Nittany Lions Welcome Wildcats for Non-Conference Finale (Game Preview)

Villanova (1-0, 0-0 Coastal Athletic [No. 11 in FCS]) at No. 2 Penn State (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

Date: Saturday, September 13

Time (EST): 3:30 PM

Location: West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium (University Park, PA)

• Average Home Attendance (2025): 105,366.50

• Highest Home Attendance (2025): 106,915 (August 30, vs. Nevada)

• Capacity: 106,572

Game Theme: All-U Day

Coverage

• TV: FS1 (Connor Onion & Mark Helfrich)

• Radio (Broadcasters)

  • Neutral: CommRadio (Hayden Lewis & Jack Rachinsky)

  • Student-Run: The Lion 90.7 FM (Ryan Lowy & Michael Siroty)

  • Villanova: Villanova Sports Radio Network (Ryan Fannon & Kevin Reilly)

  • Penn State: Penn State Sports Network (Steve Jones & Jack Ham)

• Live Stats: ESPN GameCast (fan-focused) & StatBroadcast (enhanced)

Storylines

Tale of the Tape: One More Game

It’s the end of the non-conference slate for the blue and white as the Wildcats come to Happy Valley. Villanova is no slouch in this game, so be sure to watch out for another scare before the bye week.

Wildcats Ink Four Honors in All-Conference Preseason Team

The Wildcats look to dominate once again in the CAA this season behind a quartet of all-conference selections. Offensive lineman Jake Picard, linebacker Shane Hartzell, running back David Avit, and Obinna Nwobodo all made the preseason team. (Source: Villanova Places Four on CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team)

Football Strikes Deal With Amica Insurance

The NIL deals keep coming in for the Nittany Lions as Amica Insurance signed a multiyear deal with the program on Friday. The field designs were previewed during the 34-0 win over FIU last Saturday. (Source: Onward State)

Villanova at No. 2 Penn State: By The Numbers

*Turnovers include failed 4th-down conversion attempts.

Villanova	Offense	No. 2 Penn State
24.0	Points Per Game	40.0
299.0	Pass Yards Per Game	251.5
117.0	Rush Yards Per Game	172.0
46.15%	3rd Down %	36.00%
0 (0.00)	Turnovers (per game)	3 (1.50)

*Takeaways include opponents’ failed 4th-down conversion attempts.

Villanova	Defense	No. 2 Penn State
17.0	Points Allowed PG	5.5
239.0	Pass Yards Allowed PG	137.0
111.0	Rush Yards Allowed PG	109.5
38.46%	Opponent 3rd Down %	34.48%
0 (0.00)	Takeaways (per game)	8 (4.00)

The Head-to-Head History of Villanova-Penn State (Source: Mcubed)

Penn State is 6-3-1 against Villanova all-time. Their last meeting was on September 25, 2021, when Penn State beat Villanova 38-17 at home. Penn State is 6-2-1 against Villanova at home all-time, with their last home meeting being on September 25, 2021 (see above). Penn State has won the last one head-to-head meetings dating back to 2021. Villanova last beat Penn State on October 6, 1959, when the Wildcats won, 20-14 at a neutral site.

Players To Watch on Offense

Villanova (Offense not listed)

• QB Pat McQuaide, Gr.

  • 2023 All-Southland Conference Second Team

  • 2021: Kent State (redshirted)

  • 2022: Mississippi Gulf Coast CC (NJCAA Division I member [JUCO])

  • 2023-24: Nicholls (FCS member)

  • Overall (1 game)

    • Passing: 18-for-28, 299 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT

    • Rushing: 3 car, 41 yds, 1 TD

  • Career vs FBS Teams (3 games)

    • Passing: 39-for-78, 428 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT

    • Rushing: 21 car, -28 yds, 0 TD

  • 2024 Away (7 games)

    • Passing: 118-for-200, 1,124 yds, 7 TD, 5 INT

    • Rushing: 36 car, -70 yds, 0 TD

• RB David Avit, So.

  • 2024 CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year

  • 2025 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List

  • Overall (1 game): 15 car, 49 yds, 0 TD

  • Career vs FBS Teams (1 game): 7 car, 13 yds, 0 TD

  • 2024 Away (7 games): 85 car, 443 yds, 6 TD

• WR Luke Colella, Gr.

  • 2021-24: Princeton (FCS member)

  • Overall (1 game): 5 rec, 124 yds, 0 TD

  • 2024 Non-Conference (3 games): 7 rec, 130 yds, 2 TD

  • 2024 Away (5 games): 20 rec, 250 yds, 1 TD

No. 2 Penn State (Spread Offense)

• QB Drew Allar, Sr.

  • Overall (2 games)

    • Passing: 41-for-59, 417 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT

    • Rushing: 8 car, 9 yds, 0 TD

  • Career vs FCS Teams (1 game)

    • Passing: 22-for-26, 204 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT

    • Rushing: 5 car, 27 yds, 1 TD

• RB Kaytron Allen, Sr.

  • Overall (2 games): 24 car, 187 yds, 2 TD

  • Career vs FCS Teams (1 game): 19 car, 103 yds, 1 TD

• WR Kyron Hudson, R-Sr.

  • Overall (2 games): 11 rec, 126 yds, 1 TD

Players To Watch on Defense

Villanova (3-3 Stack Defense)

• DL Capri Martin, Jr.

  • Overall (1 game): 4 tot, 1 solo, 0.5 TFL

  • Career vs FBS Teams (2 games): 7 tot, 3 solo, 0.5 TFL

  • 2024 Away (7 games): 11 tot, 6 solo, 2.5 TFL

• LB Shane Hartzell, Sr.

  • 2025 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List

  • Overall (1 game): 6 tot, 0 TFL, 0 sacks

  • Career vs FBS Teams (3 games): 21 tot, 3 TFL, 2 sacks

  • 2024 Away (7 games): 48 tot, 2.5 TFL, 2 sacks

• CB Zahmir Dahwud, So.

  • Overall (1 game): 3 tot, 0 INT, 2 PD

  • Career vs FBS Teams (1 game): 3 tot, 0 INT, 0 PD

  • 2024 Away (7 games): 24 tot, 1 INT, 1 PD

No. 2 Penn State (4-2-5 Defense)

• DE Dani Denis-Sutton, Sr.

  • Overall (2 games): 9 tot, 4.5 TFL, 2 sacks

  • Career vs FCS Teams (1 game): 1 tot, 0.5 TFL, 0 sacks

• LB Amare Campbell, Jr.

  • 2023-24: North Carolina

  • Overall (2 games): 15 tot, 0 TFL, 0 sacks

  • Career vs FCS Teams (2 games): 9 tot, 2 TFL, 1 sack

• FS Zakee Wheatley, R-Sr.

  • Overall (2 games): 6 tot, 0 INT, 1 PD

  • Career vs FCS Teams (2 games): 1 tot, 0 INT, 0 PD

  • Career vs Villanova (1 game): 1 tot, 0 INT, 0 PD

Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: After a bumpy first half against FIU, Penn State looks to leave no doubt. The Nittany Lions will face some early struggles but will roll nonetheless. No. 2 Penn State 41, Villanova 10.