You've probably been refreshing your feed looking for that final Villanova university football score, and honestly, the result from the FCS semifinal is still a bit of a gut punch for the Nova Nation. It was a cold December night at Villanova Stadium—one of those games where you could feel the history on the line. After an eleven-game winning streak that made them look nearly invincible, the Wildcats finally hit a wall.
They fell to Illinois State 30-14.
Basically, it was a season of what-ifs that ended just one step shy of the national championship. But if you just look at that final score, you're missing the weird, wild, and record-breaking journey it took to get there. Mark Ferrante’s squad didn't just play football this year; they rewrote a decent chunk of the program's history books before that final whistle blew.
Breaking Down the 2025 Villanova University Football Score
The season was a rollercoaster from the jump. Most people remember the lopsided 52-6 loss to Penn State back in September, but the real story was how they bounced back. After a rocky 1-2 start, Villanova turned into a buzzsaw. They tore through the CAA, finishing 12-3 overall.
When you look at the Villanova university football score across their late-season run, the dominance was clear. They put up 56 on Hampton and 52 on Harvard in the first round of the playoffs. It felt like they couldn't miss.
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Then came the quarterfinals against Tarleton State.
That game was a classic. Villanova was down 14-0 early and things looked bleak. Pat McQuaide threw an interception he later called "pretty awful," but the team didn't panic. They clawed back for a 26-21 upset that felt like destiny. It was their 12th consecutive win and their first trip to the semifinals since 2010.
Key Stats from the 2025 Campaign
- Overall Record: 12-3
- CAA Record: 7-1 (Second in the conference)
- Home Record: 7-1 (The Illinois State loss snapped a 23-game home win streak)
- Points Per Game: 29.5
- Points Allowed: 20.9
Why the Semifinal Went South
So, what happened against Illinois State? Honestly, the Redbirds just looked more physical. They jumped out to a 21-6 lead by halftime, and Villanova’s offense, which had been so fluid, suddenly looked stuck in the mud.
The Wildcats went 1-for-10 on third downs. You can't win big games like that.
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Ja'briel Mace, the star running back who had been a human highlight reel all year, was held to 59 rushing yards. This is the same guy who broke Brian Westbrook’s single-game rushing record earlier in the year with 291 yards against Towson. When Illinois State bottled him up, the air sort of went out of the stadium.
Antonio Johnson managed to snag a one-handed touchdown in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late. Jack Barnum did what he does, kicking two field goals to pad his single-season school record (17-of-26 on the year), but the scoreboard just wouldn't budge in Villanova’s favor.
Standout Players and a Changing Future
We have to talk about Shane Hartzell. The graduate linebacker was the soul of the defense, finishing the year with 95 tackles and 8.5 sacks. He’s a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, and if you watched him play, you know why. He was everywhere.
On the offensive side, Luke Colella was the primary engine. He finished with 77 catches and over 1,000 receiving yards—the seventh-highest mark in school history. Watching him and McQuaide connect this season was basically the only reason some of those close games didn't turn into losses.
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The Big Move to the Patriot League
Here is the part that most casual fans might have missed. This was Villanova's final year in CAA Football. Starting in 2026, they are moving to the Patriot League as a football-only member.
It’s a massive shift.
The CAA has been their home for a long time, and leaving on a 12-win season is a hell of a way to say goodbye. The "Tap the Rock" mantra that Ferrante preaches is going to be tested in a new environment with different rivalries and travel schedules.
Actionable Insights for Nova Fans
If you're following the team into the 2026 season, here is what you need to keep an eye on to stay ahead of the curve:
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: With the move to the Patriot League, coaching staff and player retention will be huge. Look for news on who replaces the departing "super-seniors" like Hartzell and Colella.
- Check the 2026 Schedule: The new conference means new venues. Start looking at travel for games against Lehigh or Holy Cross, which will now have high stakes for the postseason.
- Watch the Award Ceremonies: Keep tabs on the Buck Buchanan and Walter Camp All-America lists. Seeing where Hartzell and Mace land will solidify this team's legacy in the FCS history books.
- Recruiting Focus: Keep an eye on local Philly recruits. Villanova has always thrived on local talent like Braden Reed (Pottstown, PA), and maintaining that pipeline is critical for the conference transition.
The 30-14 final Villanova university football score against Illinois State marks the end of an era in more ways than one. It was a magical run, a heartbreaking finish, and the closing of the CAA chapter for a program that has consistently punched above its weight.