FCS Playoffs 2015: Dates, Schedule, Teams, Bracket and More
Nov 22, 2015
Jacksonville State quarterback Eli Jenkins (7) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
The bracket for the FCS playoffs dropped Sunday, featuring 24 teams and eight top seeds who have the benefit of first-round byes.
FCS Football captured a photo of the complete bracket, which is also available on NCAA.com:
Although Jacksonville State and Illinois State have claimed the top two seeds in that respective order, the headliner of the tournament is four-time reigning national champion North Dakota State.
The Bison had won each championship game by at least two possessions but had to edge out Illinois State last year, 29-27, under new coach Chris Klieman. Filling the shoes of Craig Bohl wasn't easy, but Klieman still has North Dakota State playing at an elite level and maintaining FCS powerhouse status.
Below is a clearer overview of what's on the FCS schedule, followed by a preview of the action.
The FCS playoffs cap off in Frisco, Texas, with the national quarterfinals on December 11 and 12, the semifinals on December 18 and 19 and the national title game on January 9, 2016. All games whose matchups are currently determined can be streamed on ESPN3/Watch ESPN.
Saturday, Nov. 28: First Round
Time (ET)
Saturday, Dec. 5: Second Round
Time (ET)
Dayton vs. Western Illinois
12 p.m.
Chattanooga vs. Fordham
1 p.m.
Coastal Carolina vs. The Citadel
2 p.m.
Sam Houston State vs. Southern Utah
3 p.m.
Montana vs. South Dakota State
3 p.m.
New Hampshire vs. Colgate
3:30 p.m.
William & Mary vs. Duquesne
3:30 p.m.
Northern Iowa vs. Eastern Illinois
5 p.m.
No. 8 Charleston Southern vs. The Citadel/Coastal Carolina
1 p.m.
No. 7 Richmond vs. William & Mary/Duquesne
1 p.m.
No. 5 James Madison vs. Colgate/New Hampshire
1 p.m.
No. 2 Illinois State vs. Dayton/Western Illinois
2 p.m.
No. 1 Jacksonville State vs. Chattanooga/Fordham
2 p.m.
No. 3 North Dakota State vs. Montana/South Dakota State
3:30 p.m.
No. 4 McNeese State vs. Sam Houston State/Southern Utah
7 p.m.
No. 6 Portland State vs. Northern Iowa/Eastern Illinois
10 p.m.
FCS Playoffs Preview, Predictions
One reason North Dakota State isn't at the top of the tournament is because of an injury to starting quarterback Carson Wentz. The senior leader suffered a broken wrist in late October.
With a possible NFL future on the horizon after a Senior Bowl invitation, Wentz has to bear his future in mind if he were to attempt an improbable return to the gridiron.
Freshman Easton Stick has done an exceptional job spelling Wentz, with 11 touchdown passes to just two interceptions in six games of action. Stick is also second on the team with 423 yards rushing, bringing the Bison offense a more significant dimension on the ground.
NBC Sports' Brian Shawn was among those rather surprised NDSU didn't receive a higher bracket billing from the FCS committee:
The Gamecocks of Jacksonville State do deserve their No. 1 overall status, though. They went 10-1 this season, with their only loss a 27-20 defeat on the road against Auburn.
Dual-threat signal-caller Eli Jenkins does well to complement senior ball-carrier Troymaine Pope, but the Gamecocks' big strength is on defense. The team is fifth nationally in total yards allowed per game (277.1 YPG).
Despite the excitement of Sunday's announcement that his team would be the top overall seed, Jacksonville State head coach John Grass made sure to immediately focus his players on the task at hand, per Joe Medley of the Anniston Star:
JSU coach John Grass to team: "Today we find out who we go 1-0 against next week." pic.twitter.com/7a6lcimrFo
Such a mindset makes sense considering the Gamecocks were upset by Sam Houston State at home in the second round of the 2014 playoffs.
Illinois State will certainly have a chip on its shoulder after last year's close call in the national championship. The Redbirds play with NDSU in the Missouri Valley Conference but didn't face the Bison in the regular season.
Contained within Illinois State's 9-2 record is a 31-14 loss in the season opener to Iowa, which certainly looks a lot better now since the Hawkeyes are in the College Football Playoff picture.
What makes the Redbirds so tough is their physicality and relentless reliance on the run. Running back Marshaun Coprich ranks second in the country with 1,720 rushing yards and 20 scores. Senior QB Tre Roberson also has wheels, accruing 630 yards on the ground and nine scores of his own.
The problem is Roberson is only a 48 percent passer and may struggle if Illinois State's rushing attack isn't firing on all cylinders. His team also ranks 59th in converting 39 percent of third downs.
AMES, IA - AUGUST 30: Quarterbacks Carson Wentz #11 and quarterback Easton Stick #12 of the North Dakota State Bison celebrate with fans after defeating the Iowa State Cyclones 34-14 at Jack Trice Stadium on August 30, 2014 in Ames, Iowa. North Dakota Sta
The Bison are third in converting third downs on offense (50.3 percent) and sixth in defending those critical situations. That's a superior combination to Jacksonville State and any other playoff team.
James Madison may have been a threat before senior Georgia Tech transfer Vad Lee went down for the year with a foot injury. The Dukes also have to deal with McNeese State—another one-dimensional, run-heavy outfit. Sixth seed Portland State has a similar makeup and is on a quarterfinals collision course with the Bison.
Due to the level Stick has played at under center for NDSU, he gives his side an edge most teams other than the Gamecocks don't have. That makes it even more difficult to bet against the Bison given their track record of success.
No team is going to be better equipped to handle the pressure of postseason play, and Stick has proved to be undaunted by the big FCS stage in his young career. Look for North Dakota State to triumph once again in Frisco when the FCS playoffs come to a close—likely in an epic showdown with Jacksonville State.
Note: Team stats courtesy of NCAA.com. Individual stats obtained from the Washington Post unless otherwise indicated.
Vad Lee Injury: Updates on James Madison QB's Recovery from Foot Surgery
Oct 27, 2015
Oct 24, 2015; Harrisonburg, VA, USA; James Madison Dukes quarterback Vad Lee (2) rushes the ball against the Richmond Spiders during the second half at Bridgeforth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
James Madison quarterback Vad Lee suffered a season-ending foot injury that will require surgery.
Continue for updates.
Lee’s Career Reportedly Over
Tuesday, Oct. 27
According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch's Mike Szvetitz, citing colleague John O'Connor, Lee will miss the remainder of the season after head coach Everett Withers announced his foot injury needed surgery. As a senior, it also signals the end of Lee's college career.
James Madison (4-1), ranked No. 9 in the FCS, will now be without its offensive leader after he left Saturday's game against Richmond when he went down at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
It will now move forward with sophomore Bryan Schor under center, and he will be put under fire quickly. The Dukes will face No. 16 William & Mary on Saturday, but offensive lineman Austin Lane feels confident in the new starter, as he told O'Connor.
"That’s what we train for," Lane said. "Bryan does the same reps that Vad does every week. We knew we weren’t going to skip a beat when he came in."
Per O'Connor, Lee, a Georgia Tech transfer, had averaged 273.8 passing yards and 101.8 rushing yards per game this season—more than half of his team's total offense (609.5 yards per game), which leads the FCS. A date for his foot surgery has yet to be disclosed.
Best Signs from ESPN's 'College GameDay' from Week 8 at James Madison
Oct 24, 2015
College GameDay'sstop at James Madison for Week 8 might be a little off the beaten path, but the signs are on par.
Fans brought out some of the best work we've seen this season ahead of the top FCS matchup between the No. 3 Dukes and No. 12 Richmond Spiders.
Eastern Kentucky Football Game Moved Due to Threatening Graffiti on Campus
Oct 7, 2015
Eastern Kentucky quarterback Bennie Coney looks for a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky won the game 34-27 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)
Eastern Kentucky University announced Thursday's scheduled football game against Tennessee Tech University has been moved to nearby Georgetown College after an apparent death threat on campus.
A cryptic message reading "KILL ALL BY 10/8/15 THIS BU OOP" was written on a campus men's room wall Sunday night, per Sean Moody of WKYT.
"It's a little hard to understand what the handwriting at the end of that message means. Police are investigating that. They're sharing information with partner agencies to determine if there is another meaning for it or if it's just a handwriting mistake," EKU spokesperson Kristi Middleton said, per Moody.
Eastern Kentucky has canceled all classes through Friday as police continue to investigate the case. Classes had been held as scheduled earlier this week.
School president Michael Benson provided an update on how the school is handling the matter Wednesday in an email, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com):
Our primary goals in assessing this situation are limiting any safety risks and avoiding disruption to learning and teaching. While we are confident the responding team of law enforcement agencies has kept a watchful eye over our community and is diligently investigating the threat, it has become clear this incident continues to be unsettling to a number of our students, faculty and staff.
Georgetown College is located roughly 40 miles from Eastern Kentucky. In the wake of this month's mass shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, it's commendable Eastern Kentucky is making a concerted effort to ensure the safety of its students.
The university is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of the person responsible for the threat.
Devon Gales Injury: Updates on Southern University WR's Status and Return
Sep 26, 2015
A bag of NFL footballs are on the sideline during the NFL preseason football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene Puskar)
Devon Gales, a wide receiver at Southern University, left the team's game against Georgia on Oct. 3 after a head-to-head collision, resulting in a spinal injury.
Southern announced Gales underwent spinal surgery on Oct. 4.
Continue for updates.
Gales Undergoes Spinal Surgery
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Southern indicated Gales suffered several neck fractures that were stabilized during his procedure, and while he remains in the hospital, Gales continues to have movement in his upper body. The team also thanked everyone for their support in the statement:
The Gales family, along with interim athletics director Roman Banks and the entire Southern University family, would like to thank Athens General, The University of Georgia and all of the many people who aided in his care during this unfortunate event. We are extremely thankful for all of the prayers and well wishes that Devon has received from many people nationwide.
Also, special thanks to the Georgia football program and Sports Medicine staff for all of their love and support that they have shown Devon during this difficult time.
Due to the overwhelming amount of love shown to them from everyone, the family is asking for privacy at this time. They appreciate and request your continued prayers and thoughts.
If you would like to send cards or well wishes to Devon, please send them to:
SU Athletics: C/o Devon Gales PO Box 9942 Baton Rouge, LA 70813
Gales had movement in his hands immediately following the injury, per Laura Rutledge of the SEC Network (h/t Mark Schlabach of ESPN on Sept. 26).
College Football Pays Tribute to Gales
Tuesday, Oct. 6
The Advocate posted a photo of LSU fans showing their support for Gales:
Southern's athletic department and the Southern University System Foundation organized the Devon Gales Fund to provide assistance to Gales for medical expenses, per the Associated Press, who also provided comments from Georgia head coach Mark Richt:
"We'll do everything in our power as the Bulldog Nation to bless Devon and his family going through this time. And looking forward to seeing his progress."
A sophomore from Baton Rouge, Gales appeared in 10 games last season and had his first career reception this season in a loss against Louisiana Tech.
Ty Williams Injury: Updates on Georgetown LB's Recovery from Neck Surgery
Sep 6, 2015
Oct 5, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; A view of a football and the end zone pylon before the game between Oklahoma Sooners and TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Georgetown linebacker Ty Williams injured his neck during Saturday's game against St. Francis (Pennsylvania) and underwent surgery, per Michael Cornejo of MoCoFootball.com.
Continue for updates.
Williams Could Be Paralyzed Due to Neck Injury
Sunday, September 6
Williams' injuries were severe, per Cornejo:
update on Tyrell Williams: "He has 5 broken bones in the neck/vertebrae.. will not be awake until tomorrow." #mocofbpic.twitter.com/Y9pt8yCYFt
"[Tyrell Williams] may be paralyzed," Williams' former coach at Quince Orchard High School in Maryland, John Kelley, told Cornejo. "Please pray for him and family."
He added that Williams is "one of the best kids ever, hopefully things work out," per Cornejo.
Georgetown Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Lee Reed released a statement on Williams, via guhoyas.com:
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ty Williams and his family. The coming days will be very important and we will be here to support him and his family. We ask our fans and the entire Georgetown community to believe and pray for Ty as he begins the recovery process.
I would also like to thank the athletic department at St. Francis (Pa.) and the medical staff at UPMC Altoona Hospital for their tremendous reaction and support at the game and in the last 24 hours. It has meant quite a bit, both to Georgetown and his family.
Williams moved to linebacker last season after beginning his career as a running back, starting every game last season. He was expected to be a key component of defensive coordinator Luke Thompson’s unit, pairing with senior Matt Satchell at linebacker to give the team a veteran presence at the position.
Now, however, the Georgetown and college football community will be hoping that Williams can make a full recovery from the serious injuries he sustained Saturday.
Can Carson Wentz Become the 2016 NFL Draft's Top QB Prospect?
Jul 11, 2015
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz (11) carries the ball during the FCS Championship NCAA college football game against Illinois State Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, in Frisco, Texas. North Dakota State won the game 29-27 for their fourth straight national championship. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
Finding a franchise quarterback is one of the most difficult tasks placed on talent evaluators. Not only is it a hard position to project forward into the NFL, but also there just isn’t enough talent to fulfill the demand. Almost half of the NFL starts a quarterback with very little chance to lead his team to the Super Bowl.
That’s a harsh reality that is extremely hard to fix. It takes a certain degree of luck to find even a second-tier quarterback via the draft. As we prepare for the 2016 NFL draft, North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is a player who could provide that lucky ticket to greatness for a franchise next season.
The big question around Wentz is if he can become the top quarterback prospect in 2016. Right now, the class has several promising, but flawed, prospects at the top. There’s certainly room for a player like Wentz to show in 2015 that he is the guy deserving of that crown.
We’re going to break down Wentz’s positives and negatives as a prospect entering the year. This will help provide a full scope of his talent. Then, we have two comparisons for Wentz, and an early conclusion to our big question about whether he can become the top quarterback prospect.
Positives
It’s best that we start with Wentz’s resume. As a first-year starter in 2014, Wentz helped the Bison win their fourth-consecutive FCS title. The Bison finished the year 15-1, and Wentz won the Most Outstanding Player award for his play in the national title game.
Wentz set school records for passing attempts, completions, yards and total offense per game. He threw for 3,111 yards and 25 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions. There were numerous clutch touchdown passes toward the end of games that helped the Bison continue their winning ways.
At 6’5” and 222 pounds, Wentz has the prototypical frame for an NFL quarterback. There should be no concern about whether he can absorb hits from defenders or see over his offensive line. Those are questions that much smaller quarterbacks face, as their size can create massive issues.
Although size isn’t everything, it helps Wentz’s outlook. What’s also impressive about his size is how well he moves. He shouldn’t be characterized as a running quarterback, but he has the ability to scramble and punish defenses on the ground.
In Wentz’s first season as a starter, he had two 100-yard rushing games. He totaled 642 rushing yards on the season, which is the most among the other top 2016 quarterback prospects. This doesn’t guarantee success, but it’s a strength that can help in the NFL.
Quarterbacks like Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers are terrific scramblers while also being great in the pocket. When the quarterback knows when to pull the ball in and when to extend plays, you have a special and effective playmaker at the position.
As seen above, Wentz has at least flashed the ability to extend plays and complete tough passes downfield. He avoided the free pass-rusher by using a small pump fake and then scrambled to the sideline before throwing. We’ll touch more on his ability to handle pressure later, but if Wentz can show more of this skill in 2015, he’ll shoot up draft boards.
One way that the Bison put Wentz into a position to succeed is to keep him on the move. His athleticism at his size is notable, but more important is his passing ability while mobile. Wentz has plus arm strength when working to the far side of the field, and also when throwing across his body.
By completing off-balance short to intermediate throws, Wentz creates more open passing lanes than more limited quarterbacks can. Defenses cannot simply sag off their assignments in hopes that Wentz will deliver an inaccurate throw because he’s moving toward his left.
On this next play, Wentz wasn’t flushed from the pocket, but he still shows off his strong arm. Working in the middle of the field, Wentz delivers a strike into the chest of his receiver. If this throw is behind his target even by a foot, this is a pick-six.
Ideally, we’d like to see this throw happen from the far sideline across the field on a deep out-route pattern. Through the three games available on YouTube, Wentz attempted no such throw. That is the best measure of arm strength, and a throw that even good NFL quarterbacks will make via anticipation or pure arm talent.
Hopefully we’ll see Wentz show his talent in this area more in 2015.
An important area where Wentz has shown confidence is throwing into tight windows. This is a massive positive to work with. By understanding leverage and spacing, Wentz is able to thread the needle the way only a dozen or so NFL quarterbacks can.
Below is an example of an NFL-caliber throw into a small area.
As Wentz drops back into the pocket, he reads the linebackers taking away the underneath receiver. This allows his slot man to dip inside of the zone and exploit the small gap between his man and the safety over top.
This throw is dangerous, not only from a turnover aspect but also for his receivers’ health. The receiver ultimately drops the throw, but Wentz showed poise and great accuracy to deliver a catchable pass. His willingness to make these throws is notable; the opposite mindset is what limits average NFL quarterbacks.
Let’s move on to the negatives found in Wentz’s game.
Negatives
The first thing that must be acknowledged is Wentz's competition. The Bison program is the standard in the FCS division, possessing more talent than numerous FBS teams. Their win against Iowa State in 2014 was their only game against an FBS program.
Games Started
Completions
Attempts
Yards
Touchdowns
Interceptions
Carson Wentz
16
228
358
3,111
25
10
Christian Hackenberg
13
270
484
2,977
12
15
Jared Goff
12
316
509
3,973
35
7
Trevone Boykin
13
301
492
3,901
33
10
Cody Kessler
13
315
452
3,826
39
5
Cardale Jones
3
56
92
860
7
2
It’s hard to get a good feel for Wentz when he’s playing with much better talent than the opposition. Not to mention, Wentz doesn’t have to do much heavy lifting in comparison to other top quarterback prospects. Below are the numbers for Wentz and other quarterback prospects.
Without an FBS foe on the docket for 2015, Wentz must showcase great talent at the Senior Bowl, if he’s invited. That’s where Jimmy Garoppolo of Eastern Illinois solidified his status as a legitimate second-round pick in 2014.
There are several areas of concern in Wentz’s game that could hold him back in the race to be the top quarterback prospect. The first is his ability to handle pressure in the pocket. Below is one example of many where Wentz did not feel the heat and made a poor pass.
The inaccurate throw was a direct result of Wentz’s poor poise. As the rush is crashing in, Wentz slides backward before the throw. The top of his dropback was at the 2-yard line, but he releases the ball close to the goal line.
This shuffling of his feet cost Wentz the ability to deliver through his throwing motion. His arm is strong, but not good enough to overcome bad footwork. This applies to almost every quarterback in the NFL.
Handling pressure with poise is Wentz’s biggest weakness and potential stock killer in the draft. It’s imperative for any prospect to show competence in the pocket. But Wentz’s film has more examples of his not feeling the rush or reacting to it too late.
Remember, the jump from FCS-level pass-rushers to the NFL is going to be even more severe than what an FBS quarterback faces. Poor pocket presence will be magnified tenfold at the next level. The opponent is much faster, longer and more instinctive in the NFL.
Another concern with Wentz is his deep ball. Despite having a strong arm, he is a bad deep passer at this juncture. Even when he had wide-open receivers, Wentz struggled to hit receivers in stride on throws past 15 yards.
Above is one example of his poor deep passing mechanics. Wentz had time to step into a throw and follow through his passing motion. His receiver has steps on the defender, and yet Wentz throws the ball out of bounds.
Where the concern comes is when the ball leaves his hands; it’s as if Wentz is shot-putting the ball. He has little control over where his deep passes are heading. This could be due to small hands.
The small-hands theory may hold water, although there is no official measurement of his hands available online. In the three games evaluated, Wentz consistently had issues with fumbles and deep passing. These are problems that often plague quarterbacks with a small hand radius.
Lastly, an area where Wentz could stand to make a major leap is working off his first read. 2014 was his first season starting, so there were some growing pains and moments where he didn’t show much polish. That’s understandable.
Nevertheless, Wentz must show the ability to read through progressions. When he couldn’t go to his first option in 2014, he would immediately look to scramble or make a panic throw elsewhere. It's paramount that Wentz improves this aspect of his game.
Below we can find an example of Wentz locking onto his first target.
Facing Iowa State, Wentz drops back to pass into the end zone. His receiver is running a slant into off coverage. This is a dangerous pass that has little chance of being completed, as the cornerback just has to hit the receiver to jar the ball loose or play the ball for a pass defensed.
The linebacker underneath is also unaccounted for. Wentz never takes his eyes off his first read, and the linebacker and cornerback see the play unfold with ease. The pass is tipped and luckily not turned into an interception.
Again, this is one example of numerous found in just three games. These patterns are potentially crippling for Wentz’s rise to the top of the 2016 draft class.
Conclusion
There’s a lot to like about Carson Wentz entering the 2015 season. He’s one of the top 10 quarterback prospects in the country, without a doubt. He could be the top senior quarterback in the country.
His size, athleticism and arm talent are all above average. He’s not a freakish athlete for the position, but he doesn’t have to be to find success. His running ability is simply another positive to build around.
Wentz has the ability to stick very difficult throws when he has a clean pocket. He shows flash as a creator outside of the pocket, but he needs to show more consistency and take fewer risks in this area.
But Wentz has at least shown the competence to build off this year and beyond.
In terms of a comparison, Wentz’s 2014 tape is reminiscent of Baltimore’s Joe Flacco and Carolina’s Derek Anderson. Each are big, athletic quarterbacks with strong arms. Wentz’s arm strength isn’t quite on par with those two, but that could be due to poor deep passing mechanics.
Like Flacco, Wentz struggles with passes that go 20 yards or more. His arm talent allows him to control the short to intermediate game and hit all of those throws, though. It’s possible to be a very good quarterback without an efficient deep passing game.
Considering how Wentz struggles against the rush, his floor is similar to Derek Anderson. Anderson found brief success as a starter but could not consistently win inside of the pocket when pressured. Now he is a backup with the Panthers.
Whether or not Wentz can become the top quarterback prospect in the 2016 draft class depends on if he becomes more like Flacco or more like Anderson. Although Flacco isn’t an elite playmaker at the position, he is successful with a very good team around him. He was well worth the first-round pick he was taken with.
Wentz’s ceiling is that of a top quarterback prospect. He has some major concerns to address in 2015, though. As always, we can expect the on-field play to help hash out this question, and surely we will revisit this discussion after football starts next month.
FCS Championship 2015: Date, Start Time, TV Info for Illinois State vs. NDSU
Jan 9, 2015
North Dakota State's John Crockett is alone during a long run early in the second half for a touchdown against Sam Houston State in the semifinals of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State descends upon the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, set on capturing a fourth straight FCS national championship, but Illinois State stands in the way.
It's been a season of destiny for the Redbirds, who rode a high-powered offense to a 13-1 record that culminated in a thrilling comeback over New Hampshire in the FCS semifinals. Illinois State rattled off 15 points and blanked the Wildcats in the fourth quarter to win in epic fashion.
Bison fans don't know anything other than sheer dominance, having taken 11 of their 14 wins by double digits. The senior class that can win its fourth FCS title in four years also has a chance to win more championships than losses attained (three) in those four seasons.
Let's break down everything you need to know for the Illinois State and NDSU showdown.
Since 2011, the FCS championship and North Dakota State have been synonymous with each other.
Not only have the Bison won all three championships in that span, but they've done so in quite the convincing fashion. All three were decided by 10 or more points, with two being absolute blowouts in what were supposed to be back-and-forth affairs between evenly matched opponents.
Whether it goes that way again or not, Toyota Stadium certainly looks ready, per FCS Football:
With the way North Dakota State's 2014 season has gone, there's no indication of any slowing up. Junior quarterback Carson Wentz has been magnificent in his first year starting under center, throwing for 2,874 yards and 24 touchdowns behind a stout running game.
What the Bison lack in experience at quarterback, they more than make up for at other key positions. From defensive starters in linebacker Carlton Littlejohn and safeties Christian Dudzik and Colten Heagle, plenty of impact players have been on the big stage before. Another one is running back John Crockett, who finished third in the FCS in rushing yards this year.
There's some advantages knowing what to expect as you go down there, but in the same respect, it's still a football game. And you've got to be able to execute and you can't turn the football over. I think once the ball is kicked off on Saturday, the experience factor is pretty much out - it's now who executes the best.
Of course, Illinois State can't come anywhere near matching NDSU's championship-game prowess over recent history. The Redbirds have only made five playoff appearances since 1978, and this year marked only the second time they've reached the semifinal round.
The inevitable underdogs will, however, have the added familiarity of playing a team in their conference. Both hail from the Missouri Valley Conference, although they didn't end up playing one another during the season.
It's only right that they're playing now, per Haley:
"We wanted to play a Missouri Valley team," Redbirds head coach Brock Spack said. "And we didn't play each other, we tied for the championship. This is the way to settle, I guess."
The Bison will have their hands full containing Illinois State's duo of potent running backs.
The main cog in the attack is undoubtedly Marshaun Coprich, and the stats more than back it up. He racked up 2,168 rushing yards on 354 carries and 27 touchdowns—all FCS-highs.
But stopping the run doesn't start and end with Coprich, although any 2,000-yard rusher would almost guarantee that. With Tre Roberson also racking up 868 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, the duo has commanded NDSU's attention, per WDAY-TV's Dom Izzo:
#NDSU D Coordinator Matt Entz: "Tre Roberson makes ISU go, need to stop him, but we know where #25(Marshaun Coprich) is." #FCSChamp
Something will have to give, considering how well Illinois State runs the ball and the constant dominance of the North Dakota State defense. The Bison rank third in the FCS in total defense, according to The Sports Network.
When it comes down to it, North Dakota State will have 60 minutes on the field in Frisco, Texas, to win yet another national championship. Illinois State has had destiny bring the Redbirds this far, but it will take reversing a trend four years in the making to hoist their first-ever national title.
FCS Playoffs 2014: Analysis and Prediction for National Championship
Dec 20, 2014
North Dakota State's John Crockett scores against Coastal Carolina during an FCS quarterfinal NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
The FCS National Championship is all set following Illinois State's 21-18 victory over New Hampshire on Saturday. The Redbirds upended the top seed in the playoffs and thus earned themselves a chance to topple North Dakota State, winner of the last three FCS titles.
The Bison beat Sam Houston State on Friday, 35-3, running their record to 14-1 for the season. Over the last four years, they've lost a total of three games. Suffice it to say, they're pretty good.
North Dakota State will likely enter the game as the heavy favorite, but Illinois State has two offensive weapons who could swing the game in the Redbirds' favor.
The Book on North Dakota State
Offensively, North Dakota State boasts a balanced attack that's often befuddled opposing coaches.
While Carson Wentz isn't the most prolific quarterback in the country, he's eighth in efficiency, with 24 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. John Crockett is arguably the tone-setter, ranking ninth in rushing yards per game. In the semifinal, the senior running back had 166 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries.
He already broke the school's single-season rushing record, so everything else is just piling on now (via ESPN College Football):
With 227 yards, John Crockett has surpassed North Dakota State's single-season school record for rushing yards. #FCSpic.twitter.com/QMGxgtG0Ou
Bleacher Report's Dan Hope wrote that Crockett might hear his name on draft day, albeit near the tail end:
Between the tackles, Crockett had some issues getting out of the backfield Saturday, showing he’s not the most explosive back out of the gate. What Saturday did show, however, is that Crockett consistently runs hard and can be a tough runner to stop once he gets a head of steam going in the open field.
[...]
An invite to this year’s East-West Shrine Game, Crockett’s toughness and demonstrated running skill makes the 6’0”, 202-pound back a solid prospect who warrants consideration in the late rounds of the draft.
Slowing down the running game will be among Illinois State's top priorities. In North Dakota State's lone loss of the season, Crockett ran for just 41 yards.
The Redbirds won't stand much of a chance if Crockett's running wild.
Even if Illinois State manages to keep Crockett in check, that's only half the battle. The tougher objective might be moving the ball against a defense that's only allowing 270.8 yards (third in the country) and 13.2 points a game (second). Illinois State will also want to avoid third downs, with the Bison allowing a conversion 31.3 percent of the time.
North Dakota State had a couple of hiccups at the end of the regular season against South Dakota State and Coastal Carolina but got things back on track against Sam Houston State. When the Bison are hitting on all cylinders, nobody in the country can stop them.
The Book on Illinois State
While North Dakota State has Crockett, Illinois State counters with Marshaun Coprich, who's leading the country in rushing with 2,168 yards.
New Hampshire did a good job of bottling up the junior running back, limiting him to 79 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. It was the first time all season he'd failed to crack 100 yards rushing. Coprich is still averaging 6.1 yards a carry, which is just absurd.
"I've always been underrated my whole life," said Coprich before the semifinal, per Jack McCarthy of the Chicago Tribune. "The city I live in was not really known, no big-time recruiters coming out there. I can run, I can catch and I can block, and with the line I've got, these guys are very aggressive and always on tempo."
Despite their success against Coprich, the Wildcats still couldn't stop quarterback Tre Roberson, who accounted for 373 yards, per FCS Football:
For the season, Roberson has 3,064 yards passing with 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Only two other QBs in school history have thrown for 3,000 or more yards in a season, per the Redbirds:
The junior entered Saturday ranked third in passing efficiency, and his rating will only climb after the victory. Roberson also ran for 874 yards, which includes the 95 he gained on Saturday.
As noted earlier, North Dakota State possesses a very stingy defense. The Bison have a bit of a blind spot when it comes to rushing defense, though. They're allowing 115.9 yards a game (19th in the country).
North Dakota State's biggest weakness might be that run defense. It allowed 218 yards on the ground in the 23-3 loss to Northern Iowa back in November. With Roberson and Coprich, Illinois State might exploit that weakness and pull off the upset.
Prediction
Illinois State has a very good defense, but North Dakota State has a great defense. The Redbirds and Bison look to be very evenly matched, so a difference like that could be enough to tip the three-time reigning national champions over the top.
Illinois State also closed the regular season allowing 31.25 points a game. While the Redbirds won all four of those games, they can't spot the Bison that many points and still have any chance of winning.
North Dakota State also gets the champion's advantage. That team is the king until someone else proves otherwise.
Final Score: North Dakota State 27, Illinois State 20
Note: All stats are courtesy of NCAA.com unless otherwise noted.
New Hampshire vs. Illinois State: FCS Playoffs 2014 TV Info, Time, More
Dec 19, 2014
Illinois State running back Marshaun Coprich (25) rushes against South Dakota's Nick Jacobs (56) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Normal, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. Illinois State won 28-14. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Long before the College Football Playoff was instituted this season, the FCS playoffs were there to provide the one-and-done, do-or-die thrills that sports fans everywhere love when it comes to the postseason.
This season is no different with the 12-1 Illinois State Redbirds taking on the 12-1 New Hampshire Wildcats in the semifinals. The winner will take on the victor of the clash between Sam Houston State and the powerhouse that is North Dakota State for the championship.
Read on for the broadcast information and a preview for the showdown between Illinois State and New Hampshire.
Buckle up because there are going to be plenty of points when New Hampshire and Illinois State take the field.
This is the first-ever meeting between these two programs, and it will take place in New Hampshire where the Wildcats have won 14 games in a row in front of the home fans. The No. 1 Wildcats are also 5-0 against nationally ranked teams this season, but No. 5 Illinois State counters with a 6-1 mark against ranked foes.
New Hampshire’s offense was No. 13 in the country in scoring and No. 17 in passing yards per game, largely because of quarterback Sean Goldrich. While he missed five games with a knee injury during the season, Goldrich threw for 2,177 yards and 13 touchdowns in the eight games he did play. He was also a threat on the ground with eight rushing touchdowns.
Illinois State has to be most concerned with wide receiver R.J. Harris, though.
Harris was named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award (given to the best offensive player in the FCS) and topped 100 receiving yards in nine different games this season. What’s more, he caught a touchdown in 10-of-13 games and finished with 15 scores and 1,483 receiving yards.
Throw in security blanket Harold Spears (777 receiving yards and four touchdown catches), and it is no wonder the Wildcats are so effective through the air.
Defending New Hampshire’s high-octane offense could be a problem for an Illinois State team that just gave up 26 points in the fourth quarter of its quarterfinals win against Eastern Washington.
If the Wildcats score early, any lingering lack of confidence from the way the Redbirds finished their last game could start to creep in and play a role.
However, Illinois State should be able to keep up on the other side of the ball. The Redbirds finished sixth in the country in scoring offense, ninth in rushing yards per game and 16th in total offense.
Running back Marshaun Coprich is a superstar in the backfield with a nation-best 2,089 rushing yards, 26 rushing touchdowns and 160.7 rushing yards per game. He topped 100 rushing yards in all 13 games this season and is fresh off a 258-yard performance with four touchdowns against Eastern Washington.
Big Ten fans will be familiar with Coprich’s running mate in the backfield.
Quarterback Tre Roberson is a transfer from Indiana and threw for 2,786 yards and 27 touchdowns himself. He also set a school record with 3,559 total yards and found the end zone on the ground nine times.
Dan Molloy of WMBD 31 passed along the notion that Roberson is all the more effective because he gets to play alongside the dominant Coprich, which forces defenders closer to the line of scrimmage in the box:
Brock Spack says QB Tre Roberson's progression this season goes hand in hand w/ RB Marshaun Coprich's improvement for ISU.
It is certainly an impressive one-two punch, and Roberson discussed his understanding of the offense, via Kevin Capie of the Journal Starof Peoria:
“I’m getting more comfortable with the offense every week and getting timing with the guys. I think after the (first) Northern Iowa game is when it started clicking for me. I felt a lot more comfortable then because I was able to talk to the coaches and tell them what I liked.”
New Hampshire’s defense will have its work cut out for it, especially after allowing a concerning 566 yards to Chattanooga in the quarterfinals.
However, the Wildcats were playing better on the defensive end before that last game and held their previous four opponents to less than 20 points. The Wildcats were also 23rd in the country in scoring defense and tallied 15 sacks and 13 turnovers in four November games. They even finished with a borderline-ridiculous nine sacks against Fordham in the second round.
In a game where defense may be hard to come by thanks to the two powerful offenses, applying pressure to Roberson could make the difference. One critical sack or turnover could swing the momentum in a shootout, especially since New Hampshire will be playing at home where it seemingly never loses.
This one will come down to the end, but the home crowd and the turnover-inducing pressure from the Wildcats defense will determine the outcome in the fourth quarter.
