Villanova Wildcats to face Louisville Cardinals in college football matchup

The Villanova Wildcats are set to face the Louisville Cardinals in an FCS-meets-FBS football matchup on Friday, September 11, 2026, at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.

Villanova enters the game with a 1-1 record, having recently secured a 17-16 victory over Bucknell. The Wildcats are currently ranked No. 17 in the FCS Coaches Poll and No. 21 in the STATS poll. Louisville, ranked No. 24 in the AP Top 25, holds a 0-1 record following a 41-38 loss to No. 9 Ole Miss.

Louisville is led by ACC Preseason Player of the Year Isaac Brown and quarterback Lincoln Kienholz. While Villanova is considered a significant underdog, the game marks a notable intersection between the two programs, which previously shared membership in the Big East Conference.