OptaAnalystFCS
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FCS Football coverage with Stats Perform and The Analyst: Top 25 media poll; Walter Payton, Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice and Eddie & Doris Robinson awards; and much more across the Division I subdivision.
https://theanalyst.com/na/competition/fcs/articles
https://theanalyst.com/na/competition/fcs/articles
Beau Brungard, Taron Dickens and Cole Payton have been invited to the 2025 Walter Payton Award announcement.
There were 30 finalists. Also included is fourth through 30th in the voting.
theanalyst.com/articles/wal...
There were 30 finalists. Also included is fourth through 30th in the voting.
theanalyst.com/articles/wal...
Brungard, Dickens, Payton Invited to 2025 Walter Payton Award Announcement | Opta Analyst
The 2025 Walter Payton Award is down to QBs Beau Brungard (Youngstown State), Taron Dickens (Western Carolina) and Cole Payton (NDSU).
theanalyst.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Beau Brungard, Taron Dickens and Cole Payton have been invited to the 2025 Walter Payton Award announcement.
There were 30 finalists. Also included is fourth through 30th in the voting.
theanalyst.com/articles/wal...
There were 30 finalists. Also included is fourth through 30th in the voting.
theanalyst.com/articles/wal...
James Conway, Joshua Stoneking and Andrew Zock have been invited to the 2025 Buck Buchanan Award announcement.
There were 30 finalists. Also included is fourth through 30th in the voting.
theanalyst.com/articles/buc...
There were 30 finalists. Also included is fourth through 30th in the voting.
theanalyst.com/articles/buc...
December 2, 2025 at 3:20 PM
James Conway, Joshua Stoneking and Andrew Zock have been invited to the 2025 Buck Buchanan Award announcement.
There were 30 finalists. Also included is fourth through 30th in the voting.
theanalyst.com/articles/buc...
There were 30 finalists. Also included is fourth through 30th in the voting.
theanalyst.com/articles/buc...
Important signing dates in FCS football:
Dec. 3-5 – Early signing period
Jan. 2-16 – NCAA transfer portal window
Feb. 4 – Start of regular signing period
Dec. 3-5 – Early signing period
Jan. 2-16 – NCAA transfer portal window
Feb. 4 – Start of regular signing period
December 2, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Important signing dates in FCS football:
Dec. 3-5 – Early signing period
Jan. 2-16 – NCAA transfer portal window
Feb. 4 – Start of regular signing period
Dec. 3-5 – Early signing period
Jan. 2-16 – NCAA transfer portal window
Feb. 4 – Start of regular signing period
FCS Longest Active Winning Streaks
Overall
16 – North Dakota State
12 – Lehigh
10 – Montana State, Stephen F. Austin
9 – Villanova
7 – Rhode Island, South Carolina State, Yale
Home
23 – Villanova
19 – North Dakota State
Road
6 – Illinois State, Lehigh, North Dakota State
Overall
16 – North Dakota State
12 – Lehigh
10 – Montana State, Stephen F. Austin
9 – Villanova
7 – Rhode Island, South Carolina State, Yale
Home
23 – Villanova
19 – North Dakota State
Road
6 – Illinois State, Lehigh, North Dakota State
December 2, 2025 at 12:48 PM
FCS Longest Active Winning Streaks
Overall
16 – North Dakota State
12 – Lehigh
10 – Montana State, Stephen F. Austin
9 – Villanova
7 – Rhode Island, South Carolina State, Yale
Home
23 – Villanova
19 – North Dakota State
Road
6 – Illinois State, Lehigh, North Dakota State
Overall
16 – North Dakota State
12 – Lehigh
10 – Montana State, Stephen F. Austin
9 – Villanova
7 – Rhode Island, South Carolina State, Yale
Home
23 – Villanova
19 – North Dakota State
Road
6 – Illinois State, Lehigh, North Dakota State
How much have the last four FCS national championship teams not named North Dakota State followed the Bison's blueprint? We break it down.
Story: theanalyst.com/articles/nds...
Story: theanalyst.com/articles/nds...
December 1, 2025 at 4:27 PM
How much have the last four FCS national championship teams not named North Dakota State followed the Bison's blueprint? We break it down.
Story: theanalyst.com/articles/nds...
Story: theanalyst.com/articles/nds...
The records of home teams during the 24-team FCS playoff era (since 2013, but not including the 16-team bracket from the spring 2021 campaign).
December 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The records of home teams during the 24-team FCS playoff era (since 2013, but not including the 16-team bracket from the spring 2021 campaign).
It's Victory Sunday for eight teams that advanced in the FCS playoffs.
Relieve the fun and excitement of the first round.
theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-...
Relieve the fun and excitement of the first round.
theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-...
FCS Playoffs First-Round Scoreboard: Yale's Comeback Highlights Three Road Wins | Opta Analyst
The 2025 FCS playoffs kicked off with eight first-round games. Here's how the winners advanced and a look to who they face next.
theanalyst.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM
It's Victory Sunday for eight teams that advanced in the FCS playoffs.
Relieve the fun and excitement of the first round.
theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-...
Relieve the fun and excitement of the first round.
theanalyst.com/articles/fcs-...
FCS Playoff Record by Conference
Through First Round
MVFC: 4-1
CAA: 2-1
UAC: 1-0
Ivy League: 1-1
NEC Football: 0-1
OVC-Big South: 0-1
Pioneer: 0-1
Southland: 0-2
Through First Round
MVFC: 4-1
CAA: 2-1
UAC: 1-0
Ivy League: 1-1
NEC Football: 0-1
OVC-Big South: 0-1
Pioneer: 0-1
Southland: 0-2
November 30, 2025 at 12:02 AM
FCS Playoff Record by Conference
Through First Round
MVFC: 4-1
CAA: 2-1
UAC: 1-0
Ivy League: 1-1
NEC Football: 0-1
OVC-Big South: 0-1
Pioneer: 0-1
Southland: 0-2
Through First Round
MVFC: 4-1
CAA: 2-1
UAC: 1-0
Ivy League: 1-1
NEC Football: 0-1
OVC-Big South: 0-1
Pioneer: 0-1
Southland: 0-2
Go inside the first round of the FCS playoffs with Craig Haley.
theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...
theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...
FCS Playoffs First-Round Scoreboard: Yale's Comeback Highlights Three Road Wins | Opta Analyst
The 2025 FCS playoffs kicked off with eight first-round games. Here's how the winners advanced and a look to who they face next.
theanalyst.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Go inside the first round of the FCS playoffs with Craig Haley.
theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...
theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...
FCS first-round playoff attendance:
at Rhode Island: 2,640
at Villanova: 2,125
at Youngstown State: 4,869
at Abilene Christian: 4,588
at South Dakota: 3,964
at Tennessee Tech: 4,641
at SDSU: 3,843
at Southeastern Louisiana: 3,321
at Rhode Island: 2,640
at Villanova: 2,125
at Youngstown State: 4,869
at Abilene Christian: 4,588
at South Dakota: 3,964
at Tennessee Tech: 4,641
at SDSU: 3,843
at Southeastern Louisiana: 3,321
November 29, 2025 at 11:32 PM
FCS first-round playoff attendance:
at Rhode Island: 2,640
at Villanova: 2,125
at Youngstown State: 4,869
at Abilene Christian: 4,588
at South Dakota: 3,964
at Tennessee Tech: 4,641
at SDSU: 3,843
at Southeastern Louisiana: 3,321
at Rhode Island: 2,640
at Villanova: 2,125
at Youngstown State: 4,869
at Abilene Christian: 4,588
at South Dakota: 3,964
at Tennessee Tech: 4,641
at SDSU: 3,843
at Southeastern Louisiana: 3,321
FCS Playoff First Round
Illinois State intercepts SLU’s quarterbacks four times in the road win (Mason Kaplan with two of the picks). QB Tommy Rittenhouse scores TDs on a run and a catch.
The Redbirds (9-4) advance to play at No. 1 seed North Dakota State (12-0) at 1 p.m. ET next Saturday.
Illinois State intercepts SLU’s quarterbacks four times in the road win (Mason Kaplan with two of the picks). QB Tommy Rittenhouse scores TDs on a run and a catch.
The Redbirds (9-4) advance to play at No. 1 seed North Dakota State (12-0) at 1 p.m. ET next Saturday.
November 29, 2025 at 11:02 PM
FCS Playoff First Round
Illinois State intercepts SLU’s quarterbacks four times in the road win (Mason Kaplan with two of the picks). QB Tommy Rittenhouse scores TDs on a run and a catch.
The Redbirds (9-4) advance to play at No. 1 seed North Dakota State (12-0) at 1 p.m. ET next Saturday.
Illinois State intercepts SLU’s quarterbacks four times in the road win (Mason Kaplan with two of the picks). QB Tommy Rittenhouse scores TDs on a run and a catch.
The Redbirds (9-4) advance to play at No. 1 seed North Dakota State (12-0) at 1 p.m. ET next Saturday.
The FCS playoffs are rolling along the Road to Nashville.
November 29, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The FCS playoffs are rolling along the Road to Nashville.
There were one- and eight-point margins today, but six of the eight games were 18+ margins, making for the third-largest combined differential in the first round of 24-team FCS playoffs (12 postseasons).
November 29, 2025 at 9:49 PM
There were one- and eight-point margins today, but six of the eight games were 18+ margins, making for the third-largest combined differential in the first round of 24-team FCS playoffs (12 postseasons).
FCS Playoff First Round: UND posts second all-time FCS playoff win (2-5 in six appearances).
The Fighting Hawks (8-5) will play in the second round at No. 4 seed Tarleton State (11-1) at 1 p.m. ET next Saturday.
The Fighting Hawks (8-5) will play in the second round at No. 4 seed Tarleton State (11-1) at 1 p.m. ET next Saturday.
November 29, 2025 at 9:32 PM
FCS Playoff First Round: UND posts second all-time FCS playoff win (2-5 in six appearances).
The Fighting Hawks (8-5) will play in the second round at No. 4 seed Tarleton State (11-1) at 1 p.m. ET next Saturday.
The Fighting Hawks (8-5) will play in the second round at No. 4 seed Tarleton State (11-1) at 1 p.m. ET next Saturday.
FCS Playoff First Round: ACU’s Javon Gipson catches two TDs in a game for the first time.
Coach Keith Patterson’s No. 10-seeded Wildcats (9-4) will travel to No. 7 seed Stephen F. Austin (10-2) for a second-round game at 1 p.m. ET next Saturday.
ACU defeated SFA 28-20 on Sept. 6
Coach Keith Patterson’s No. 10-seeded Wildcats (9-4) will travel to No. 7 seed Stephen F. Austin (10-2) for a second-round game at 1 p.m. ET next Saturday.
ACU defeated SFA 28-20 on Sept. 6
November 29, 2025 at 9:19 PM
FCS Playoff First Round: ACU’s Javon Gipson catches two TDs in a game for the first time.
Coach Keith Patterson’s No. 10-seeded Wildcats (9-4) will travel to No. 7 seed Stephen F. Austin (10-2) for a second-round game at 1 p.m. ET next Saturday.
ACU defeated SFA 28-20 on Sept. 6
Coach Keith Patterson’s No. 10-seeded Wildcats (9-4) will travel to No. 7 seed Stephen F. Austin (10-2) for a second-round game at 1 p.m. ET next Saturday.
ACU defeated SFA 28-20 on Sept. 6
First Playoff First Round: South Dakota beats Drake by 21 points for the second time this season.
The No. 11-seeded (9-4) will play in the second round at No. 6 seed Mercer (9-2), noon ET next Saturday.
The No. 11-seeded (9-4) will play in the second round at No. 6 seed Mercer (9-2), noon ET next Saturday.
November 29, 2025 at 9:10 PM
First Playoff First Round: South Dakota beats Drake by 21 points for the second time this season.
The No. 11-seeded (9-4) will play in the second round at No. 6 seed Mercer (9-2), noon ET next Saturday.
The No. 11-seeded (9-4) will play in the second round at No. 6 seed Mercer (9-2), noon ET next Saturday.
FCS Playoff First Round: SDSU improves to 8-0 this season in games with QB Chase Mason.
The No. 14-seeded Jackrabbits (9-4) next play at No. 3 seed Montana (11-1) at 2 p.m. ET next Saturday.
The No. 14-seeded Jackrabbits (9-4) next play at No. 3 seed Montana (11-1) at 2 p.m. ET next Saturday.
November 29, 2025 at 9:04 PM
FCS Playoff First Round: SDSU improves to 8-0 this season in games with QB Chase Mason.
The No. 14-seeded Jackrabbits (9-4) next play at No. 3 seed Montana (11-1) at 2 p.m. ET next Saturday.
The No. 14-seeded Jackrabbits (9-4) next play at No. 3 seed Montana (11-1) at 2 p.m. ET next Saturday.
FCS Playoff Round: Rhode Island dispatches CCSU in the first round for the second consecutive year.
Coach Jim Fleming's 11-2 squad will make the long trip to No. 8 seed UC Davis (8-3) for a second-round game at 3 p.m. ET next Saturday.
Coach Jim Fleming's 11-2 squad will make the long trip to No. 8 seed UC Davis (8-3) for a second-round game at 3 p.m. ET next Saturday.
November 29, 2025 at 8:33 PM
FCS Playoff Round: Rhode Island dispatches CCSU in the first round for the second consecutive year.
Coach Jim Fleming's 11-2 squad will make the long trip to No. 8 seed UC Davis (8-3) for a second-round game at 3 p.m. ET next Saturday.
Coach Jim Fleming's 11-2 squad will make the long trip to No. 8 seed UC Davis (8-3) for a second-round game at 3 p.m. ET next Saturday.
FCS Playoff First Round: Yale wins its first-ever playoff game by scoring the final 29 points.
Josh Pitsenberger in the second half: 21 carries, 149 yards, 2 TDs
The Bulldogs will play at No. 2 seed Montana State (10-2), 2 p.m. ET next Saturday.
Josh Pitsenberger in the second half: 21 carries, 149 yards, 2 TDs
The Bulldogs will play at No. 2 seed Montana State (10-2), 2 p.m. ET next Saturday.
November 29, 2025 at 8:25 PM
FCS Playoff First Round: Yale wins its first-ever playoff game by scoring the final 29 points.
Josh Pitsenberger in the second half: 21 carries, 149 yards, 2 TDs
The Bulldogs will play at No. 2 seed Montana State (10-2), 2 p.m. ET next Saturday.
Josh Pitsenberger in the second half: 21 carries, 149 yards, 2 TDs
The Bulldogs will play at No. 2 seed Montana State (10-2), 2 p.m. ET next Saturday.
FCS Playoff First Round
No. 12 seed Villanova (10-2) posts 512-213 advantage in offensive yards, advances to play in the second round at No. 5 seed Lehigh (12-0). Game time is noon ET next Saturday.
No. 12 seed Villanova (10-2) posts 512-213 advantage in offensive yards, advances to play in the second round at No. 5 seed Lehigh (12-0). Game time is noon ET next Saturday.
November 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
FCS Playoff First Round
No. 12 seed Villanova (10-2) posts 512-213 advantage in offensive yards, advances to play in the second round at No. 5 seed Lehigh (12-0). Game time is noon ET next Saturday.
No. 12 seed Villanova (10-2) posts 512-213 advantage in offensive yards, advances to play in the second round at No. 5 seed Lehigh (12-0). Game time is noon ET next Saturday.
FCS First Round: Tennessee Tech had outscored 11 non-FBS opponents by a combined 258-91 in the first half, but North Dakota shut out the Golden Eagles in the opening 30 minutes.
November 29, 2025 at 7:41 PM
FCS First Round: Tennessee Tech had outscored 11 non-FBS opponents by a combined 258-91 in the first half, but North Dakota shut out the Golden Eagles in the opening 30 minutes.
FCS Playoff First Round: Abilene Christian posted a 253-139 advantage in yards in the first half.
November 29, 2025 at 7:36 PM
FCS Playoff First Round: Abilene Christian posted a 253-139 advantage in yards in the first half.
FCS Playoff First Round: With QB Chase Mason playing for the first time since its seventh game, South Dakota State has a big halftime lead over New Hampshire in a snowstorm.
November 29, 2025 at 7:32 PM
FCS Playoff First Round: With QB Chase Mason playing for the first time since its seventh game, South Dakota State has a big halftime lead over New Hampshire in a snowstorm.
FCS Playoff First Round: South Dakota jumped ahead 17-10 on L.J. Phillips Jr.'s 1-yard TD run with 2:26 left in the second quarter.
November 29, 2025 at 7:29 PM
FCS Playoff First Round: South Dakota jumped ahead 17-10 on L.J. Phillips Jr.'s 1-yard TD run with 2:26 left in the second quarter.
First Playoff First Round: Southeastern Louisiana only has a field goal despite 20 minutes, 49 seconds of possession.
November 29, 2025 at 7:25 PM
First Playoff First Round: Southeastern Louisiana only has a field goal despite 20 minutes, 49 seconds of possession.