All articles tagged with #fcs
The MAC voted to add Sacramento State as a football-only member, moving the Hornets from FCS to FBS this season for an $18 million entry fee, making them the first West Coast program to jump to FBS in 57 years and effectively replacing Northern Illinois in the conference; no MAC schedules for 2026 have been released yet.
The No. 1 North Dakota State football team dominated No. 2 South Dakota State 38-7 in a rivalry game, but the matchup lacked excitement due to SDSU's starting quarterback Chase Mason being sidelined with an injury, which diminished the anticipated high-stakes showdown.
College GameDay missed a prime opportunity to visit South Dakota State for the Dakota Marker rivalry, a significant moment for FCS football and Pat McAfee's history with the show, instead opting for an SEC game between Vanderbilt and Missouri, highlighting ongoing debates about network bias and the show's focus on power conference matchups.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule advocates for big schools to continue playing FCS teams, emphasizing the financial benefits for smaller programs and criticizing proposals to ban such matchups, highlighting their strategic and economic importance in college football.
North Dakota State remains the top-ranked team in the 2025 preseason Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll, receiving 54 of 56 first-place votes, as the defending national champions look to defend their title in the upcoming college football season.
The 2025 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team features top talent from all 13 conferences and 54 schools, with Illinois State and UIW leading in selections. The team includes returning players and standout newcomers across offense, defense, and special teams, highlighting the high level of competition in the FCS for the upcoming season.
Villanova University has accepted an invitation to join the Patriot League as an associate member for football starting in 2026, aligning with institutions that emphasize academic and athletic excellence, and continuing its competitive success in the FCS.
Fresno State has appointed Matt Entz, former USC assistant head coach and linebackers coach, as their new head coach. Entz, known for his successful tenure at North Dakota State where he won two FCS national championships, will replace interim head coach Tim Skipper. The move is part of Fresno State's preparation to join the new Pac-12 in 2026.
Temple University has hired K.C. Keeler, a two-time FCS national championship-winning coach, as its new head football coach. Keeler, who previously led Sam Houston and Delaware to national titles, is known for his ability to build successful programs. He recently guided Sam Houston through a transition to the FBS level, achieving a significant turnaround. Temple hopes Keeler will revitalize their football program, which has struggled in recent years, following the firing of former coach Stan Drayton.
The 2024 Buck Buchanan Award, celebrating its 30th anniversary, has announced 35 finalists for the FCS national defensive player of the year. Named after legendary defensive lineman Buck Buchanan, the award includes past winners like Dexter Coakley and Jared Allen. All 13 FCS conferences are represented, and the winner will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on January 4 in Frisco, Texas. Other awards to be presented include the Walter Payton Award and the Jerry Rice Award.
The 2024 FCS playoffs are underway, with Montana State ranked as the top contender for the national title due to their strong defense and offense, and an easier path to the finals. NDSU and SDSU are also strong contenders, expected to face each other in the semifinals. The rankings consider bracket positioning and matchups, with teams like UC Davis, South Dakota, and Richmond also in the mix as potential challengers.
The 2024 Eddie Robinson Award finalists have been announced, recognizing the top coaching performances in Division I FCS college football. The award, named after legendary coach Eddie Robinson, will be presented to the national coach of the year, with the winner announced on December 5 and honored at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on January 4 in Frisco, Texas. The finalists represent all 13 FCS leagues, highlighting their achievements in leading their teams to successful seasons.
Stats Perform has announced 25 finalists for the 2024 Jerry Rice Award, which honors the top freshman in FCS college football. The award, named after Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, is in its 14th season and has previously been awarded to notable players like Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance. The winner will be announced on December 4 and honored at the Stats Perform National Awards Banquet on January 4 in Frisco, Texas.
The 2024 FCS playoff bracket has been announced, featuring the top eight seeds who receive first-round byes: Montana State, NDSU, SDSU, South Dakota, UC Davis, UIW, Mercer, and Idaho. Seeds 9-16 include Richmond, Rhode Island, Villanova, Illinois State, Tarleton State, Montana, Abilene Christian, and New Hampshire. The last four teams to make it into the playoffs are Eastern Kentucky, Northern Arizona, TN State, and UT Martin, while Chattanooga, Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Utah, and Stony Brook were the first four teams out.
The 2024 FCS football playoffs feature a 24-team bracket with Montana State as the top seed. Predictions for the tournament include South Dakota State winning the championship against Montana State, leveraging their strong defense to stop Montana State's run game. Key matchups in the playoffs highlight teams like Villanova, North Dakota State, and South Dakota, with South Dakota State expected to secure a three-peat in the championship game.