McQuade Sets Program Record for Most Yards Passing in First Start, Colella Gets First 100-Yard Game
VILLANOVA, PA 9/6/2025 –
The season began for the #13 Villanova Wildcats. A continuation as the team won its ninth straight season opener, and 17th consecutive home win. But something new added to something old. New starting quarterback Pat McQuaide, a transfer from Nicholls State, set a record for most passing yards in his first start. And he found wide receiver Luke Colella who posted his first 100-yard game. Villanova continues first-game winning ways with a hard earned 24 – 17 win over Colgate on the Main Line.
“I’m really proud of the way out ream accepted them into the locker room,” said Villanova Coach Mark Ferrante. “And I’m really pleased how the new guys, like these two, have come into the locker room. They’re not rolling in here saying I’m expecting to play. They come in and they earn it, and obviously, they earned it on the field.”
Great Start for McQuaide
The graduate quarterback threw for 299 yards eclipsing the mark set by Connor Watkins by one-yard. He completed his first seven passes. McQuade completed 18 of 28 passes with no interceptions and a touchdown passing and one running. He gained 14 yards rushing on three carries. It is a new day for him, a successful day, and he extends the credit to his teammates.
“I have phenomenal guys around me,” said McQuaide. “I get the credit, which I shouldn’t, but these yards and touchdowns, they’re a reflection of those guys way more than they are me.”
His 28-yard scoring scamper, on a fourth and one, in the second quarter gave Villanova a 14 – 0 lead. The play saw him fake a handoff to David Avit, then found an opening on the left side resulting in the score.
“Coach and I talked there is a chance there’s a hole there, if they get too aggressive,” McQuaide said. “I think we just caught him (the defender) in a good spot. He took the running back. I pulled it and took off.”
Impactful Start for Colella
The graduate transfer from Princeton got his first triple digit yard game in his career. Colella was targeted eight times and came up with a 51-yard catch and run in the first quarter setting up the first Villanova touchdown. In the game-winning score in the third quarter Colella snared, juggled, the brought the ball in for a 19-yard gain and a first down. This game is the first start together for McQuaide and Colella, but they are developing a feel for one another’s game.
“It’s kind of crazy because I just got done saying last week how it feels like I’ve known him forever, and feel like I’ve known a lot of these guys forever,” Colella said. “Props to Coach for building such a special culture here where guys like myself and Pat can come in immediately and feel like a part of a family that is just ready to go. Guys are hungry and we are chasing after something that we all believe is right in front of us.”
The Winning Drive
Colgate tied the game at 17 on a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Zach Osborne to wide receiver Winston Moore who won a jump ball over two Villanova defenders with 2:25 remaining in the third quarter.
The Wildcats answered right away. After Colella got the first down catch, McQuaide went to wide receiver Lucas Kopecky for a 56-yard scoring toss.
Villanova showed resilience.
“We were able to bring that back and respond. That was a huge play,” Ferrante said. “We got behind them because they were trying to stop the run. It opened the ball down the field. And Pat did a great job putting where it needed to be.”
Neither team scored in the fourth quarter. Blame it on the rain.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@phillycollegesports.com
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