Villanova Football is looking to once again be a contender for the CAA title after a disappointing 2022 campaign that saw the Wildcats finish the year with a 6-5 record.

Head coach Mark Ferrante is hoping he and his veteran quarterback Connor Watkins can make a splash in 2023.

Ferrante led the Wildcats to success in the past. Villanova has reached the FCS playoffs twice under Ferrante, including in 2021 when The Wildcats were co-CAA champions and made it to the FCS quarterfinals with a 10-3 record.

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If anybody knows how to get Villanova football back on track it’s Ferrante. He’s been coaching at at the school since 1987 and became the head coach in 2017.

Villanova will have a familiar face at quarterback this year with the graduate student Watkins returning to the team for his final season.

Last season, Watkins started all 11 games and threw for 16 touchdowns and 2,057 yards.  

If the Wildcats are going to succeed this upcoming season, Watkins’ development will likely be key. 

Villanova Travels To Face UCF Football

In Week 3, Villanova will travel to Orlando in what will be their toughest game of the season as the Wildcats face Central Florida on Sept. 16.

UCF is a program that’s risen to the upper echelon of college football in the past few years, going from a winless AAC program to joining the Big 12 in 2023.

When it comes to CAA play, Villanova lost 45-12 against co-champion William & Mary last season. In 2023, the Wildcats trade the Tribe for last year's other co-champion: New Hampshire. 

Villanova will visit UNH during Week 9 on Nov. 4. 

Villanova Football Schedule 2023

• Sept. 2: at Lehigh, 12 p.m.
• Sept. 9: Colgate, 6 p.m.
• Sept. 16: at UCF, 6:30 p.m.
• Sept. 23: Rhode Island, 2 p.m.
• Sept. 30: at UAlbany, 3:30 p.m.
• Oct. 7: at North Carolina A&T, 4 p.m.
• Oct. 14: Elon, 1 p.m.
• Oct. 28: Stony Brook, 2 p.m.
• Nov. 4: at New Hampshire, 1 p.m.
• Nov 11: Towson, 1 p.m.
• Nov 18: at Delaware, 1 p.m.

How To Watch Villanova Football in 2023?

All CAA football games will stream on FloFootball and the FloSports app this fall. Some non-Conference games may not be available on FloSports.