For the first time since 2004, Villanova will be kicking off the football season against a FCS opponent, instead of the usual trend of beginning with a season opening challenge from a FBS team. The No. 10 Wildcats will square off against No. 17-ranked Lehigh in a battle of FCS Top 25 teams. This is a rematch of last year's Sept. 10, 2016 showdown, when Villanova triumphed, 26-21, over Lehigh at home.
The Wildcats went on to finish 9-4 last season and made it to the second round of the FCS playoffs. Meanwhile, Lehigh bounced back from that loss and won nine straight and the Patriot League title before falling to New Hampshire in the FCS playoff opener.