[ by Rick Pettine ]
December 6, 2025 – Bethlehem, PA — In a mutually defensive game, the Villanova Wildcats eventually pushed past the previously unbeaten Lehigh Mountain Hawks, 14-7, to advance to the FCS championship playoff quarterfinals against Tarleton State in Texas.
Following a scoreless first half by both teams, Lehigh drove the field in a hurry, scoring on an Aaron Crossley (5) 5-yard TD run.
Then later in the 3rd quarter, Nova recovered a Lehigh fumble and 6-plays later scored on a Ja’briel Mace (4) 1-yard run, tying the game at 7.
Villanova’s defense was relentless all day, giving their offense plenty of chances to advance the ball. And with 3 minutes left in the game, Nova’s Pat McQuaide threw a 28-yard scoring pass to Braden Reed (83) to take the lead.
Lehigh had a chance to score on their final drive, but the Wildcat’s Obinna Nwobodo forced Hayden Johnson (1) to fumble, and Villanova’s star linebacker Shane Hartzell recovered the ball to seal the game.
Click on a thumbnail before to see more game action:
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