San Jose State, you have some company in your opening-week misery.
Thursday night, SJSU became the first FBS team of the 2018 season to fall to an FCS team as the Mountain West Conference ended up on the wrong end of a 44-38 decision to UC Davis. Not to be outdone by the Aggies, FCS Villanova, No. 19 in the preseason polls for the old 1-AA level, used a 30-yard touchdown pass with just over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter to claim a 19-17 win over Temple.
The Owls actually had two chances to at least get into position to attempt a potential game-winning field goal, but each time those drives ended with an interception. The last pick came with just over a minute left in the contest, allowing the Wildcats to bleed what was left of the clock.
Temple managed just 251 yards of offense, including a meager 46 yards on the ground on 22 carries (2.2 ypc).
Zach Bednarczyk, who tossed what turned out to be the game-winning score, threw for a game-high 254 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Aaron Forbes’ 111 yards rushing led both teams and was the senior’s fourth carry 100-yard effort.
The loss was Temple’s first to an FCS team since a 30-29 Fordham win in September of 2013.