Braden Reed Leads Villanova Football to FCS Semifinals

Villanova Football advanced to the semifinal round of the FCS playoffs on Saturday, Dec. 13, overcoming a 14-0 first quarter deficit to upset No. 4 Tarleton State 26-21 in Stephenville, Texas. Freshman receiver Braden Reed accounted for two touchdowns, throwing one on a trick play before hauling in the eventual game-winner, giving Villanova their first lead of the game early in the fourth quarter. Reed also sealed the win with a third down conversion.

Winners of 11 games in a row, the No. 12 Wildcats will advance to face the winner of this evening’s game between UC Davis and Illinois State; they’ll host if the latter advances.

Villanova drove to the Texans 7-yard line on their opening possession, but they failed to take the lead after Pat McQuaide threw an interception in the end zone.

Tarleton State needed just one play to establish a 7-0 lead, with quarterback Victor Gabalis heaving downfield to Peyton Kramer, who outran the Villanova secondary for an 80-yard touchdown. The Texans’ blocked Luke Larsen’s punt attempt after the ensuing three-and-out, setting up a short field that allowed heavy package quarterback Daniel Greek to find the end zone from one yard out following a fourth down completion.

Beginning with a 16-play, nine minute and 34 second field goal drive that chewed up nearly half the first quarter, the Wildcats scored 12 unanswered points in the second, remaining within one score and preventing a spiral.

Villanova Seizes Momentum

Defensive back Anthony Hawkins, who wasn’t able to bring down Kramer on the opening touchdown, earned redemption on the following play, intercepting a deep shot from Gabalis and giving Villanova the ball in plus territory, allowing them to continue wearing away at the Texans’ defense.

The Wildcats found the end zone on a trick play, with receiver Braden Reed taking a handoff from McQuaide before lofting a 27-yard pass just over the head of the defensive back trailing Lucas Kopecky. A blocked extra point kept the score at 14-9, but Villanova tacked on a field goal after the two minute timeout.

Tarleton managed a quick touchdown drive out of the half, but the Wildcats answered back with a dominant drive from Ja’briel Mace, who racked up 68 yards on two carries, the second a 47-yard touchdown sprint.

Villanova continued to devour clock as the half went on, burning off 7:08 on a 12 play drive that ended in an 11-yard third down touchdown pass from McQuaide to Reed that put them in front 26-21 with 12:49 to play.

Ball Don’t Lie

Next, a holding call erased a 75-yard Texans’ touchdown. Although Tarleton got the penalty yardage back on a defensive holding flag and a questionable roughing the passer call, an Omari Bursey sack made the drive stall at midfield.

Villanova failed to add to their lead as McQuaide threw three straight incompletions in Texans’ territory, and Tarleton got 35 yards from penalties on the way to an apparent 11-yard fourth down touchdown pass, ruled incomplete and out-of-bounds upon review.