Preview: Lehigh Looks to Rebound Against Villanova

Tagged under: News, Pennsylvania Colleges, pfn

john fox dan di edwardo | October 22, 2026

Coming off their first loss of the year against Cornell last week, Lehigh looks to rebound on the road against Villanova. Lehigh is 6-1 overall and 4-0 in Patriot League play. Villanova is 3-4 overall and 2-2 in Patriot League play and is coming off a 38-17 road win over Fordham.

Lehigh saw their 23 game regular season winning streak snapped as they fell to Cornell on the road 38-28, surrendering 600 yards on defense and falling into a hole too deep to climb out of. While the defense struggled, the offense still had itself a day with 204 passing from their QB Derek Morgan, and 183 yards rushing, totaling 387 on the game. 142 of those rushing yards were from their star RB, Luke Yoder, a weapon that has made the Lehigh offense one of the best in the Patriot League. Lehigh will need another strong offensive effort out of these players to pull out the win on the road against Villanova. Lehigh enters this game trying to avenge their season ending 14-7 FCS home playoff loss from 2025.

Villanova enters this game trying to win consecutive games for the first time this season. In their win over Fordham, QB Pat McQuaide completed 18/24 passes for 235 yards and 2 TDs. Their rushing attack was led by the duo of Isaiah Ragland and Ja’briel Mace, who had 10 carries for 94 yards and a TD, and 13 carries for 79 yards and 1 TD, respectively. Braden Reed led Villanova in receiving with 4 receptions for 88 yards and a TD. It was Villanova’s best offensive output of the season and they will need a similar performance to keep pace with Lehigh’s offense. Like Lehigh last game, Villanova’s defense can be vulnerable, as they have 3 games where they gave up 30+ points, including 59 against Louisville in week 3.

The keys to the game for both teams are to get their offenses established early. Lehigh failed to do that last week against Cornell and found themselves in a 14-0 almost 8 minutes into the game. Both teams have to lean on their strong rushing attacks to establish that offensive rhythm, Lehigh with Luke Yoder, Villanova with Ragland and Mace. Doing so will help control the time of possession and keep the other offense from dictating the game. On defense, whatever team makes more plays win the game. Whether that be a fumble return TD for Lehigh like last week, or just key sacks or INTs. While Lehigh is the favorite to win this matchup, Patriot League games always remain tough, no matter the opponent, especially in a tough road environment like Villanova. I expect a close game that will come down to the final possession with the winner sealing the game late. Find out who wins this Saturday at 3:30 PM.