Texas Takedown: Villanova Rallies to Stun Tarleton State in FCS Quarterfinal Thriller

STEPHENVILLE, TX — The #12 Villanova Wildcats (12-2) continued their improbable run through the FCS playoffs, staging a massive upset on the road Saturday afternoon by defeating the #4 Tarleton State Texans (12-2) 26-21 in a fiercely contested quarterfinal showdown at Tarleton Memorial Stadium.

Villanova’s victory not only sends them to the national semifinals but also ends a historic season for the Texans, who were heavy favorites and entered the game boasting one of the most explosive offenses in the FCS.

The Battle of Styles

The game was billed as a classic battle between the high-powered offense of Tarleton State and the disciplined, turnover-forcing defense of Villanova, and for much of the game, the Wildcats’ defense set the tone.

Texans’ Stalled Offense: Tarleton State, which entered the game leading the FCS in scoring ($44.1$ points per game), was held to a season-low point total, struggling to solve the complex schemes of the Villanova defense.

Defense Delivers: Villanova’s defense forced critical turnovers and key stops late in the game, preventing the Texans’ “slow-mesh RPO” attack from establishing its usual rhythm. The Wildcats had entered the game with one of the best turnover margins in the nation, and that trend continued when it mattered most.

Villanova’s Grinding Offense

Villanova relied on its run-heavy identity and efficient play from graduate quarterback Pat McQuaide to sustain drives and control the clock.

Running Game Pays Off: Despite being without standout running back David Avit, the combination of Ja’briel Mace and Isaiah Ragland was effective enough to wear down the Tarleton State defense, converting crucial third downs and keeping the Texans’ explosive offense off the field.

McQuaide’s Efficiency: McQuaide managed the game superbly, avoiding turnovers and hitting key passes when necessary to extend drives.

Advancing to the Semifinals

The 26-21 final score confirms a huge win for the Wildcats, who entered the game as significant underdogs. The win secured Villanova’s spot in the FCS National Semifinals, marking one of the program’s most impressive playoff runs in recent history. They now await the winner of the remaining quarterfinal matchups.

The loss is a heartbreaking end for the Texans, who had matched the most wins in a single season in program history and were making their first-ever run to the FCS Quarterfinals.