The Wildcats Winning Streak Continues Defeating the Seawolves 30 – 27
VILLANOVA, PA. 11/15/2025 –
Winning ways continue on the Main Line. In their first overtime game since the 2021 spring season the Villanova Wildcats downed the Seawolves of Stony Brook 30 – 27 to continue the home winning streak to 21 games, the longest in the FCS. This season the consecutive victories streak grows to 7 games. And a thrilling way to end their time in the CAA.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this team and the resilience they showed throughout the whole year, especially today,” said Villanova Coach Mark Ferrante, who coached his 100th game at the school. “We went 1 – 0 this week. so we’ll enjoy the victory.”
Tight end Antonio Johnson pulled in a 17-yard pass from Pat McQuaide on the fifth play of the winning drive.
“That’s a look that we work in in practice, just reading the safety,” Johnson said about the winning play. “That’s a pass we actually work on that after practice too at times. I feel like that’s one of our top completed passes, just having that trust in each other, just knowing that whatever I do, we’re going to be on the same page.”
Overtime
After Stony Brook took the lead on their overtime possession by a 44-yard field goal by Michael Mannino, it was up to Villanova to respond. It did not start well as he the first play resulted in a dropped snap recovered by McQuaide for a loss of 11-yards. Nova would get the critical first down on a 16-yard reception by wide receiver Lucas Kopecky setting the ball 15-yards away. The Johnson catch ended the game. It also illustrated the resilience of this Villanova team.
“I think that’s been the mentality of this team this year,” said McQuaide. “We had some bad things happen to us, and we just keep tapping the rock, We keep going, keep playing. It’s proved that it works.”
Offenses Arose in the Second Half
During the second and third quarter the defenses dominated. The halftime lead was 10 – 7 in favor of Villanova. After three quarters there was one score by Stony Brook, a 2-yard touchdown run by Ryan Dempster. Prior there were four consecutive punts. Nova needed the defense until the offense got going.
“It’s always big when we play complementary football,” said linebacker Turner Inge. We always try to trust each other up or down no matter what. If the offense is down, we’ll hook them up, and if we’re down, they got our backs. We play as a team and always have each other’s backs.”
Fourth quarter time. Then Nova scored on a 10-yard touchdown reception by Luke Colella for a 17 – 14 lead. Stony Brook responded with a 10-play, 5-yard drive taking 6:53 highlighted by a 40-yard completion as quarterback Quinn Boyd found Jayce Freeman setting the ball deep in Villanova territory. The Dempster touchdown gave Stony Brook a 21 – 17 lead at the 9:54 mark.
The next possession saw Villanova turn the ball over on downs. But the Cats safety Christian Sapp forced and recovered a Dempster fumble. Nova would score on a 6-play, 54-yard drive capped by a 21-yard touchdown toss by McQuaide to Colella and a 24 – 21 with 2:49 on the clock. Stony Brook took the ball to the Villanova 5 yard line. Then went for the tying field goal with 42 seconds to play.
Wildcats running back Ja’Briel Mace excited the crowd with a 54-yard kick return. But Villanova turned the ball over on downs.
Braden Reed has a Record Day
The freshman receiver set three personal collegiate records in the game. In the first quarter he caught his first touchdown pass, a 37-yard reception. Later in the half Reed set his longest catch mark, a 44-yarder. His 91 receiving yards in Reed’s new personal best.
What the Numbers Say
McQuaide threw for 280 yards and 4 touchdowns. Johnson set a career-high in receiving yards getting 58. Kopecky caught 3 passes for 60 yards. He has caught a pass in all 22 career games.
For Stony Brook Freeman caught 6 passes for 175 yards. Quinn Boyd completed 21 of 33 for 278 yards.
Up Next
Villanova faces a non-conference opponent Sacred Heart next week. The #10/7 Wildcats complete their final CAA campaign with a 7 – 1 mark, a half-game behind Rhode Island for the top spot in the CAA. URI faces Hampton next week. Then, the Selection Committee will determine Villanova’s fate if they cannot secure the automatic bid. It has been a good run for the Wildcats in the CAA. Change happens and Nova moves on to the Patriot League for football.
“I’m glad we were able to finish the relationship we have with the CAA on a positive note,” Ferrante said.
This is the first overtime victory since a 2019 win at Towson.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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