Villanova Wins Turnover Battle, Advances to FCS Quarterfinals on Late TD

Villanova Football advanced to the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs on Saturday, Dec. 6, defeating No. 5 seed Lehigh 14-7 on the road behind a late touchdown connection between Pat McQuaide and Braden Reed. The win marks Villanova’s 11th in a row. They last made the quarterfinals in 2023, when they lost to South Dakota State.

The No. 12 seeded Wildcats forced two second half fumbles and stopped the Mountain Hawks on both of their fourth down attempts, including a goal line stand on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line on Lehigh’s opening drive, safety Anthony Hawkins coming up to stop the run. 

The Mountain Hawks broke the ice first, however, needing just five plays to go ahead 7-0 on their first drive of the second half. The possession began with a 36-yard deep shot and ended on a 5-yard touchdown run from Aaron Crossley.

The Comeback Begins

Villanova linebacker Richie Kimmel forced a fumble with 5:43 to play in the third, setting up the Wildcats’ first scoring drive. McQuaide found Reed for a 23-yard pass that put Villanova at the 3-yard line, and running back Ja’briel covered those final yards on two carries.

Lehigh moved freely between the 20-yard lines once again on the ensuing drive, but Villanova dodged a bullet when kicker Connor Poole missed a 26-yard chip shot. The Wildcats returned the favor with a 35-yard miss midway through the fourth quarter, a drive that began when linebacker Omari Bursey came up with a fourth-and-1 stuff on a carry up the middle. A Shane Hartzell sack forced a Mountain Hawks three-and-out, giving Villanova the ball back at midfield. McQuaide needed three passes to put the Wildcats in front on a 28-yard laser to Reed.

Lehigh drove to the Villanova 14-yard line just after the two minute warning, but Obinna Nwobodo punched the ball out and Hartzell fell on it. McQuaide converted a third-and-8 to Antonio Johnson to seal the win. 

The Wildcats will almost certainly travel to face No. 4 Tarleton State next weekend.