Villanova Falls In Semifinals Of NCAA FCS Playoffs
Rob Washburn
Box Score
VILLANOVA, Pa. (December 20, 2025) – Making its first appearance in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs since 2010, Villanova dropped a 30-14 decision to Illinois State on Saturday night. The setback snapped the Wildcats’ 11-game winning streak and ended a nation’s best 23-game winning streak at Villanova Stadium.
Villanova quarterback Pat McQuaide passed for 199 yards and a touchdown, with Luke Colella making four catches for 58 yards. Ja’briel Mace contributed 59 yards rushing on 11 carries. Linebacker Shane Hartzell led the Wildcats’ defense with seven tackles, 2.0 TFL’s and a sack and Christian Sapp made eight stops.
A 47-yard TD pass gave Illinois State a 7-0 first-quarter lead, but Villanova answered with a long drive that ended with a 23-yard field goal by Jack Barnum on the opening play of the second quarter to cut the deficit to four. The Redbirds tacked on a second touchdown midway through the period, but the Wildcats responded with another good drive capped by a 35-yard Barnum field goal to make it 14-6 with 4:51 left until the half. ISU expanded its advantage to 21-6 at the break on an 8-yard scoring pass that was set up by a 68-yard sideline toss.
The Redbirds pushed their lead to 27-6 with a pair of third-quarter field goals and added another with 5:10 to go in the contest. Villanova reached the end zone with 3:27 remaining on an outstanding 16-yard catch in the back of the end zone by Antonio Johnson. A 2-point conversion grab by Braden Reed trimmed the deficit to 30-14.