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Tarleton State University Athletics

VillanovaRecap
26
Winner Villanova VIL 12-2 , 7-1
21
Tarleton St. TAR 12-2 , 7-1
Winner
Villanova VIL
12-2 , 7-1
26
Final
21
Tarleton St. TAR
12-2 , 7-1
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
VIL Villanova 0 12 7 7 26
TAR Tarleton St. 14 0 7 0 21

Game Recap: Football | | Grant Cohen

Tarleton State Football’s historic season ends in FCS Quarterfinals

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Tarleton State Football's historic 2025 season ended in Saturday's FCS Quarterfinals at Memorial Stadium, with No. 12 seed Villanova defeating the No. 4 seeded Texans 26-21. 

The Texans finished the 2025 campaign with a 12-2 record, with the 12 wins matching the most in a single season in program history. The season included an FBS win at Army, a regular season conference championship and the Texans' highest seed ever in the FCS Playoffs. Tarleton State was the first FCS team since 1993 (Troy) to make the quarterfinals in its first two seasons of playoff eligibility (8+ team format in FCS). 

Senior quarterback Victor Gabalis became Tarleton State's all-time career passing yards leader, finishing with 8,272 as a Texan. He threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's game, having 71 career passing touchdowns. 

Senior wide receiver Peyton Kramer led Tarleton State's receivers with 104 yards off four receptions and a touchdown. Junior running back Tylan Hines netted 75 rushing yards while senior defensive back Blake Smith had six tackles to go with an interception. 

"Tip your hat off to Villanova," head coach Todd Whitten said. "They played well and made more plays than we did. They ran the ball well while we did not. I thought it was a hard-fought game and our guys fought until the end. I couldn't be more proud of our team, especially our seniors. It's been a great season." 

Villanova marched down the field eyeing a score on its opening drive, but the turn-it-over Texans swung the momentum. Senior defensive back Blake Smith intercepted the Wildcats' pass on 1st and Goal to prevent a potential score, allowing Tarleton State's offense to strike first. Gabalis hit an open Kramer for an 80-yard touchdown on the offense's first play to put the Texans in front. 

Special teams made a special play to set Tarleton State's offense up in prime position, with senior linebacker Omar Emmons blocking the Wildcats' punt to the Texans in the red zone. The Texans capitalized by capping off their second offensive drive with a one-yard touchdown from senior quarterback Daniel Greek. Tarleton State's shutdown defense allowed them to take a 14-0 lead after 15 minutes. 

Villanova responded in the second quarter, getting on the scoreboard with a 31-yard field goal two minutes into the period. The Wildcats took advantage of a Tarleton State interception, throwing a 27-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit. Villanova cut the deficit again with a 42-yard field goal with 1:40 left in the half to make it a 14-12 game going into the locker room. 

Getting the ball first to open the second half, Tarleton State's offense struck fast as it had all year long. Gabalis found redshirt junior wide receiver Marquis Willis for a 39-yard pass, connecting with redshirt senior wide receiver Trevon West for a 15-yard score on the next play. 

The Wildcats, however, answered on their next drive by taking it to the house from 47 yards to make it a two-point game. Both teams traded punts to end the third quarter, allowing the Texans to maintain its 21-19 advantage entering the final period. 

An 11-yard touchdown pass allowed Villanova to take its first lead of the game with 12:49 remaining. Despite converting only one of its first eight third downs, Tarleton State came up with a pair of first downs to keep its final offensive drive alive. A 17-yard catch by West moved the chains while a five-yard run by Hines allowed the Texans to get a fresh set of downs in Villanova territory. 

Tarleton State eventually got to Villanova's 15 yard line, but the Wildcats forced two incomplete passes and held the Texans to a four-yard gain to make it 4th and 6. The Texans go-ahead touchdown pass attempt was incomplete, allowing Villanova to run out the clock to take the win. 

"It was an amazing season," Gabalis said. "I kept telling my teammates 'Hey, I love you guys.' We love each other. I'm blessed. Before I came here, I didn't think I was going to play ever again. Coach Whitten changed my life and made me a better man and player. He stuck with me and gave me confidence in myself." 

Villanova advanced to its first FCS Semifinal since 2010. The Wildcats will face the winner of UC Davis and Illinois State next week. 

For the Texans, this was the longest season in Tarleton State Football history. They played 14 games for the second consecutive year and played until December 13 for the first time in program history. 

"This year was amazing," senior defensive back Kasyus Kurns said. "I really believe in this program. I know they are going to be great in the future. There is no doubt in my mind. That was one of the reasons I came back because I believe in everything the coaches do and stand for. This is an amazing place."
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