New for the 2025-26 academic year, Villanova will announce its top performers from the previous week in a press release and social media post each Monday afternoon. The weekly wrap will recognize one standout student-athlete from each sport who competed during the previous week.

 
VILLANOVA, Pa.— A rather light week in terms of events brought meetings with various high-level opponents around Villanova Athletics. The football team extended its winning streak to land a spot in the FCS playoff semifinal round while members of the swimming and diving team flew to Florida to swim in the  CSCAA Open Water Championship. Men's basketball was the lone team on the hardwood to compete this past week, taking on a No. 2 Michigan side on the road before coming back home to host Pittsburgh. Athletes from those teams highlight this week's Villanova Athletics Weekly Wrap.
 
Football
Braden Reed, First Year, Wide Receiver, Pottstown, Pa.
 
For the second consecutive week, Reed had a hand in the game-winning play to help football continue its winning ways and move on to the FCS playoff semifinal in the 26-21 win over No. 4 Tarleton State. The wide receiver had a passing touchdown and the eventual game-winning six-yard catch for a first down after hosting Texans had used their final timeout with under two minutes to play. The victory was the 11^th in a row for the Wildcats and advanced Villanova to a semifinal matchup with Illinois State this Saturday inside Villanova Stadium. Reed finished his day with 27 yards through the air and a TD on his lone attempt along with 42 receiving yards on five receptions.
 
Men's Basketball
Acaden Lewis, First Year, Guard, Washington, D.C.
 
Lewis received his third BIG EAST Freshman of the Week laurel after an 11.0 point week that also saw him average 4.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals in two games. He scored 11 points at No. 2 Michigan earlier in the week, grabbing six boards, three assists and forcing a steal. When the 'Cats came back home to host Pitt on Saturday, the Washington, D.C. native recorded another 11-point outing, this time with seven assists, three boards and two steals. His 5.6 assists per game rank him third among freshmen nationally.
 
Women's Swimming and Diving
Marlene Blanke, Junior, Distance/Free, Kleinmachnow, Germany
 
Blanke led Villanova at the 2025 CSCAA Open Water Championship in Sarasota, Fla. over the weekend, posting a third-place finish in 58:31.1. Her performance highlighted a runner-up showing for the women in the field of 15 team and advanced her to the USA Swimming 5K Open Water Championship set for April 2-4 in Sarasota, Fla.
 
Men's Swimming and Diving
Owen Nye, Sophomore, Freestyle, Burlington, N.C.

Nye finished 22^nd in the field of 89 swimmers with a time of 55:40.2. Among those representing Division I in the field, he wound up 13^th.
 
 
 

 

 
Villanova Athletics Scoreboard
December 8-14
 
Tuesday, December 9
 
Men's Basketball: No. 2 Michigan 89, Villanova 61
 
Saturday, December 13
 
Women's Swimming and Diving:  CSCAA Open Water Championship (2^nd of 25)
Men's Swimming and Diving:  CSCAA Open Water Championship (6^th of 15)
Football: Villanova 26, No. 5 Tarleton State 21 (FCS Playoffs – Quarterfinal)
Men's Basketball: Villanova 79, Pittsburgh 61
 
This Week's Schedule
December 15-21
 
Friday, December 19
 
7:00 PM: Women's Basketball vs. Seton Hall
8:00 PM: Men's Basketball vs. Wisconsin (Milwaukee Hoops Showdown - Milwaukee, Wis.)
 
Saturday, December 20
 
7:30 PM: Football vs. No. 17 Illinois State (FCS Playoffs – Semifinal)