The snapshot of Villanova's performance came on the first play from scrimmage.
The first snap of quarterback Chris Polony's college career went through his fingertips, and the play was lost as Polony fell on the ball for a 6-yard loss.
Points, first downs, even yards were hard to come by as the Wildcats fell to 0-3 in a 20-7 loss to Monmouth in their home opener Saturday.
Villanova entered the game having won 23 of its previous 25 games at Villanova Stadium.
"We were very positive in the locker room after the game," said Villanova coach Andy Talley, who falls to 0-3 for the third time in his 27 years at Villanova. "What you worry about now is guys' morale falling off, deciding the season is over. We want everyone to keep working hard because we have so many young players that there will be growth."
Polony was starting for the injured Dustin Thomas, out four to six weeks with a third-degree separation of his nonthrowing shoulder. Thomas is just one missing piece of a depleted offense that is also without its two leading receivers. Polony lasted until midway through the second quarter before being replaced by redshirt senior Christian Culicerto.
Polony finished 2 of 8 passing for just 12 yards.
Culicerto was efficient in running the offense - at times even showing some big-play ability.
Culicerto "did a good job for us today," Talley said. "I thought the game was just a little too fast for Polony."
With Villanova down by 10-7 with less than two minutes to play in the third quarter, La Salle College High School product Jamal Abdur-Rahman returned a kickoff 46 yards to the Monmouth 48. Culicerto then led the Wildcats to the 1. But with three chances to punch the ball in, Villanova couldn't convert and turned the ball over on downs. Monmouth (1-1) converted a field goal on its ensuing possession.
"Football is about scoring points," said Culicerto, who finished 11 of 24 passing for 183 yards, along with 12 rushes for 55 yards. "But we have to be positive, it can't be all negative. . . . But scoring seven points as an offense is not good enough."
With the offense clicking late in the second quarter, Culicerto connected with Dorian Wells for a 49-yard reception. But Wells had a sure touchdown taken away when a defender punched the ball through his hands just before the goal line. Wells chased the ball and dove on it but couldn't regain possession before it rolled through the back of the end zone, resulting in a touchback for Monmouth.
"That was critical," Talley said. "When we don't get that score, it deflates you a little bit."
