By DAN GARTLAND

Executive Sports Editor

Entering Saturday night’s game, Fordham hadn’t beaten Villanova since 1920, and the Rams had never won against a team ranked in the top 10. But Fordham’s strong offense and opportune defense hoisted the Rams over eighth-ranked Villanova, 27-24.

Fordham quarterback Michael Nebrich called it “one of the biggest games I’ve ever played in,” and the redshirt sophomore rose to the occasion, passing for 190 yards and running for 102 more, with two touchdowns. His 4-yard touchdown run with 10:44 left in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winning score.

“Their quarterback was outstanding,” Villanova head coach Andy Talley said, referring to Nebrich. “He was the star of the game.”

The story of the game for Villanova was the Wildcats’ five fumbles. On each of their final three possessions, the Wildcats coughed up the ball. They had five fumbles total.

“You can’t win a game against anybody when you’re turning it over five times,” Talley said. “We gave a good team too many opportunities.”