By Max Prinz

The 2014 Fordham Rams were unable to submit a repeat performance of last year’s historic win over Villanova after squaring off against the squad on Saturday.

Playing on the road, the Rams struggled to total just 219 yards of offense and were dominated by a superior Villanova team, 50-6.

The running game, a bright spot for the Rams as recent as one week ago, struggled mightily. The Rams were held to just 18 yards rushing on the day. The defense was weaker than that of the Rams’ opener as well.

Villanova quarterback John Robertson threw for three touchdowns and ran for one more, before being subbed out midway through the third quarter.

“My hats off to them,” said head coach Joe Moorhead after the loss. “They whipped us.”

The Rams were also hurt by an hour-long delay in the second quarter caused by lightning in the area. Villanova exploded out of the gate following the interruption, scoring 26 of its 33 first-half points, but the Rams floundered.

“That didn’t help us, but it’s certainly not an excuse,” Moorhead said. “Didn’t hurt us but didn’t help us either.”

Meanwhile, Villanova head coach John Talley said after the game that he had stressed the likelihood of an interruption during practice.

“I thought we played extremely well after the break,” Talley said. “We said during the week that we were willing to stay out there all night. That’s how important this game was to us.”

Michael Nebrich followed up a slightly errant performance against St. Francis (Pa.) with a lackluster one against Villanova. Nebrich was just 14-28 on the day, throwing for 182 yards and a pair of interceptions. He received little help from his offensive line which, in addition to creating space for just 18 rushing yards, allowed Nebrich to be sacked six times.

The Rams will host Rhode Island next weekend for homecoming. Kickoff is slated for 1p.m.

Max Prinz is Sports Editor at The Fordham Ram.