MUFULIRA (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of pregame expectations, the Villanova Wildcats relied on a record-breaking rushing performance from Ja’briel Mace to overpower the Towson Tigers 28 to 10 on Saturday at John Kachofa Stadium.

The Wildcats, who entered the contest as 6.5-point underdogs according to oddsmakers, defied a projection from Interstat’s game simulator that had favored Towson 29 to 26. The victory improved Villanova’s record to seven wins and two losses, while Towson fell to four wins and six losses.

The game’s narrative was written almost exclusively by Villanova running back Ja’briel Mace. The sophomore from Somers Point, New Jersey, delivered a legendary performance, carrying the ball 28 times for 291 yards and four touchdowns. His dominance single-handedly dismantled a Towson defense that had no answer for his explosive runs.

The contest began slowly for both offenses, with the first quarter characterized by punts and stalled drives. Towson struck first, capitalizing on a big play late in the opening period. With 1:42 remaining, wide receiver John Dunmore took an end-around and raced 45 yards for a touchdown, giving the Tigers an early 7 to 0 lead.

Villanova’s offense, which had struggled to find its footing, finally answered in the second quarter. The Wildcats engineered a methodical drive that was capped by Mace’s first touchdown of the day, an 8-yard run up the middle with 1:14 left before halftime. The score, which followed a 32-yard burst by Mace earlier in the drive, sent the teams into the locker room tied at 7.

The Wildcats seized control immediately after the break. On their first possession of the second half, Mace broke free for a 39-yard touchdown run, giving Villanova its first lead of the game at 14 to 7 just over a minute into the third quarter.

Towson responded by moving the ball into Villanova territory but saw a promising drive end when running back Kahseim Phillips fumbled, with Villanova’s Obinna Nwobodo recovering. The Wildcats were unable to capitalize, however, as kicker Jack Barnum missed a 45-yard field goal attempt.

The Tigers then put together their most sustained drive of the half, mixing runs from Al Wooten II and Kemarrion Battles with short passes from quarterback Andrew Indorf. The 13-play, 65-yard march culminated in a 34-yard field goal from Caden Williams, cutting Villanova’s lead to 14 to 10 with 53 seconds left in the third quarter.

Any momentum Towson gained was quickly extinguished in the fourth quarter. After a Villanova field goal attempt was missed, the Tigers’ offense failed to sustain a drive. Later in the period, with just over four minutes remaining, Mace delivered the decisive blow. On a first-down play from the Villanova 18-yard line, Mace took a handoff, found a seam on the right side, and exploded for an 82-yard touchdown run, putting the Wildcats up 21 to 10.

After forcing a quick three-and-out from Towson, Villanova put the game completely out of reach. Mace capped his historic day with his fourth touchdown, a 22-yard run with 1:48 left on the clock to seal the 28 to 10 victory.

While Mace was the undisputed star, Villanova quarterback Pat McQuaide of Solon, Ohio, managed the game effectively, completing 11 of 23 passes for 120 yards. Braden Reed was his top target, catching three passes for 41 yards and adding 43 punt return yards.

For Towson, quarterback Andrew Indorf of Miami, Florida, battled throughout, completing 14 of 30 passes for 156 yards and adding 38 yards on the ground. However, the Tigers’ offense was plagued by inconsistency and a critical fourth-quarter interception thrown by Indorf. John Dunmore was a bright spot, totaling 83 all-purpose yards and the team’s lone touchdown.

The loss overshadowed a strong day from Towson’s special teams. Punter Bryce LaFollette of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, averaged 40.9 yards on seven punts, pinning Villanova deep on several occasions.

The Wildcats will look to build on this victory when they return home to face Stony Brook next Saturday. Towson, meanwhile, will hit the road to take on Albany, seeking to snap its two-game losing streak. The combined score of 38 points fell well under the pregame over/under line of 52.5.