2024 Villanova Wildcats football team

2024 Villanova Wildcats football
NCAA Division I Second Round, L 6–13 at Incarnate Word
Conference	CAA Football Conference
Ranking
STATS	No. 12
FCS Coaches	No. 11
Record	10–4 (6–2 CAA)
Head coach	Mark Ferrante (8th season)
Offensive coordinator	Chris Boden (6th season)
Defensive coordinator	Ross Pennypacker (3rd season)
Home stadium	Villanova Stadium

2024 Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 9 Richmond +^		8	–	0					10	–	3
No. 10 Rhode Island* +^		7	–	1					11	–	3
No. 12 Villanova ^		6	–	2					10	–	4
Delaware*		6	–	2					9	–	2
No. 19 New Hampshire ^		6	–	2					8	–	5
No. 24 Stony Brook		5	–	3					8	–	4
Towson		5	–	3					7	–	5
Elon		5	–	3					6	–	6
William & Mary		4	–	4					7	–	5
Monmouth		4	–	4					6	–	6
Maine		3	–	5					5	–	7
Albany		2	–	6					4	–	8
Hampton		2	–	6					5	–	7
Campbell		1	–	7					3	–	9
Bryant		0	–	8					2	–	10
North Carolina A&T		0	–	8					1	–	11
* Delaware ineligible for rankings and 2024 FCS playoffs due to transition to the FBS. Richmond and Rhode Island named co-champions as Rhode Island's only CAA loss was to Delaware.
+ – Conference co-champions ^ – FCS playoff participant As of December 19, 2024 Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2024 Villanova Wildcats football team represented Villanova University as a member of the Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference (CAA) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Wildcats were led by eight-year head coach Mark Ferrante and played home games at Villanova Stadium located in Villanova, Pennsylvania.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 29	6:00 p.m.	No. 25 Youngstown State*	No. 6	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA	FloSports	W 24–17	5,421
September 7	6:00 p.m.	at Colgate*	No. 5	Andy Kerr Stadium Hamilton, NY	ESPN+	W 28–3	2,619
September 14	3:30 p.m.	Towson	No. 5	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA	FloSports	W 14–13	4,219
September 21	12:00 p.m.	at Maryland*	No. 5	SECU Stadium College Park, MD	BTN	L 20–38	38,006
September 28	6:00 p.m.	LIU*	No. 6	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA	FloSports	W 24–10	6,111
October 5	3:30 p.m.	at Stony Brook	No. 6	Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium Stony Brook, NY	FloSports	W 42–24	6,142
October 19	1:00 p.m.	at Maine	No. 5	Alfond Stadium Orono, ME	FloSports	L 7–35	6,860
October 26	3:30 p.m.	New Hampshire	No. 13	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA	FloSports	W 14–6	5,015
November 2	1:00 p.m.	at Hampton	No. 13	Armstrong Stadium Hampton, VA	FloSports	W 20–14	1,454
November 9	1:00 p.m.	North Carolina A&T	No. 12	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA	FloSports	W 31–3	4,009
November 16	12:00 p.m.	at Monmouth	No. 9	Kessler Field West Long Branch, NJ	FloSports	L 33–40	2,856
November 23	1:00 p.m.	Delaware	No. 15	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA (Battle of the Blue)	FloSports	W 38–28	7,105
November 30	2:00 p.m.	No. 22 Eastern Kentucky*	No. 12	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA (NCAA Division I First Round)	ESPN+	W 22–17	1,722
December 7	2:00 p.m.	at No. 6 Incarnate Word*	No. 12	Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium San Antonio, TX (NCAA Division I Second Round)	ESPN+	L 6–13	1,926
*Non-conference game Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

[1][2]

Game summaries

vs. No. 25 Youngstown State

See also: 2024 Youngstown State Penguins football team

Game One – No. 25 Youngstown State Penguins (0-0) at No. 6 Villanova Wildcats (0-0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 25 Penguins	0	3	7	7	17
No. 6 Wildcats	10	7	7	0	24

at Villanova Stadium, Villanova, PA

• Date: Thursday August 29, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 PM
• TV announcers (FloSports): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	YSU	VILL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Youngstown State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Villanova	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Colgate

See also: 2024 Colgate Raiders football team

Game Two – No. 5 Villanova Wildcats (1–0) at Colgate Raiders (0–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 5 Wildcats	7	0	7	14	28
Raiders	0	3	0	0	3

at Andy Kerr Stadium • Hamilton, NY

• Date: September 7, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 p.m.
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	VILL	COLG
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Villanova	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Colgate	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Towson

See also: 2024 Towson Tigers football team

Game Three – Towson Tigers (1–1) at No. 5 Villanova Wildcats (2–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Tigers	7	0	3	3	13
No. 5 Wildcats	0	7	7	0	14

at Villanova Stadium, Villanova, PA

• Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
• Game time: 3:30 p.m.
• TV announcers (FloSports): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	TOW	VILL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Towson	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Villanova	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Maryland (FBS)

See also: 2024 Maryland Terrapins football team

Game Four – No. 5 Villanova Wildcats (3–0) at Maryland Terrapins (FBS) (2–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 5 Wildcats	0	0	10	10	20
Terrapins (FBS)	17	7	7	7	38

at SECU Stadium • College Park, MD

• Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
• Game time: 12:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 77 °F (25 °C) • Wind: S 6 mph
• Game attendance: 38,006
• Referee: Greg Sujack
• TV announcers (BTN): Mark Followill (play-by-play) and Anthony Herron (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (9:38) UMD – Kaden Prather 18-yard pass from Billy Edwards Jr., Jack Howes kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:22; Maryland 7–0) (5:52) UMD – Roman Hemby 6-yard run, Jack Howes kick (Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 2:44; Maryland 14–0) (1:29) UMD – Jack Howes 46-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 29 yards, 3:14; Maryland 17–0) Second quarter (2:39) UMD – Nolan Ray 1-yard run, Jack Howes kick (Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 6:49; Maryland 24–0) Third quarter (7:17) VIL – Ethan Gettman 33-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, -8 yards, 1:20; Maryland 24–3) (4:15) VIL – Devin Smith 17-yard pass from Connor Watkins, Ethan Gettman kick (Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 3:00; Maryland 24–10) (0:36) UMD – Tai Felton 9-yard pass from Billy Edwards Jr., Jack Howes kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:39; Maryland 31–10) Fourth quarter (10:33) VIL – Ethan Gettman 37-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 5:03; Maryland 31–13) (9:06) UMD – MJ Morris 14-yard run, Jack Howes kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:27; Maryland 38–13) (1:11) VIL – Tanner Maddocks 8-yard run, Ethan Gettman kick (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:14; Maryland 38–20)

Statistics	VILL	MD
First downs	20	25
Total yards	231	497
Rushing yards	75	159
Passing yards	156	338
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	16–33–0	29–34–1
Time of possession	32:16	27:44

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Villanova	Passing	Connor Watkins	12/29, 106 yards, TD
	Rushing	Ja'briel Mace	2 carries, 24 yards
	Receiving	Devin Smith	5 receptions, 62 yards, TD
Maryland	Passing	Billy Edwards Jr.	28/32, 328 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Roman Hemby	14 carries, 67 yards, TD
	Receiving	Tai Felton	14 receptions, 157 yards, TD

vs. LIU

See also: 2024 LIU Sharks football team

Game Five – LIU Sharks (0–4) at No. 6 Villanova Wildcats (3–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Sharks	0	0	0	10	10
No. 6 Wildcats	10	7	0	7	24

at Villanova Stadium, Villanova, PA

• Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 68 °F (20 °C) • Wind: NE 8 mph
• Game attendance: 6,111
• Referee: Todd Bowman
• TV announcers (FloSports): TBD

Game information

First quarter (7:55) VIL – Ethan Gettman 24-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 84 yards, 6:55; Villanova 3–0) (3:04) VIL – Isaiah Ragland 12-yard run, Ethan Gettman kick (Drive: 3 plays, 19 yards, 1:57; Villanova 10–0) Second quarter (0:34) VIL – Isaiah Ragland 1-yard run, Ethan Gettman kick (Drive: 11 plays, 89 yards, 1:57; Villanova 17–0) Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter (14:55) VIL – David Avit 5-yard run, Ethan Gettman kick (Drive: 2 plays, 19 yards, 0:17; Villanova 24–0) (12:12) LIU – Pat Bowen 25-yard run, Michael Coney kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:43; Villanova 24–7) (6:33) LIU – Michael Coney 42-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 4:04; Villanova 24–10)

Statistics	LIU	VILL
First downs	10	22
Total yards	176	392
Rushing yards	96	264
Passing yards	80	128
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	11–24–0	10–19–0
Time of possession	22:55	37:05

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
LIU	Passing	Luca Stanzani	11/24, 80 yards
	Rushing	Ludovick Choquette	9 carries, 62 yards
	Receiving	Michael Love	3 receptions, 36 yards
Villanova	Passing	Connor Watkins	10/18, 128 yards
	Rushing	David Avit	24 carries, 160 yards, TD
	Receiving	Jaylan Sanchez	2 receptions, 55 yards

at Stony Brook

See also: 2024 Stony Brook Seawolves football team

Game Six – No. 6 Villanova Wildcats (4–1) at Stony Brook Seawolves (4–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 6 Wildcats	7	7	14	14	42
Seawolves	7	10	7	0	24

at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium • Stony Brook, NY

• Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
• Game time: 3:30 PM EST
• Game weather: Sunny
• Game attendance: 6,142
• Referee: Paul Matt Overton
• TV announcers (FloSports): Jonny Wincott (play-by-play), Brandon London (analyst) and Matt Levine (sideline)

Game information

First quarter (9:24) SBU – Roland Dempster 9-yard run, Enda Kirby kick (Drive: 3 plays, 19 yards, 0:53; Stony Brook 7–0) (0:00) VIL – Lucas Kopecky 26-yard pass from Connor Watkins, Ethan Gettman kick (Drive: 6 plays, 92 yards, 3:03; Tied 7–7) Second quarter (10:13) SBU – Roland Dempster 2-yard run, Enda Kirby kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:47; Stony Brook 14–7) (3:03) VIL – David Avit 1-yard run, Ethan Gettman kick (Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:36; Tied 14–14) (0:00) SBU – Enda Kirby 24-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:33; Stony Brook 17–14) Third quarter (10:05) SBU – Roland Dempster 1-yard run, Enda Kirby kick (Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 4:48; Stony Brook 24–14) (7:08) VIL – David Avit 1-yard run, Ethan Gettman kick (Drive: 2 plays, 26 yards, 0:42; Stony Brook 24–21) (3:47) VIL – David Avit 59-yard run, Ethan Gettman kick (Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:22; Villanova 28–24) Fourth quarter (8:40) VIL – David Avit 72-yard run, Ethan Gettman kick (Drive: 1 play, 72 yards, 0:11; Villanova 35–24) (2:26) VIL – Ja'briel Mace 21-yard run, Ethan Gettman kick (Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 5:05; Villanova 42–24)

Statistics	VILL	STBK
First downs	19	18
Total yards	432	310
Rushing yards	280	163
Passing yards	152	147
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	9–19–0	22–32–1
Time of possession	28:02	31:58

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Villanova	Passing	Connor Watkins	9/19, 152 yards, TD
	Rushing	David Avit	13 carries, 183 yards, 4 TD
	Receiving	Jaylan Sanchez	3 receptions, 38 yards
Stony Brook	Passing	Tyler Knoop	22/32, 147 yards, INT
	Rushing	Roland Dempster	24 carries, 115 yards, 3 TD
	Receiving	Cal Redman	3 receptions, 50 yards

at Maine

See also: 2024 Maine Black Bears football team

Game Seven – No. 5 Villanova Wildcats (5–1) at Maine Black Bears (3–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 5 Wildcats	0	0	0	7	7
Black Bears	21	7	7	0	35

at Alfond Sports Stadium • Orono, ME

• Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 PM EST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (FloSports): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	VILL	ME
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Villanova	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Maine	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. New Hampshire

See also: 2024 New Hampshire Wildcats football team

Game Eight – New Hampshire Wildcats (4–3) at No. 13 Villanova Wildcats (5–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
New Hampshire	3	0	0	3	6
No. 13 Villanova	0	7	0	7	14

at Villanova Stadium, Villanova, PA

• Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
• Game time: 3:30 p.m.
• TV announcers (FloSports): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	UNH	VILL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
New Hampshire	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Villanova	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Hampton

See also: 2024 Hampton Pirates football team

Game Nine – No. 13 Villanova Wildcats (6–2) at Hampton Pirates (5–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 13 Wildcats	3	7	10	0	20
Pirates	7	0	7	0	14

at Armstrong Stadium, Hampton, VA

• Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 p.m.
• TV: FloSports

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	VILL	HAMP
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Villanova	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Hampton	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. North Carolina A&T

See also: 2024 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team

Game Ten – North Carolina A&T Aggies (1–8) at No. 12 Villanova Wildcats (7–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Aggies	0	3	0	0	3
No. 12 Wildcats	7	3	14	7	31

at Villanova Stadium, Villanova, PA

• Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 p.m.
• TV announcers (FloSports): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	NCAT	VILL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Carolina A&T	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Villanova	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Monmouth

See also: 2024 Monmouth Hawks football team

Game Eleven – No. 12 Villanova Wildcats (8–2) at Monmouth Hawks (4–6) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 12 Wildcats	7	7	3	16	33
Hawks	6	13	14	7	40

at Kessler Field • West Long Branch, NJ

• Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
• Game time: 12:00 PM EST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (FloSports): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	VILL	MONM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Villanova	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Monmouth	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Delaware (Battle of the Blue)

See also: 2024 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team and Battle of the Blue

Game Twelve – Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (9–1) at No. 15 Villanova Wildcats (8–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Fightin' Blue Hens	0	21	7	0	28
No. 15 Wildcats	14	7	7	10	38

at Villanova Stadium, Villanova, PA

• Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 p.m.
• TV announcers (FloSports): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	DEL	VILL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Delaware	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Villanova	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. No. 22 Eastern Kentucky (NCAA Division I playoff–first round)

See also: 2024 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team and 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football postseason

Game Thirteen – No. 22 Eastern Kentucky (8–4) at No. 12 Villanova Wildcats (9–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 22 Colonels	14	3	0	0	17
No. 12 Wildcats	0	9	7	6	22

at Villanova Stadium, Villanova, PA

• Date: Saturday November 30, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 p.m.
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Mike Corey (play-by-play) and Jordan Reid (analyst)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	EKU	VILL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Kentucky	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Villanova	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at No. 6 Incarnate Word (NCAA Division I playoff–second round)

See also: 2024 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team and 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football postseason

Game Fourteen – No. 12 Villanova Wildcats (10–3) at No. 6 Incarnate Word Cardinals (10–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 12 Wildcats	0	3	3	0	6
No. 6 Cardinals	0	3	0	10	13

at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, San Antonio, TX

• Date: Saturday December 7, 2024
• Game time: 1:02 p.m.
• Game weather: Temperature: 46 • Wind: NE 6 mph • Weather: Rain
• Game attendance: 1,926
• Referee: Kelly Holman
• TV: ESPN+
• Box Score AP Recap Villanova Recap

Game information

First quarter None Second quarter UIW – 8:48 Brack Peacock 23 yard field goal UIW 3-0 Drive: 14 plays, 58 yards, 5:46 VILL – 4:02 Ethan Gettman 49 yard field goal Tied 3-3 Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:08 Third quarter VILL – 2:24 Ethan Gettman 52 yard field goal VILL 6-3 Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 2:02 Fourth quarter UIW – 14:08 Roy Alexander 17 yard pass from Zach Calzada, Brack Peacock kick UIW 10-6 Drive 8 plays, 77 yards, 0:52 UIW – 4:14 Brack Peacock 35 yard field goal UIW 13-6 Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 5:23

Statistics	VILL	UIW
First downs	9	25
Total yards	138	441
Rushing yards	35	259
Passing yards	103	182
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	12–27–1	22–37–0
Time of possession	23:45	36:15

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Villanova	Passing	Connor Watkins	12/27, 103 yards, INT
	Rushing	David Avit	10 carries, 36 yards
	Receiving	Jaylan Sanchez	6 receptions, 54 yards
Incarnate Word	Passing	Zach Calzada	22/37, 182 yards, TD
	Rushing	Lontrell Turner	18 carries, 120 yards
	Receiving	Jalen Walthall	6 receptions, 75 yards

References

1. "2024 Villanova Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
2. "Villanova Wildcats Schedule 2024". ESPN. Retrieved April 11, 2024.