FCS Football

South Dakota State at #2 North Dakota State, Saturday, 3:30

South Dakota and Montana State provided a thrilling first round contest. The Jackrabbits held on to upset MSU 47-40. South Dakota State got a nice outing from quarterback Austin Sumner, but it was running back Zach Zenner who stole the show. The senior rushed for 252 yards and four touchdowns. Those four touchdown ...

Liberty at #6 Villanova, Saturday, 4:30

They’re all interesting matchups at this juncture, but this one really has some juice. Can the upstart from the Big South – Liberty - coached by former Nebraska standout Turner Gill knock off sixth seeded Villanova (10-2) from the CAA? The Flames (9-4) upset James Madison, 26-21, in the first round of the playoffs one week after ...

Indiana State at #8 Chattanooga, Saturday, 1:00

Indiana State won their first playoff game since 1983 and they proved to everybody that they belonged in the playoffs. The Sycamores spotted Eastern Kentucky 16 points before a late first half touchdown sparked a 36-0 run to end with a 36-16 victory. Quarterback Mike Perish threw for 407 yards and three touchdowns and he ...

Montana at #4 Eastern Washington, Saturday, 4:30

Montana had a nice little warm-up game against San Diego before the competition starts to get much, much tougher in the second round and possibly beyond. The Grizzlies were up 52-0 in the fourth quarter before letting the Toreros pick up a couple late, meaningless touchdowns. Quarterback Jordan Johnson threw three first-half ...

Fordham at #1 New Hampshire, Saturday, 1:00

If Fargo, North Dakota, is considered the toughest place to play in the FCS, then Durham, New Hampshire, might be a close second. That’s where top seed New Hampshire (10-1) resides and where it will host high-powered Fordham in the second round of the playoffs. Simply put, the Wildcats don’t lose at home. They are 39-4 at “The ...

Sam Houston State at #3 Jacksonville State, Saturday, 2:00

It’s safe to say that Jacksonville State has been waiting for a return to the playoffs for almost a year. In 2013, the Gamecocks made it to the FCS quarterfinals before losing to Eastern Washington, 35-24. That game was 21-21 at halftime, but JSU lost quarterback Eli Jenkins to a knee injury shortly before the half ...

Richmond at #7 Coastal Carolina, Saturday, 1:00

So far Richmond is making the most of their first playoff appearance since 2009. The Spiders must have liked their draw with Morgan State in the first round. The Bears snuck into the playoffs as part of a five way tie in the MEAC. Richmond running back Seth Fisher rushed for two first quarter touchdowns and Richmond took an ...

Northern Iowa at #5 Illinois State, Saturday, 2:00

Northern Iowa easily got past Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the FCS Playoffs. The Panthers got off to a 23-0 lead in the first quarter, thanks to running back David Johnson and kicker Michael Schmadeke, and never looked back. On the day, Johnson rushed for 152 yards and three scores and the defense held the ...