FCS Roundup Week 4

Welcome! I’ve been watching so much FCS football this year that dedicating a portion of a column to it wasn’t enough, it needs its own section to cover the action better. Conference play is about to begin so the action is heating up! This isn’t structured by conference like the FBS edition but this is more of different thoughts and takeaways. If you aren’t familiar with FCS football, I have good news I’m going to point out some interesting things that FBS fans may not know.

Non-conference scheduling is even more complicated at the FCS level compared to FBS. For one, most programs can’t afford “buy games” so that’s always a consideration each team has to work with. It sometimes results in some games that feel very random. This week brought a ton of that, especially toward the top. South Dakota State traveled to Hammond, Louisiana to play Southeastern. Montana State hosted Mercyhurst (a team from Erie, Pennsylvania), Montana hosted Western Carolina, North Dakota State hosted Towson (who is located in Maryland), and North Dakota hosted San Diego. For the most part the unique matchups didn’t bring a ton of drama. South Dakota State started a little slow but their defense dominated. Thanks to some interceptions, and their run game they eventually took off. Montana State won easily, North Dakota State ran away early before Towson threatened a little bit late, and North Dakota struggled a bit before pulling away.

Montana faced the toughest test, Western Carolina shockingly raced out to an early 17-0 lead and it seemed like Montana was in for a rough day trying to handle the Catamounts speed but Montana adjusted and clawed their way back to win it. Still, it can’t feel great for the Griz to once again be in a tough battle. Western Carolina on the other hand is dealing with their own frustrations. They’re 1-3 despite leading in each game, including leading NC State in the 4th quarter but just can’t close games out. Their biggest loss this offseason was OC Kerwin Bell leaving to install the Air-raid at Pitt and it seems the operation just isn’t quite as consistent without him.

Idaho has played an absolute grind of a schedule, while Abilene Christian was on the road it was expected to be an easier game for the Vandals before they enter Big Sky play, but it was apparent from week 1 that wasn’t the case anymore. Still the Vandals seemed business like early on and raced out to a 27-3 lead, but they lost momentum and Abilene Christian rallied to put the game in doubt. Still, the Vandals defense stepped up when it needed to and forced a fumble to seal the game.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Idaho it appears that Idaho State may finally be on the cusp of a breakthrough season. The Bengals faced a tough home test against Southern Utah and unlike last week they got off to a quick start. The Bengals led 14-0 after 2 series for each team, and 24-7 at halftime. Their passing attack is already a problem but the biggest development was the run game, RB Dason Brooks had a huge game that included a key 75 yard TD just when Southern Utah got back within 10.

The team that picked up the biggest win yesterday. Monmouth rolled into Pitbull stadium and did the unthinkable. The Hawks upset FIU in dramatic fashion forcing a late fumble at their own 1 at the end of the game to win 45-42. It is Monmouth’s first ever win over a FBS team and the Hawks look like they have an offense that will give everyone fits all season.

SE Missouri State is having a great rebound season, after a 4-7 collapse last year the Redhawks clearly have a strong team this year. They made a huge statement by beating 7th ranked Southern Illinois 38-21 on the road.

East Tennessee State’s tough loss to North Dakota State last week may not have been a fluke. The Buccaneers responded by going on the road and dominating Elon 34-14.

The NEC race is looking very interesting this year. As mentioned last week, Duquesne beat Youngstown State. Central Connecticut State has started strong and went toe to toe with UMass in a 35-31 loss. The LIU Sharks have been feisty as well they’re 0-4 but their losses are to TCU and one score losses to Albany, Lehigh and Rhode Island this past weekend, soon enough the Sharks will break through.

Incarnate Word’s tough schedule continued with a test against a Northern Arizona team that appeared to be much improved. NAU took an early 14-7 lead but Incarnate Word took over the game after that point and picked up a much needed quality win.

It’s been a tough start for most of the SWAC but Grambling State might be the most impressive team so far. They faced Jackson State in an early key matchup and won in a 41-20 blowout. It seems Grambling is in a much better position with the Hue Jackson mess behind them, even though he was listed as their head coach on Wikipedia for months after he was fired. Their new head coach is Mickey Joseph who looked like a rising coach before he got sunk by the Scott Frost mess at Nebraska. Florida A&M remains the odds on favorite but Grambling’s impressive performance shows they could challenge the Rattlers.

The MEAC is going to take more time to take shape, everyone’s record is between 2-2 and 1-3 so far, but NC Central is probably the favorite they took a couple blowout losses but took out their frustrations on NC A&T, beating them 66-24. Delaware State is the team that is 1-3 but they even look better than usual. The Hornets had an interesting home game with Richmond and hung in with the Spiders for a bit in an eventual 38-24 loss, hoping to see the Hornets find some more wins this year.