Illinois State defeats Villanova in the 2025 FCS playoff semifinals, advances to national title
Illinois State defeats Villanova 30-14, advances to FCS Championship Game
Illinois State dominated Villanova on the road from start to finish en route to a 30-14 FCS semifinal win.
Illinois State set the tone early with a 53-yard bomb to star wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz who finished with seven catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns. His second touchdown put the Redbirds up 21-6 entering halftime, putting the game out of reach.
In the second half, Illinois State leaned on a third-straight career-high day on the ground from running back Victor Dawson, who rushed for 155 yards after going for 148 and 137 in his last two games. Dawson and the ground attack dominated the time of possession for 36:48. Click or tap here for final stats from the game.
HOW ABOUT THOSE REDBIRDS!!!!!!!!! x x x x x x
— Valley Football (@ValleyFootball)
Illinois State becomes the first team in the 24-team FCS playoff era to make the national championship game after playing all road games and only the second unseeded team in the 24-team era to make the national championship game.
Overall, it'll be Illinois State's first FCS Championship game appearance since 2014. The Redbirds have never won a national championship.
You can catch the 2025-26 FCS Championship Game on Monday, January 5, 2026 at ;theFirstBank Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Wildcats still fighting! ISU 30, Nova 14 | 4Q - 3:27
It's now a two-score game after Villanova wide receiver Antonio Johnson made arguably the catch of the playoffs in the back of the endzone. The Wildcats then added a two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 16.
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We fully expect to see this catch on tonight
— CAA Football (@CAAFootball)
30 piece! ISU 30, Nova 6 | 4Q - 5:10
The clock continues to tick as Illinois State adds three more points from the leg of Michael Cosentino. The Redbirds have possessed the ball for all but 4:33 of the second half, bringing their game time of possession to 36:47.
Fourth quarter — Illinois State 27, Villanova 6
Illinois State leads Villanova by 21 points entering the fourth quarter. The Redbirds possessed the ball for all but 2-minutes-and-36-seconds of the third quarter, while adding six points to their lead.
When play resumes, Villanova will have possession, hoping to rally back.
See stats through three quarters below. Click or tap here for live stats.
Another FG! ISU 27, Nova 6 | 3Q - 0:02
Illinois State took a three-touchdown advantage with another field goal from Michael Cosentino, this time from 29 yards out. The Redbirds chewed some clock that possession, using 16 plays to go 57 yards while taking 8:21 off the clock.
Three more for the Redbirds! ISU 24, Nova 6 | 3Q - 11:03
Illinois State pushed its lead to three scores after kicker Michael Cosentino made a 35-yard field goal. The score closes the opening drive of the second half.
Halftime — Illinois State 21, Villanova 6
Illinois State leads Villanova 21-6 at halftime. The Redbirds have largely moved the ball at will after an opening drive punt, scoring three straight touchdowns before a last-ditch drive ended with an interception at the end of the first half.
Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse has 206 passing yards and two touchdowns, both to star wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz. Villanova's offense has also moved the ball well, rushing for 98 yards on 5.4 yards per carry and throwing for 68 yards.
However, Villanova quarterback Pat McQuaide has been inconsistent, only completing 4-of-13 passes (30 percent) while throwing an interception. It's part of the reason that the Wildcats are 1-of-6 on third downs today and forced to settle for field goals in the red zone.
When play resumes, Illinois State will have a chance to add to its lead as it will receive the second-half kickoff.
See first half stats below. Click or tap here for live stats.
Interception! 2Q - 0:12
Villanova cornerback Zahmir Dawud stop an attempt from Illinois State to add a late first half score with an interception! That play will close the first half.
Sobkowicz Slant for Six! ISU 21, Nova 6 | 2Q - 3:49
Make that eight touchdowns for Daniel Sobkowicz after he scored again, this time on a slant route from eight yards out. The score gives Illinois State a 21-6 lead over Villanova. It was all set up from 68-yard catch-and-run from running back Seth Glatz.
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MAKE IT ANOTHER ONE FOR OUR TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS RECORD HOLDER!😤
— Illinois State Football (@RedbirdFB)
Cats cut it to one score! ISU 14, Nova 6 | 2Q - 4:51
For the second time today, Villanova was limited to a field goal in the red zone. The Wildcats cut the deficit to eight points after a 35-yard attempt from Jack Barnum.
Redbirds add to lead! ISU 14, Nova 3 | 2Q - 8:39
Villanova nearly had a red zone stop until a facemask penalty gave Illinois State a fresh set of downs. The Redbirds immediately took advantage of the penalty, as running back Victor Dawson ran in for a one-yard touchdown.
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NOTHING WAS STOPPING OUR HUMAN BATTERING RAM ON THIS PLAY‼️ (iykyk🤣)
— Illinois State Football (@RedbirdFB)
Villanova on the board! ISU 7, Nova 3 | 2Q - 14:56
Villanova opened the second quarter with a 23-yard field goal after a drive stalled out in the red zone. Click or tap here for live stats.
First quarter update — Illinois State 7, Villanova 0
An Illinois State redzone stand closed the first quarter. The Redbirds shutdown Villanova in the redzone after quarterback Pat McQuaide set up the scoring opportunity with a 37-yard pass to Lucas Kopecky. When play resumes, Villanova will face fourth-and-goal from the five-yard line.
As we look at the first quarter, the difference in the game has been McQuaide's interception. Beyond that pick and a big play shot to wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz, this one has been a back-and-forth affair.
See first quarter stats below. Click or tap here for live stats.
Sobkowicz strikes first! ISU 7, Nova 0 | 1Q - 2:36
Illinois State wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz scored his seventh touchdown of the FCS playoffs to open the scoring in this semifinal matchup. This time, the star wideout scored from 53 yards out.
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RITTENHOUSE PASSES DEEP 53 YARDS TO SOBKOWICZ TO GET THE REDBIRDS ON THE BOARD��
— Illinois State Football (@RedbirdFB)
Interception! 1Q - 6:34
After each team punted on their first drives, we saw Villanova end its drive with something else — an interception. Wildcat quarterback Pat McQuaide chucked the ball downfield after scrambling around and in the endzone waiting for it was Illinois State DB CJ Richard Jr. It's Richard's second straight game with an interception
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Thank you, will be taking that 😎
— Valley Football (@ValleyFootball)
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