DraftNasty’s 2009 FCS National Championship game in-game report: Villanova vs Montana, 12-18-09
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Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante has led the team to two CAA titles in the last five seasons (2021, 2023). Ferrante was an assistant head coach and offensive line coach on Villanova's first-ever national championship team in 2009.
The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Montana Grizzlies 23-21 to win its first-ever FCS national championship. The game was played at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Villanova made it to the contest on the strength of a one-point victory over William & Mary in the FCS semifinals. They were led by All-American all-purpose threat Matt Szczur. Szczur’s three-yard touchdown run came on the strength of a 10-play, 95-yard drive that put the Wildcats up 23-14.
It was a lead that they would not relinquish.
Montana cut the lead to 23-21 on a fourth quarter 53-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Andrew Selle to Jabin Sambrano. It was Sambrano’s second touchdown of the night. Selle completed 27-of-35 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns in a losing effort.
The game was largely a contrast of styles.
Villanova’s outstanding rushing attack (51 rushes for 351 yards) versus the Grizzlies all-out air assault (365 passing yards).
We sat down with some of the game’s stars during the Wildcats postgame celebration.
One of those players was wide receiver Brandyn Harvey. Harvey’s game-defining block established a physical tone that Villanova employed versus Montana for most of the night.
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