Tag: David Avit

RECAP – Playoffs: Villanova’s Magical Playoff Run Continues Over Tarleton State, 26-21 – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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Credit: Villanova Football-Twitter/X

If the Eagles needed another shining example of an incredible playoff push, then they might want to spend some time looking at the Wildcats’ weekly push through the FCS Playoffs with another upset.

Villanova vs. Tarelton State came down to three key plays, two of them made by Villanova freshmen. With two minutes left in the game , Tarleton State had a 4th and 6 on the Villanova 11-yard line. Quarterback Victor Gebalis found Quentin West in the back of the end zone, but Villanova defensive back Damill Bostic, Jr. got just enough of West to prevent him from dragging his foot inbounds. The play was initially called a touchdown on the field, but was then overturned by review.

Credit: Villanova Football-Twitter/X

On the ensuing possession, it initially appeared that Ja’briel Mace had lost the football — but Villanova retained possession.

On that very same offensive possession on 3rd down , the Wildcats faked a run and then threw a pass out to Braden Reed, who sealed the 26–21 Wildcats win with a diving first down.

Villanova would have to fight back into the game after falling down 14–0. Braden Reed got the Wildcats on the board with a twenty-seven-yard pass in the second quarter. After Gebalis found West for a fifteen-yard strike in the 3rd quarter to go up 21–12 , Nova completely unleashed its offense and locked down defensively for the rest of the game. Mace then broke a 47-yard run in the third to cut the lead to 21–19. Nova Quarterback Pat McQuaide then found Reed for an eleven-yard score to put the Wildcats in front 26–21. Bostic Jr.’s athletic play assisted in turning back the Texans’ last scoring opportunity.

Villanova would finish the game with 426 total yards. Mace had one hundred fifty-one yards rushing.

The Wildcats’ next contest will be the FSC Playoff Semi-Final next weekend against Illinois State at Villanova Stadium.

Tags: 2025 FCS Playoffs College College Football David Avit FCS Playoff FCS Playoffs Illinois State Playoffs Tarleton State Villanova Villanova Football Villanova Wildcats

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Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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December 14, 2025
PREVIEW – Playoffs: A Wealth of Riches in the Backfield — And Headed to the Playoffs as Villanova Takes on Harvard – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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Credit: Villanova Football-Twitter/X

Generally speaking, it’s been a great year for collegiate football in the Philly area. Not only have Penn and Villanova had winning seasons , but Temple has a chance to become bowl-eligible with its next game against North Texas.

And once again — across America’s nearly 136 collegiate programs — talent from the Philly region can be felt from coast to coast.

At the head of that list are the Villanova Wildcats (9–2), who learned on Sunday afternoon that they would be the #12 seed in the Football Championship Subdivision and would face Harvard in the first round.

For Villanova , it’s another chance to highlight a great rushing attack.

Credit: Villanova Football-Twitter/X

Villanova’s football program has had plenty of great talent over the years. Perhaps it’s finest — running back Brian Westbrook — whose career as an all-purpose player led him to a 1,000-yard rushing and receiving year in the same season (the first player in college to do so), the Walter Payton Award, and FCS Player of the Year. His contributions would land him in the Villanova Hall of Fame before playing six seasons with the Eagles.

Former Villanova running back Kevin Monangai earned All-CAA Honors while a Wildcat and went on to play in the NFL for the Eagles and the Vikings. In the 1960s — running back Billy Joe was the only Villanova athlete ever inducted into the Varsity Club Hall of Fame for two sports — and would go on to play professionally for the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and was a World Champion with the New York Jets.

Now the Villanova Wildcats have a sophomore running back named David Avit. And they almost lost him.

After a freshman season with 923 yards rushing and nine touchdowns, Avit has followed up so far this year by breaking out against Monmouth with 135 yards. He followed up that performance with 102 yards against the University of New Hampshire and 63 yards against Elon.

But that isn’t all of the talent. In the season finale against Scared Heart on Saturday, that included a mesmerizing performance on the ground from Ja’briel Mace, including 165 yards and two scores on nine carries, including an 80-yard scamper and a receiving touchdown in the 34–10 win.

A week before, in an overtime win against Stony Brook with David Avit out due to a knee injury , Isaiah Ragland ran the ball for nearly 100 yards.

For Villanova , late-season playoff football is bolstered by an elite running game.

It gives potential for a deep run as well.

Tags: Bears Chicago Bears College College Football College football playoff College Football Playoffs Crimson David Avit Eagles Harvard Crimson Jets NCAA New York Jets Philadelphia Eagles Villanova Villanova Football Villanova Wildcats Wildcats

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Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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November 25, 2025
A Philly Collegiate Offensive Onslaught. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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If you love Philly college football — then you no doubt loved this weekend. The offenses of Temple, Villanova, and Penn were on full display — each capturing a marvelous part of Saturday afternoon in their own respective games.

The afternoon began with Villanova giving Hampton all that they could handle with a 56–14 outcome. Villanova quarterback Pat McQuaide threw five touchdown passes and the Wildcats extended their first half lead to 49–0. David Avit — Sophomore running back became only the 25th running back in school history to reach the 1,500 yard mark while Villanova extended its home game winning streak to nineteen games.

Then we’re off to one of the oldest college football rivalries in the US (first played in 1878) between Penn and Columbia. And this one certainly didn’t disappoint. A second-half explosion in New York saw the Quaker offense get three touchdowns to defeat Columbia 35–21 and improve to 4–1. Quarterback Liam O’Brien accounted for five touchdowns — four in the air and one on the ground. His rushing touchdown put Penn up 21–14. O’Brien then found Jared Richardson for a thirty-one yard score. Another seventy-five yard O’Brien to Richardson connection put Penn up 35–21.

And just to round out the scoring was a 49–14 rout of Charlotte by our Temple Owls. Amid the scoring — Temple returned both a fumble and also an interception for a touchdown to accompany Evan Simon’s three touchdown passes to improve to 4–3.

All three schools combined for more than 130 points on Saturday.

Tags: David Avit Liam O’Brien Owls Penn Football Temple Football Villanova Football

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Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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October 20, 2025
Villanova’s Avit Advantage – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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Credit: Villanova Football-Instagram

Villanova’s football program has had plenty of great talent over the years.

Credit: Villanova Football-Instagram

Perhaps it’s finest — running back Brian Westbrook — whose career as an all-purpose player led him to a 1,000-yard rushing and receiving year in the same season (the first player in college to do so), the Walter Payton Award, and FCS Player of the Year. His contributions would land him in the Villanova Hall of Fame before playing six seasons with the Eagles.

Former Villanova running back Kevin Monangai, who earned All-CAA Honors while a Wildcat, went on to play in the NFL for the Eagles and the Vikings. In the 1960s — running back Billy Joe was the only Villanova athlete ever inducted into the Varsity Club Hall of Fame for two sports — and would go on to play professionally for the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and was a World Champion with the New York Jets.

Now the Villanova Wildcats have a sophomore running back named David Avit.

And they almost lost him.

After a freshman season with 923 yards rushing and nine touchdowns , Avit has followed up so far this year by breaking out against Monmouth with 135 yards. He followed up that performance with 102 yards last week against the University of New Hampshire and 63 yards this week against Elon.

Right after a spectacular last season , David Avit entered the transfer portal. But now he’s back, already building in 2025 on what he started in 2024. For a 4–2 Villanova football team , they’ll need him to finish strong in 2025.

Either way , Villanova is where Avit calls his collegiate home.

Tags: Billy Joe Brian Westbrook College College Football David Avit Dolphins Miami Dolphins NCAA NCAAF New York Jets Villanova Villanova Football Villanova Wildcats Wildcats

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Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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October 12, 2025