Villanova defeats Montana for FCS title

Matt Szczur caught two touchdown passes, ran for 159 yards and had 68 yards receiving, leading Villanova to its first Football Championship Subdivision title with a 23-21 victory over Montana on Friday night at Chattanooga, Tenn.

No. 2 Villanova (14-1) won the title in its first championship game appearance.

Top-seeded Montana (14-1) was making a record 17th consecutive appearance in the playoffs.

Andrew Selle threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Jabin Sambrano to pull Montana to within 23-21 with 1 minute 7 seconds left, but the onside kick attempt went out of bounds and Villanova made a first down before running out the clock.

Florida end to play

Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap is back with the team, back at practice and could be back in the starting lineup in the Sugar Bowl.

The fifth-ranked Gators reinstated Dunlap less than three weeks after he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.

“He’s going to play,” Coach Urban Meyer said after practice. “I met with the administration, president and also the athletic director. His first mistake. It was a real serious one, but he paid a serious price as well. Real serious mistake, but he’s been a good student, good person, and represented well.”

Etc.

Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, a second-team All-American, will give up his senior season of eligibility and enter the NFL draft. . . .

Jimbo Fischer, Florida State’s new coach, has agreed to a five-year contract worth $1.8 million annually, not including incentives. Fisher, currently FSU’s offensive coordinator, will take over from Bobby Bowden after the Jan. 1 Gator Bowl against West Virginia. . . . New Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly has named his first assistant, announcing that he will keep Irish running backs coach Tony Alford on his staff.