pass on Villanova's opening drive in the third quarter.Walker returned the interception 42 yards.
Sophomore defensive back Chris Houston had UNH's other interception.
PRESSURE POINTS: UNH entered the game ranked last among CAA teams in scoring defense (43.5 points per game) and total defense (525.8 yards per game), but held Villanova to 277 yards of total offense. Villanova averaged 3.6 yards per play.
UNH also recorded five sacks, including three by senior defensive end Brian McNally.
"It was definitely an improvement today," McNally said. "We played better against the run. We played better pass coverage. I thought our secondary did a heck of a job.
"We gotta build on this win and get better every week. That's the goal for us defensively."
FOOTNOTES: UNH placekicker Mike MacArthur made three field goals in the victory. MacArthur, a North Hampton resident who played at Winnacunnet High School, connected on kicks from 24, 27 and 23 yards. ... Harris, a freshman, caught seven passes for a career-high 190 yards. ... Junior linebacker Alan Buzbee led UNH in tackles with nine. Linebacker Matt Evans made eight tackels (six solo). Evans, a junior, entered the game leading the nation in tackles per game (15.8) and solo tackes per game (9.5).
