In a Game Decided Late Villanova Moves on Defeating Lehigh 14 – 7
December 6, 2025 –
At this point of the season the team must go 1 – 0 for the week in order to keep the season going. The #12 Villanova Wildcats bought another game with a 14 – 7 thriller over the #5 Lehigh Mountain Hawks in Bethlehem. It took a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Pat McQuaide to freshman receiver Braden Reed with 2:56 remaining in the fourth quarter to provide the winning margin. The Wildcats move on to the quarterfinal round. Just eight teams ae left in the championships.
“That was a heavyweight fight,” said Villanova Coach Mark Ferrante. Both teams throwing punches. Both defenses responded. It was the team that make the fewest mistakes that would come out on top.”
Defenses Stood Firm
A game where there was an expectation of an offensive shootout, it was the defenses that dictated the pace of the game. And the Villanova defense would decide the outcome.
After the Wildcats took the lead the previously undefeated Mountain Hawks drove the ball to the Nova 14-yard line. With 1:55 to play Lehigh quarterback Hayden Johnson ran up the middle. He was stripped of the ball by Villanova linebacker Shane Hartzell who also fell on the ball give possession back the the Wildcats with 1:49 showing on the clock. The Cats ran out the clock.
Lehigh had not lost the ball via a fumble coming into the game. They lost the ball on fumbles twice in the second half.
Villanova was held to 235 yards of total offense with just 27 coming on the ground. Lehigh did a bit better gaining 339 yards of total offense, 178 on the ground.
Not Many Points Garnered
All three touchdowns came in the second half. Lehigh took the lead in their first possession of the second half. Aaron Crossley scored on a 5-yard touchdown run capping a 5-play, 75-yard drive taking 2:25. Villanova would answer at the 2:29 mark of the third quarter when Ja’briel Mace plunged across the goal line from one-yard out.
Both teams had a chance to take control but Connor Poole of Lehigh and Jack Barnum from Villanova missed field goal from 26 and 35 yards.
What the Numbers Say
Wildcats wide receiver Luke Colella caught 8 passes for 71 yards, Reed hauled in 3 from 70 yards and the touchdown.
#4 Tarleton State in Texas for a spot in the semifinals.
“Survive and advance, and our guys found a way to do that,” Ferrante said.
Villanova advances to the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs for the third time in the last five years. The Wildcats are on a 10-game winning streak, the longest since the 1997 team started the season at 12 – 0. The Wildcats have a 12-game winning streak over the Mountain Hawks. Next season they will be Patriot League rivals.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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