On Saturday, Dec. 20, Villanova football fell to unseeded Illinois State, 30-14, in the semifinal of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs at Villanova Stadium.

The loss concludes Villanova’s best playoff run since 2010, ending its 11-game win streak this season and 23-game home win streak. Villanova struggled with third downs on both sides of the ball, converting just one of its 10 third downs. Illinois State had no issue converting 11 of its 20 third downs against Villanova’s defense.

Illinois State totaled 426 yards of total offense, in comparison to Villanova’s 300.

“[I am] proud of this team and the season they were able to put together this year,” head coach Mark Ferrante said. “When you get to the playoff situation, unless you go all the way, it’s bittersweet, because you’re going to end it in an ‘L’. So really proud of how we started to where we ended. These guys, as I said all year, gave maximum effort all the time, showed a lot of resilience, and we just came up short today. So [I] tip my hat to Illinois State.”

The Redbirds became the first FCS team to win four playoff road games in the same season, and stretched their road win streak to nine games, the longest active streak in the FCS.

Villanova’s passing attack struggled for the majority of the game, but especially in the first half. Graduate quarterback Pat McQuaide was held to 68 passing yards and four completions in the first. Up until the end of the game, McQuaide only connected with his primary target, graduate receiver Luke Colella, one time for eight yards. McQuaide totaled 199 passing yards and a touchdown, completing 13 of his 30 pass attempts.

Scoring two touchdowns in the semifinal, senior wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz tallied his 18th of the season, setting the mark for the most touchdowns scored for Illinois State and FCS during the 2025 season.

Both of Sobkowicz’s touchdowns come from passes by senior quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse. 

The Wildcats’ lone touchdown of the game came from senior tight end Antonio Johnson. Their remaining points were solely from field goals, both made by graduate kicker Jack Barnum.

The Redbirds took an early 7-0 lead against the Wildcats with a 53-yard pass from Rittenhouse to senior receiver Daniel Sobkowicz for a quick burst into the end zone. Sobkowicz finished with a team-high seven receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

The Sobkowicz touchdown marked the first time Villanova sophomore defensive back Zhamir Dawud had allowed a touchdown in coverage this season.

Opening up the second quarter, Villanova found its first points on the scoreboard with a 23-yard Barnum field goal.

Illinois State answered with a second touchdown, scored off of Victor Dawson’s 10-yard plow through the Wildcat defense into the end zone.

The Wildcats were forced to punt the ball, but found success with a second Barnum field goal.

For a second time in the game, Rittenhouse found the hands of Sobokowicz on an 8-yard touchdown pass, putting the Redbirds up, 21-6, over the Wildcats.

“Our goal was always to stop the run first and foremost and tackle,” Villanova senior linebacker Shane Hartzell said. “So, I think what really got us down was the third downs. They convert a lot of those third downs. We shot ourselves in the foot multiple times with some penalties. And, you know, that’s just not winning football.”

On Illinois State’s following offensive drive, Dawud intercepted Rittenhouse to keep Illinois State’s lead at 15 points. Illinois State led Villanova, 21-6, at halftime.

While Villanova was able to hold Illinois State to a field goal on the opening second-half drive, Rittenhouse was able to apply tireless pressure on its defense. However, Villanova’s defense was able to hold Illinois State to three consecutive field goals within 35 yards by kicker Michael Cosentino.

While trailing 27-6 in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats attempted to put something together in the game’s final minutes. McQuaide delivered a pass to Johnson in the endzone, which he pulled in with one hand for a 16-yard touchdown. Villanova then converted a two-point conversion.

Illinois State was then able to run out the majority of the remaining time left in the game. The Redbirds finished the game with a total possession time of 39:43 to Villanova’s 20:17.

“I think this group does a great job with adversity,” Hartzell said. “We never were pointing fingers at each other. We know it’s a collective effort. When we go down, we know that we’ve been there before. So, we’re kind of comfortable in that situation. That was the mindset. I’m really just proud of the way this group fought to the very end.”

With tonight’s win, Illinois State will travel to the FCS championship for the second time in program history on Monday, Jan. 5, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, TN.