Craig Haley
@CraigHaley
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Stats Perform/The Analyst FCS Senior Editor. FWAA. Much younger, of course, but same birthday/city as Dennis Rodman! Go Reds/Red Bulls/UConnWBB.
Joined July 2009
FCS-to-FBS. Somebody just mentioned to me that any FCS school seeking to jump to FBS should be required to schedule North Dakota State in Fargo and win there first. Not a bad idea.
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2020 College Football America FCS Preseason Top 30.1. North Dakota St. 2. No. Iowa.3. James Madison.4. Villanova.5. South Dakota St. 6. Montana.7. Montana St. 8. Weber St. 9. Illinois St. 10. Kennesaw St. 11. Sac State.12. Wofford.13. Nicholls.14. Austin Peay.15. Furman.(1 of 2).
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#FCS No. 3 South Dakota State will host @CollegeGameDay on Saturday prior to the Dakota Marker game with No. 1 North Dakota State. It will be the ESPN pregame show's ninth visit to an FCS game.
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FCS Quarterfinals – Host Site Attendance.Montana State: 18,127.South Dakota State: 8,671.South Dakota: 6,135.North Dakota State: 10,353.
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You have to keep working when your school is No. 1 and you have a three-week break in games.
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Saw a comment questioning why North Dakota State RB Bruce Anderson (since injured) would be on the South team - instead of the North - at the Senior Bowl. Then saw a response that said: NDSU has a home stadium in Frisco, TX so it checks out.
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My #FCS Top 25.1 NDSU.2 JMU.3 Weber St.4 Montana St.5 UNI.6 Illinois St.7 Austin Peay.8 Sac St.9 Montana.10 SDSU.11 Nicholls.12 Monmouth.13 Kennesaw St.14 Cent Ark.15 UAlbany.16 SE La.17 Villanova.18 NC AT.19 Wofford.20 Dartmouth.21 SE Missouri.22 Towson.23 So Ill.24 FAMU.25 Yale.
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On Wednesday, there will be an FCS-wide push (all conferences and members through a social media blast) to get a regular subdivision spotlight on ESPN's #CollegeGameDay. Learn about the unique plan:
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#FCS It's seemingly inevitable former South Dakota State QB Mark Gronowski, the 2023 Walter Payton Award recipient and two-time FCS champion, will sign with Iowa as a transfer. It's a change, of course, from his initial plan to enter the 2025 NFL Draft.
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FCS playoff stat of the day:. Attendance at SDSU: 10,376.Attendance at NDSU: 10,373.
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Brian McLaughlin's passing is devastating. His wife Lori: "Brian's deep love of family and unparalleled passion for sports, community journalism and genealogy set him above the rest. He was a gifted writer and communicator, & loved to connect with people and bring them together."
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FCS teams without a loss to another FCS program:. North Dakota State - 10-0.Dartmouth - 8-0.Central Connecticut State - 9-1.James Madison - 9-1.Florida A&M - 8-1.Weber State - 8-2.
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I don't care how the rest of the night goes, this has been the greatest February Saturday ever in FCS history.
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New college coach Deion Sanders answers “Why HBCU/Jackson State?” on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” #CoachPrime #JacksonStateUniversity #GMA
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NDSU's FCS championship win over Montana State drew strong viewership on ESPN Monday night:.*An average of 2.4M viewers with peak of 3.1M from 9:45-10 p.m. ET.*Second-most watched FCS championship for ESPN platforms behind NDSU/JMU in 2019 final (2.7M).(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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Staying ahead of the curve: FCS dynasty North Dakota State has 10 NFL Draft picks in the last nine years.
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Stephen F. Austin (2-2) 98, NAIA member Warner (0-4) 0. 13 TDs (8 off passes, 2 on runs, 2 off fumbles, 1 off punt return) plus two field goals and a safety. At 98-0 with 6:17 to go, Lumberjacks went for a two-point conversion, but it failed.
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2020 College Football America FCS Preseason Top 30.16. SE Missouri.17. Central Ark.18. N.C. A&T.19. C. Connecticut St.20. Monmouth.21. Florida A&M.22. Albany.23. E. Washington.24. Dartmouth.25. San Diego.26. SE Louisiana.27. Alcorn St.28. Yale.29. N Dakota.30. Holy Cross.(2 of 2).
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If I had an FCS Fall Top 5 . 1. North Dakota State (1-0).2. Central Arkansas (5-4).3. Jacksonville State (3-1).4. Southern Illinois (1-0).5. Chattanooga (0-1). Well, I guess I do.
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My #StatsPerformFCSTop25 ballot: .1-SDSU .2-Mont St .3-Idaho.4-NDSU .5-Sac St.6-SIU.7-Furman.8-W Carolina.9-S Dakota.10-W&M .11-UDel.12-Holy Cross .13-UIW.14-N Dakota.15-Cent Ark.16-Weber St.17-Chatty.18-Elon.19-NCCU.20-UNH.21-UTM.22-EWU.23-UNI.24-Montana.25-Austin Peay.
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A conference celebrating 100th season is important. SWAC teams are eligible for the playoffs, but this is the only FCS conference that has a championship game. Classics, rivalries, conference championship, bowl, highest attendance average - wake up, @theswac does it well.
@CraigHaley SWAC does not compete in the FCS playoffs. so, I am not seeing the damage. if Big Sky or MVFC cancel. that would be huge.
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Going out on top: South Dakota State football coach John Stiegelmeier is retiring after 26 seasons as the FCS championship-winning coach. Defensive coordinator Jimmy Rogers will succeed Coach Stig.
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Montana has been terrific all season, but some of its fans have been so derogatory toward Montana State on social media all week (and prior to that). Not seeing much online after the Griz fell by 34 in their fourth straight loss in the series. It doesn't reflect well.
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Top NCAA APR scores (four-year average) among FCS programs:.1. Columbia (1,000) - also best in Division I.T2. Dartmouth (992).T2. Elon (992).4. Davidson (990).T5. North Dakota State (989).T5. Dayton (989).T7. Colgate (988).T7. Holy Cross (988).T7. Harvard (988).T7. Penn (988).
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Gotta give this an A+.
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#FCSChampionship . South Dakota State senior linebacker Logan Backhaus calls the FCS season the most mentally and physically draining of his life, so he doesn't see any reason to put an asterisk on it. Basically, everything has been earned.
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#StatsPerformTop25 Ballot.1- S Dakota St.2-Montana St.3-Montana.4-Furman.5-S Dak.6-Idaho.7-N Dak St.8-Albany.9-UDel.10-Sac St.11-Villanova.12-N Dak.13-W Car.14-So Ill.15-Austin Peay.16-UTM.17-Chatty.18-FAMU.19-NCCU.20-C Ark.21-UNI.22-Harvard.23-Lafayette.24-Holy Cross.25-Nicholls.
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A SWAC championship game-record 50,128 fans attended today’s game at Jackson State’s Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Tigers’ average attendance over six home games this season was 42,293, an FCS record. JSU also had the previous high average, 38,873 in 1997.
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#FCS: Over the weekend, McNeese State University canceled classes for this week while it continues to recover from Hurricane Laura. The plan is for remote learning returning on Labor Day. Keep the Lake Charles area and all impacted by the storm in your thoughts and prayers.
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Former James Madison All-America defensive lineman @MikeGreene has NFL mini-camp invites with the #Bears and #Buccaneers. Quite the versatile big man. (@JMUFootball photo)
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#StatsPerformTop25 ballot (2 to 4 tight).1-S Dakota St.2-Idaho.3-Montana St.4-Griz.5-Furman.6-S Dakota.7-Albany.8-UNI.9-N Dakota.10-N Dak St.11-NCCU.12-Nova.13-UDel.14-So Ill.15-Sac St.16-Austin P.17-W Caro.18-Chatty.19-YSU.20-FAMU.21-Harvard.22-Holy Cross.23-UTM.24-Elon.25-C Ark.
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Comin' to your city. ESPN's @CollegeGameDay will broadcast from Montana State next Saturday morning prior to the Brawl of the Wild rivalry vs. Montana. It will mark the iconic show's 12th all-time appearance at an FCS game and the first involving @BigSkyFB teams.
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Bryce Lance had one reception in his first two seasons on the field. This season, 76 receptions for 1,078 yards and an FCS-high 17 TD catches. He's remaining for another season with the FCS champion Bison this fall.
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#FCS South Dakota State coach Jimmy Rogers said today linebacker Adam Bock, who's been slowed by injuries the last two years, will play for the Jackrabbits again in the 2024 season.
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#FCS spring season: . Unlike what many of us thought, the date of the national championship is Sunday, May 16 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. A time has yet to be finalized.
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ESPN's "College GameDay" is headed to Penn State-Ohio State next Saturday. Montana at Montana State would have been a good choice, too.
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The NCAA has announced a five-year contact extension that will keep Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, as the FCS championship game site through the 2024 season. There is an option to add on 2025. Frisco has been the host since the 2010 season.
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My #StatsPerformFCSTop25 ballot:.1-S Dakota St.2-Idaho.3-Montana St.4-Furman.5-Griz.6-UDel.7-Sac St.8-S Dakota.9-N Dakota St.10-So Ill.11-UIW.12-Chatty.13-NCCU.14-N Dakota.15-UAlbany.16-Villanova.17-UNI.18-Austin P.19-W Caro.20-YSU.21-W&M.22-Lafayette.23-FAMU.24-Holy Cross.25-UTM.
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The FCS playoff selection show has an 11:30 a.m. ET start on ESPNU on Sunday, April 18,. The national championship game on Sunday, May 16 in Frisco, Texas, has a 2 p.m. ET start on ABC.
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Amazing Craig Bohl coaching tree:.Gus Bradley: J'ville Jaguars.Chris Klieman: NDSU/Kansas St.Curt Mallory: Indiana St.Dan Enos: C Michigan.Tim Albin: Ohio/Charlotte.Jake Dickert: Wash St/Wake Forest.Brent Vigen: Montana St.Tim Polasek: NDSU.
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My Top 5 for cranky FCS fans:.1. Not your team.2. Not your team.3. Not your team.4. Not your team.5. Not your team.
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Vanderbilt’s FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, will host the FCS championship game for the 2025 and 2026 seasons (early January 2026 and 2027, respectively). The NCAA announced a site change from Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, due to an upcoming three-year renovation.
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My #StatsPerformFCSTop25 ballot today is topped by:.1. North Dakota State.2. South Dakota State.3. Montana State.4. Montana.5. South Dakota.6. Idaho.7. Villanova.
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My #StatsPerformFCSTop25 ballot: .1-SDSU .2-Mont St.3-NDSU .4-W&M .5-Holy Cross .6-Idaho.7-Sac St .8-So Ill .9-Furman .10-UDel.11-UNH .12-N Dakota .13-W Car .14-UIW.15-Cent Ark.16-E Wash.17-Weber St.18-Villanova.19-NCCU.20-Chatty.21-SEMO.22-UCD .23-UTM .24-URI.25-Griz.
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#FCS North Dakota State Athletic Communications reports at least 15 NFL scouts will be in attendance for Saturday night's game with South Dakota State at the Fargodome - the most for a Bison home game since 25 attended the Trey Lance spotlight against Central Arkansas in 2020.
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ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. on Senior Bowl sleepers: Northern Iowa pass-rusher Elerson Smith is one to watch. At 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds, he has great physical attributes . he is the real deal, and now we get to see him against Power 5 offensive tackles.
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DiNucci vs. Wentz makes Cowboys vs. Eagles feel like James Madison vs. North Dakota State. Please read on .
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My #StatsPerformFCSTop25 ballot: .1-SDSU .2-Montana St .3-S Dakota.4-Idaho.5-Sac St .6-W Caro .7-N Dakota.8-Griz.9-NDSU.10-So Ill.11-Furman.12-Holy Cross.13-UDel.14-W&M.15-UIW.16-NCCU.17-Chatty.18-Cent Ark.19-Harvard.20-UNH.21-UTM.22-Villanova.23-YSU.24-FAMU.25-UCD.
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.@UNH_Football strong safety Casey DeAndrade has agreed to attend #Ravens minicamp this weekend. Was second-team @FCS_STATS All-American.
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No. 1 North Dakota State is the only #FCS team with more than two players over 600 rushing yards, and the Bison have four: Ty Brook (853), Trey Lance (929) Adam Cofield (695) and Kobe Johnson (602).
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NCAA D-I Football Championship Committee.Top 10 Playoff Rankings.1. North Dakota St (8-0).2. James Madison (6-2).3. UC Davis (7-1).4. Weber State (6-2).5. Elon (5-2).6. Kennesaw St (7-1).7. South Dakota St (5-2).8. Wofford (6-2).9. Eastern Washington (6-2).10. Delaware (6-2)
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Is this how a ball carrier feels against North Dakota State?.
A giant bison rammed into a family's rental car during a stampede in Yellowstone National Park.
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My #StatsPerformFCSTop25 ballot:.1-S Dakota St.2-Montana St.3-S Dakota.4-Idaho.5-Furman.6-Montana.7-Sac St.8-Delaware.9-N Dakota.10-N Dakota St.11-SIU.12-W Caro.13-UIW.14-Chatty.15-C Ark.16-UT Mart.17-NCCU.18-UNH.19-Villanova.20-UAlbany.21-UNI.22-Austin Peay.23-YSU.24-W&M.25-FAMU.
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Sam Houston's FCS title today means that in all 11 seasons since the championship game moved to Frisco, Texas, North Dakota State has won the national title (eight times) or been eliminated in the playoffs by the eventual champion (three times).
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Four of the five winningest FCS teams since 2017 are in action on Saturday:.1. North Dakota State: 43 wins.2. James Madison: 36.3. Kennesaw State: 34.4. Weber State: 32.5. North Carolina A&T: 30.
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Seems like NDSU fans spent last week on social media blasting Bison being "only" 23-point favorite over Central Arkansas, saying it would be a blowout. Then after a terrific, close game, the fans put focus on NDSU playing its first game & UCA its fourth game. Let's credit UCA.
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Headlining my #StatsPerformFCSTop25 ballot:.1. South Dakota State.2. North Dakota State.3. Idaho.4. Montana State.5. South Dakota.6. Sacramento State.7. North Dakota.8. Montana.9. Villanova.10. Southern Illinois.
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#FCS: The Missouri Valley Football Conference is expected to announce tomorrow the addition of Murray State, beginning with the 2023 season, sources indicate. The Racers will be the league’s 12th member.
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Top 15 sneak peek from my FCS ballot:.1-South Dakota State.2-North Dakota State ⬆️.3-Montana State ⬆️.4-Sac State ⬇️.5-Weber State.6-UIW.7-Chattanooga ⬆️.8-Holy Cross ⬇️.9-William & Mary ⬆️.10-Delaware.11-SE Missouri ⬆️.12-Idaho ⬆️.13-Montana ⬇️.14-Jackson State ⬆️.15-Samford ⬆️.
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Since North Dakota State's first of eight FCS championship seasons in 2011, South Dakota State is the only program to beat the Bison move than once, and the Jackrabbits have done it four times since 2016.
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South Dakota State players on winning West squad at @ShrineBowl:. OL Garret Greenfield and Mason McCormick: Stud blocking.TE Zach Heins: 26-yard reception.WR Jadon Janke: 2 receptions, 57 yards.WR Jaxon Janke: 2 receptions, 22 yards. SDSU has won last two FCS championships.
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With Christian Watson going to the Green Packers in the second round tonight, North Dakota State becomes the first FCS program with at least one NFL Draft pick in four straight years since Appalachian State from 2010-13.
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The FCS spring season kicked off three months ago, with the finish line upcoming on Sunday. The way schools have fought their way through obstacles is inspiring.
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Matthew Cook's Northern Iowa career ended on Saturday:. 86 field goals made (second-most in FCS history).155-for-155 on PATs (best perfect mark in FCS history).413 points (second-most in MVFC history)
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The Bison visit must have made the stock market soar today.
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Former Montana St coach Jeff Choate recalls recruiting new Falcons LB Troy Andersen: ". I talked to his mom and she said, 'I don't know if Troy's ready for all of that, maybe he'll just stay in town and go to Western.' And I told her, I will not let that happen." (laughs).
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.@CFBplayerscout updates his #FCS rankings for 2019 #NFLDraft:.1. Jordan Brown CB SDSU - 5th round.2. Nasir Adderley FS Delaware - 5.3. Keelan Doss WR UCD - 5/6.4. Oli Udoh OT Elon - 5/6.5. Alexander Hollins WR EIU - 6.6. Josh Buss OLB Montana - 6.7. Khalen Saunders DT WIU - 6/7
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Classy appearance by Austin Peay coach Will Healy on ESPNU playoff selection show.
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.@FCS_STATS Top 25 ballot:.1 NDSU.2 JMU.3 SDSU.4 Kennesaw.5 NC A&T.6 EWU.7 Wofford.8 Maine.9 McNeese.10 Nova.11 Elon.12 Jacksonville St.13. Weber.14 SHSU.15 Samford.16 Ill St.17 Central Ark.18 Griz.19 UC Davis.20 Rhody.21 S Dakota.22 N Dakota.23 Mercer.24 Nicholls.25 Towson.
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My #StatsPerformFCSTop25 ballot:.1-SDSU.2-NDSU.3-Montana St.4-W&M.5-Holy Cross.6-UNH.7-Idaho.8-Furman.9-Sac St.10-So Illinois.11-Weber St.12-N Dakota.13-Montana.14-SE Missouri.15-UIW.16-Rhody.17-UCD.18-NCCU.19-'Nova.20-Cent Ark.21-SE La.22-UDel.23-YSU.24-Samf.25-Mercer over G-W.
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Set to become the largest FCS conference this fall, @CAAFootball will announce its league schedule tomorrow afternoon. There will be 13 teams in 2022 before the league goes to 14 in 2023.
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South Dakota State WR twins Jadon (1) and Jaxon (10) Janke were previously announced for an all-star game appearance in the Hula Bowl, but it's no longer the case. They will announce after playing in FCS title game on Sunday about a possible return this fall. (Dave Eggen/Inertia)
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Idaho is the first FCS team to post multiple wins over Top 25 opponents this season:. 41-13 over then-No. 17 UAlbany last Saturday.27-24 at No. 19 Abilene Christian tonight.
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North Dakota State has hired Wyoming offensive coordinator Tim Polasek as its new head football coach, succeeding Matt Entz (departing for USC assistant’s position). Polasek, 44, was an NDSU assistant from 2006-12 and 2014-16, and a part of four FCS championship-winning staffs.
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Stakeholders across FCS college football say conferences are proceeding with plans for a 2020 season. Most preseason teams/polls/virtual media days - an unofficial start - are planned for July provided season starts on time. Contingency plans a factor. Fingers crossed everywhere.
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Top 15 sneak peek to my FCS ballot:.1-South Dakota State.2-North Dakota State.3-Sacramento State⬆️.4-Montana State⬇️.5-UIW⬆️.6-Holy Cross⬆️.7-Weber State⬇️.8-William & Mary.9-Jackson State.10-Samford.11-Idaho.12-Furman.13-Chattanooga.14-Montana⬆️.15-North Dakota⬆️.
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Atop my #StatsPerformFCSTop25 ballot for tomorrow:.1. North Dakota State .2. South Dakota State .3. Montana State .4. Idaho.5. South Dakota .6. Villanova.
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Daron Bland played on FCS level at Sacramento State before a final season at Fresno State.
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The FCS playoffs make us all think big picture, but there's nothing quite like winning a conference title after competing for months against your rivals and fellow members. It's a huge accomplishment that can be celebrated forever.
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#FCSPlayoffs . National Championship Game.Sunday, May 16.No. 1 seed South Dakota State (8-1) vs. No. 2 seed Sam Houston (9-0), 2 p.m. ET . The ABC broadcasters are Dave Pasch, Andre Ware and Kris Budden.
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FCS Playoffs. I still rank North Dakota State on my Top 25 ballot, but not sure the Bison should be No. 3 playoff seed over Montana State.
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Austin Peay's Brian Snead has set NCAA D-I FCS record for rushing yards in a quarter - 204 on six carries in first quarter against Tennessee State. Previous mark: Nevada's Otto Kelly with 194 yards on eight carries in third quarter vs. Idaho on Nov. 12, 1983. @GovsFB @OVCSports.
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A CAA Football athletic directors committee has chosen No. 7 Delaware (5-0, 4-0 North Division) over No. 1 James Madison (5-0, 3-0 South Division) for the conference’s automatic qualifying bid. JMU will go into the 16-team field tomorrow on at-large bid. Mark Campbell photo
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Toughest #FCS schedules, according to NCAA stats: .1. Cal Poly .2. N. Dakota St .3. S Dakota .4. (tie) Samford.4. (tie) No. Arizona.6. UNI
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In three FCS playoff games, Isaiah Davis has carried the ball 59 times for 499 yards (8.5 ypc) and six touchdowns. His 25 carries today were a career high.
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San Francisco 49ers have two Walter Payton Award recipients in Jimmy Garoppolo (2013, Eastern Illinois) and Trey Lance (2019, North Dakota State). Crazy good for FCS level.
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#FCS South Dakota State has handed North Dakota State over half of its losses since 2016 (seven of 13).
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My #StatsPerformFCSTop25 ballot: .1-SDSU .2-NDSU .3-Montana St .4-W&M .5-Holy Cross .6-Sac St.7-So Illinois.8-Idaho .9-Furman .10-UNH.11-Weber St .12-N Dakota .13-UIW.14-Montana .15-SEMO.16-W Carolina.17-Rhody.18-UDel.19-Cent Ark.20-UCD .21-NCCU .22-'Nova .23-Merc.24-EWU.25-Samf.
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Nothing new: Subpar FCS playoff attendance over holiday weekend and quick ticket sale:.Montana: 12,479.ACU: 5,210.Tarleton St: 3,583.URI: 3,522.Richmond: 3,220.Villanova: 1,722.New Hamp: 1,573.SE Missouri: N/A.
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My #StatsPerformFCSTop25 ballot: .1-SDSU .2-Mont St .3-Idaho .4-NDSU .5-Sac St .6-W Caro.7-S Dakota .8-Holy Cross.9-Furman.10-So Ill.11-UDel .12-W&M .13-UIW .14-N Dakota .15-NCCU.16-Cent Ark .17-Griz.18-EWU.19-UTM.20-UNH .21-UNI.22-YSU.23-Chatty.24-Harvard.25-Albany.
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#FCSChampionship . Sam Houston coach K.C. Keeler reports encouraging news on defensive back Darrel Hawkins-Williams, who suffered a whiplash-type of injury against James Madison. Sore, but in good spirits.
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Given Idaho was No. 6 and ahead of UIW and Mercer in the selection committee's top 10 ranking on Oct. 30, it doesn't make sense for the Vandals to drop behind them with three straight wins since then. Such inconsistency has long been an issue with the top-10 public ranking.
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