VILLANOVA, Pa. – Brian Westbrook holds the distinction as the only player in college football history to accumulate 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season (in 1998).

Saturday afternoon, Westbrook rushed for 202 yards and three touchdowns and caught three passes for 26 yards to help 16th-ranked Villanova post a 47-21 Atlantic 10 football victory over Maine at Villanova Stadium.

The Black Bears’ young defense, which has been beset by key injuries, simply couldn’t contain Westbrook and the Wildcats, who amassed 297 yards while building a 20-point halftime advantage.

Villanova (3-1 overall, 1-0 in the A-10) kept UMaine’s defense guessing with a nifty run-pass mix. The Bears (2-2, 0-1), who went into the game minus starting cornerback Dave Cusano (concussion) and end Mickey Donovan (broken hand), were further hamstrung after starting free safety Randy Smith left the game before halftime with a pinched nerve. He already had made nine tackles.

Wildcats quarterback Brett Gordon efficiently completed 20 of 27 passes for 248 yards and three scores, thanks in great part to the efforts with Westbrook having drawn attention to himself with his running prowess.

UMaine (2-2 overall, 0-1 in the A-10) mounted another solid offensive performance directed by QB Jake Eaton, but the Bears were unable to establish their run game early and thus had difficulty getting on track.

The Bears had an opportunity to stem VU’s momentum late in the second quarter. UMaine appeared to have held the hosts on downs at the VU-17, but a roughing-the-passer penalty against Ufuoma Pela gave the Wildcats a new life.

Villanova quickly marched 68 yards in four plays, highlighted by a 31-yard pass pass from Gordon to fullback Duc Augustin. Three plays later, Westbrook ran around left end and sped through the UMaine defense, helping VU extend its lead to 27-7.

The Bears came out clicking to open the second half and used their short passing game to move down the field. However, a 10-yard completion from Eaton to Dwayne Wilmot went for naught when Wilmot fumbled.

Villanova took over at its own 22-yard line and, behind a 53-yard first-down scamper by Westbrook, scored again to push its lead to 27.

Eaton completed 24 of 37 throws for 220 yards and two TDs, but also was intercepted twice, one of which was returned 68 yards for a score. Eaton had a two-yard run in the second quarter.

Phil McGeoghan made eight catches for 85 yards. Royston English rushed for 83 yards on 10 carries as the Bears netted 429 total yards.

UMaine also played the second half without co-captain and starting center Paul Paradis of Eliot, who apparently strained his knee in the first half.

Inside linebacker Stephen Cooper spearheaded UMaine’s defensive effort with 10 tackles, including three for a loss. Smith had nine, while Rob Kierstead of South Portland contributed seven and Jason Betts six.

Villanova jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Murle Sango’s 58-yard punt return set up a two-yard scoring run by Westbrook.

On their next possession, the Wildcats put together a six-play, 73-yard touchdown drive. This time Gordon, with a UMaine defender grabbing his jersey, fired a 16-yard TD pass to Brian White.

The Bears blocked the PAT kick by Casey Hannon, who had converted 53 straight.

UMaine got on the scoreboard 45 seconds into the second quarter after moving 69 yards on 11 plays. Eaton had a 20-yard run on the drive and scored on a 2-yard run to make it 13-7.

Colby 27, Williams 24

At Williamstown, Mass., Pat Conley threw for three touchdowns and 325 yards as Colby defeated Williams 27-24 in the New England Small College Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

It was Colby’s first victory over perennial NESCAC power Williams since 1959.

Colby spotted Williams a 10-0 first quarter lead, then notched 13 second-quarter points for a 13-10 halftime advantage. They never trailed again and held off a fourth-quarter Williams comeback for the win.

Colby took the lead on the last play of the first half, as Keith Jonassen of Albion hit a 44-yard field goal with no time left on the clock.

Colby extended that lead with 7:47 remaining in the third, on a 65-yard touchdown pass from Conley to Andrew Tripp.

Conley’s third touchdown pass of the day, a 14-yard toss to Danny Noyes, gave Colby a 27-14 lead and proved the game-winner.

UMass-Dartmouth 65, MMA 6

At North Dartmouth, Mass., quarterback Matt McLaughlin completed three first-quarter touchdown passes, sparking the Corsairs to victory over the Mariners of Castine.

McLaughlin finished the day 11-for-18 good for 177 yards and three TDs. UMass-Dartmouth, now 2-0 in the New England Football Conference, also received 131 yards rushing and four touchdowns from Frank Meranda, who scored three TDs 3 1/2 minutes apart in the second quarter.

Middlebury 28, Bowdoin 14

At Middlebury, Vt., Bryan Sanchez ran for 174 yards with three touchdowns to lead Middlebury to a 28-14 victory over Bowdoin on Saturday.

Bowdoin got on board with 1:11 left as Travis Cummings scored from 1 yard out. Following an onside kick, Justin Hardison found Jason Rawlins for a 52-yard touchdown pass with 55 second left.

Trinity 46, Bates 34

At Hartford, Conn., sophomore tailback Brian Fabrizio scored four touchdowns and gained 302 yards in total offense to lead Trinity to a 46-34 win over Bates on Saturday.

Trinity (1-0, 1-0), playing its first game under new Head Coach Chuck Priore, extended its winning streak against the Bobcats to 13 games since 1979.

Trinity junior quarterback Greg Ward came close to breaking the college’s single game record of 400 passing yards. Ward completed 19 of 28 passes for 381 yards and two touchdowns. Ward also ran for a score.

Fabrizio caught seven passes for 194 yards and rushed 26 times for 108 yards.

Wildcats 47, Black Bears 21

Maine (2-2) 0 7 7 7 – 21

Villanova (3-1) 13 14 14 6 – 47

V – Westbrook 2 run (Hannon kick)

V – White 16 pass from Gordon (kick blocked)

M – Eaton 2 run (Jagoutz kick)

V – Sango 20 pass from Gordon (pass failed)

V – Westbrook 37 run (Augustin rush)

V – Westbrook 2 run (Hannon kick)

M – Christopher 6 pass from Eaton (Jagoutz kick)

V – Augustin 5 pass from Gordon (Hannon kick)

M – Christopher 3 pass from Eaton (Jagoutz kick)

V – Johnson 68 interception return (rush failed)

Maine Villanova

First downs 22 23 Rushing att. – yds 36-209 37-219 Passing cmp. – att. 24-38 20-27 Yards passing 220 248 Total yards 429 467 Intercepted by 0 2 Punts – avg. 4-38.0 4-41.8 Fumbles – lost 2-2 0-0 Penalties – yds 8-69 9-93

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Maine: English 10-83, Silva 10-48, Eaton 12-50, Christopher 1-12, Wilmot 1-11, Sisay 2-5; Villanova: Westbrook 24-202, Augustin 7-23, Sango 2-4, Ridley 3-(-3), Gordon 1-(-7)

PASSING – Maine: Eaton 24-37-2-220, Bond 0-1-0-0; Villanova: Gordon 20-27-0-248

RECEIVING – Maine: McGeoghan 8-85, Christopher 6-23, Wilmot 5-72, Hayes 3-24, Gelsomino 1-8, Sisay 1-8; Villanova: Sango 5-67, Augustin 5-50, Ward 3-64, Westbrook 3-26, White 3-22, Chila 1-19