ursus arctos horribilis
September 24th, 2021, 02:32 PM
FCS ALL IN -- "FCS ALL IN" is a weekly news program dedicated to promoting all FCS 15 conferences. Content will be provided by each participating conference, and the program will be distributed via a YouTube channel (//YouTube.com/c/FCSALLIN) and launched each Saturday at 10 a.m. ET. In addition to providing an overview of FCS games, each episode will include interviews with special guests and national media correspondents.
#FearTheFCS -- In Week 1, the Big Sky became first FCS conference to post three wins over FBS opponents in the same week since CAA Football in 2009. Montana knocked off No. 20 Washington, becoming just the sixth FCS school to post a win over a nationally ranked FBS foe. There have been 10 FCS wins over FBS programs this season, including four wins over teams from "Power 5" programs. In 2016, five FCS teams knocked off Power 5 teams (the last time as many as three-such wins have occurred in one season). The last time the FCS had more than 10 wins in one season against FBS schools was in 2013 (16 that year).
FCS Wins Vs. FBS (2021)
Eastern Washington 35, UNLV 33 (2OT)
UC Davis 19, Tulsa 17
South Dakota State 42, Colorado State 23
Montana 13, No. 20 Washington 7
Holy Cross 38, UConn 28
ETSU 23, Vanderbilt 3
Duquesne 28, Ohio 26
Jacksonville State 20, Florida State 17
UIW 42, Texas State 34
Northern Arizona 21, Arizona 19
* FCS in the NFL – There are more than two full teams worth of FCS players on NFL opening-day rosters. Better than 130 former FCS players made teams' 53-man rosters. Despite low draft numbers this spring (6) and last (6 in 2019), the number of FCS players on NFL rosters has not altered much --- with more than 210 FCS players on NFL Opening Day rosters in each of the previous three seasons (that number includes 53-man rosters and practice squads).
* The 2021 season marks the debut of two new FCS conferences. The ASUN has three members this season: Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, and Central Arkansas. The WAC has four post-season eligible teams in the fall: Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston, and SFA. The two leagues have agreed on a one-year scheduling alliance for this fall.
* Campbell and Gardner-Webb announced that the two schools' football programs will compete annually for the North Carolina East/West BBQ Trophy, beginning this season. The Fighting Camels and Runnin' Bulldogs renew their intra-conference rivalry on Saturday, October 9, in Boiling Springs. Kickoff for the inaugural rivalry game is set for 6:00 p.m. in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium.
* Eastern Washington's Eric Barriere, Holy Cross' Jacob Dobbs, Maine's Rich Carr and Merrimack's Jacari Carter were named Monday as the Stats Perform FCS National Players of the Week. In addition, Northern Arizona earned FCS National Team of the Week.
* Four Top 25 teams (AFCA coaches poll) face off against one another this weekend (Sept. 25). No. 1 Sam Houston takes on No. t24 Central Arkansas; No. 10 UC Davis battles No. 15 Weber State. Nine FCS-FBS matchups are on the slate this weekend, too.
ASUN -- On Sept. 17, the ASUN Conference announced today the addition of Austin Peay State University into the league after a unanimous vote by the ASUN Presidents' Council. With the introduction of the Governors, the league expands to 13 member institutions as the ASUN welcomes its second university in the state of Tennessee. The Govs join the ASUN Football ranks in the 2022 season.
Jacksonville State defensive back Malik Feaster's 100-yard fumble return against North Alabama on Sept. 18 set a new record for the longest return in FCS history. It also set a new school-best, beating the previous 59-year old mark of 98 yards set by Eugene Grieg.
A pair of current and future ASUN Head Coach find themselves ranked in the Top-3 winningest active head coaches list with at least 50 career games coached. JSU's John Grass and KSU's Brian Bohannon rank second and third, respectively.
BIG SKY -- The Big Sky had five teams ranked in the Top 15 once again of both national polls this past week, which is believed to be the first time ever for the conference. Montana led the way for the league, ranked fourth overall.
Undefeated UC Davis travels to defending Big Sky champ Weber State this week, marking the first ranked conference matchup of the year. The Aggies are ranked 10th and 12th in both polls, while the Wildcats are 14th and 15th.
The Big Sky has flexed its muscle this season against FBS foes, as the league has knocked off four teams from the FBS. The four FBS victories are the most for the league since 2012, while the pair of Power 5 wins earned by NAU and Montana over Arizona and Washington are the most ever for the conference in a single year.
EWU's Eric Barriere passed for 487 of his career-high 542 passing yards in the first half of Saturday's 62-56 win over Western Illinois, which broke the FCS record for most passing yards in a single half held by Old Dominion's Taylor Heinicke in 2012 (480).
BIG SOUTH -- Campbell snapped its 10-game losing streak with a record-setting, 72-0 blanking of Presbyterian this past Saturday. The 72-point margin of victory broke the old Big South single-game mark of 70 (Stony Brook vs. Pace in 2012, 77-7), while the Camels' 10-takeaways (7 INT, 3 FR) also surpassed the previous league record of 8 that was set by Liberty against VMI in 2009. Campbell's seven interceptions against the Blue Hose also bested the old Big South single-game record of six that was held by Coastal Carolina against PC in 2007.
Campbell QB Wiley Hartley set a Big South single-game record with 6 touchdown passes this past Saturday against Presbyterian. He broke the old league mark of five TD throws, which was achieved 12 times in conference history -- first by Gardner-Webb's Jeremy Martin vs. Savannah State on Nov. 16, 2002, and most recently by Monmouth's Kenji Bahar vs. North Alabama on Nov. 9, 2019.
Hampton QB Jett Duffey connected on a 95-yard touchdown pass with Hezekiah Grimsley last Saturday vs. Howard -- the longest pass play in Big South history. The old record was 92 yards, which was established by Monmouth's Kenji Bahar to Zach Tredway at Kennesaw State on Nov. 2, 2019. It was the longest scoring pass for Hampton since a 90-yarder against Morgan State in 2009.
For just the second time in the league's 20-year football history, two Big South members recorded shutouts on the same day, as Campbell (72-0 vs. Presbyterian) and Gardner-Webb (56-0 vs. Lincoln) turned the trick this past Saturday. The only previous time was on Nov. 5, 2016.
CAA FOOTBALL -- Elon and William & Mary, the only two teams to have not played a conference game this season, go head-to-head in the lone CAA Football matchup this Saturday. The Phoenix rank 2nd in the CAA in passing offense (268.7 ypg), while the Tribe defense has given up just 10 points in the past two weeks.
Five of the seven games on Saturday's scheduled are against FBS foes as Villanova faces #6 Penn State, Richmond goes to Virginia Tech, New Hampshire visits Pitt, Maine meets Northern Illinois and Towson travels to San Diego State. CAA teams are 0-5 vs. the FBS thus far this season. Stony Brook hosts local rival Fordham in the only FCS non-conference contest of the week.
Four CAA teams - JMU, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Villanova - are off to 3-0 starts this season. No other FCS league has more than two squads (Big Sky) that are 3-0, and the only FBS conferences with at least four 3-0 squads are the Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC.
CAA Football teams went 5-1 against non-conference foes in Week 3. For the season, the CAA is 16-3 vs. FCS non-conference competition. The 16 wins against FCS foes trails only the MVFC (17-2).
IVY LEAGUE -- Ivy League schools look to build off their momentum from last weekend in the second week of Ivy football action. This weekend's games begin in front of a national television audience when Harvard hosts Brown at 7:00 p.m. on Friday on ESPNU. The remaining six teams are in action on Saturday. Each of those contests will be aired on ESPN+.
The Ivy League posted a 5-3 record on its opening weekend of play. This marks the 13th time in the last 16 seasons that the Ancient Eight has collectively earned a .500-or-better opening weekend winning percentage. Since 2005, Ivies are 76-52 (.594) in season-openers.
Beyond opening weekend, Ivies have enjoyed success in all of non-conference play in recent years. Dating back to the 2010 season, Ivy League schools are 146-102 against non-league opponents. The league posted back-to-back FCS-leading .750 non-conference marks in 2017 and 2018.
Three Ivy League players received national recognition for their opening weekend performances, earning honorable mention from Stats Perform: Cole Smith (Princeton), Aaron Shampklin (Harvard) and Jalen Mackie (Dartmouth). The Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week, Smith led the Tigers offense with 412 passing yards and three touchdowns on 30-of-41 passing. His performance marked just the 14th time in program history that a Tigers' quarterback threw for 400 yards in a game. After rushing for 183 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just 14 carries, Harvard running back Aaron Shampklin earned the distinction. His 183 yards is the third most in an FCS game this season. Mackie, the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week, registered 12 tackles in the Big Green's season opening win over Valparaiso, which was more than he had in his career entering the contest (10). His fourth-quarter interception set up what turned out to be the final score of the game.
MEAC -- This weekend, it will be former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foe North Carolina A&T State, as the two in-state rivals square off in the renewal of the Aggie-Eagle Classic in Greensboro, N.C. The only thing different this time around is that the two won't be fighting for positioning in the MEAC standings. In North Carolina Central's game at rival North Carolina A&T State on Saturday, NCCU will be looking for its best start in four years, while NCAT will be trying to avoid its worst start in 11 years.
Norfolk State quarterback Juwan Carter was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Football Offensive Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, the conference announced on Monday. Norfolk State defensive end Chris Myers was named Defensive
Player of the Week and teammate J.J. Davis was named Rookie of the Week. Norfolk State's Colby Byrd was named Offensive Lineman of the Week, and picking up Specialist of the Week honors was North Carolina Central's Adrian Olivo.
The MEAC made history on Sept. 11, as there were two female officials working the football game between Georgetown and Delaware State at Alumni Stadium in Dover, Del. It marked the first time in conference history that multiple female officials worked a football game together. Henrietta Powell and Monique Washington were part of the crew at Delaware State on Saturday; Powell served as head linesman, while Washington was a line judge.
MISSOURI VALLEY --A total of 28 former student-athletes who played at Missouri Valley Football Conference members are on NFL rosters (as of Sept. 21). North Dakota State, which tops the FCS in total selections, has three former QBs on rosters.
The Missouri Valley Football Conference continues to dominate the Top 25 rankings, with six teams in both the Stats Perform and AFCA FCS top-25 polls. South Dakota State, ranked No. 2 in the Stats Perform poll this week, leads the way for MVFC schools.
All 11 MVFC schools are ranked in the top 36 of the Massey Ratings. South Dakota State leads the league (and the nation), and the Jacks are one of eight MVFC schools in the Top 14. Four league teams are in the Top 6.
North Dakota continues to roll in home openers, notching its 35th straight win with a shutout over visiting Drake in the Alerus Center on Sept. 18. Earlier this season, North Dakota State extended its streak -- second-best nationally -- to 23.
NORTHEAST -- Seven of eight Northeast Conference members do battle in Week 4 – all going up against non-conference opponents.
Duquesne, which enjoyed a bye week following a 28-26 road win over Ohio, looks to win its home opener for the 14th year in a row when United States Collegiate Athletic Association member Virginia University of Lynchburg visits Rooney Field.
Merrimack WR Jacari Carter has surpassed the 100-yard receiving mark in each of his last two games (Holy Cross, Maine). The Garden State product made for a memorable day in Orono, ME where he recorded a NCAA DI FCS single-game season-high 18 receptions for 131 and two touchdowns in Week 3. Carter has made multiple catches in five consecutive games dating back to the spring season.
Sacred Heart, which has allowed only seven points over eight quarters of non-conference play, looks for its third win of the month with a trip to Ivy League member Dartmouth.
Wagner faces a FBS member for the second time this season, visiting Temple. Meanwhile, Central Connecticut, which opened the 2017 season at Syracuse, visits an ACC member for the second time as a program with this week's game at Miami.
OHIO VALLEY -- UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson won his 92nd game on Saturday at Northwestern State. That moved him into fifth place on the OVC career wins list. He is in his 16th season as the Skyhawks head coach.
Tennessee State kicker Antonio Zita made two field goals last week to increase his career total to 50, the fourth-highest total in OVC history, nine behind the record. He helped TSU give first-year head coach Eddie George his first collegiate victory.
This week marks the first Conference matchups of the season with two OVC games on the schedule.
UT Martin running back Peyton Logan, this week's OVC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, is averaging 10.03 yards per carry this season, fourth-best nationally.
PATRIOT -- Patriot League play opens on Saturday when Colgate hosts Lehigh for a 1 p.m. game on ESPN+. Georgetown travels to Columbia to play for the Lou Little Trophy with coverage on ESPN+ beginning at 1 p.m. Holy Cross heads to No. 19/20 Monmouth, also beginning at 1 p.m. on ESPN+. Lafayette hosts Penn for Family Weekend with live coverage on ESPN+ beginning at 3:30 p.m. Fordham heads to Stony Brook for a 3:30 p.m. game on FloFootball.com.
Holy Cross junior linebacker Jacob Dobbs was named the Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week after compiling 13 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss (TFLs) and 2.0 sacks in the Crusaders' 20-17 victory over Yale on Sept. 18. Dobbs has recorded double-digit tackles in each of Holy Cross's three games and is second in the League in tackles, averaging 14.0 per game. He also leads the League in TFLs (0.67) and sacks (1.33) per game. Dobbs is the second Patriot League football student-athlete to earn national weekly recognition. Fordham's Ryan Greenhagen was the national defensive player of the week on Sept. 6.
Fordham senior linebacker Ryan Greenhagen leads the NCAA in tackles, averaging 25.3 per game through three games. Greenhagen was named the Stats Perform National FCS Defensive Player of the Week after his NCAA Division I and Patriot League record-breaking 31-tackle performance against Nebraska on Sept. 4. He recorded 28 tackles in the Rams' loss to Monmouth on Sept. 11, tying the second-highest single-game total in Patriot League history. Holy Cross's Dobbs is third in the nation, averaging 14.0 tackles per game, and Lafayette junior linebacker Marco Olivas is 10th, averaging 10.7 tackles per game.
PFL -- Stetson running back Jalen Leary ran for 293 yards in the Hatters' first two victory of the season and he enters Week 4 ranked third among FCS rushers behind Harvard's Aaron Shampkin (183.0 ypg) and Sam Houston's Ramon Jefferson (148.0 ypg). Davidson's Coy Williams is ranked 29th among FCS runners at 76.5 yards per game.
After scoring a FCS record 84 points in its 2021 season opener, Presbyterian stacked up a 68-point performance against Fort Lauderdale in Week 2, giving the Blue Hose the FCS' No. 1 and No. 4 single-game point totals. Butler joined the list with the No. 2 point total thanks to its 77 points at Taylor in Week 3. Morehead State has the FCS' No. 11 total with 62 points in a Week 2 win against Point (Ga.).
As would be expected with the previous note, Presbyterian also holds two of the Top 10 offensive yard marks in the FCS, including its FCS-leading 814-yard outing in the season-opener. But PFL teams have posted six of the FCS's 500-plus yard performances in 2021 with Stetson, Butler (twice) and Drake joining Presbyterian.
Leading the FCS' top offense, Presbyterian quarterback Ren Hefley leads the FCS in passing yards per game (429.7), total offense per game (438.0) and points responsible for (146).
SOUTHERN -- Seven Southern Conference teams are in action this weekend, with three league games on the slate.
Defending SoCon champion VMI will look to open its conference schedule with a win when it hosts Wofford in the Ingles SoCon Game of the Week on select Nexstar affiliates. The Keydets topped the Terriers 36-31 last season to snap an eight-game losing streak in the series and are seeking consecutive wins against Wofford for the first time since winning the first nine games in the series. Seth Morgan threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns, with wide receiver Jakob Herres hauling in 15 catches for 207 yards and three TDs.
VMI moved to 2-1 on the season with last weekend's 31-21 win over Cornell. Redshirt freshman quarterback Collin Ironside threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns to senior wide receiver Jakob Herres. Wofford dropped to 1-1 with its 31-10 setback to No. 24 Kennesaw State. Fifth-year linebacker Joe Beckett had a team-best 11 tackles in the loss.
Samford, which opened its SoCon schedule with a 42-37 comeback win at Western Carolina on Sept. 18, welcomes No. 17/15 ETSU on Saturday. The Bucs outscored the Bulldogs 10-0 in the fourth quarter to claim a 24-17 win to open the 2020-21 spring campaign for both squads, snapping Samford's three-game winning streak in the series. Quay Holmes ran for 125 yards and two scores.
SOUTHLAND -- UIW recorded the first win over an FBS opponent in program history and the ninth win by an FCS squad over an FBS foe this season with a 42-34 victory over Texas State.
UIW quarterback Cameron Ward, the Southland Offensive Player of the Week, threw for at least 300 yards (376) and
four touchdowns (four) for the sixth time in nine career games. Over his last seven games, he is averaging 364 pass yards per game with 27 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Led by reigning Walter Payton Award winner Cole Kelley, the Southeastern offense has scored 40 or more points in seven straight games. In that span, he has completed 73 percent of his passes (224-for-307) for 2,763 yards, 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He has also rushed for 10 touchdowns.
Kelley leads FCS signal-callers in completion percentage (.744) and ranks among the top five in completions per game (33) passing touchdowns (10), passing yards per game (389.3) and points responsible for per game (28.7).
SWAC -- Senior running back Gary Quarles (Cottondale, Ala.) of Alabama A&M delivered through rain soaked conditions the league opener this past week and has now reaped the rewards as he has been named Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Player of the Week as announced by that organization on Monday
Grambling State will look to end a few streaks on Saturday as the Tigers open Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play against Prairie View A&M in the annual State Fair Classic at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. Kickoff against the Panthers is set for 4 p.m. Grambling State (1-2) enters conference play off back-to-back losses to Southern Miss and Houston, while Prairie View A&M (2-1) is coming off a 37-27 victory over Houston Baptist last Saturday.
WAC -- Stephen F. Austin's Xavier Gipson, Abilene Christian's Jordan Paup and Lamar's Bailey Giffin have been named TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for September 13 through September 19.
The WAC-ASUN Challenge, also known as the AQ7, officially begins this week as top-ranked Sam Houston travels to 24/25th ranked Central Arkansas for a 4 p.m. CT kick on ESPN+. In other game, WAC members Abilene Christian and Lamar will meet up in a non-conference game in Beaumont, Stephen F. Austin will host first-year Division II program Lincoln (Calif.) and Tarleton plays host to New Mexico Highlands.
As a team, Sam Houston leads the WAC in scoring offense (47.0), scoring defense (15.0), yards per offensive play (7.78), total offense (560.5), rushing offense (291.0), yards per rush (7.56), rushing yards (291.0) and third-down conversion percentage (50.0). Stephen F. Austin in the leader in total defense (293.0), defensive pass efficiency (88.8), passing offense (317.3), passing defense (170.0), field goals made (8), punt return average (16.6), interceptions (7), turnover margin (+2.7), opponents third-down conversion (30.8) and time of possession (33:18). Abilene Christian has the lead in touchdowns scored (14), pass efficiency (155.1) and pass completion percentage (66.7) while Tarleton has the lead in first downs (25.0)
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Mike Kern
Associate Commissioner
#FearTheFCS -- In Week 1, the Big Sky became first FCS conference to post three wins over FBS opponents in the same week since CAA Football in 2009. Montana knocked off No. 20 Washington, becoming just the sixth FCS school to post a win over a nationally ranked FBS foe. There have been 10 FCS wins over FBS programs this season, including four wins over teams from "Power 5" programs. In 2016, five FCS teams knocked off Power 5 teams (the last time as many as three-such wins have occurred in one season). The last time the FCS had more than 10 wins in one season against FBS schools was in 2013 (16 that year).
FCS Wins Vs. FBS (2021)
Eastern Washington 35, UNLV 33 (2OT)
UC Davis 19, Tulsa 17
South Dakota State 42, Colorado State 23
Montana 13, No. 20 Washington 7
Holy Cross 38, UConn 28
ETSU 23, Vanderbilt 3
Duquesne 28, Ohio 26
Jacksonville State 20, Florida State 17
UIW 42, Texas State 34
Northern Arizona 21, Arizona 19
* FCS in the NFL – There are more than two full teams worth of FCS players on NFL opening-day rosters. Better than 130 former FCS players made teams' 53-man rosters. Despite low draft numbers this spring (6) and last (6 in 2019), the number of FCS players on NFL rosters has not altered much --- with more than 210 FCS players on NFL Opening Day rosters in each of the previous three seasons (that number includes 53-man rosters and practice squads).
* The 2021 season marks the debut of two new FCS conferences. The ASUN has three members this season: Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, and Central Arkansas. The WAC has four post-season eligible teams in the fall: Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston, and SFA. The two leagues have agreed on a one-year scheduling alliance for this fall.
* Campbell and Gardner-Webb announced that the two schools' football programs will compete annually for the North Carolina East/West BBQ Trophy, beginning this season. The Fighting Camels and Runnin' Bulldogs renew their intra-conference rivalry on Saturday, October 9, in Boiling Springs. Kickoff for the inaugural rivalry game is set for 6:00 p.m. in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium.
* Eastern Washington's Eric Barriere, Holy Cross' Jacob Dobbs, Maine's Rich Carr and Merrimack's Jacari Carter were named Monday as the Stats Perform FCS National Players of the Week. In addition, Northern Arizona earned FCS National Team of the Week.
* Four Top 25 teams (AFCA coaches poll) face off against one another this weekend (Sept. 25). No. 1 Sam Houston takes on No. t24 Central Arkansas; No. 10 UC Davis battles No. 15 Weber State. Nine FCS-FBS matchups are on the slate this weekend, too.
ASUN -- On Sept. 17, the ASUN Conference announced today the addition of Austin Peay State University into the league after a unanimous vote by the ASUN Presidents' Council. With the introduction of the Governors, the league expands to 13 member institutions as the ASUN welcomes its second university in the state of Tennessee. The Govs join the ASUN Football ranks in the 2022 season.
Jacksonville State defensive back Malik Feaster's 100-yard fumble return against North Alabama on Sept. 18 set a new record for the longest return in FCS history. It also set a new school-best, beating the previous 59-year old mark of 98 yards set by Eugene Grieg.
A pair of current and future ASUN Head Coach find themselves ranked in the Top-3 winningest active head coaches list with at least 50 career games coached. JSU's John Grass and KSU's Brian Bohannon rank second and third, respectively.
BIG SKY -- The Big Sky had five teams ranked in the Top 15 once again of both national polls this past week, which is believed to be the first time ever for the conference. Montana led the way for the league, ranked fourth overall.
Undefeated UC Davis travels to defending Big Sky champ Weber State this week, marking the first ranked conference matchup of the year. The Aggies are ranked 10th and 12th in both polls, while the Wildcats are 14th and 15th.
The Big Sky has flexed its muscle this season against FBS foes, as the league has knocked off four teams from the FBS. The four FBS victories are the most for the league since 2012, while the pair of Power 5 wins earned by NAU and Montana over Arizona and Washington are the most ever for the conference in a single year.
EWU's Eric Barriere passed for 487 of his career-high 542 passing yards in the first half of Saturday's 62-56 win over Western Illinois, which broke the FCS record for most passing yards in a single half held by Old Dominion's Taylor Heinicke in 2012 (480).
BIG SOUTH -- Campbell snapped its 10-game losing streak with a record-setting, 72-0 blanking of Presbyterian this past Saturday. The 72-point margin of victory broke the old Big South single-game mark of 70 (Stony Brook vs. Pace in 2012, 77-7), while the Camels' 10-takeaways (7 INT, 3 FR) also surpassed the previous league record of 8 that was set by Liberty against VMI in 2009. Campbell's seven interceptions against the Blue Hose also bested the old Big South single-game record of six that was held by Coastal Carolina against PC in 2007.
Campbell QB Wiley Hartley set a Big South single-game record with 6 touchdown passes this past Saturday against Presbyterian. He broke the old league mark of five TD throws, which was achieved 12 times in conference history -- first by Gardner-Webb's Jeremy Martin vs. Savannah State on Nov. 16, 2002, and most recently by Monmouth's Kenji Bahar vs. North Alabama on Nov. 9, 2019.
Hampton QB Jett Duffey connected on a 95-yard touchdown pass with Hezekiah Grimsley last Saturday vs. Howard -- the longest pass play in Big South history. The old record was 92 yards, which was established by Monmouth's Kenji Bahar to Zach Tredway at Kennesaw State on Nov. 2, 2019. It was the longest scoring pass for Hampton since a 90-yarder against Morgan State in 2009.
For just the second time in the league's 20-year football history, two Big South members recorded shutouts on the same day, as Campbell (72-0 vs. Presbyterian) and Gardner-Webb (56-0 vs. Lincoln) turned the trick this past Saturday. The only previous time was on Nov. 5, 2016.
CAA FOOTBALL -- Elon and William & Mary, the only two teams to have not played a conference game this season, go head-to-head in the lone CAA Football matchup this Saturday. The Phoenix rank 2nd in the CAA in passing offense (268.7 ypg), while the Tribe defense has given up just 10 points in the past two weeks.
Five of the seven games on Saturday's scheduled are against FBS foes as Villanova faces #6 Penn State, Richmond goes to Virginia Tech, New Hampshire visits Pitt, Maine meets Northern Illinois and Towson travels to San Diego State. CAA teams are 0-5 vs. the FBS thus far this season. Stony Brook hosts local rival Fordham in the only FCS non-conference contest of the week.
Four CAA teams - JMU, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Villanova - are off to 3-0 starts this season. No other FCS league has more than two squads (Big Sky) that are 3-0, and the only FBS conferences with at least four 3-0 squads are the Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC.
CAA Football teams went 5-1 against non-conference foes in Week 3. For the season, the CAA is 16-3 vs. FCS non-conference competition. The 16 wins against FCS foes trails only the MVFC (17-2).
IVY LEAGUE -- Ivy League schools look to build off their momentum from last weekend in the second week of Ivy football action. This weekend's games begin in front of a national television audience when Harvard hosts Brown at 7:00 p.m. on Friday on ESPNU. The remaining six teams are in action on Saturday. Each of those contests will be aired on ESPN+.
The Ivy League posted a 5-3 record on its opening weekend of play. This marks the 13th time in the last 16 seasons that the Ancient Eight has collectively earned a .500-or-better opening weekend winning percentage. Since 2005, Ivies are 76-52 (.594) in season-openers.
Beyond opening weekend, Ivies have enjoyed success in all of non-conference play in recent years. Dating back to the 2010 season, Ivy League schools are 146-102 against non-league opponents. The league posted back-to-back FCS-leading .750 non-conference marks in 2017 and 2018.
Three Ivy League players received national recognition for their opening weekend performances, earning honorable mention from Stats Perform: Cole Smith (Princeton), Aaron Shampklin (Harvard) and Jalen Mackie (Dartmouth). The Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week, Smith led the Tigers offense with 412 passing yards and three touchdowns on 30-of-41 passing. His performance marked just the 14th time in program history that a Tigers' quarterback threw for 400 yards in a game. After rushing for 183 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just 14 carries, Harvard running back Aaron Shampklin earned the distinction. His 183 yards is the third most in an FCS game this season. Mackie, the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week, registered 12 tackles in the Big Green's season opening win over Valparaiso, which was more than he had in his career entering the contest (10). His fourth-quarter interception set up what turned out to be the final score of the game.
MEAC -- This weekend, it will be former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foe North Carolina A&T State, as the two in-state rivals square off in the renewal of the Aggie-Eagle Classic in Greensboro, N.C. The only thing different this time around is that the two won't be fighting for positioning in the MEAC standings. In North Carolina Central's game at rival North Carolina A&T State on Saturday, NCCU will be looking for its best start in four years, while NCAT will be trying to avoid its worst start in 11 years.
Norfolk State quarterback Juwan Carter was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Football Offensive Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, the conference announced on Monday. Norfolk State defensive end Chris Myers was named Defensive
Player of the Week and teammate J.J. Davis was named Rookie of the Week. Norfolk State's Colby Byrd was named Offensive Lineman of the Week, and picking up Specialist of the Week honors was North Carolina Central's Adrian Olivo.
The MEAC made history on Sept. 11, as there were two female officials working the football game between Georgetown and Delaware State at Alumni Stadium in Dover, Del. It marked the first time in conference history that multiple female officials worked a football game together. Henrietta Powell and Monique Washington were part of the crew at Delaware State on Saturday; Powell served as head linesman, while Washington was a line judge.
MISSOURI VALLEY --A total of 28 former student-athletes who played at Missouri Valley Football Conference members are on NFL rosters (as of Sept. 21). North Dakota State, which tops the FCS in total selections, has three former QBs on rosters.
The Missouri Valley Football Conference continues to dominate the Top 25 rankings, with six teams in both the Stats Perform and AFCA FCS top-25 polls. South Dakota State, ranked No. 2 in the Stats Perform poll this week, leads the way for MVFC schools.
All 11 MVFC schools are ranked in the top 36 of the Massey Ratings. South Dakota State leads the league (and the nation), and the Jacks are one of eight MVFC schools in the Top 14. Four league teams are in the Top 6.
North Dakota continues to roll in home openers, notching its 35th straight win with a shutout over visiting Drake in the Alerus Center on Sept. 18. Earlier this season, North Dakota State extended its streak -- second-best nationally -- to 23.
NORTHEAST -- Seven of eight Northeast Conference members do battle in Week 4 – all going up against non-conference opponents.
Duquesne, which enjoyed a bye week following a 28-26 road win over Ohio, looks to win its home opener for the 14th year in a row when United States Collegiate Athletic Association member Virginia University of Lynchburg visits Rooney Field.
Merrimack WR Jacari Carter has surpassed the 100-yard receiving mark in each of his last two games (Holy Cross, Maine). The Garden State product made for a memorable day in Orono, ME where he recorded a NCAA DI FCS single-game season-high 18 receptions for 131 and two touchdowns in Week 3. Carter has made multiple catches in five consecutive games dating back to the spring season.
Sacred Heart, which has allowed only seven points over eight quarters of non-conference play, looks for its third win of the month with a trip to Ivy League member Dartmouth.
Wagner faces a FBS member for the second time this season, visiting Temple. Meanwhile, Central Connecticut, which opened the 2017 season at Syracuse, visits an ACC member for the second time as a program with this week's game at Miami.
OHIO VALLEY -- UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson won his 92nd game on Saturday at Northwestern State. That moved him into fifth place on the OVC career wins list. He is in his 16th season as the Skyhawks head coach.
Tennessee State kicker Antonio Zita made two field goals last week to increase his career total to 50, the fourth-highest total in OVC history, nine behind the record. He helped TSU give first-year head coach Eddie George his first collegiate victory.
This week marks the first Conference matchups of the season with two OVC games on the schedule.
UT Martin running back Peyton Logan, this week's OVC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, is averaging 10.03 yards per carry this season, fourth-best nationally.
PATRIOT -- Patriot League play opens on Saturday when Colgate hosts Lehigh for a 1 p.m. game on ESPN+. Georgetown travels to Columbia to play for the Lou Little Trophy with coverage on ESPN+ beginning at 1 p.m. Holy Cross heads to No. 19/20 Monmouth, also beginning at 1 p.m. on ESPN+. Lafayette hosts Penn for Family Weekend with live coverage on ESPN+ beginning at 3:30 p.m. Fordham heads to Stony Brook for a 3:30 p.m. game on FloFootball.com.
Holy Cross junior linebacker Jacob Dobbs was named the Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week after compiling 13 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss (TFLs) and 2.0 sacks in the Crusaders' 20-17 victory over Yale on Sept. 18. Dobbs has recorded double-digit tackles in each of Holy Cross's three games and is second in the League in tackles, averaging 14.0 per game. He also leads the League in TFLs (0.67) and sacks (1.33) per game. Dobbs is the second Patriot League football student-athlete to earn national weekly recognition. Fordham's Ryan Greenhagen was the national defensive player of the week on Sept. 6.
Fordham senior linebacker Ryan Greenhagen leads the NCAA in tackles, averaging 25.3 per game through three games. Greenhagen was named the Stats Perform National FCS Defensive Player of the Week after his NCAA Division I and Patriot League record-breaking 31-tackle performance against Nebraska on Sept. 4. He recorded 28 tackles in the Rams' loss to Monmouth on Sept. 11, tying the second-highest single-game total in Patriot League history. Holy Cross's Dobbs is third in the nation, averaging 14.0 tackles per game, and Lafayette junior linebacker Marco Olivas is 10th, averaging 10.7 tackles per game.
PFL -- Stetson running back Jalen Leary ran for 293 yards in the Hatters' first two victory of the season and he enters Week 4 ranked third among FCS rushers behind Harvard's Aaron Shampkin (183.0 ypg) and Sam Houston's Ramon Jefferson (148.0 ypg). Davidson's Coy Williams is ranked 29th among FCS runners at 76.5 yards per game.
After scoring a FCS record 84 points in its 2021 season opener, Presbyterian stacked up a 68-point performance against Fort Lauderdale in Week 2, giving the Blue Hose the FCS' No. 1 and No. 4 single-game point totals. Butler joined the list with the No. 2 point total thanks to its 77 points at Taylor in Week 3. Morehead State has the FCS' No. 11 total with 62 points in a Week 2 win against Point (Ga.).
As would be expected with the previous note, Presbyterian also holds two of the Top 10 offensive yard marks in the FCS, including its FCS-leading 814-yard outing in the season-opener. But PFL teams have posted six of the FCS's 500-plus yard performances in 2021 with Stetson, Butler (twice) and Drake joining Presbyterian.
Leading the FCS' top offense, Presbyterian quarterback Ren Hefley leads the FCS in passing yards per game (429.7), total offense per game (438.0) and points responsible for (146).
SOUTHERN -- Seven Southern Conference teams are in action this weekend, with three league games on the slate.
Defending SoCon champion VMI will look to open its conference schedule with a win when it hosts Wofford in the Ingles SoCon Game of the Week on select Nexstar affiliates. The Keydets topped the Terriers 36-31 last season to snap an eight-game losing streak in the series and are seeking consecutive wins against Wofford for the first time since winning the first nine games in the series. Seth Morgan threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns, with wide receiver Jakob Herres hauling in 15 catches for 207 yards and three TDs.
VMI moved to 2-1 on the season with last weekend's 31-21 win over Cornell. Redshirt freshman quarterback Collin Ironside threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns to senior wide receiver Jakob Herres. Wofford dropped to 1-1 with its 31-10 setback to No. 24 Kennesaw State. Fifth-year linebacker Joe Beckett had a team-best 11 tackles in the loss.
Samford, which opened its SoCon schedule with a 42-37 comeback win at Western Carolina on Sept. 18, welcomes No. 17/15 ETSU on Saturday. The Bucs outscored the Bulldogs 10-0 in the fourth quarter to claim a 24-17 win to open the 2020-21 spring campaign for both squads, snapping Samford's three-game winning streak in the series. Quay Holmes ran for 125 yards and two scores.
SOUTHLAND -- UIW recorded the first win over an FBS opponent in program history and the ninth win by an FCS squad over an FBS foe this season with a 42-34 victory over Texas State.
UIW quarterback Cameron Ward, the Southland Offensive Player of the Week, threw for at least 300 yards (376) and
four touchdowns (four) for the sixth time in nine career games. Over his last seven games, he is averaging 364 pass yards per game with 27 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Led by reigning Walter Payton Award winner Cole Kelley, the Southeastern offense has scored 40 or more points in seven straight games. In that span, he has completed 73 percent of his passes (224-for-307) for 2,763 yards, 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He has also rushed for 10 touchdowns.
Kelley leads FCS signal-callers in completion percentage (.744) and ranks among the top five in completions per game (33) passing touchdowns (10), passing yards per game (389.3) and points responsible for per game (28.7).
SWAC -- Senior running back Gary Quarles (Cottondale, Ala.) of Alabama A&M delivered through rain soaked conditions the league opener this past week and has now reaped the rewards as he has been named Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Player of the Week as announced by that organization on Monday
Grambling State will look to end a few streaks on Saturday as the Tigers open Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play against Prairie View A&M in the annual State Fair Classic at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. Kickoff against the Panthers is set for 4 p.m. Grambling State (1-2) enters conference play off back-to-back losses to Southern Miss and Houston, while Prairie View A&M (2-1) is coming off a 37-27 victory over Houston Baptist last Saturday.
WAC -- Stephen F. Austin's Xavier Gipson, Abilene Christian's Jordan Paup and Lamar's Bailey Giffin have been named TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for September 13 through September 19.
The WAC-ASUN Challenge, also known as the AQ7, officially begins this week as top-ranked Sam Houston travels to 24/25th ranked Central Arkansas for a 4 p.m. CT kick on ESPN+. In other game, WAC members Abilene Christian and Lamar will meet up in a non-conference game in Beaumont, Stephen F. Austin will host first-year Division II program Lincoln (Calif.) and Tarleton plays host to New Mexico Highlands.
As a team, Sam Houston leads the WAC in scoring offense (47.0), scoring defense (15.0), yards per offensive play (7.78), total offense (560.5), rushing offense (291.0), yards per rush (7.56), rushing yards (291.0) and third-down conversion percentage (50.0). Stephen F. Austin in the leader in total defense (293.0), defensive pass efficiency (88.8), passing offense (317.3), passing defense (170.0), field goals made (8), punt return average (16.6), interceptions (7), turnover margin (+2.7), opponents third-down conversion (30.8) and time of possession (33:18). Abilene Christian has the lead in touchdowns scored (14), pass efficiency (155.1) and pass completion percentage (66.7) while Tarleton has the lead in first downs (25.0)
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Mike Kern
Associate Commissioner