CHICAGO – The Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 was announced on Monday afternoon and the Villanova Wildcats checked in at number six with 997 points. Reigning national champion North Dakota State earned the top spot in the poll with 1,348 points and 52 first place votes.
 
Villanova went 10-3 last year and won its first CAA title and earned the league's automatic bid to the Division I Football Championship last season for the first time since 2012. Along the way, the Wildcats posted a 7-1 mark versus CAA opponents and notched their fifth season since 1988 with no more than one conference loss. This year's Villanova squad returns 61 letterwinners from the 2021 team, including six starters on offense and three on defense along with three specialists.   
 
The Wildcats are one of four CAA teams to be ranked in the preseason Top 25. Joining Villanova in the Top 25 are Delaware at No. 19, Rhode Island at No. 22 and Richmond at No. 24. William & Mary, Monmouth and Elon all received votes.
 
Villanova will kickoff the 2022 season on Friday, Sept. 2, when the Lehigh Mountain Hawks visit Villanova Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.