This Saturday, Sept. 6, Villanova football will begin its 2025 campaign at home against Colgate.
Villanova, standing No. 13 in national rankings, will be looking to continue a seven-game win streak against Colgate in the eighth meeting between the teams on Saturday.
Colgate, led by new head coach Curt Fitzpatrick, is coming off a 42-39 opening loss to No. 22 Monmouth at home on Aug. 29.
After only winning two games last year, Colgate made necessary changes in the offseason, including hiring Fitzpatrick, the 2023 National Division-III Coach of the Year. Formerly at Cortland, he led the team to a national title in 2023 and had a record of 45-5 during his four seasons at the helm. Colgate is looking for Fitzpatrick’s coaching prowess at Cortland to translate to the Division-I level.
In the season opener, the Raiders used a dual quarterback system with senior Zach Osborne, who started, and junior Jake Stearney, splitting time on the field. While completing 11 of 14 passes for two touchdowns, Osborne also led the Raiders in rushing yards, with 59.
Colgate finished last season with a record of 2-10, going 1-5 in the Patriot League. The Raiders currently sit at No. 7 in the Patriot League preseason poll, only ahead of Fordham. Two Raiders, senior wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders and junior kicker Luke Vogeler, were selected to the 2025 Preseason All-Patriot League Football Team.
Saturday will be Villanova’s first matchup of 2025. Head coach Mark Ferretante will be looking to continue Villanova’s success as he begins his ninth season at the helm, and his 38th year with Villanova football.
Last season, the Wildcats finished with an overall record of 10-4 and went 6-2 in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). They were undefeated (7-0) at home and will be looking to continue their 16-game win streak at Villanova Stadium, which has been ongoing since September 2022.
Villanova currently sits at third place in the CAA preseason rankings, behind Rhode Island and Monmouth. Fifth-year offensive lineman Jake Picard and senior linebacker Shane Hartzell earned preseason all-conference honors along with sophomore running back David Avit and fifth-year defensive lineman Obinna Nwobodo.
Hartzell was also named to the Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List among 30 defensive players nationwide. Avit will also be key against Colgate, earning a spot on the 2025 Walter Payton Award Watch List for FCS Offensive Player of the Year.
Following the graduation of former starting quarterback Connor Watkins, a new signal caller will take the field for the Wildcats against Colgate. Either fifth-year Pat McQuaide or junior Tanner Maddocks will fill the role on Saturday.
The Wildcats are coming off a 10-win season in 2024, which included a 6-2 regular season conference record and a second-round appearance in the FCS playoffs. It was the fourth playoff appearance in the last six seasons for Villanova, which is one of just six FCS teams to have won 10 or more games in at least three of the last four seasons.
In 2026, Villanova will join Colgate as the tenth member of the Patriot League, alongside new additions of Richmond and William & Mary. Saturday’s game will be Villanova and Colgate’s final non-conference matchup.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Villanova Stadium.
