Villanova Preview: ‘Cats Overwhelming Favorites in Home Opener

Villanova Football will open their season at home against Colgate on Saturday, Sept. 6, with the opening kickoff set for 6 p.m. Already ranked within the top 15 (No. 13 Stats Perform/No. 12 AFCA), the Wildcats will try to make the NCAA Tournament for the third year running and improve on a season that saw them make the second round. 

That journey will begin against Colgate, who went 2-10 (1-5 Patriot League) last season and fired head coach Stan Dakosty as a result. Dakosty’s replacement, Curt Fitzpatrick, joins the Raiders after compiling an 80-44 record in the SUNY system that included a 2023 national championship at the Division III level. 

Colgate began their season last week and lost a 42-39 shootout against Monmouth, currently slated to finish as one of the top teams in the CAA. Extrapolating season results based on Week 1 is a dangerous game, but don’t expect a pushover game against the Raiders this season.

In an added layer of intrigue, Villanova Football will move from the CAA to the Patriot League at the end of this season, making their game against Colgate a future rivalry matchup. FanDuel Sportsbook gives the Wildcats overwhelming -1400 odds of picking up the home win, with the point spread set at -19.5 and an over/under of 51.5. FloSports holds broadcasting rights to the matchup.

Scouting the Raiders

Colgate led 31-7 midway through the third quarter of their loss to Monmouth. Starting quarterback Zach Osborne went down with an ankle injury during the Raiders’ opening drive of the second half and, although backup Jake Stearney completed 10 of 23 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown, Monmouth still managed to roar all the way back.

Prior to his injury, Osborne completed 11 of 14 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns, adding 59 rushing yards on ten carries. Senior Marco Maldonado served as the featured back, running for 57 yards and a score on 15 carries. 

As such, Villanova could see two different versions of the Raiders’ offense depending on whether Osborne can recover in time, although Stearney should benefit from a full week of practice with the starters. Colgate’s defense could turn out as a point of weakness, especially if they have to stay on the field constantly like they did in the second half against Monmouth.

New Blood at Quarterback

Villanova will trot out graduate transfer Pat McQuaide at quarterback after the veteran southpaw won their offseason position battle against incumbent backup Tanner Maddocks. McQuaide started at Nicholls State last season, completing 215 of 367 passes for 2,218 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Although McQuaide picked up two rushing touchdowns, his stats on the ground suffered as a result of 32 sacks taken.

With an accomplished offensive line paving the way for running back David Avit, the CAA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year last season, Villanova could turn to their ground game early if McQuaide needs time to settle in.