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2024 Youngstown State vs Villanova

3 Things To Know About No. 23 Youngstown State vs. No. 6 Villanova Football

3 Things To Know About No. 23 Youngstown State vs. No. 6 Villanova Football

No. 6 Villanova Football opens the season hosting a ranked Youngstown State team. Here's some information on the game.

Aug 28, 2024 by Joe Harrington
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Armed with arguably the CAA’s best player in quarterback Connor Watkins to pair with a talented defense led by Isas Waxter and Shane Hartzell, Villanova Football has high expectations in 2024. 

And those preseason expectations face reality at 6 p.m. on Aug. 29 in the Philadelphia area at Villanova Stadium against Youngstown State. 

It’s the second time the schools will have played in nine months and is a 2023 FCS playoff rematch. But also features two teams that have found success at this level for decades. 

The No. 6-ranked Wildcats' first test is a matchup of two top ranked teams as the Penguins come to Philly ranked No. 23. How tough is the Missouri Valley Conference? Youngstown State is ranked 23rd, but picked seventh in the league. 

2024 Youngstown State vs Villanova


Villanova doesn’t have that problem. In a talented CAA field that features four ranked teams, the Wildcats are picked by CAA coaches to win it all. 

Here are three things to know about the Youngstown State vs. Villanova football game. 

Jim Tressel Was The YSU Football Coach The Last Time This Happened

The last time Youngstown State opened the regular season on the road and on a Thursday was Sept. 3, 1993. 

YSU beat Western Michigan 17-13 and the team went on to claim its second of four NCAA Division I-AA (now known as FCS) championships under Tressel. 

Villanova Football All-Time Record vs. Youngstown State

The playoff meeting in 2023 was the first game the two schools had played since Brian Westbrook played for Nova and Tressel was still a year away from becoming the Ohio State football coach. 

Before the 45-28 playoff win by Villanova last year, the two schools hadn't met since Nov. 13, 1999. The Penguins won 28-21 in Philadelphia. 

Overall, Youngstown State has a 7-3 record against the Wildcats. 

Let The Connor Watkins Season Begin

Villanova’s veteran quarterback starts the season on the Water Payton Award Preseason Watch List and is the CAA Offensive Preseason Player of the Year. 

And with good reason. 

After leading the Wildcats to the FCS second round following a CAA Co-Championship, Watkins finished the season with 2,682 passing yards and 20 touchdowns and 10 more rushing touchdowns. 

Against Youngstown State, Watkins was 12-of-21 passing for 275 yards and a touchdown. He added two more on the ground with 56 yards rushing. 

How To Watch The Youngstown State vs. Villanova Football Stream

The game is streaming live on FloFootball and the FloSports app at 6 p.m. EST. Highlights, replays and breaking news will be available on both platforms. 

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CAA (Division I/ FCS)

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SAC (Division II)

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GLIAC (Division II)

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NEWMAC (Division III)

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  • MIT
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  • U.S Merchant Marine Academy - Football Only

Gulf South (Division II)

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Landmark (Division III)

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  • Moravian University
  • University of Scranton
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CCAA (Division II)

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SCIAC (Division III)

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SCAC (Division III)

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  • University of the Ozarks
  • Schreiner University
  • University of Dallas
  • University of Saint Thomas

NE10 (Division II)

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  • American International College
  • Assumption University
  • Bentley University
  • Franklin Pierce University
  • University of New Haven
  • Pace University
  • Saint Anselm College
  • Saint Michael’s College
  • Southern Connecticut State University
  • Southern New Hampshire University

Lone Star Conference (Division II)

  • Angelo State University
  • Cameron University
  • Dallas Baptist University
  • Eastern New Mexico University
  • Lubbock Christian University
  • Midwestern State University
  • Oklahoma Christian University
  • Saint Edward’s University
  • Saint Mary’s University
  • Sul Ross State University
  • Texas A&M International University
  • Texas A&M University-Kingsville
  • Texas Woman’s University
  • University of Texas Permian Basin
  • University of Texas at Tyler
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  • Western New Mexico University
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  • Western Oregon University - Football Only

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