ursus arctos horribilis
November 14th, 2019, 01:03 PM
FCS HEADLINES
This year, a whopping 167 players from current FCS schools were part of the 32 opening-day rosters for the NFL’s 100th season. Add in 43 players that were signed to practice squads (which go through frequent changes) and the FCS haul in the NFL is 210 (data courtesy Craig Haley of STATS). Notably, there are 39 inductees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame who represent current FCS institutions.
This week, all 25 ranked teams are in action, and there are three games on the schedule that feature two ranked FCS teams.
#7/9 Furman (7-3) at #20/21 Wofford (6-3), 1:30 pm ET [Nexstar / ESPN+]
#3/3 Weber State (8-2) at #4/5 Montana (8-2), 3 pm ET [ROOT SPORTS]
#4/5 UNI (7-3) at #8/9 South Dakota State (7-3), 3 pm ET [ESPN3]
North Dakota State has extended its winning streak to 31 games, the second-longest in FCS history. NDSU holds the FCS record with a 33-game winning streak (2012-14). Last Saturday, Dartmouth ended Princeton’s 17-game winning streak with a 27-10 win at Yankee Stadium. The game was played three days after the 150-year anniversary of Princeton facing Rutgers in the first college football game in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
#FearTheFCS -- There have been three FCS wins at FBS sites this year. In 2018, FCS teams recorded seven wins against FBS schools. Since 1978, FCS schools have recorded double-digit win totals against the FBS six times, most recently in 2016 (10 that year). The FCS set a record in 2013 with 16 wins against FBS schools.
The Citadel 27, at Georgia Tech 24 (ot)
Central Arkansas 35, at Western Kentucky 28
Southern Illinois 45, at UMass 20
Just two FCS teams are still unbeaten: North Dakota State (10-0); Dartmouth (8-0). There are five FBS teams that are still perfect.
Southeastern Louisiana’s Cole Kelley, Illinois State’s Dylan Draka, Northwestern State’s Parker Pastorello and South Carolina State’s Corey Fields were named Monday as the STATS FCS National Players of the Week
The STATS FCS Team of the Week was Robert Morris, which knocked off preseason NEC favorite Duquesne, 41-21. HONORABLE MENTION: No. 13 Dartmouth (27-10 win over No. 10 Princeton); Grambling State (19-16 overtime win over Alcorn State); No. 2 James Madison (54-16 win over No. 23 New Hampshire); Lafayette (23-20 win over Holy Cross); Morgan State (22-16 win over No. 14 North Carolina A&T); Southeastern Louisiana (34-0 win over No. 7 Central Arkansas)
FCS CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION (42nd Season -- first year was in 1978)
TEAM COMPOSITION -- (24 TOTAL TEAMS) There are 10 conferences with automatic bids and the selection committee makes 14 at-large selections.
DATES -- Selection Sunday is on Sunday, Nov. 24. First-round games take place Saturday, Nov. 30. The top eight seeds receive a first-round bye. The title game will take place Saturday, Jan. 11, in Frisco, Texas.
SITE -- In January 2019, the NCAA announced it agreed to a five-year extension with Frisco, Texas, and Toyota Stadium will host the championship through 2025 (for the 2024 season) with an option for the 2026 championship.
ESPN provides coverage for all 23 games, and the championship game has aired on ESPN2 since 2002. But this year's title game will be on ABC. The game had aired on ABC previously in 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1983.
North Dakota State is the two-time defending champion. NDSU has won 7 of the past 8 titles (James Madison is the other.) Last year, NDSU beat Eastern Washington in the title game.
Conferences with the most titles: Missouri Valley (9), Southern (8), Big Sky (6), CAA Football (6).
INDEPENDENTS -- UND has been lights out in the red zone, as the Hawks lead the nation in red zone percentage. As a team, UND is 27-for-28 in red zone opportunities for a 96.4 conversion percentage. 22 of the 27 scores have been TDs while the other five have been field goals. The lone miss came against UC Davis, when the Hawks missed a field goal at the 20.
BIG SKY -- Two weeks in the regular season remain and there is still plenty of shakeups that can happen in the Big Sky. Weber State is 6-0 in league play and can clinch a share of the Big Sky title and the Big Sky’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs with a win on Saturday. Two teams are hot on the heels of the Wildcats with a 5-1 league record - Montana and Sacramento State - and the Griz are set for a showdown versus Weber State this Saturday in the ROOT SPORTS Game of the Week.
The NCAA Division I Championship Committee released its Top 10 last week and the Big Sky had three of the top spots. Weber State came in at No. 3, Sacramento State was No. 5 and Montana was No. 8.
Northern Arizona’s Case Cookus became the second player in Big Sky history to complete 100 touchdown passes. Eastern Washington’s Vernon Adams holds the record with 110. UC Davis linebacker Nick Eaton and Northern Arizona wide receiver Hendrix Johnson were named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List - an honor that recognizes the top freshman in the FCS.
The Big Sky has four teams in the top 10 of the STATS FCS and AFCA FCS Coaches’ Top 25 polls. Weber State leads the way at No. 3, followed by Montana at No. 4/5. Sacramento State is ranked No. 6 and Montana State is slotted No. 10. Eastern Washington and UC Davis are both receiving votes.
BIG SOUTH -- The Monmouth Hawks can clinch at least a share of the Big South championship, as well as the league’s automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs with a win Saturday at Campbell. In that scenario, the Hawks could finish no worse than 5-1 in the conference standings and tied with Kennesaw State for first-place should the Owls win out the rest of their season. Monmouth would receive the AQ based on its 45-21 win over KSU on Nov. 2. Should the Hawks lose at Campbell, the Big South’s champion and playoff bid will be determined Nov. 23.
Kennesaw State RB SHAQUIL TERRY has caught five touchdown passes this season, tying the Big South record for most TD receptions by a running back. He leads the Owls with 13 receptions for 296 yards. The record was first set by KSU rusher CHASTON BENNETT in 2016.
North Alabama QB CHRISTIAN LOPEZ became the first player in Big South history to throw a TD pass, rush for a score and catch a touchdown pass in the same game when he achieved the feat this past Saturday at Monmouth. Lopez started his touchdown trifecta with a 2-yard strike to CORTEZ HALL early in the second quarter, then scored on a 5-yard run with :19 seconds left in the game. Lopez ended the day with a 7-yard TD catch from WR ANDRE LITTLE as time expired.
CAA FOOTBALL -- There are five conference games on the Week 12 schedule. James Madison hosts 2nd-place Richmond and can clinch the outright CAA title and the league’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs with a victory. Notably, if JMU wins one of its final two games, the Dukes will earn the CAA’s AQ. The two other teams tied for second place - New Hampshire and UAlbany - go head-to-head. The slate also includes Towson visiting William & Mary, Maine hosting Rhode Island and Stony Brook traveling to Delaware. Villanova faces Long Island on Friday.
Villanova quarterback Daniel Smith was added to the watch list for the STATS Walter Payton Award, which honors the top offensive player in FCS, while JMU defensive ends Ron’Dell Carter and John Daka and Elon defensive back Greg Liggs, Jr. were added to the list for the STATS Buck Buchanan Award, which honors the top defensive player in FCS. Smith has passed for 2,412 yards and 22 TD’s and run for 324 yards and 9 TD’s. Carter has recorded 42 tackles, 17.5 TFL’s and 6.0 sacks, while Daka has 44 tackles, 18.0 TFL’s and 11.0 sacks. Liggs tops FCS with 7 interceptions and also has 47 tackles and 5 pass breakups.
Aaron Parker ranks 2nd on Rhode Island’s career receiving yards (3,281) and career receptions (206) lists and is 3rd in career TD catches (29). Earnest Edwards ranks second on Maine’s career receiving yards (2,523) list. This season, Edwards tops the CAA and is 4th in FCS in receiving yards per game (108.8), while Parker is 6th in FCS in receptions per game (7.1) and 8th in receiving yards (104.5).
IVY LEAGUE -- The Ivy League is home to 1-of-2 remaining unbeaten teams in the FCS, with Dartmouth (8-0) joining North Dakota State (10-0). The Big Green snapped Princeton’s 17-game winning streak in a battle of unbeaten teams on Saturday, Nov. 9. The Tigers streak ends as the 15th-longest in FCS history. Dartmouth is 1-of-7 unbeaten teams in all of NCAA Division I, joining Ohio State (9-0), LSU (9-0), Clemson (10-0), Baylor (9-0), Minnesota (9-0) and aforementioned North Dakota State.
JP Shohfi helped Yale to a 59-35 victory over Brown to move to 7-1 on the season. He caught 10 passes for 166 yards—his third-straight game with 160-or-more receiving yards and he set a Bulldog program record with four touchdown receptions. In the game, he contributed 24 points to Yale’s highest-scoring output since a 62-29 victory over Towson in 2003. Shohfi moved into the top 10 on Yale’s single-season and career lists with his seventh touchdown reception of the season and 17th of his career.
Following the conclusion of the 2019 season, the Ivy League will announce its football postseason award winners, as voted on by the League’s eight head coaches. The All-Ivy teams (First, Second and Honorable Mention), Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 26. The finalists for the Asa S. Bushnell Cup, which recognizes the League’s Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, will then be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Finally, the winners of the Asa S. Bushnell Cup, will be recognized at the Bushnell Cup Presentation on Monday, Dec. 9 at 12:30 p.m. ET in the Mercury Ballroom of the New York Hilton Midtown.
MEAC -- First place will be on the line in Greensboro, N.C. this Saturday, as Bethune-Cookman visits BB&T Stadium to take on North Carolina A&T State to see who will enter the final weekend in the driver’s seat to the MEAC title and Celebration Bowl. That game will be broadcast live on ESPN3, then rebroadcast on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
South Carolina State will look to stay in the race, hitting the road to take on North Carolina Central, and Florida A&M will be coming off a bye week to play host to Howard. Delaware State will welcome Norfolk State to Dover, Del., and Morgan State will pause its conference schedule to take on Virginia University of Lynchburg.
Morgan State’s Ian McBorrough was named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Bears’ 22-16 upset win over No. 25 North Carolina A&T State this past Saturday. McBorrough helped the Bears hold the Aggies below their league-leading 34.5 points per game to just 16 points. He paced the defense with 12 tackles (2.5 for loss) as the Bears posted their second straight upset of a ranked Aggies team.
South Carolina State has been operating with a two-quarterback system all year, but freshman quarterback Corey Fields might have ended that debate in the Bulldogs’ 62-21 win over Howard this past Saturday. Fields was named the MEAC Rookie of the Week after completing 18 of 29 passes for 333 yards and a program-record seven touchdowns. He tied Florida A&M’s Pat Bonner for second in MEAC history with seven touchdowns in a single game. He was also named the STATS FCS Freshman of the Week.
MISSOURI VALLEY -- With its next win, North Dakota State will claim at least a share of the Missouri Valley Football Conference title. It would mark the ninth consecutive MVFC crown for NDSU, extending its current league record. NDSU won its eighth consecutive league title in 2018, topping the league record seven straight by UNI in the early 1990s. Notably, 11 teams have gone unbeaten in MVFC games since 1985, and only North Dakota State (2013 and 2018) and Southern Illinois (2009) have done it through an eight-game conference schedule.
For the fifth time this season, the Missouri Valley Football Conference has four teams in the Top 10 of the Top-25 rankings. In the STATS FCS rankings, North Dakota State is No. 1, followed by UNI (4), Illinois State (7) and South Dakota State (8). Southern Illinois is 29th. The MVFC also holds four of the Top 9 spots in the Massey Ratings with North Dakota State (1), UNI (7), South Dakota State (8) and Illinois State (9) representing the league in that statistical metric.
Through the first 10 games of his career, North Dakota State rookie QB Trey Lance leads the FCS in pass efficiency (191.1 rating), and he’s 12th in ‘points responsible for’ (18.0 points per game). He’s the NCAA freshman leader in both categories. Former NDSU QB Easton Stick established the league single-season record with his 172.4 rating in 2018. Lance also leads the FCS with his 69.6 completion percentage.
NORTHEAST -- Central Connecticut, which owns the nation’s top-ranked defense (276.6 ypg), moved to 9-0 against FCS opponents while matching its program’s single-season wins record.
Robert Morris, which recorded seven takeaways in a 41-21 win over Steel City rival Duquesne, has clinched the program’s first winning conference record in nine years.
The RMU Colonials, who were picked next-to-last in the NEC preseason coaches’ poll, can secure an automatic FCS playoffs berth by posting a head-to-head victory over Central Connecticut. CCSU will host RMU on Saturday at 12:00 pm ET in a game that will be seen live at NECFrontRow.com.
Saint Francis, which will host Wagner in the featured #NECFB Game of the Week on ESPN3, boasts a red-hot passing attack. SFU sophomore QB Jason Brown is averaging 315.8 pass yards per game with 12 touchdown passes and one interception over his last four outings. SFU WR Ra’Shaun Henry has exceeded the 150-yard mark in three consecutive weeks.
Wagner LB Cam Gill ranks first amongst active FCS career leaders with 34.0 sacks. Sacred Heart sophomore RB Julius Chestnut recorded his seventh 100-yard rushing performance of the season in Week 11 and he leads the FCS in rush yards (1,224).
OHIO VALLEY -- With two weeks to play, Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri are tied atop the OVC standings with 5-1 records. The two teams play the same two opponents over the next two weeks (Eastern Illinois and Murray State). If both teams win out, Austin Peay would earn the automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs due to its 28-24 win over SEMO earlier this season. APSU has only won one OVC Championship (1977) and has never appeared in the playoffs.
Entering this week the top three leaders in receiving yards in the FCS all hail from the OVC. That includes Tennessee State’s Chris Rowland (1,289), Austin Peay’s DeAngelo Wilson (1,092) and Southeast Missouri’s Kristian Wilkerson (1,085).
Eastern Illinois picked up its first victory of the season at Tennessee State last Saturday. The Panthers had not had a 100-yard rusher on the season but put two players, Darshon McCullough (155) and Jaelin Benefield (105), went over the century mark in the victory.
In the year of the 150th anniversary of college football, Tennessee Tech picked up its 150th all-time victory at Tucker Stadium with a 37-27 victory over Jacksonville State on Saturday.
PATRIOT -- The League’s automatic bid to the NCAA DI FCS Championship cannot be determined until the conclusion of Week 13’s games on Nov. 23. However, Lafayette can clinch at least a share of the Patriot League regular-season title with a win over Colgate on Saturday and a Holy Cross loss at Fordham.
Lehigh senior linebacker Keith Woetzel was added to the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Watch List, presented annually to the top defensive player at the FCS level. Woetzel is sixth among FCS players in sacks per game (1.06) and 13th in tackles per game (10.2). He received STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 21 for his 15-tackle, 4.0-sack, and one-interception performance in an overtime win at Fordham.
Lafayette freshman quarterback Keegan Shoemaker and Holy Cross freshman linebacker Jacob Dobbs were added to the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award Watch List, presented annually to the top rookie in the FCS. Shoemaker leads the League in passing yards (234.2 ypg), total offense (261.8 ypg) and is among the leaders in pass efficiency (131.7). Dobbs leads Holy Cross and all League freshmen in tackles (6.7 tpg) to go along with 6.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks.
PFL -- San Diego can clinch a share of the 2019 PFL Championship, and the league’s automatic bid to the 2019 FCS Playoffs, with a win against Morehead State at Torero Stadium on Saturday. The Toreros have not lost a PFL home game since the 2010 season, a streak the Eagles will need to snap if they wish to play spoiler in Week 11
Drake will have its opportunity to apply pressure first when it hosts Dayton in a game that kicks off three hours before the San Diego-Morehead State match… Drake must defeat Dayton and hope for a Morehead State win for the chase for the league’s AQ into Week 12… The week’s action kicks off with the annual Hoosier Helmet battle between Valparaiso and Butler, taking place this year in Indianapolis… Jacksonville will look to pick up its first PFL win when it travels north to Poughkeepsie, where the forecast high is 36 degrees (nearly 30 degrees colder than Jacksonville’s forecast high)
Two of the league’s higher scoring offense face off when Davidson travels to Stetson, the Wildcats are seeking a fifth PFL win that would be their most since 2006, the first year of the return of single-division play.
SOUTHERN -- All nine Southern Conference teams are in action Saturday, with No. 7 Furman visiting No. 20 Wofford in a battle of the top two teams in the league. A Furman win would clinch the 2019 SoCon title outright for the Paladins, while a Wofford win would assure the Terriers of at least a share of the crown. The Citadel and Chattanooga, who square off this week and are both 4-2 in the league, are also still in contention for a share of the SoCon title, should Wofford beat Furman.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Hamp Sisson earned his first career start for Furman on Nov. 9 and went 17-for-22 for 277 yards and two touchdowns through the air to lead the Paladins to 636 yards of total offense in a 60-21 win over VMI. The 60 points were Furman’s most since a 62-21 win over Presbyterian on Sept. 24, 2011.
Furman kicker Grayson Atkins, who hit a 48-yard field goal in the win, has converted 20 of his last 21 attempts, with 11 of those coming from 40 yards are more. VMI running back Alex Ramsey ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns to push his season total to 22 rushing TDs, good for a tie for 10th in SoCon single-season history.
Furman is up two spots to No. 7 in this week’s AFCA FCS Coaches’ Top 25 and moved up one to No. 9 in the STATS FCS poll. Wofford, which rolled to a 41-7 win at Mercer on Nov. 9, moved up three spots in both polls, to Nos. 20 and 21, respectively.
Wofford held Mercer to just 144 yards of total offense and seven points, both season lows for the Bears and for Wofford opponents. Freshman defensive end Michael Mason paced the Terrier defense with eight tackles, including a pair of sacks on third downs in the fourth quarter.
SOUTHLAND -- Four Southland Conference teams enter the final two weeks tied for first place (and McNeese is a game behind at 4-3 in league play.) The league’s AQ won’t be known until conclusion of games of Nov. 23.
In addition to being named Southland Conference Players of the Week, SLU quarterback Cole Kelley and NSU punter Parker Pastorello picked up STATS FCS National Player of the Week honors.
Kelley tied a single-game school record with four rushing touchdowns and threw for 273 yards and another score in a 34-0 upset over No. 6/7 Central Arkansas, the Lions’ second top-10 win of the season.
Pastorello averaged 47.2 yards on five punts in a win over Lamar. He dropped three punts inside the 20-yard line, including two that pinned the Cardinals at their three-yard line.
Nicholls defensive lineman Sully Laiche recorded a pair of sacks against Houston Baptist to move to fourth all-time in Southland Conference history (33.5).
SWAC -- After falling in OT to Grambling last week, Alcorn closes out its home schedule by hosting Alabama A&M in what will be Senior Day for the Braves. Notably, the Braves have beaten the Bulldogs five years in a row. Alcorn has won eight consecutive home games. The program is 84-53 all-time in Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium, which is in its 28th season. And the Braves are 16-2 against SWAC East Division opponents over the last five seasons. They are 2-0 this year with wins over Mississippi Valley State 45-19 and Alabama State 35-7. Alcorn is the five-time defending East Division champion.
The 2019 SWAC Football Championship game is scheduled to be held on Saturday, December 7th at 3:00 pm at the home facility of the highest ranked league team at the conclusion of the regular season. The game will also be broadcast live on ESPNU.
At 4-1, Southern finds itself in sole possession of first place in the West Division. Southern closes with games against Jackson State this weekend and on Nov. 30 vs. Grambling State in the 2019 Bayou Classic (New Orleans, La. | Mercedes-Benz Superdome, NBC Sports). Notably, Grambling State is a game behind Southern in the West with its final game before the Bayou Classic taking place this weekend against Mississippi Valley State.
This year, a whopping 167 players from current FCS schools were part of the 32 opening-day rosters for the NFL’s 100th season. Add in 43 players that were signed to practice squads (which go through frequent changes) and the FCS haul in the NFL is 210 (data courtesy Craig Haley of STATS). Notably, there are 39 inductees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame who represent current FCS institutions.
This week, all 25 ranked teams are in action, and there are three games on the schedule that feature two ranked FCS teams.
#7/9 Furman (7-3) at #20/21 Wofford (6-3), 1:30 pm ET [Nexstar / ESPN+]
#3/3 Weber State (8-2) at #4/5 Montana (8-2), 3 pm ET [ROOT SPORTS]
#4/5 UNI (7-3) at #8/9 South Dakota State (7-3), 3 pm ET [ESPN3]
North Dakota State has extended its winning streak to 31 games, the second-longest in FCS history. NDSU holds the FCS record with a 33-game winning streak (2012-14). Last Saturday, Dartmouth ended Princeton’s 17-game winning streak with a 27-10 win at Yankee Stadium. The game was played three days after the 150-year anniversary of Princeton facing Rutgers in the first college football game in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
#FearTheFCS -- There have been three FCS wins at FBS sites this year. In 2018, FCS teams recorded seven wins against FBS schools. Since 1978, FCS schools have recorded double-digit win totals against the FBS six times, most recently in 2016 (10 that year). The FCS set a record in 2013 with 16 wins against FBS schools.
The Citadel 27, at Georgia Tech 24 (ot)
Central Arkansas 35, at Western Kentucky 28
Southern Illinois 45, at UMass 20
Just two FCS teams are still unbeaten: North Dakota State (10-0); Dartmouth (8-0). There are five FBS teams that are still perfect.
Southeastern Louisiana’s Cole Kelley, Illinois State’s Dylan Draka, Northwestern State’s Parker Pastorello and South Carolina State’s Corey Fields were named Monday as the STATS FCS National Players of the Week
The STATS FCS Team of the Week was Robert Morris, which knocked off preseason NEC favorite Duquesne, 41-21. HONORABLE MENTION: No. 13 Dartmouth (27-10 win over No. 10 Princeton); Grambling State (19-16 overtime win over Alcorn State); No. 2 James Madison (54-16 win over No. 23 New Hampshire); Lafayette (23-20 win over Holy Cross); Morgan State (22-16 win over No. 14 North Carolina A&T); Southeastern Louisiana (34-0 win over No. 7 Central Arkansas)
FCS CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION (42nd Season -- first year was in 1978)
TEAM COMPOSITION -- (24 TOTAL TEAMS) There are 10 conferences with automatic bids and the selection committee makes 14 at-large selections.
DATES -- Selection Sunday is on Sunday, Nov. 24. First-round games take place Saturday, Nov. 30. The top eight seeds receive a first-round bye. The title game will take place Saturday, Jan. 11, in Frisco, Texas.
SITE -- In January 2019, the NCAA announced it agreed to a five-year extension with Frisco, Texas, and Toyota Stadium will host the championship through 2025 (for the 2024 season) with an option for the 2026 championship.
ESPN provides coverage for all 23 games, and the championship game has aired on ESPN2 since 2002. But this year's title game will be on ABC. The game had aired on ABC previously in 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1983.
North Dakota State is the two-time defending champion. NDSU has won 7 of the past 8 titles (James Madison is the other.) Last year, NDSU beat Eastern Washington in the title game.
Conferences with the most titles: Missouri Valley (9), Southern (8), Big Sky (6), CAA Football (6).
INDEPENDENTS -- UND has been lights out in the red zone, as the Hawks lead the nation in red zone percentage. As a team, UND is 27-for-28 in red zone opportunities for a 96.4 conversion percentage. 22 of the 27 scores have been TDs while the other five have been field goals. The lone miss came against UC Davis, when the Hawks missed a field goal at the 20.
BIG SKY -- Two weeks in the regular season remain and there is still plenty of shakeups that can happen in the Big Sky. Weber State is 6-0 in league play and can clinch a share of the Big Sky title and the Big Sky’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs with a win on Saturday. Two teams are hot on the heels of the Wildcats with a 5-1 league record - Montana and Sacramento State - and the Griz are set for a showdown versus Weber State this Saturday in the ROOT SPORTS Game of the Week.
The NCAA Division I Championship Committee released its Top 10 last week and the Big Sky had three of the top spots. Weber State came in at No. 3, Sacramento State was No. 5 and Montana was No. 8.
Northern Arizona’s Case Cookus became the second player in Big Sky history to complete 100 touchdown passes. Eastern Washington’s Vernon Adams holds the record with 110. UC Davis linebacker Nick Eaton and Northern Arizona wide receiver Hendrix Johnson were named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List - an honor that recognizes the top freshman in the FCS.
The Big Sky has four teams in the top 10 of the STATS FCS and AFCA FCS Coaches’ Top 25 polls. Weber State leads the way at No. 3, followed by Montana at No. 4/5. Sacramento State is ranked No. 6 and Montana State is slotted No. 10. Eastern Washington and UC Davis are both receiving votes.
BIG SOUTH -- The Monmouth Hawks can clinch at least a share of the Big South championship, as well as the league’s automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs with a win Saturday at Campbell. In that scenario, the Hawks could finish no worse than 5-1 in the conference standings and tied with Kennesaw State for first-place should the Owls win out the rest of their season. Monmouth would receive the AQ based on its 45-21 win over KSU on Nov. 2. Should the Hawks lose at Campbell, the Big South’s champion and playoff bid will be determined Nov. 23.
Kennesaw State RB SHAQUIL TERRY has caught five touchdown passes this season, tying the Big South record for most TD receptions by a running back. He leads the Owls with 13 receptions for 296 yards. The record was first set by KSU rusher CHASTON BENNETT in 2016.
North Alabama QB CHRISTIAN LOPEZ became the first player in Big South history to throw a TD pass, rush for a score and catch a touchdown pass in the same game when he achieved the feat this past Saturday at Monmouth. Lopez started his touchdown trifecta with a 2-yard strike to CORTEZ HALL early in the second quarter, then scored on a 5-yard run with :19 seconds left in the game. Lopez ended the day with a 7-yard TD catch from WR ANDRE LITTLE as time expired.
CAA FOOTBALL -- There are five conference games on the Week 12 schedule. James Madison hosts 2nd-place Richmond and can clinch the outright CAA title and the league’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs with a victory. Notably, if JMU wins one of its final two games, the Dukes will earn the CAA’s AQ. The two other teams tied for second place - New Hampshire and UAlbany - go head-to-head. The slate also includes Towson visiting William & Mary, Maine hosting Rhode Island and Stony Brook traveling to Delaware. Villanova faces Long Island on Friday.
Villanova quarterback Daniel Smith was added to the watch list for the STATS Walter Payton Award, which honors the top offensive player in FCS, while JMU defensive ends Ron’Dell Carter and John Daka and Elon defensive back Greg Liggs, Jr. were added to the list for the STATS Buck Buchanan Award, which honors the top defensive player in FCS. Smith has passed for 2,412 yards and 22 TD’s and run for 324 yards and 9 TD’s. Carter has recorded 42 tackles, 17.5 TFL’s and 6.0 sacks, while Daka has 44 tackles, 18.0 TFL’s and 11.0 sacks. Liggs tops FCS with 7 interceptions and also has 47 tackles and 5 pass breakups.
Aaron Parker ranks 2nd on Rhode Island’s career receiving yards (3,281) and career receptions (206) lists and is 3rd in career TD catches (29). Earnest Edwards ranks second on Maine’s career receiving yards (2,523) list. This season, Edwards tops the CAA and is 4th in FCS in receiving yards per game (108.8), while Parker is 6th in FCS in receptions per game (7.1) and 8th in receiving yards (104.5).
IVY LEAGUE -- The Ivy League is home to 1-of-2 remaining unbeaten teams in the FCS, with Dartmouth (8-0) joining North Dakota State (10-0). The Big Green snapped Princeton’s 17-game winning streak in a battle of unbeaten teams on Saturday, Nov. 9. The Tigers streak ends as the 15th-longest in FCS history. Dartmouth is 1-of-7 unbeaten teams in all of NCAA Division I, joining Ohio State (9-0), LSU (9-0), Clemson (10-0), Baylor (9-0), Minnesota (9-0) and aforementioned North Dakota State.
JP Shohfi helped Yale to a 59-35 victory over Brown to move to 7-1 on the season. He caught 10 passes for 166 yards—his third-straight game with 160-or-more receiving yards and he set a Bulldog program record with four touchdown receptions. In the game, he contributed 24 points to Yale’s highest-scoring output since a 62-29 victory over Towson in 2003. Shohfi moved into the top 10 on Yale’s single-season and career lists with his seventh touchdown reception of the season and 17th of his career.
Following the conclusion of the 2019 season, the Ivy League will announce its football postseason award winners, as voted on by the League’s eight head coaches. The All-Ivy teams (First, Second and Honorable Mention), Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 26. The finalists for the Asa S. Bushnell Cup, which recognizes the League’s Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, will then be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Finally, the winners of the Asa S. Bushnell Cup, will be recognized at the Bushnell Cup Presentation on Monday, Dec. 9 at 12:30 p.m. ET in the Mercury Ballroom of the New York Hilton Midtown.
MEAC -- First place will be on the line in Greensboro, N.C. this Saturday, as Bethune-Cookman visits BB&T Stadium to take on North Carolina A&T State to see who will enter the final weekend in the driver’s seat to the MEAC title and Celebration Bowl. That game will be broadcast live on ESPN3, then rebroadcast on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
South Carolina State will look to stay in the race, hitting the road to take on North Carolina Central, and Florida A&M will be coming off a bye week to play host to Howard. Delaware State will welcome Norfolk State to Dover, Del., and Morgan State will pause its conference schedule to take on Virginia University of Lynchburg.
Morgan State’s Ian McBorrough was named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Bears’ 22-16 upset win over No. 25 North Carolina A&T State this past Saturday. McBorrough helped the Bears hold the Aggies below their league-leading 34.5 points per game to just 16 points. He paced the defense with 12 tackles (2.5 for loss) as the Bears posted their second straight upset of a ranked Aggies team.
South Carolina State has been operating with a two-quarterback system all year, but freshman quarterback Corey Fields might have ended that debate in the Bulldogs’ 62-21 win over Howard this past Saturday. Fields was named the MEAC Rookie of the Week after completing 18 of 29 passes for 333 yards and a program-record seven touchdowns. He tied Florida A&M’s Pat Bonner for second in MEAC history with seven touchdowns in a single game. He was also named the STATS FCS Freshman of the Week.
MISSOURI VALLEY -- With its next win, North Dakota State will claim at least a share of the Missouri Valley Football Conference title. It would mark the ninth consecutive MVFC crown for NDSU, extending its current league record. NDSU won its eighth consecutive league title in 2018, topping the league record seven straight by UNI in the early 1990s. Notably, 11 teams have gone unbeaten in MVFC games since 1985, and only North Dakota State (2013 and 2018) and Southern Illinois (2009) have done it through an eight-game conference schedule.
For the fifth time this season, the Missouri Valley Football Conference has four teams in the Top 10 of the Top-25 rankings. In the STATS FCS rankings, North Dakota State is No. 1, followed by UNI (4), Illinois State (7) and South Dakota State (8). Southern Illinois is 29th. The MVFC also holds four of the Top 9 spots in the Massey Ratings with North Dakota State (1), UNI (7), South Dakota State (8) and Illinois State (9) representing the league in that statistical metric.
Through the first 10 games of his career, North Dakota State rookie QB Trey Lance leads the FCS in pass efficiency (191.1 rating), and he’s 12th in ‘points responsible for’ (18.0 points per game). He’s the NCAA freshman leader in both categories. Former NDSU QB Easton Stick established the league single-season record with his 172.4 rating in 2018. Lance also leads the FCS with his 69.6 completion percentage.
NORTHEAST -- Central Connecticut, which owns the nation’s top-ranked defense (276.6 ypg), moved to 9-0 against FCS opponents while matching its program’s single-season wins record.
Robert Morris, which recorded seven takeaways in a 41-21 win over Steel City rival Duquesne, has clinched the program’s first winning conference record in nine years.
The RMU Colonials, who were picked next-to-last in the NEC preseason coaches’ poll, can secure an automatic FCS playoffs berth by posting a head-to-head victory over Central Connecticut. CCSU will host RMU on Saturday at 12:00 pm ET in a game that will be seen live at NECFrontRow.com.
Saint Francis, which will host Wagner in the featured #NECFB Game of the Week on ESPN3, boasts a red-hot passing attack. SFU sophomore QB Jason Brown is averaging 315.8 pass yards per game with 12 touchdown passes and one interception over his last four outings. SFU WR Ra’Shaun Henry has exceeded the 150-yard mark in three consecutive weeks.
Wagner LB Cam Gill ranks first amongst active FCS career leaders with 34.0 sacks. Sacred Heart sophomore RB Julius Chestnut recorded his seventh 100-yard rushing performance of the season in Week 11 and he leads the FCS in rush yards (1,224).
OHIO VALLEY -- With two weeks to play, Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri are tied atop the OVC standings with 5-1 records. The two teams play the same two opponents over the next two weeks (Eastern Illinois and Murray State). If both teams win out, Austin Peay would earn the automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs due to its 28-24 win over SEMO earlier this season. APSU has only won one OVC Championship (1977) and has never appeared in the playoffs.
Entering this week the top three leaders in receiving yards in the FCS all hail from the OVC. That includes Tennessee State’s Chris Rowland (1,289), Austin Peay’s DeAngelo Wilson (1,092) and Southeast Missouri’s Kristian Wilkerson (1,085).
Eastern Illinois picked up its first victory of the season at Tennessee State last Saturday. The Panthers had not had a 100-yard rusher on the season but put two players, Darshon McCullough (155) and Jaelin Benefield (105), went over the century mark in the victory.
In the year of the 150th anniversary of college football, Tennessee Tech picked up its 150th all-time victory at Tucker Stadium with a 37-27 victory over Jacksonville State on Saturday.
PATRIOT -- The League’s automatic bid to the NCAA DI FCS Championship cannot be determined until the conclusion of Week 13’s games on Nov. 23. However, Lafayette can clinch at least a share of the Patriot League regular-season title with a win over Colgate on Saturday and a Holy Cross loss at Fordham.
Lehigh senior linebacker Keith Woetzel was added to the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Watch List, presented annually to the top defensive player at the FCS level. Woetzel is sixth among FCS players in sacks per game (1.06) and 13th in tackles per game (10.2). He received STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 21 for his 15-tackle, 4.0-sack, and one-interception performance in an overtime win at Fordham.
Lafayette freshman quarterback Keegan Shoemaker and Holy Cross freshman linebacker Jacob Dobbs were added to the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award Watch List, presented annually to the top rookie in the FCS. Shoemaker leads the League in passing yards (234.2 ypg), total offense (261.8 ypg) and is among the leaders in pass efficiency (131.7). Dobbs leads Holy Cross and all League freshmen in tackles (6.7 tpg) to go along with 6.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks.
PFL -- San Diego can clinch a share of the 2019 PFL Championship, and the league’s automatic bid to the 2019 FCS Playoffs, with a win against Morehead State at Torero Stadium on Saturday. The Toreros have not lost a PFL home game since the 2010 season, a streak the Eagles will need to snap if they wish to play spoiler in Week 11
Drake will have its opportunity to apply pressure first when it hosts Dayton in a game that kicks off three hours before the San Diego-Morehead State match… Drake must defeat Dayton and hope for a Morehead State win for the chase for the league’s AQ into Week 12… The week’s action kicks off with the annual Hoosier Helmet battle between Valparaiso and Butler, taking place this year in Indianapolis… Jacksonville will look to pick up its first PFL win when it travels north to Poughkeepsie, where the forecast high is 36 degrees (nearly 30 degrees colder than Jacksonville’s forecast high)
Two of the league’s higher scoring offense face off when Davidson travels to Stetson, the Wildcats are seeking a fifth PFL win that would be their most since 2006, the first year of the return of single-division play.
SOUTHERN -- All nine Southern Conference teams are in action Saturday, with No. 7 Furman visiting No. 20 Wofford in a battle of the top two teams in the league. A Furman win would clinch the 2019 SoCon title outright for the Paladins, while a Wofford win would assure the Terriers of at least a share of the crown. The Citadel and Chattanooga, who square off this week and are both 4-2 in the league, are also still in contention for a share of the SoCon title, should Wofford beat Furman.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Hamp Sisson earned his first career start for Furman on Nov. 9 and went 17-for-22 for 277 yards and two touchdowns through the air to lead the Paladins to 636 yards of total offense in a 60-21 win over VMI. The 60 points were Furman’s most since a 62-21 win over Presbyterian on Sept. 24, 2011.
Furman kicker Grayson Atkins, who hit a 48-yard field goal in the win, has converted 20 of his last 21 attempts, with 11 of those coming from 40 yards are more. VMI running back Alex Ramsey ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns to push his season total to 22 rushing TDs, good for a tie for 10th in SoCon single-season history.
Furman is up two spots to No. 7 in this week’s AFCA FCS Coaches’ Top 25 and moved up one to No. 9 in the STATS FCS poll. Wofford, which rolled to a 41-7 win at Mercer on Nov. 9, moved up three spots in both polls, to Nos. 20 and 21, respectively.
Wofford held Mercer to just 144 yards of total offense and seven points, both season lows for the Bears and for Wofford opponents. Freshman defensive end Michael Mason paced the Terrier defense with eight tackles, including a pair of sacks on third downs in the fourth quarter.
SOUTHLAND -- Four Southland Conference teams enter the final two weeks tied for first place (and McNeese is a game behind at 4-3 in league play.) The league’s AQ won’t be known until conclusion of games of Nov. 23.
In addition to being named Southland Conference Players of the Week, SLU quarterback Cole Kelley and NSU punter Parker Pastorello picked up STATS FCS National Player of the Week honors.
Kelley tied a single-game school record with four rushing touchdowns and threw for 273 yards and another score in a 34-0 upset over No. 6/7 Central Arkansas, the Lions’ second top-10 win of the season.
Pastorello averaged 47.2 yards on five punts in a win over Lamar. He dropped three punts inside the 20-yard line, including two that pinned the Cardinals at their three-yard line.
Nicholls defensive lineman Sully Laiche recorded a pair of sacks against Houston Baptist to move to fourth all-time in Southland Conference history (33.5).
SWAC -- After falling in OT to Grambling last week, Alcorn closes out its home schedule by hosting Alabama A&M in what will be Senior Day for the Braves. Notably, the Braves have beaten the Bulldogs five years in a row. Alcorn has won eight consecutive home games. The program is 84-53 all-time in Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium, which is in its 28th season. And the Braves are 16-2 against SWAC East Division opponents over the last five seasons. They are 2-0 this year with wins over Mississippi Valley State 45-19 and Alabama State 35-7. Alcorn is the five-time defending East Division champion.
The 2019 SWAC Football Championship game is scheduled to be held on Saturday, December 7th at 3:00 pm at the home facility of the highest ranked league team at the conclusion of the regular season. The game will also be broadcast live on ESPNU.
At 4-1, Southern finds itself in sole possession of first place in the West Division. Southern closes with games against Jackson State this weekend and on Nov. 30 vs. Grambling State in the 2019 Bayou Classic (New Orleans, La. | Mercedes-Benz Superdome, NBC Sports). Notably, Grambling State is a game behind Southern in the West with its final game before the Bayou Classic taking place this weekend against Mississippi Valley State.