Anton McKenzie's Field Goal Block Stops Villanova, 17-16 :: R.J. Cobbs rushes for two touchdowns against the Wildcats.

Oct 19, 2002

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - R.J. Cobbs ran for two touchdowns and Anton McKenzie blocked a field goal attempt with 48 seconds left in the game, leading Massachusetts to a 17-16 win over Villanova on Saturday.

Massachusetts (5-2, 3-1 Atlantic 10) took a 17-7 lead late in the third quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Cobbs, and held off a late Villanova rally for the win.

Villanova (6-2, 4-1) closed the lead to 17-16 with 2:42 remaining on a 13-yard scoring pass from Brett Gordon to Brian White. But kicker Adam James missed the extra point that would have tied the game.

James attempted what would have been the winning field goal from 38 yards out, but McKenzie, who led the UMass defense with 14 total tackles, blocked it.

The Minutemen broke a 7-7 halftime tie early in the third quarter on a 24-yard field goal by Doug White.

Cobbs scored his first touchdown on a 2-yard run in the first quarter, following an interception by Mike Ziccardi.

The Wildcats pulled even in the second quarter when Terry Butler scored on a 2-yard run.

James hit a 32-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to narrow the lead to 17-10.

UMass played most of the game without starting quarterback Jeff Krohn, who suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter. Tim Day played the entire second half.