VILLANOVA, Pa. — Another back-and-forth battle that went down to the final snap saw Colgate Football come out on the short end for the second consecutive week, 24-17, at No. 12/13 Villanova on Saturday evening in the final meeting between the two teams before they become Patriot League foes starting in 2026.
Colgate trailed 14-0 midway through the second quarter when the offense, led by Zach Osborne, came to life. The Raiders scored 14 unanswered points, and 17 of the next 20 points total, to draw the game even 17-17 after Osborne connected for a 24-yard highlight-reel touchdown pass to Winston Moore in the back of the end zone with 2:25 left in the third quarter.
Villanova countered with the game-deciding drive, capped off by a 56-yard pitch and catch from Pat McQuaide to Lucas Kopecky just over a minute later. The Wildcats led 24-17 after three quarters, and neither broke through in the fourth.
First Quarter
- Colgate had its best first-quarter scoring chance early in the frame. Osborne led Colgate downfield with a 29-yard pass to Max Walters, bringing the Raiders to Villanova's 35-yard line, but the drive ended with a missed 44-yard field goal attempt by Luke Vogeler at 6:57.
- Villanova capitalized on a 51-yard connection from McQuaide to Luke Colella, setting up a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Isaiah Ragland to put Villanova ahead 7-0 with 3:33 remaining.
Second Quarter
- Villanova opened the quarter with a drive that ended in a 28-yard rushing touchdown by McQuaide, elevating the home team's lead to 14-0 at the 10:35 mark.
- Colgate's offense got rolling from there and responded with a 75-yard drive, highlighted by Osborne's 32-yard touchdown pass to Treyvhon Saunders, narrowing the gap to 14-7 with 7:21 remaining.
- Later in the quarter, Osborne orchestrated an 11-play, 71-yard drive, capped by Vogeler's 23-yard field goal to trim the Villanova lead to 14-10 at halftime. Saunders had a spectacular 20-yard spinning grab on a back-shoulder throw near the sidelines on 3rd and 11 to keep the drive alive.
Third Quarter
- Winston Moore's 24-yard kickoff return set up Colgate's initial drive, with Osborne efficiently connecting with Saunders for two completions totaling 24 yards.
- Villanova's Jack Barnum successfully executed a 39-yard field goal at 5:28, putting them ahead 17-10.
- Colgate responded with a methodical drive capped by Osborne's 24-yard touchdown pass to Moore in the back of the end zone, tying the game at 17-17 with 2:25 remaining.
- Villanova regained the lead with 52 seconds left, as McQuaide hit Kopecky for a 56-yard touchdown, making the score 24-17.
Fourth Quarter
- Osborne connected with Reed Swanson for a 25-yard completion to convert on third-and-14, advancing to the Colgate 46-yard line but the Raiders' drive stalled and they were forced to punt near midfield.
- One of the Raiders' best chances at the equalizer came on defense when Christian Magliacano forced a fumble in the backfield. Both teams jumped on the loose ball, but Villanova's McQuaide pounced on it inside the Wildcats' own 10-yard line.
- Tyler Fontenot's steady dose of deep punts helped Colgate maintain field position, but the Raiders couldn't find the strike they needed down the stretch. Villanova held on for the 24-17 final.
UP NEXT
Colgate (0-2) continues non-conference action next Friday when the Raiders make the short trip to Syracuse to take on the Orange. Kickoff from JMA Wireless Dome is 7 p.m.
- 15-for-30 passing
- 239 passing yards
- 2 touchdowns
- 6 rushing attempts for 21 yards
- 10 receptions
- 137 receiving yards
- 1 touchdown
- 10 total tackles
- 5 solo tackles, 5 assisted tackles
- 2.5 TFLs
- 8 total tackles
- 4 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles
- 1 forced fumble
