Villanova’s trip to Tarleton State for Saturday’s FCS quarterfinal couldn’t have started much worse.

Villanova’s defense couldn’t have finished it much better, with a little assist from the replay booth.

The 12th-seeded Wildcats spotted No. 4 Tarleton State 14 points in the game’s first 7:30, then held the highest scoring offense in FCS to seven points the rest of the way to advance to the FCS semifinals with a 26-21 win.

Braden Reed, who threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Lucas Kopekcy in the first half, caught an 11-yarder from Pat McQuaide with 12:49 left. It’s the second straight week Reed has scored a game-winning touchdown, his 28-yard reception with 2:56 left the decider against Lehigh last week.

Villanova’s defense had two more holds to get, forcing a punt, then a turnover on do

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