Villanova upsets third-ranked Lehigh 14-7 advancing to FCS quarterfinal playoff round

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — Pat McQuaide threw for 208 yards and a touchdown and Villanova upset third-ranked Lehigh 14-7 on Saturday to advance to the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs.

Villanova (11-2), which entered the playoffs as a 12 seed, will face the winner of North Dakota and Tarleton State. The Wildcats will make their third appearance in the quarterfinals in the last five seasons. It was Villanova’s first playoff road win since 2010.

Beginning next season the two programs will become annual rivals as Villanova will join Lehigh in the Patriot League.

McQuaide’s 28-yard scoring pass to Braden Reed with 3:02 left gave Villanova its first lead of the game.

On Lehigh’s (12-1) final drive, the Mountain Hawks drove 54 yards, and on first-and-10 at the Villanova 14, Wildcats defensive lineman Obinna Nwobodo stripped Hayden Johnson on a quarterback keep and Villanova linebacker Shane Hartzell recovered.

Villanova ran seven plays, including a key 12-yard completion from McQuaide to Antonio Johnson on third-and-8 at their own 13, and the Wildcats allowed time to expire.

After a scoreless first half, Lehigh took the second half kickoff and drove 75 yards in five plays and ended the drive when Aaron Crossley ran it in from the 5. Johnson completed a 36-yard pass to Matt D’Avino and Luke Yoder had a 31-yard run on consecutive plays to help set up the score.

Villanova knotted it at 7 later in the third when after a Yoder fumble, the Wildcats put together a six-play, 59-yard drive that resulted in Ja’briel Mace crashing in from the 1 with 2:29 left in the third.

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