BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Daniel Smith threw for three touchdowns and Justin Covington ran for 156 yards and a pair of scores and Villanova beat Lehigh 47-3 on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.
Former Lehigh receiver Dez Boykin caught three passes — two for touchdowns — and collected 90 yards receiving in his return.
After a pair of first quarter field goals, the Wildcats established control of the line of scrimmage when Covington ran it in from 13 yards out to end a seven-play, 61-yard drive early in the second quarter. Covington followed that effort with a 51-yard scoring run to cap a six-play, 89-yard drive with 3:57 left before halftime. He finished with 18 carries and averaged 8.7 yards per tote.
Smith threw touchdown passes of 15 and 61 yards to Boykin in a 24-point third quarter. The Wildcats outgained Lehigh 506-139 in total yards.
Cross Wilkinson threw for 134 yards for the Mountain Hawks and was intercepted three times.
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