When: Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Villanova Stadium
Records: Rhode Island (0-1, 0-0 CAA), Villanova (1-1, 0-0)
TV/Radio: CSN/ESPN 950-AM (WPEN).
Coaches: Rhode Island, Joe Trainer (fourth season, 9-25); Villanova, Andy Talley (28th season at Villanova; 219-135-2 overall, 191-117-1 at Villanova).
Series: Villanova leads, 14-3, but Rhode Island won the last meeting, 17-14, in 2010 at home.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
Can Rhode Island stop the Villanova ground game? The Wildcats are averaging 5.5 yards per carry and Rhode Island allowed 272 rushing yards last week to Monmouth.
Villanova, which is averaging 115.5 passing yards per game, must show more of a threat throwing the ball.
Villanova, coming off last week's 28-13 win over Fordham, has just three sacks in two games and putting more pressure on QB Bob Bentsen will be important.
THREE THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW
Rhode Island's Trainer is a former assistant coach at Villanova, where he spent eight seasons (1997-2004), first as linebackers coach and later as defensive coordinator.
Rhode Island had just 197 yards of total offense in last week's 41-6 loss at Monmouth.
Villanova safety Ronnie Akins leads the Wildcats with 16 tackles, including 12 solo.
- Marc Narducci
