Villanova looks to make a statement in its last football season in the Coastal Athletic Association

Fresh off a 2024 campaign that featured 10 wins and a run in the FCS playoffs, Villanova is gearing up for a pivotal season with plenty of eyes on one of the best programs in its subdivision.

With Villanova’s season opener set for Sept. 6 against Colgate, here are five things to watch for this year:

Since 2021, the Wildcats have been a premier team in the Coastal Athletic Association with a 24-8 record in the conference, just behind Richmond (25-7). The Wildcats have made three FCS playoff appearances in four seasons.

Villanova joined the conference in 2007 and has earned a share of four CAA championships. The Wildcats won their lone FCS title in 2009.

Plenty has changed in the conference in that span. Teams like James Madison and Delaware have moved on to the FBS while a few new programs joined. However, this season will be Villanova’s last in the CAA, as the Wildcats and William & Mary will join the Patriot League starting in 2026, while Richmond joined this season.

» READ MORE: Villanova changes conferences in football, leaving CAA for Patriot League in 2026

“We have great respect for the institutions that make up a very competitive FCS conference and we share in its strong academic missions,” Eric Roedl, Villanova’s director of athletics, said in a news release. “The geographic footprint of the Patriot League is a perfect fit for Villanova, and as we get ready to embark on a new chapter for our football program, we remain committed to competing at the highest levels of the FCS and continuing to add to our accomplished history on the gridiron.”

While the last two seasons have ended in the second round of the playoffs, including a 13-6 loss to Incarnate Word of San Antonio, Texas, last year, the Wildcats have shown that they can hang with the best of the FCS.

But for now, Villanova will look to add one last CAA championship.

Pat McQuaide, a graduate transfer from Nicholls State, seems to be in line to take over as starting quarterback for Connor Watkins, who graduated. In 12 games for the Colonels last season, McQuaide completed 58.4% of his passes with 14 touchdowns, although he threw 10 interceptions. The year before, he was second-team All-Southland after ranking second in the conference in passing yards per game (199.6) and third in touchdowns (13).

» READ MORE: Who’s up to replace Connor Watkins under center at Villanova? Mark Ferrante has a few options

Tanner Maddocks, a junior, could be another option for coach Mark Ferrante. Last season, he saw action in 11 games and threw for 112 yards while adding 17 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

“Tanner Maddocks has basically been Connor’s backup for the last three years, so he’s been in our system and with [offensive coordinator Chris] Boden and his guys over there,” Ferrante said. “And we did bring in a grad transfer, Pat McQuaide from Nicholls State. It seems to be those two right now getting the majority of the reps with the ones, and they’re splitting it pretty much 50/50.”

Along with the change at quarterback, the Wildcats passing attack may take a step back after the losses of receivers Jaylan Sanchez and Devin Smith.

Sanchez, who transferred to James Madison, was the Wildcats’ leading receiver with 522 yards on 38 receptions. Smith, who graduated, finished his career just 12 yards shy of 2,000 receiving yards, with 483 yards in 2024.

Given those two losses, Villanova may have a harder time moving the ball through the air and might lean into a heavier run-first offense.

Speaking of transfers, Villanova’s special teams got a big boost with the addition of 33-year-old punter Luke Larsen, who transferred after five seasons at East Carolina.

He ended his Pirates tenure second in school history in net punting average (38.55 yards) and eighth in career punting average (40.8 yards per punt). Last season, Larsen landed 15 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, along with two touchbacks.

» READ MORE: Villanova adds 33-year old punter Luke Larsen out of the transfer portal

Larsen is the oldest player in college football after starting his collegiate career at age 28 in 2020. Before committing to East Carolina, he took part in Prokick Australia, a program aimed at helping Australians become professional football punters and kickers.

The Wildcats gained two defensive backs in the transfer portal, Julian Talley and Jordan Adderley, as their secondary has experienced some roster turnover.

They’ll be led by sophomore cornerback Zahmir Dawud, who finished the 2024 season with two interceptions, two forced fumbles, four tackles for loss, and 47 tackles. Dawud earned honorable mention on the preseason All-CAA team.

Meanwhile, Newton Essiem is expected to pick up where he left off as a freshman and compete for the other starting cornerback job.

“Because of a little bit of injury we had last year, we did get quite a few young guys like Zahmir Dawud, Newton Essiem, [Damill] Bostic … experience in the back end,” Ferrante said. “So now it’s their turn to fill the void that was left by those fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-year DBs that we had. We’ve moved some guys around to try and see what the best combination is at safety and corner.”

That may move Talley, Adderley, or another standout defensive back to nickel or safety.