EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW (2026): Louisville v. Villanova

Pregame Prep: Things You Should Know Before the Game

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET

TV / Radio: ACC Network / 93.9 The Ville

Uniforms: Louisville (red jersey / white pants / USA-themed Cards script helmet)

Last Time These Two Met:

This will be the first ever meeting between Louisville and Villanova in football.

Notable Numbers:

• This will be the fourth consecutive season that Louisville has had a home opener against an FCS opponent.
• Louisville has not lost to an FCS team since 1987. Under Jeff Brohm, Louisville has won all three of its games against FCS opponents by an average score of 56.3 – 5.7.
• Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz became the first Louisville player to throw for over 300 yards in their debut. The junior completed 18-of-29 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns, adding 69 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.

First Down: Meet the 2026 Villanova Wildcats

One of the better programs at the FCS level, Villanova is coming off a deep run in the FCS Playoff, losing to Illinois State in the semifinals last year. Head coach Mark Ferrante enters his tenth season with Villanova, and has coached the Wildcats to a top ten ranking in the final poll in four of the last five seasons. Villanova was tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the Patriot League, which the football program joined this past July.

Villanova enters this week with a 1-1 record. They lost to William & Mary in week one, after giving up 13 points in the final minute to lose 35-32. But, Villanova is coming off a 17-16 win over Bucknell last weekend.

Second Down: Villanova Wildcats Offense

Offensive coordinator Chris Boden has been a long time staple on Villanova’s staff, entering his eighth season with the Wildcats.

Ferrante and Boden have a solid amount of returning starters from last year’s group on offense, including quarterback Pat McQuaide, who was granted eligibility after a long legal battle this offseason. McQuaide was efficient last season, with 28 total touchdowns (25 passing & three rushing) and had just four interceptions. He’s a long time veteran at the FCS level (had previous experience at Nicholls prior to arriving at Villanova) and is able to distribute the ball around to his receivers. But, he had a three-interception outing in the opener versus William & Mary.

Also returning are running backs Isaiah Ragland and Ja’briel Mace, and both are keys to the offense. They both show a quick burst at the first level and can bounce runs outside for 10-15 yards. Mace was an All-American last season as a returner, scoring two kick return touchdowns (he also led the team in rushing with 946 yards, 11 touchdowns, and averaged 7.4 yards per carry). Ragland had 755 yards and two touchdowns last year; Mace and Ragland often split carries at almost a 50/50 rate. Villanova also has a veteran offensive line that could be one of the best at the FCS level, including returning starters Quin Whalen (12 career starts), Kyle Fay (27 career starts), and Chris McCullers (30 career starts; preseason All-Patriot League First Team nominee).

So far, Villanova has been able to move the ball around at almost an even rate between their top three receivers. Jake Hilton had a 73-yard reception against William & Mary, part of his 4/132 outing against the Tribe. Braden Reed (eight receptions, 93 yards, two TDs) is Villanova’s top returning receiver from last year (34 receptions, 518 yards, two TDs last season); he is a capable punt returner and can make plays in space. Brandon Binkowski (seven receptions, 127 yards, TD) steps into a bigger role after logging just 11 catches last year, including a highlight reel touchdown catch against Penn State last season.

Players to Watch:

• QB Pat McQuaide (30/50, 488 yards, three TDs and INTs)
• RB Isaiah Ragland (27 carries, 136 yards, two TDs)
• RB Ja’briel Mace (24 carries, 129 yards, TD)

Third Down: Villanova Wildcats Defense

Defensive coordinator Ross Pennypacker has also been a long time staple at Villanova, coaching at the university for over a decade. Louisville should see a different front with Villanova’s 3-3-5 scheme that will blitz a ton and present different looks on almost every snap.

The Wildcats had to replace a ton of personnel from last year’s group that was among the best at the FCS level last season, including 17th in scoring defense and led the CAA in forced turnovers. So far, linebacker Omari Bursey has been a big time playmaker; he already has 4.5 tackles for loss (including four in the season opener against William & Mary) and has been everywhere on the field.

Defensive lineman Capri Martin also returns, after having 7.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks last season; he was also nominated as a preseason All-Patriot League First Team player, alongside Bursey. Ratu Delano Navoti had two sacks against William & Mary, with Garrett Logan (14 tackles) logging a TFL in each of the first two games.

In Villanova’s first two games, though, big plays allowed by the secondary have been a glaring issue. William & Mary had multiple touchdown passes of 35+ yards and averaged 7.7 yards per attempt (their starting quarterback, Winston Watkins, also had 72 rushing yards), with Bucknell just having 245 passing yards and two touchdowns (zero INTs) last week.

Players to Watch:

• LB Omari Bursey (29 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, sack)
• DL Capri Martin (four tackles, 1.5 TFLs)

Fourth Down: Keys to the Game

How will Louisville shore up the pre-snap communication?

One of the biggest concerns from Sunday’s thriller against Ole Miss was how much Louisville struggled with getting the plays in. Louisville had to burn four timeouts as a result of being unable to run the play in time — including all three in the second half. That also includes two delay of game penalties on their opening drive, which led to the Cardinals settling for a field goal.

The Cardinals were able to overcome that to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but ultimately, Louisville’s unforced errors led to a loss against the Rebels. With the Cardinals facing an FCS opponent before their biggest conference game of the season against SMU next week, look for Louisville to improve their pre-snap communication and avoid having to take unforced timeouts or penalties on offense.

How does Lincoln Kienholz build on the momentum from last week?

After a tough first half, quarterback Lincoln Kienholz put together a scintillating second half that might be one of the best performances by a Louisville player in the last decade. He completed 11-of-15 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns, and added nine carries for 52 yards with a score on the ground.

It’ll be tough for Kienholz to have a better outing this season than the one on Sunday, but what can happen is that Kienholz — and the offense — can start faster. If Louisville can set the tone early with their offensive line, Kienholz could have a chance for another big day with his arm and his mobility. Villanova has struggled so far with their pass coverage in the secondary, and with William & Mary’s quarterback having 72 rushing yards on the ground, Kienholz will have opportunities to have a big day.

Can Louisville’s defensive line set the tone early?

Louisville’s defense only had one TFL last week versus Ole Miss, but they did two things well in last week’s loss. They forced turnovers on a quarterback who only had three all of last year, and they kept a high-powered Ole Miss rushing attack from setting the tone. The Cardinals held the Rebels to 152 rushing yards on 3.7 yards per carry, and Ole Miss did not have a run over 17 yards.

Despite Ole Miss being able to push the ball downfield against Louisville’s secondary, it’s not an indictment of the defense after week one. Ole Miss has one of the best offenses in the country, and Chambliss could end up being a Heisman finalist once December rolls around.

Against Villanova, though, Louisville has opportunities to showcase their talent on the defensive line. When Villanova traveled to face Penn State last year, the Nittany Lions were able to log three sacks, 11 TFLs, and held the Wildcats to 179 total yards. Against a less mobile quarterback, Louisville could have opportunities to bring pressure and force Villanova into second-and-long, third-and-long situations that will end drives quickly.