By: Jack Greven
We’re a month into football season, which means conference play is here. The Tribe’s next seven games will come against CAA opponents, starting with a trip to Pennsylvania to face their first ranked opponent of the season: the #20 Villanova Wildcats.
William & Mary is coming off a comfortable 34–7 win over Charleston Southern, while Villanova fell in a shootout to Monmouth, 51–33. The last time the Tribe faced the Wildcats was in 2022, when W&M rolled to a 45–12 victory, thanks to Darius Wilson’s 211 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air, plus 95 yards and another score on the ground.
Let’s take a closer look at this week’s opponent:
Villanova
Conference: CAA
2024 Record: 10–4
Though best known as a basketball school, Villanova’s football pedigree deserves respect. The Wildcats have made the FCS Playoffs in 10 of the last 17 seasons, including a National Championship in 2009. Their 36 wins over the past four seasons are the most of any team in the CAA.
2024 was another strong year for longtime head coach Mark Ferrante, with the Wildcats winning 10 games before falling in the second round of the postseason to Incarnate Word. But 2025 has started rocky: they eked out a 24–17 win over a Colgate squad coming off a 2–10 year, then dropped their next two while giving up 103 combined points. One of those losses came in a 52–6 drubbing by FBS powerhouse Penn State, while the other saw Monmouth torch them for 637 yards. The Wildcat defense enters this matchup reeling.
Statistically, Villanova sits near the bottom of the CAA in many defensive categories. However, the numbers can be misleading—they’ve played just three games (fewest in the league), including matchups against a CFP contender and the CAA’s best offense. Last season, they allowed the second-fewest points per game (18.6) in the conference and forced a league-best 15 fumbles. This year, they’ve been sharp on third downs, ranking second in the CAA at 43.2% conversion rate.
Offense
The Wildcats’ attack is led by graduate transfer QB Pat McQuaide (Nicholls State). McQuaide isn’t the most accurate passer (career 57.6% completion with 22 interceptions in 26 games), but he can extend plays in the pocket and deliver when protected.
The backfield features two sophomores: David Avit and Isaiah Ragland. Avit, a preseason All-Conference pick, rushed for 937 yards as a freshman and has continued his strong play this season with 237 yards, three touchdowns, and 5.5 yards per carry, plus involvement in the passing game. Ragland has struggled with efficiency, totaling just 61 yards on 29 attempts.
The receiving corps has started hot, producing several long plays. Graduate transfer Luke Colella leads the team with 15 catches for 244 yards, while fellow grad Lucas Kopecky has 131 yards on 8 grabs. Freshman Braden Reed is already flashing big-play potential, averaging 18.7 yards per catch, and senior TE Antonio Johnson (6’4”, 260 lbs) is a tough matchup in the passing game.
Up front, the offensive line has been solid, giving up only six sacks and creating lanes for Avit. Graduate Jake Picard, an All-Conference honoree last year, anchors the group.
For W&M, containing Avit is key. The Tribe rank fourth-worst in the CAA against the run (204 YPG) and must tighten up. Forcing McQuaide into passing situations plays into their strength—the Tribe defense carries an FCS-best 14-game turnover streak into this matchup.
Defense
The Villanova defense has been inconsistent, but it boasts talent. Senior LB Shane Hartzell (preseason All-Conference) leads the way with 24 tackles, while DL Obinna Nwobodo provides interior disruption. Senior CB Christian Sapp leads the team in solo tackles (15), and junior LB Turner Inge paces them in QB hits. Redshirt freshman safety Anthony Hawkins has impressed early with 14 tackles, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
For W&M, keeping Tyler Hughes upright is critical. The sophomore QB is coming off a career-best performance, and Villanova has only managed one sack all season, so Hughes should have time to operate. The Tribe also need to continue improving on third down—last week’s 66.7% conversion rate was a season high—and clean up issues on special teams after another missed field goal against Charleston Southern.
Outlook
This will be a tough road test against a quality Villanova team, but the Tribe have thrived in this spot before—knocking off a #4 Wildcats squad in 2021 on the road. With Hughes settling in, the defense continuing its takeaway streak, and the run game finding stability, William & Mary has the tools to pull off another upset.
LET’S GO TRIBE!
Photos Courtesy of Tribe Athletics
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Tyler hughes will do his job.
Go tribe..
Will win again..
William & Mary let’s go Tribe!!!!