ursus arctos horribilis
September 30th, 2022, 09:06 PM
Again, better late than never as with the previous post.
School SIDs – please forward to your football media. Thank you!
Here is a link to this week’s fan/media video (courtesy NCAA staff) -- Click Here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnOgWD9YjMQ&feature=youtu.be)
Previously Released:
Week 1 Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t2VO8-UKY0)
Week 2 Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEm3RT4TeKw&feature=youtu.be)
2022 FCS INSIDER -- KEY LINKS
NCAA Statistics – Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fstats.ncaa.org%2frankings%2fch ange_sport_year_div&c=E,1,mRjnMdfJ923UgEz_6F_K71TPIgaYLBK4h14t4LGm20rq WWtqfAZgQSQTq6pntUD0a2pxmiKT48pAb9pE53zsA3uTxDpujS 57ux2QBVpU&typo=1) | Top-25 Polls -- Click Here (https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/football/fcs/fcs-coaches-poll) | AGS Top 25 -- Click Here (http://thefcswedge.com/ags-poll/ags-poll-week-3-top-25-results-4/) | FCS Scoreboard -- Click Here (https://www.ncaa.com/scoreboard/football/fcs)
FCS Insider -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2ffcsinsider.com%2f&c=E,1,3rB462R9KZ-aj2yNofuGFA9TqKQXYMRWX4Earw7riN3E_ztqOugup5gq2BwpL zt7KVV2pF5uyCpiAUfIkKrtUsBnLvSjTj6jHtoKYe9jgHKVuPp zXHxOEBrbksEt&typo=1) | Stats Perform -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.fcs.football%2ffcsfront.asp&c=E,1,RNp9OmJwGyQPTgnEngU_v5QjJKoipACVxOqXwmSKZRyR PeqAHQOwZzl7U5GVxWDiwWUhGytnkLPvjVLVgWta1mTlttk6oK UmwhlQhdFYHjWZGXR8cFBDG7EaRw,,&typo=1) | HERO Sports -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fherosports.com%2fcategory%2fco llege-football%2ffcs%2f&c=E,1,RCc8_tC95gi2TageeGldFZx1_AffWt8LvdZDJ5-vLbx7CSpI2r98jPXJkxrGsIvPuPexsxfl3iB5CLLsEx5otyGav hh87fPePZRbmbyDGzYYTi8Cp2mfP5A,&typo=1) | Talking Pigskin -- Click Here (https://talkingpigskin.com/)
FCS ALL-IN AIRS FRIDAY ON ESPN+ AT 7 PM ET -- Click To Learn More (https://fcsinsider.com/news/2022/8/25/football-fcs-all-in-debuts-friday-on-espn.aspx)
The 2023 FCS championship game will be played on Sunday, Jan. 8, and will air on ABC starting at 2 p.m. ET. -- Read (https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2022-09-07/abc-broadcast-2022-fcs-championship-game-frisco)
The last time the game was held on a Sunday was at the end of the 2021 spring season which saw Sam Houston defeat South Dakota St. 23-21.
CRAIG HALEY OF STATS PERFORM PREVIEWS THIS WEEK’S MATCHUPS -- Read (https://theanalyst.com/na/2022/09/fcs-football-preview-and-predictions-week-4-games-of-the-week/)
FedEx Ground FCS National Players of the Week -- Click Here (https://theanalyst.com/na/2022/09/henderson-leskovec-north-carolina-central-headline-fcs-weekly-awards/)
Top 25 FCS vs. Top 25 FCS This Week
South Dakota State at Missouri State, 2 pm CT (ESPN3)
Eastern Washington at Montana State, 3 pm CT (ESPN+)
Eastern Kentucky at Austin Peay, 3 pm CT (ESPN+)
North Dakota at Southern Illinois, 2 pm CT (ESPN+)
FCS ROUNDUP (Conference Headlines) – Read below
FBS WINS OVER FBS PROGRAMS – THE FCS HAD 12 SUCH VICTORIES IN 2021 (seven so far this year) -- #FearTheFCS
DATE
FCS TEAM
SCORE
FBS TEAM
Sept. 2
William & Mary
41-24
Charlotte
Sept. 3
Delaware
14-7
Navy
Sept. 10
Eastern Kentucky
59-57 (7 OT)
Bowling Green
Sept. 10
Holy Cross
37-31
Buffalo
Sept. 10
UIW
55-41
Nevada
Sept. 10
Weber State
35-7
Utah State
Sept. 17
Southern Illinois
31-24
Northwestern
FCS INSIDER – AROUND THE FCS
ASUN
All six ASUN Conference Football teams are in action on Saturday highlighted by the first head-to-head meeting of league squads in the inaugural season as No. 23/RV Austin Peay hosts No. 16/20 Eastern Kentucky while Kennesaw State and North Alabama also make home appearances. Jacksonville State and Central Arkansas are both playing in their third consecutive road games.
The first head-to-head ASUN Football contest of the inaugural season kicks off Saturday pitting a pair of nationally-ranked opponents against each other. No. 23/RV Austin Peay makes its conference debut hosting longtime rival No. 16/20 Eastern Kentucky for Homecoming in Clarksville. The Colonels (44.3 ppg) and Govs (39.8 ppg) both feature high-powered offenses that rank sixth and 13th nationally in scoring, respectively. APSU's defense has also held its last three opponents out of the endzone.
BIG SKY
Sacramento State Seeks First 3-0 Start Since 1992 -- After last week’s 37-21 win at UNI, Sacramento State has jumped out to a 2-0 record for the first time since 2000. The last time Sacramento State opened the year 3-0 came in 1992, which was the program’s last year as an NCAA Div. II member.
Weber State’s 10 INTs Lead All of College Football -- Weber State leads the FCS with 10 interceptions through its first three games, with Maxwell Anderson owning four of those to tie for first individually. The Wildcats are also the only team in college football (FBS, FCS, Div. II and Div. III) to have 10 INTs.
Montana Has Outscored Foes 120-21 to Open Year -- Montana has outscored its first three opponents 120-21 to open the year with wins over a team from the Southland Conference (Northwestern State) and two teams from the Missouri Valley Football Conference (South Dakota, Indiana State).
BIG SOUTH
Charleston Southern K Sam Babbush made a school-record 57-yard field goal last week at Eastern Kentucky -- tied for the second-longest in Big South history. He is just the second different kicker in the league record book with a 57-yarder, joining Liberty’s John Lunsford, who made three from that distance in his career. Babbush kicked a 50-yard field goal in Week 1 vs. Western Carolina, and is now the sixth different kicker in conference annals to make two field goals from 50-yards or longer in a season, and first since CSU’s Alex Usry (3) in 2019.
Bryant QB Zevi Eckhaus leads the Big South with 850 passing yards and seven touchdown passes through the first three weeks of the season. He has opened the campaign with three consecutive games with 200+ passing yards, and has thrown three touchdowns in each of his last two contests. Eckhaus will attempt to extend his passing yards streak to four games this Saturday at Long Island, which would be tied for the sixth-longest streak to open a season in league history. Should he connect on three TD passes at LIU, he would tie the Big South mark for most consecutive games with 3+ TD passes.
North Carolina A&T RB Bhayshul Tuten is the Big South’s leading rusher after three weeks with 280 yards -- 260 of which have come in the past two games (130.0 average). He first ran for a then-career high 127 at North Dakota State in Week 2, then re-set his personal-best with 133 rushing yards last week at Duke. Tuten is the first Big South rusher with back-to-back games with at least 125 rushing yards since Monmouth’s Pete Guerriero in 2019.
CAA
FIVE CONFERENCE MATCHUPS ON WEEK 4 SCHEDULE: For the first time this season, conference play dominates the Week 4 schedule with five league matchups on the seven-game slate. In a battle of unbeatens, Hampton makes its CAA debut at 8th-ranked Delaware, while Elon takes a two-game winning streak to 14th-ranked and undefeated William & Mary in the CAA opener for both squads. Defending champion Villanova opens CAA play against Monmouth, first-place New Hampshire heads to Towson and Richmond hosts Stony Brook.
DOMINANT IN NON-CONFERENCE PLAY: CAA teams have been dominant against FCS non-conference opponents over the past five years, winning a remarkable 76% of those games. The success has continued in 2022 as CAA teams are 15-4 (.789) against FCS opponents. The 15 wins are the most of any FCS conference, while the .789 win percentage trails only the Ivy League, which went 7-1 last week.
EFFICIENT QUARTERBACKS: Five of the top 16 FCS quarterbacks in pass efficiency play in the CAA. Elon's Matthew McKay ranks 4th and Villanova's Connor Watkins is right behind in 5th. William & Mary's Darius Wilson (11th), Delaware's Nolan Henderson (12th) and UAlbany's Reese Poffenbarger (16th) are also among FCS leaders. The CAA has five of the top 20 QB's in passing yards as well, topped by Monmouth's Tony Muskett.
ON TARGET: Richmond quarterback Reece Udinski completed his first 17 pass attempts in the Spiders' win at Lehigh last Saturday and finished 37-of-44 for a career-high 351 yards. Udinski leads FCS in completion percentage (76.7%) for the season.
IVY
A pair of league contests highlight the second week of Ivy League football action on Saturday. Harvard and Brown square off in Providence, R.I., at 12:30 p.m. ET and Yale and Cornell battle in Ithaca, N.Y., at 2 p.m. ET.
The Ivy League had its best start to season since 2005, collectively going 7-1 in its opening weekend. Since 2005, the league is 83-53 in season openers and has posted a win percentage of .500-or-better in 14 of the 17 seasons.
In the first week of play three Ivies held their opponents to negative rushing yards: Harvard (-26), Princeton (-10) and Cornell (-2). There have only been three other FCS games this season, which a team has held its opponent to negative rushing yards. Six of the league’s eight teams rank in the top 10 nationally of rushing defenses in the FCS: Harvard (1st, -26.0), Princeton (2nd, -10.0), Cornell (3rd, -2.0), Penn (4th, 43.0), Columbia (7th, 55.0), Dartmouth (10th, 67.0).
MEAC
With four games on the docket for Week 4 of the 2022 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) football season on Saturday, three of those contests will be at home.
Delaware State is back home for the third time in four weeks this weekend, and the Hornets will once again play host to Merrimack College. The Warriors, coming off a 28-21 overtime loss to Harvard, is 2-0 all-time against Delaware State – including a 47-10 win at Alumni Stadium last season. The two teams first met in 2019, when Merrimack defeated the Hornets 30-21. The Hornets are coming off a 35-19 win over Virginia University of Lynchburg, and they are 2-0 at home so far in 2022
After going 3-0 to open the season for the first time in the Div. I era, and being nationally ranked for the first time since 2016, the NC Central Eagles are flying high after this past weekend’s 45-27 win over then-No. 25 New Hampshire. North Carolina Central, the STATS Perform FCS FedEx Ground National Team of the Week, returns to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium to face Virginia University of Lynchburg this Saturday afternoon, with the Dragons coming off a 35-19 loss to fellow MEAC member Delaware State this past weekend. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams, though the Dragons are no stranger to the MEAC.
MVFC
Two league games this weekend feature two ranked MVFC programs. Missouri State (4) hosts South Dakota State (2), while North Dakota (19) plays at Southern Illinois (24) on Saturday, marking the 212th and 213th time two ranked MVFC teams played one another. The home team is 122-88 and the higher-ranked team is 131-80 in the previous meetings. (Ranking listed is the higher in either the Stats Perform or AFCA coaches poll.)
In the Metrics -- Nine MVFC teams rank in the Top 25 of the Sagarin football ratings, topped by North Dakota State (1), South Dakota State (2), and Missouri State (5). The same nine schools rank in the Top 35 of the Massey FCS computer rankings. Eight MVFC programs rank in the Top 30 of Massey’s Strength of Schedule ratings. The MVFC is the top-rated FCS league in the Sagarin, followed by the Big Sky, ASUN, and Southern.
Against the FBS -- Including Southern Illinois’ 31-24 win at Northwestern in 2022, Missouri Valley Football Conference schools have combined for 48 wins against FBS teams since 1985. A league member has picked up at least one FBS win for 12 of the last 13 seasons (only missing the 2020-21 COVID season in which only one FBS team was played).
NEC
The Northeast Conference (NEC) boasts a freshman phenom in Saint Francis U rookie Makai Jackson. In the past two weeks, the wide receiver has claimed five-of-eight of the league’s weekly awards. In Week 2, Jackson was tabbed the NEC Offensive Player of the Week and the NEC Rookie of the Week. Repeating as the league’s winner in each of those awards following Week 2 action, he also received NEC Special Teams Player of the Week distinction at the conclusion Week 3.
Jackson was also named the FedEx Ground FCS National Player of the Week by Stats Perform on Monday. He currently leads all FCS rookies in receptions per game (8.7) and receiving yards per game (107) and is ranked third and seventh in the FCS, respectively.
Sacred Heart continues to rank among the FCS leaders defensively this season. The Pioneers are tied for ninth in points allowed per game (14.0) and are third in yards allowed per game (215.3)
Five NEC teams will be in action against non-conference opponents in Week 4. Sacred Heart opens its home slate against Dartmouth, while LIU plays host to Bryant. Merrimack (Delaware State), Central Connecticut (UAlbany) and Saint Francis U (Norfolk State) are slated for road games.
With no league games on the slate during Week 4, Sacred Heart (1-0) and Saint Francis U (1-0) sit atop of the NEC standings with respective victories against CCSU (Week 2) and Wagner (Week 3).
OVC
Southeast Missouri improved to 2-0 against FCS competition this season with a 42-16 win over Nicholls in its home opener. The Redhawks are receiving votes in both major polls this week. SEMO linebacker Bryce Norman recorded 17 tackles in the victory, the fifth-most by a FCS player this year and the most by an OVC player since the 2019 season.
Lindenwood improved to 2-0 in its first year as a Division I team with a 37-3 home win over Keiser University. The game was the 100th all-time at Hunter Stadium for the Lions who begin Conference play this weekend at nationally ranked UT Martin.
Tennessee State ranks tied for first nationally in red zone offense (100%) through three games. The Tigers are off this week but host Lane College in the annual John Merritt Classic on October 1.
PATRIOT
HOLY CROSS AND FORDHAM IN THE STATS PERFORM AND AFCA COACHES POLLS -- Three-time defending champion Holy Cross dropped one spot to 13th in the FCS Coaches Poll and remained 13th in the Stats Perform FCS Poll after a decisive 38-14 victory against Yale. Chesney and the Crusaders were picked 18th in the preseason FCS Coaches Poll, and 16th in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. Fordham defeated Albany, 48-45, and moved up three spots to No. 18 in the FCS Coaches Poll. The Rams are receiving votes in the FCS Coaches Poll for the third-straight week. This is the second-straight week that two Patriot League teams have been ranked during the regular-season. Prior to this season, the last time two League teams were ranked at the same time was Sept. 4, 2017 when Lehigh was No. 19 and Colgate checked in at No. 25 in the FCS Coaches Poll.
PATRIOT LEAGUE TEAMS AMONG THE FCS STATISTICAL LEADERS HEADING INTO WEEK FOUR -- Fordham ranks first among FCS programs in total offense, averaging 618.7 yards per game and second in scoring offense with 49.3 points per game, led by the FCS’s leading passer Tim DeMorat (434.0 ypg). Holy Cross has also been among the nation’s best, placing eighth in the FCS in rushing offense (238.3) and third in team passing efficiency (192.86), just in front of fourth-ranked Fordham (186.95). Through three games, Colgate has been among the most careful and opportunistic, ranking ninth in turnover margin (1.67) and second in defensive touchdowns (2).
DEMORAT CLIMBING LEAGUE CAREER-LEADERS LISTS -- Two-time defending Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Tim DeMorat threw for a career-high 464 yards and five touchdowns in the Rams’ 48-45 win against Albany. The FCS active leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns (83) is fourth in the League record book in career passing yards after beginning the season in eighth place. The Walter Payton Award candidate leads the FCS averaging 434.0 passing yards per game. DeMorat is in striking distance of becoming the third quarterback in Patriot League history to eclipse 10,000 career passing yards.
PFL
PFL’S 30TH CAMPAIGN -- The 2022 season marks the 30th year for the Pioneer Football League – the nation’s only non-scholarship, football-only NCAA Football Championship Subdivision conference. The league will feature 11 teams – tied for most in league history – each playing an eight-game schedule to determine the league champion and recipient of the automatic bid to the 2021 NCAA FCS Championship.
MARIST’S PARADY SEEKS 150TH FCS VICTORY -- Entering the 2022 season, Marist head coach James Parady needs seven wins to record 150 career FCS victories. Since the FCS was created in 1978, only 14 head coaches have won 150 or more FCS games, including five active head coaches (see list, page 7). FCS wins are only counted for head coaches when their program is listed as a Division I FCS program by the NCAA.
DAYTON’S CHAMBERLIN NOTCHES 100TH CAREER WIN -- Dayton head coach Rick Chamberlin picked up his 100th career victory – all at Dayton – with the Flyers’ 22-20 victory at Robert Morris. In his 15th season at Dayton, he is the third Flyers football coach to reach 100 career wins, joining College Football Hall of Fame members Harry Baujan and Mike Kelley.
SOCON
Chattanooga looks to remain undefeated when it visits Big Ten foe Illinois on Thursday, while Samford hosts Western Carolina on Saturday for the only Southern Conference league game this week.
Five of the SoCon’s nine squads are either ranked or receiving votes in the latest national polls. Chattanooga is ranked No. 9 in the AFCA FCS Coaches’ Top 25 and No. 10 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. Mercer is No. 16 in the coaches’ poll and No. 17 in the Stats Perform poll, while Samford is ranked No. 22 and No. 21 in those polls, respectively. Furman is the fi rst team out in both polls, while ETSU is also receiving votes in both rankings.
The SoCon and the six-member ASUN are the only two FCS conferences to currently have every team ranked 199 or better in the current combined Sagarin FBS and FCS rankings.
Chattanooga rolled past North Alabama 41-14 on Sept. 17, with quarterback Preston Hutchinson accounting for fi ve touchdowns on the day to earn SoCon Off ensive Player of the Week honors for the second straight week. The Mocs will be trying to hand the Illini their fi rst-ever loss to an FCS program (17-0).
SOUTHLAND
The UIW Cardinals have moved their way to 3-0 on the season with a top 10 ranking and an FBS win thanks to a high-powered offense. The Cardinals are the leading scoring team in FCS at 50.0 points per game. Their 150 total points is just ahead of Fordham’s 148 points through three contests.
Through three game weeks in FCS nationwide, Northwestern State is the national leader in blocked kicks with four (4), all on placement kicks. The FCS record for blocked kicks (combined punts and placement kicks) in a season is 13 by Davidson in 1999. The Southland record for blocked kicks (combined punts and placement kicks) in a season is 11 by Arkansas State in 1975.
The Southland features two of the nation’s top passing offenses in UIW (ranked 2nd in yards per game) and HBU (ranked 9th in yards per game). UIW also leads the nation in team passing efficiency (208.84).
SWAC
There was one conference game scheduled this past weekend with Texas Southern defeating Southern by a score of 24-0. This week’s schedule features a total of six contests with five league matchups.
SWAC Offensive Player of the Week Shedeur Sanders accounted for a career-high six touchdowns (four passing/two rushing) during Jackson State's 66-24 win over Grambling State. He completed 22-of-34 passes for 357 yards.
SWAC Defensive Player of the Week Aubrey Miller contributed eight tackles, one forced fumble, one pass breakup, and one quarterback hurry against Grambling State this past weekend.
WAC
THREE TEAMS TIED AT 2-1 AFTER SEASON’S THIRD WEEK -- Abilene Christian became the final WAC team to register a loss during the 2022 campaign, dropping a competitive effort at SEC foe Missouri on Sept. 17 to fall to 2-1. Southern Utah joined the Wildcats at 2-1 with a 17-10 win at Western Illinois, while Tarleton also moved to 2-1 with a dominant 41-6 showing against Eastern New Mexico.
SUU REFUSED TO BACK DOWN ON THE ROAD IN ILLINOIS -- After leading for the majority of the contest on Sept. 17 at Western Illinois, Southern Utah took the best punch from the Leathernecks in the form of a tying touchdown with 54 seconds remaining to level the score at 10-10. The Thunderbirds had fireworks of their own planned for the next offensive possession. On the second play of the drive, SUU quarterback Justin Miller looked to his left down the far sideline and found a gliding Isaiah Wooden in stride for the game-winning 73-yard touchdown pass and a 17-10 victory. It was the longest scoring play through the air for the Thunderbirds since Miller found Brandon Schenks for a matching 73-yard touchdown toss in a 34-24 SUU win at Cal Poly on March 13, 2021.
TARLETON IMPRESSIVE IN HOME ROUT OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO -- Tarleton looked to be in midseason form at home in a Saturday night showdown with Eastern New Mexico on Sept. 17, building a 24-3 lead at the half before coasting to a 41-6 win in Stephenville. The Texans outgained Eastern New Mexico 473-113 in total offense and held the visitors to just 1.7 yards per play while forcing three turnovers. Tarleton quarterback Beau Allen established a career high with 312 passing yards and added two passing touchdowns, gaining an additional 18 rushing yards to go along with a 6-yard score on the ground. Wide receiver Jaden Smith snagged seven Allen passes for 129 yards and an impressive 7-yard touchdown for the Texans.
Mike Kern
Associate Commissioner
School SIDs – please forward to your football media. Thank you!
Here is a link to this week’s fan/media video (courtesy NCAA staff) -- Click Here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnOgWD9YjMQ&feature=youtu.be)
Previously Released:
Week 1 Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t2VO8-UKY0)
Week 2 Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEm3RT4TeKw&feature=youtu.be)
2022 FCS INSIDER -- KEY LINKS
NCAA Statistics – Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fstats.ncaa.org%2frankings%2fch ange_sport_year_div&c=E,1,mRjnMdfJ923UgEz_6F_K71TPIgaYLBK4h14t4LGm20rq WWtqfAZgQSQTq6pntUD0a2pxmiKT48pAb9pE53zsA3uTxDpujS 57ux2QBVpU&typo=1) | Top-25 Polls -- Click Here (https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/football/fcs/fcs-coaches-poll) | AGS Top 25 -- Click Here (http://thefcswedge.com/ags-poll/ags-poll-week-3-top-25-results-4/) | FCS Scoreboard -- Click Here (https://www.ncaa.com/scoreboard/football/fcs)
FCS Insider -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2ffcsinsider.com%2f&c=E,1,3rB462R9KZ-aj2yNofuGFA9TqKQXYMRWX4Earw7riN3E_ztqOugup5gq2BwpL zt7KVV2pF5uyCpiAUfIkKrtUsBnLvSjTj6jHtoKYe9jgHKVuPp zXHxOEBrbksEt&typo=1) | Stats Perform -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.fcs.football%2ffcsfront.asp&c=E,1,RNp9OmJwGyQPTgnEngU_v5QjJKoipACVxOqXwmSKZRyR PeqAHQOwZzl7U5GVxWDiwWUhGytnkLPvjVLVgWta1mTlttk6oK UmwhlQhdFYHjWZGXR8cFBDG7EaRw,,&typo=1) | HERO Sports -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fherosports.com%2fcategory%2fco llege-football%2ffcs%2f&c=E,1,RCc8_tC95gi2TageeGldFZx1_AffWt8LvdZDJ5-vLbx7CSpI2r98jPXJkxrGsIvPuPexsxfl3iB5CLLsEx5otyGav hh87fPePZRbmbyDGzYYTi8Cp2mfP5A,&typo=1) | Talking Pigskin -- Click Here (https://talkingpigskin.com/)
FCS ALL-IN AIRS FRIDAY ON ESPN+ AT 7 PM ET -- Click To Learn More (https://fcsinsider.com/news/2022/8/25/football-fcs-all-in-debuts-friday-on-espn.aspx)
The 2023 FCS championship game will be played on Sunday, Jan. 8, and will air on ABC starting at 2 p.m. ET. -- Read (https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2022-09-07/abc-broadcast-2022-fcs-championship-game-frisco)
The last time the game was held on a Sunday was at the end of the 2021 spring season which saw Sam Houston defeat South Dakota St. 23-21.
CRAIG HALEY OF STATS PERFORM PREVIEWS THIS WEEK’S MATCHUPS -- Read (https://theanalyst.com/na/2022/09/fcs-football-preview-and-predictions-week-4-games-of-the-week/)
FedEx Ground FCS National Players of the Week -- Click Here (https://theanalyst.com/na/2022/09/henderson-leskovec-north-carolina-central-headline-fcs-weekly-awards/)
Top 25 FCS vs. Top 25 FCS This Week
South Dakota State at Missouri State, 2 pm CT (ESPN3)
Eastern Washington at Montana State, 3 pm CT (ESPN+)
Eastern Kentucky at Austin Peay, 3 pm CT (ESPN+)
North Dakota at Southern Illinois, 2 pm CT (ESPN+)
FCS ROUNDUP (Conference Headlines) – Read below
FBS WINS OVER FBS PROGRAMS – THE FCS HAD 12 SUCH VICTORIES IN 2021 (seven so far this year) -- #FearTheFCS
DATE
FCS TEAM
SCORE
FBS TEAM
Sept. 2
William & Mary
41-24
Charlotte
Sept. 3
Delaware
14-7
Navy
Sept. 10
Eastern Kentucky
59-57 (7 OT)
Bowling Green
Sept. 10
Holy Cross
37-31
Buffalo
Sept. 10
UIW
55-41
Nevada
Sept. 10
Weber State
35-7
Utah State
Sept. 17
Southern Illinois
31-24
Northwestern
FCS INSIDER – AROUND THE FCS
ASUN
All six ASUN Conference Football teams are in action on Saturday highlighted by the first head-to-head meeting of league squads in the inaugural season as No. 23/RV Austin Peay hosts No. 16/20 Eastern Kentucky while Kennesaw State and North Alabama also make home appearances. Jacksonville State and Central Arkansas are both playing in their third consecutive road games.
The first head-to-head ASUN Football contest of the inaugural season kicks off Saturday pitting a pair of nationally-ranked opponents against each other. No. 23/RV Austin Peay makes its conference debut hosting longtime rival No. 16/20 Eastern Kentucky for Homecoming in Clarksville. The Colonels (44.3 ppg) and Govs (39.8 ppg) both feature high-powered offenses that rank sixth and 13th nationally in scoring, respectively. APSU's defense has also held its last three opponents out of the endzone.
BIG SKY
Sacramento State Seeks First 3-0 Start Since 1992 -- After last week’s 37-21 win at UNI, Sacramento State has jumped out to a 2-0 record for the first time since 2000. The last time Sacramento State opened the year 3-0 came in 1992, which was the program’s last year as an NCAA Div. II member.
Weber State’s 10 INTs Lead All of College Football -- Weber State leads the FCS with 10 interceptions through its first three games, with Maxwell Anderson owning four of those to tie for first individually. The Wildcats are also the only team in college football (FBS, FCS, Div. II and Div. III) to have 10 INTs.
Montana Has Outscored Foes 120-21 to Open Year -- Montana has outscored its first three opponents 120-21 to open the year with wins over a team from the Southland Conference (Northwestern State) and two teams from the Missouri Valley Football Conference (South Dakota, Indiana State).
BIG SOUTH
Charleston Southern K Sam Babbush made a school-record 57-yard field goal last week at Eastern Kentucky -- tied for the second-longest in Big South history. He is just the second different kicker in the league record book with a 57-yarder, joining Liberty’s John Lunsford, who made three from that distance in his career. Babbush kicked a 50-yard field goal in Week 1 vs. Western Carolina, and is now the sixth different kicker in conference annals to make two field goals from 50-yards or longer in a season, and first since CSU’s Alex Usry (3) in 2019.
Bryant QB Zevi Eckhaus leads the Big South with 850 passing yards and seven touchdown passes through the first three weeks of the season. He has opened the campaign with three consecutive games with 200+ passing yards, and has thrown three touchdowns in each of his last two contests. Eckhaus will attempt to extend his passing yards streak to four games this Saturday at Long Island, which would be tied for the sixth-longest streak to open a season in league history. Should he connect on three TD passes at LIU, he would tie the Big South mark for most consecutive games with 3+ TD passes.
North Carolina A&T RB Bhayshul Tuten is the Big South’s leading rusher after three weeks with 280 yards -- 260 of which have come in the past two games (130.0 average). He first ran for a then-career high 127 at North Dakota State in Week 2, then re-set his personal-best with 133 rushing yards last week at Duke. Tuten is the first Big South rusher with back-to-back games with at least 125 rushing yards since Monmouth’s Pete Guerriero in 2019.
CAA
FIVE CONFERENCE MATCHUPS ON WEEK 4 SCHEDULE: For the first time this season, conference play dominates the Week 4 schedule with five league matchups on the seven-game slate. In a battle of unbeatens, Hampton makes its CAA debut at 8th-ranked Delaware, while Elon takes a two-game winning streak to 14th-ranked and undefeated William & Mary in the CAA opener for both squads. Defending champion Villanova opens CAA play against Monmouth, first-place New Hampshire heads to Towson and Richmond hosts Stony Brook.
DOMINANT IN NON-CONFERENCE PLAY: CAA teams have been dominant against FCS non-conference opponents over the past five years, winning a remarkable 76% of those games. The success has continued in 2022 as CAA teams are 15-4 (.789) against FCS opponents. The 15 wins are the most of any FCS conference, while the .789 win percentage trails only the Ivy League, which went 7-1 last week.
EFFICIENT QUARTERBACKS: Five of the top 16 FCS quarterbacks in pass efficiency play in the CAA. Elon's Matthew McKay ranks 4th and Villanova's Connor Watkins is right behind in 5th. William & Mary's Darius Wilson (11th), Delaware's Nolan Henderson (12th) and UAlbany's Reese Poffenbarger (16th) are also among FCS leaders. The CAA has five of the top 20 QB's in passing yards as well, topped by Monmouth's Tony Muskett.
ON TARGET: Richmond quarterback Reece Udinski completed his first 17 pass attempts in the Spiders' win at Lehigh last Saturday and finished 37-of-44 for a career-high 351 yards. Udinski leads FCS in completion percentage (76.7%) for the season.
IVY
A pair of league contests highlight the second week of Ivy League football action on Saturday. Harvard and Brown square off in Providence, R.I., at 12:30 p.m. ET and Yale and Cornell battle in Ithaca, N.Y., at 2 p.m. ET.
The Ivy League had its best start to season since 2005, collectively going 7-1 in its opening weekend. Since 2005, the league is 83-53 in season openers and has posted a win percentage of .500-or-better in 14 of the 17 seasons.
In the first week of play three Ivies held their opponents to negative rushing yards: Harvard (-26), Princeton (-10) and Cornell (-2). There have only been three other FCS games this season, which a team has held its opponent to negative rushing yards. Six of the league’s eight teams rank in the top 10 nationally of rushing defenses in the FCS: Harvard (1st, -26.0), Princeton (2nd, -10.0), Cornell (3rd, -2.0), Penn (4th, 43.0), Columbia (7th, 55.0), Dartmouth (10th, 67.0).
MEAC
With four games on the docket for Week 4 of the 2022 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) football season on Saturday, three of those contests will be at home.
Delaware State is back home for the third time in four weeks this weekend, and the Hornets will once again play host to Merrimack College. The Warriors, coming off a 28-21 overtime loss to Harvard, is 2-0 all-time against Delaware State – including a 47-10 win at Alumni Stadium last season. The two teams first met in 2019, when Merrimack defeated the Hornets 30-21. The Hornets are coming off a 35-19 win over Virginia University of Lynchburg, and they are 2-0 at home so far in 2022
After going 3-0 to open the season for the first time in the Div. I era, and being nationally ranked for the first time since 2016, the NC Central Eagles are flying high after this past weekend’s 45-27 win over then-No. 25 New Hampshire. North Carolina Central, the STATS Perform FCS FedEx Ground National Team of the Week, returns to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium to face Virginia University of Lynchburg this Saturday afternoon, with the Dragons coming off a 35-19 loss to fellow MEAC member Delaware State this past weekend. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams, though the Dragons are no stranger to the MEAC.
MVFC
Two league games this weekend feature two ranked MVFC programs. Missouri State (4) hosts South Dakota State (2), while North Dakota (19) plays at Southern Illinois (24) on Saturday, marking the 212th and 213th time two ranked MVFC teams played one another. The home team is 122-88 and the higher-ranked team is 131-80 in the previous meetings. (Ranking listed is the higher in either the Stats Perform or AFCA coaches poll.)
In the Metrics -- Nine MVFC teams rank in the Top 25 of the Sagarin football ratings, topped by North Dakota State (1), South Dakota State (2), and Missouri State (5). The same nine schools rank in the Top 35 of the Massey FCS computer rankings. Eight MVFC programs rank in the Top 30 of Massey’s Strength of Schedule ratings. The MVFC is the top-rated FCS league in the Sagarin, followed by the Big Sky, ASUN, and Southern.
Against the FBS -- Including Southern Illinois’ 31-24 win at Northwestern in 2022, Missouri Valley Football Conference schools have combined for 48 wins against FBS teams since 1985. A league member has picked up at least one FBS win for 12 of the last 13 seasons (only missing the 2020-21 COVID season in which only one FBS team was played).
NEC
The Northeast Conference (NEC) boasts a freshman phenom in Saint Francis U rookie Makai Jackson. In the past two weeks, the wide receiver has claimed five-of-eight of the league’s weekly awards. In Week 2, Jackson was tabbed the NEC Offensive Player of the Week and the NEC Rookie of the Week. Repeating as the league’s winner in each of those awards following Week 2 action, he also received NEC Special Teams Player of the Week distinction at the conclusion Week 3.
Jackson was also named the FedEx Ground FCS National Player of the Week by Stats Perform on Monday. He currently leads all FCS rookies in receptions per game (8.7) and receiving yards per game (107) and is ranked third and seventh in the FCS, respectively.
Sacred Heart continues to rank among the FCS leaders defensively this season. The Pioneers are tied for ninth in points allowed per game (14.0) and are third in yards allowed per game (215.3)
Five NEC teams will be in action against non-conference opponents in Week 4. Sacred Heart opens its home slate against Dartmouth, while LIU plays host to Bryant. Merrimack (Delaware State), Central Connecticut (UAlbany) and Saint Francis U (Norfolk State) are slated for road games.
With no league games on the slate during Week 4, Sacred Heart (1-0) and Saint Francis U (1-0) sit atop of the NEC standings with respective victories against CCSU (Week 2) and Wagner (Week 3).
OVC
Southeast Missouri improved to 2-0 against FCS competition this season with a 42-16 win over Nicholls in its home opener. The Redhawks are receiving votes in both major polls this week. SEMO linebacker Bryce Norman recorded 17 tackles in the victory, the fifth-most by a FCS player this year and the most by an OVC player since the 2019 season.
Lindenwood improved to 2-0 in its first year as a Division I team with a 37-3 home win over Keiser University. The game was the 100th all-time at Hunter Stadium for the Lions who begin Conference play this weekend at nationally ranked UT Martin.
Tennessee State ranks tied for first nationally in red zone offense (100%) through three games. The Tigers are off this week but host Lane College in the annual John Merritt Classic on October 1.
PATRIOT
HOLY CROSS AND FORDHAM IN THE STATS PERFORM AND AFCA COACHES POLLS -- Three-time defending champion Holy Cross dropped one spot to 13th in the FCS Coaches Poll and remained 13th in the Stats Perform FCS Poll after a decisive 38-14 victory against Yale. Chesney and the Crusaders were picked 18th in the preseason FCS Coaches Poll, and 16th in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. Fordham defeated Albany, 48-45, and moved up three spots to No. 18 in the FCS Coaches Poll. The Rams are receiving votes in the FCS Coaches Poll for the third-straight week. This is the second-straight week that two Patriot League teams have been ranked during the regular-season. Prior to this season, the last time two League teams were ranked at the same time was Sept. 4, 2017 when Lehigh was No. 19 and Colgate checked in at No. 25 in the FCS Coaches Poll.
PATRIOT LEAGUE TEAMS AMONG THE FCS STATISTICAL LEADERS HEADING INTO WEEK FOUR -- Fordham ranks first among FCS programs in total offense, averaging 618.7 yards per game and second in scoring offense with 49.3 points per game, led by the FCS’s leading passer Tim DeMorat (434.0 ypg). Holy Cross has also been among the nation’s best, placing eighth in the FCS in rushing offense (238.3) and third in team passing efficiency (192.86), just in front of fourth-ranked Fordham (186.95). Through three games, Colgate has been among the most careful and opportunistic, ranking ninth in turnover margin (1.67) and second in defensive touchdowns (2).
DEMORAT CLIMBING LEAGUE CAREER-LEADERS LISTS -- Two-time defending Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Tim DeMorat threw for a career-high 464 yards and five touchdowns in the Rams’ 48-45 win against Albany. The FCS active leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns (83) is fourth in the League record book in career passing yards after beginning the season in eighth place. The Walter Payton Award candidate leads the FCS averaging 434.0 passing yards per game. DeMorat is in striking distance of becoming the third quarterback in Patriot League history to eclipse 10,000 career passing yards.
PFL
PFL’S 30TH CAMPAIGN -- The 2022 season marks the 30th year for the Pioneer Football League – the nation’s only non-scholarship, football-only NCAA Football Championship Subdivision conference. The league will feature 11 teams – tied for most in league history – each playing an eight-game schedule to determine the league champion and recipient of the automatic bid to the 2021 NCAA FCS Championship.
MARIST’S PARADY SEEKS 150TH FCS VICTORY -- Entering the 2022 season, Marist head coach James Parady needs seven wins to record 150 career FCS victories. Since the FCS was created in 1978, only 14 head coaches have won 150 or more FCS games, including five active head coaches (see list, page 7). FCS wins are only counted for head coaches when their program is listed as a Division I FCS program by the NCAA.
DAYTON’S CHAMBERLIN NOTCHES 100TH CAREER WIN -- Dayton head coach Rick Chamberlin picked up his 100th career victory – all at Dayton – with the Flyers’ 22-20 victory at Robert Morris. In his 15th season at Dayton, he is the third Flyers football coach to reach 100 career wins, joining College Football Hall of Fame members Harry Baujan and Mike Kelley.
SOCON
Chattanooga looks to remain undefeated when it visits Big Ten foe Illinois on Thursday, while Samford hosts Western Carolina on Saturday for the only Southern Conference league game this week.
Five of the SoCon’s nine squads are either ranked or receiving votes in the latest national polls. Chattanooga is ranked No. 9 in the AFCA FCS Coaches’ Top 25 and No. 10 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. Mercer is No. 16 in the coaches’ poll and No. 17 in the Stats Perform poll, while Samford is ranked No. 22 and No. 21 in those polls, respectively. Furman is the fi rst team out in both polls, while ETSU is also receiving votes in both rankings.
The SoCon and the six-member ASUN are the only two FCS conferences to currently have every team ranked 199 or better in the current combined Sagarin FBS and FCS rankings.
Chattanooga rolled past North Alabama 41-14 on Sept. 17, with quarterback Preston Hutchinson accounting for fi ve touchdowns on the day to earn SoCon Off ensive Player of the Week honors for the second straight week. The Mocs will be trying to hand the Illini their fi rst-ever loss to an FCS program (17-0).
SOUTHLAND
The UIW Cardinals have moved their way to 3-0 on the season with a top 10 ranking and an FBS win thanks to a high-powered offense. The Cardinals are the leading scoring team in FCS at 50.0 points per game. Their 150 total points is just ahead of Fordham’s 148 points through three contests.
Through three game weeks in FCS nationwide, Northwestern State is the national leader in blocked kicks with four (4), all on placement kicks. The FCS record for blocked kicks (combined punts and placement kicks) in a season is 13 by Davidson in 1999. The Southland record for blocked kicks (combined punts and placement kicks) in a season is 11 by Arkansas State in 1975.
The Southland features two of the nation’s top passing offenses in UIW (ranked 2nd in yards per game) and HBU (ranked 9th in yards per game). UIW also leads the nation in team passing efficiency (208.84).
SWAC
There was one conference game scheduled this past weekend with Texas Southern defeating Southern by a score of 24-0. This week’s schedule features a total of six contests with five league matchups.
SWAC Offensive Player of the Week Shedeur Sanders accounted for a career-high six touchdowns (four passing/two rushing) during Jackson State's 66-24 win over Grambling State. He completed 22-of-34 passes for 357 yards.
SWAC Defensive Player of the Week Aubrey Miller contributed eight tackles, one forced fumble, one pass breakup, and one quarterback hurry against Grambling State this past weekend.
WAC
THREE TEAMS TIED AT 2-1 AFTER SEASON’S THIRD WEEK -- Abilene Christian became the final WAC team to register a loss during the 2022 campaign, dropping a competitive effort at SEC foe Missouri on Sept. 17 to fall to 2-1. Southern Utah joined the Wildcats at 2-1 with a 17-10 win at Western Illinois, while Tarleton also moved to 2-1 with a dominant 41-6 showing against Eastern New Mexico.
SUU REFUSED TO BACK DOWN ON THE ROAD IN ILLINOIS -- After leading for the majority of the contest on Sept. 17 at Western Illinois, Southern Utah took the best punch from the Leathernecks in the form of a tying touchdown with 54 seconds remaining to level the score at 10-10. The Thunderbirds had fireworks of their own planned for the next offensive possession. On the second play of the drive, SUU quarterback Justin Miller looked to his left down the far sideline and found a gliding Isaiah Wooden in stride for the game-winning 73-yard touchdown pass and a 17-10 victory. It was the longest scoring play through the air for the Thunderbirds since Miller found Brandon Schenks for a matching 73-yard touchdown toss in a 34-24 SUU win at Cal Poly on March 13, 2021.
TARLETON IMPRESSIVE IN HOME ROUT OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO -- Tarleton looked to be in midseason form at home in a Saturday night showdown with Eastern New Mexico on Sept. 17, building a 24-3 lead at the half before coasting to a 41-6 win in Stephenville. The Texans outgained Eastern New Mexico 473-113 in total offense and held the visitors to just 1.7 yards per play while forcing three turnovers. Tarleton quarterback Beau Allen established a career high with 312 passing yards and added two passing touchdowns, gaining an additional 18 rushing yards to go along with a 6-yard score on the ground. Wide receiver Jaden Smith snagged seven Allen passes for 129 yards and an impressive 7-yard touchdown for the Texans.
Mike Kern
Associate Commissioner