FCS College Football

College football is among the most popular and high-profile sports in the country. Yet it is also a sport where the voices of those who play—of those who hurl themselves violently at each other for a scholarship—continue to be unheard. 

The boycott by Grambling State University football players, first reported by the Shreveport Times, is many things. Sports Illustrated's deep dive into the situation reveals as much. It is a money problem, an athletics problem, an institutional problem, a political problem and an ego problem—among many other things. 

It was also an instance when the players had enough of those problems and the cruddy working conditions that have developed as a result. So they let the school's administration know just how they felt by walking out of a meeting with university officials and later skipping practice. A game against Jackson State eventually had to be forfeited. 

Yet, for those who follow major college football, the story at Grambling can seem to be a distant concern, like a news broadcast of rioting in a Third World country.

But what's happening at that historically black college in Louisiana is a reality that many other smaller programs fear they will come face to face with before too long. 

Moldy equipment and weight rooms, lack of funding, lack of food for student-athletes—these problems aren't unique to historically black colleges and universities. As B/R's Michael Felder writes, these are problems at small-budget programs. They are problems that affect schools whose alumni bases are small and/or unwilling to donate. They are problems for schools that dip into subsidies from a student body who may not be able to pay them.  

Eventually, these issues are going to confront all small-budget programs if they haven't already. Yet getting rid of football isn't as easy as an administrator snapping his or her fingers. Rather, institutions of higher education rely on football for exposure and the hope that it'll bring in that big paycheck. 

But keeping that football program afloat costs money, sometimes money the university doesn't have. It's the ultimate catch-22. 

In the meantime, players at schools like Grambling suffer and there's no one to speak up for them. There's no NFL Players Association, no union, no board acting on their behalf. So they had to speak up for themselves. 

That takes courage and hopefully inspires other players across college football to do the same if they feel their conditions aren't reasonable. But that doesn't mean they should have to do it alone. Ultimately, there should be an organization—a student-athlete association—that ensures conditions in places like the weight room are acceptable and that on-the-field issues like player safety are addressed appropriately.

This is not the same idea as the All Players United movement, which focuses on the ongoing demands for NCAA reform. In fact, a student-athlete association focusing on player well-being would be completely separate from the NCAA. 

That's because the issues like the ones at Grambling are not in the NCAA's wheelhouse, and never have been. The NCAA is more concerned about spending three years figuring out which Miami football players got a free dinner from booster Nevin Shapiro and less with preventing players who are concussed from returning to a football game. 

The NCAA is an entity that serves the interests of its members through legislation and enforcement. As it turns out, one of its members, Grambling State, isn't so interested in running a sustainable football program. 

So leave the player well-being to a group whose full-time job is making sure demands are met. 

The word "entitled" can often have a negative connotation, but student-athletes are every bit as entitled to safe and reasonable conditions as the average student is to a safe and clean dorm room or science lab. For all the debate about whether football player should be paid, it's the least that can be done for them. 

This weekend saw Grambling State University forfeit a football game to Jackson State due to an all-out player boycott. The situation began with players walking out of a meeting with the school's administration the Tuesday before Saturday's game and skipping that Wednesday's practice, as reported by the Shreveport Times. 

Grambling's issue is a referendum on the state of some less-funded schools—not a platform to stump on the ills of what happens if players stand up for themselves.

While so much time is focused on the "haves" of the college football world, there are schools struggling, and at times failing, to make ends meet. For those familiar with historically black colleges and universities, the problem of "not having" is nothing new. The same goes for those who understand lower-division football and the bottom end of the FCS ranks.

What's worse is when those working for what should be a common goal cannot make it work on the limited budget. Whether it is ineptitude or politics—both in this instance, according to the Shreveport Times—forcing athletes to work without the proper tools is never a good thing. In the case of Grambling, the athletes' disgust with conditions manifested itself in the boycott.

Weight-room equipment in various states of disrepair; improper ceiling and flooring setups; players purchasing their own Gatorade instead of drinking the water from a community hose that was provided. The letter obtained by ESPN from the Grambling players also details mold, mildew and staph infections.

Mold and mildew claims were refuted by a TSPN-obtained copy of the inspection report. However, the pictures displayed by HBCU Gameday from current Tigers defensive back Naquan Smith did speak to substandard conditions. Throw in the excessive busing and the missed meals on trips and Grambling's players certainly had a reason for their actions. 

Yet upon hearing these things, the reaction from many people was to worry if their favorite sport or if their favorite team possessed players with the will to stand up for feeling mistreated. There were people shouting for the players to fall in line and just play, when these young men had a legitimate cause.

There is so much fear of players standing up for themselves and what it might to do to college football that the issues of an underfunded school were swept aside for a talking point. A talking point that was against the better treatment of the student-athletes subjected to the substandard conditions. A talking point so markedly selfish and narrow-minded that there were people who advocated pulling scholarships to force the athletes to play.

The reality is that this is a real problem, and by boycotting Saturday's game, the Grambling State players set the problem at the nation's front door. But instead of picking it up off the front stoop, digesting the issue and recognizing the real problem, many tossed it aside and considered it as athletes getting out of their place, with everyone hoping no other athletes would follow suit.

Schools all over battle this issue, while perhaps not as serious as Grambling's case. While everyone focuses on getting a scholarship or playing a sport as the privilege, the same should hold true for colleges and athletic departments.

With decreasing funding at the federal and state level, shrinking donor support and poorly managed financial decisions, having athletic programs has to become a privilege as well. Getting a chance to play collegiate athletics only counts as a positive if your experience is worthwhile. Substandard conditions and health risks certainly do not make the case for these players being "the lucky ones."

It does not have to be about pushing to strip down athletics at the lower levels, but rather asking people to manage finances and assess situations realistically. Grambling is an extreme case, but the bottom of the FBS ranks are loaded with schools operating on thin budgets, exemplified by ESPN reporting that New Mexico State was asking for fan donations for team snacks a couple of seasons ago.

Budget cuts are the becoming more the norm. When miscommunication, mismanagement and politics get added to the mix, things  go from bad to worse. At Grambling, student-athletes caught in the middle decided to make their voices heard. 

Hopefully, the message becomes more clear; having an athletics department is a major responsibility and part of accepting that charge is providing the proper tools to the kids being asked to provide the blood and sweat.

Grambling State has been embroiled in controversy, with the football team boycotting two consecutive practices this week. That led to interim head coach George Ragsdale being fired and defensive coordinator Dennis Winston being named interim head coach, the third head coach the team has had in a five-week period.

Players also walked out of a meeting the school administration had arranged Thursday in order to discuss the situation. On Friday, things finally boiled over completely. Grambling State had to cancel their game against conference opponent Jackson State after the players failed to show up for the bus to Mississippi, according to Sean Isabella and Daniel Uthman of USA Today.

Per ESPN, Southwestern Athletic Conference commissioner Duer Sharp announced that the game would be declared a forfeit.

Jackson State will be refunding the tickets for the game, which was scheduled to be their homecoming game. Homecoming events will still take place, though.

George Dorhmann of Sports Illustrated detailed widespread conflict between the football players and the school that go beyond just petty differences. There are numerous grievances the players have against the school, all of which paint the administration in a very poor light.

From crumbling facilities that the university refuses to fix despite the materials being donated, to forcing the team to take a lengthy bus trip to Indianapolis last week instead of flying, it appears that the school is forcing the athletes to work with conditions almost unheard of in Division I football.

Friday, the players finally had enough and made their strongest stand yet, a move that is impossible for the school to ignore. Where this saga goes now is up to the administration, as the players have made it clear that something has to change on the school's part or there will be no more Grambling State Tigers football games this year.

Players walking out of a meeting, boycotting practices and getting coaches fired? That was just the beginning of a week in the life of a Grambling State University football player.

Things got really serious with the announcement on Friday afternoon that Grambling players won't make the trip to take on Jackson State this weekend. 

But, in the broad scope of things, could it be a sign of things to come in the world of college football?

First there was a report that Grambling players attended and then walked out of a meeting with the school's administration. This was then followed up by a walk-on player being kicked out of a weight-training session the next morning (for reportedly speaking his mind at the meeting). The team walked out of practice because of it. 

On Thursday the team boycotted another practice, and word is that the interim head coach, George Ragsdale, has now been "reassigned." 

So, what is the crux of the matter at Grambling? 

According to Matt Vines of the Shreveport Times, frustrations began when former head coach Doug Williams was fired mid-September. The players claim they weren't getting full meals while on the road and were forced to take a bus (instead of flying like opponents) to games in Kansas City and Indianapolis over the past year. 

The article also hints that players aren't happy with the state of facilities at Grambling, or the way the administration treats them overall. 

On the surface it seems the players are being backed into a corner and defending themselves the best way they know how. Per Vines:

“It was basically a mutiny,” the source said. “(The team) rode the bus all that way (to Indianapolis), and then come back and are disrespected like that (in Tuesday’s meeting)."

“(The team) is standing together because they don’t know if anybody else is standing with them.”

So, while there appears to be specific reasons for what is going on at Grambling, one has to wonder if this is something we may see more of at universities all over the country? 

Players are getting bolder and bolder at a national level, and some ex-college football players are admitting to taking money—not to mention the Ed O'Bannon lawsuit's ever-expanding footprint. 

Earlier this year we saw players band together for the "All Players United" movement by writing A.P.U. on different parts of clothing or tape to bring to light issues they'd like to see addressed (i.e. getting paid). 

Then you take a look at the National College Players Association, who helped to organize the A.P.U. movement, gaining a foothold with the players at major universities and you begin to wonder where this is all going.

The NCPA is an organization that says they are all about "advocacy" for players of college football and basketball. In reality, it acts more like a mouthpiece of a players union in waiting, than anything else. 

All of it adds up to players becoming more bold in their demands on the world of college football. What happened at Grambling is perhaps a starting point in players beginning to throw their weight around to get what they want.

Is it such a stretch to think that if players don't like the facilities or meals a school is providing or don't get first-class accommodations on the road, they wouldn't rise up and "pull a Grambling," if you will?

For me it wouldn't be a surprise if players, who are becoming more organized in their efforts to get paid, stage ever bigger protests until they get things their way and their way only. 

What we've seen in recent months in the world of college football indicates to me that we've seen the inmates starting to take over the asylum. Unless the NCAA begins to get a handle on the issues players would like to see addressed, the game we all love may be in for some really rocky times ahead. 

Let's be honest, the players are beginning to realize that without their efforts the rest of what happens around college football doesn't exist. As they get more organized, things will only get ratcheted up a notch or two.

Will players go all "mutiny" at places like Alabama, Oregon or Nebraska? If they do, it will be interesting to see how the public reacts—especially considering the multi-millions of dollars members of said public have forked over for ever-expanding facilities, staff and stadiums. 

Players are walking a fine line, and if this is something that begins to happen on an increasing basis, they run the risk of losing the public whose support is ever increasing as time goes on. 

*Andy Coppens in the Big Ten Lead Writer. You can follow him on Twitter @ andycoppens.

The Idaho State Bengals are a proud football program who have fallen on rough times, and have had difficulty escaping them. From 2007 to 2010, head coach John Zamberlin had arguably the worst head coaching tenure in school history, going just 6-39, a win percentage of .133.

That level of terrible is difficult to recover from, as current head coach Mike Kramer has discovered. While the Bengals have made some small steps forward under Kramer, they have still continued to struggle mightily.

In Kramer's first two seasons, the Bengals had won only three games, two of which were against Division II opponents. The lone win against an FCS opponent came against fellow Big Sky team Northern Colorado, a 50-20 victory at home in Pocatello on September 17, 2011.

Through five games this season, Idaho State was 2-3. While the two wins were once again earned against Division II opponents, the Bengals looked competitive in two of their losses (with one loss being a blowout against nationally ranked FBS team Washington).

The Bengals started off their FCS slate with a 30-13 loss against conference foe UC Davis. The game was actually quite close, with the score standing at 16-13 with four minutes left on the clock. 

One week later, the Bengals nearly got a conference win against North Dakota, but suffered a heartbreaking 28-25 loss that denied them their first Big Sky win in over two years.

So despite the obvious improvement this year, Idaho State came into the sixth game of the season, against Northern Colorado, still looking for that elusive victory that would break the over-two-year streak of not having any wins against conference teams (or FCS teams at all).

Well, the Bengals finally broke through, getting a 40-26 win at home against the Bears.

The offense ran like a well-oiled machine against Northern Colorado, racking up 532 yards.

QB Justin Arias continued to be prolific through the air in the Bengals' pass-heavy offensive system, going 28-of-41 for 375 yards and four touchdowns. He also cut down on the interceptions that have plagued him this season. After throwing seven interceptions through the first five games, he didn't toss a single one against the Bears.

Arias had a good connection going with his top two receivers, as Luke Austin had 173 yards and three touchdowns while Cameron Richmond added 102 yards receiving.

Perhaps most importantly, running back Xavier Finney had the kind of standout rushing performance that has been missing in Pocatello for a long time. Finney carried 37 times for 146 yards and a touchdown, the best individual rushing performance by a Bengal since 2009.

At 3-3, Idaho State is off to their best start since 2005. The last time the Bengals won three games in a season was 2007, when they went 3-8. With six games remaining, they have a pretty good chance at surpassing that this season.

While the Idaho State Bengals may only be a .500 team right now, they are making huge strides forward for a team who has been one of the worst in the FCS for the last few seasons.

So while a 14-point win over a 1-6 team may not seem like that big of an accomplishment, for the Idaho State Bengals it is a big stepping stone on their journey back to success.

Kramer's squad has finally broken through.

The Fordham Rams are not eligible for the Patriot League title this season or for the automatic bid to the FCS playoffs given to the conference champion. 

The conference ruled them ineligible due to the school offering athletic scholarships starting in 2010, while the rest of the conference still offered only need-based scholarships. 

The Patriot League has since adopted athletic scholarships, but the Rams will not be eligible for the conference title or conference playoff bid until next season, once the other schools in the conference have had two full classes of scholarship players.

They are left hoping for an at-large bid, which is almost unheard of for a Patriot League team to receive. The last Patriot League team to receive an at-large bid was Lafayette in 2005.

This season though, Fordham was starting to make a pretty good case for itself to receive one of those bids, and to be considered a major contender in the FCS.

Coming into their game against resident Patriot League powerhouse Lehigh, the Rams had a 5-0 record that included impressive wins over FBS team Temple and 2009 FCS National Champions Villanova.

The Rams emphatically answered the question of whether or not they should be considered a playoff contender, getting a big 52-34 win over Lehigh at home in the Bronx.

If there were any doubts about Fordham's worthiness, those are effectively gone.

The Rams' offense continued to roll along, putting up 630 total yards and 52 points on the Mountain Hawks. QB Michael Nebrich showed that his impressive season thus far has been no fluke, throwing for 384 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, while adding 56 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

After this performance, Nebrich should be considered one of the front-runners for the Walter Payton Award, although his performances leading up to the game had already warranted national recognition.

It wasn't just Nebrich who came through for the Rams against Lehigh.

Running backs Carlton Koonce and Jared Crayton combined for 193 yards and two touchdowns rushing, while averaging over six yards per carry between them.

Looking at the rest of Fordham's schedule, they are the clear favorite in every remaining regular-season game.

Barring major upsets, the Rams could very well enter the postseason undefeated. If that is indeed how things play out, not only are they a lock for an at-large bid, but they would also have to be considered one of the favorites to take home the national championship.

Fordham faced its most important test of the season against Lehigh on Saturday, and they passed with flying colors.

Their fate is squarely in their own hands at this point, which is a great position to be in for a team without access to an auto-bid.

There is a big-time non-conference matchup set for this weekend at the FCS level of college football.  Eastern Washington, who is number three in the latest coaches' poll, heads to Texas to take on Sam Houston State, who is number four.

The teams met last season in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs, with the game becoming an instant classic.  EWU trailed 35-0 at halftime but came back to create a memorable game that saw them narrowly defeated by the Bearkats, 45-42.

The two teams haven't forgotten that game, and both come into this matchup looking to prove that they have what it takes to end North Dakota State's two-year run at the top of the FCS.  Let's preview this huge matchup between two of the top teams in the FCS.

When: Saturday, September 28 at 3:00 p.m. ET

Where: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas

Eastern Washington's Season So Far

The Eagles are 2-1, with a 1-1 record on the road so far.  They started off the season with a major 49-46 upset of Pac-12 team Oregon State that made national headlines. They then hosted Division II Western Oregon, winning easily, 43-14. They hit their first snag of the season last week at Toledo, where they lost 33-21.

Sam Houston State's Season So Far

The Bearkats are 3-1, with a 3-0 record at home so far. Their season started with a 74-0 shellacking of transitioning FCS independent Houston Baptist. Then came a 65-28 loss, which may sound bad, but considering that it was to Texas A&M, is actually not a big deal. SHSU followed up the loss with two home games, a 55-17 victory over SWAC team Texas Southern and a 52-21 win over another transitioning FCS independent, Incarnate Word.

Major Storylines For The Game

1. Will defense have any role in this game whatsoever? Both EWU and SHSU have prolific offenses, and defenses that don't do a whole lot usually. They both seem to live by the motto "the best defense is a good offense." The team whose defense can take a step forward in this game will likely be the team that comes away with the W.

2. Can the running games be stopped? For both teams, the ground game is a key part of the offense.  The Bearkats' whole offense is predicated on it, as they run a unique form of the option.  SHSU QB Brian Bell is decent with his arm, but it's his legs and his decision-making within the option that really drive this offense.  SHSU is not a team that wants to have to rely on its passing game.

For EWU, QB Vernon Adams is one of the most explosive players in the country, as the nation witnessed when he put on a clinic against Oregon State. Last week, however, the Toledo Rockets figured out a way to slow Adams down.  By limiting his ability to break out of the pocket and frequently make long runs, Toledo turned Adams into much more of a pro-style QB.  Although he is still a terrific passer, Adams is at his best when able to act as a true dual-threat. In a game likely to turn into a shootout, limiting Adams at all could be a major game-changer.

3. Will home field advantage play a major role for SHSU? In a game between two evenly-matched teams, the crowd could be a factor. The game is likely to sell out, with over 14,000 Bearkat fans packing the stadium.  If they can get loud enough to force a few penalties on EWU, it could be just enough to tip the balance in SHSU's favor.

Prediction

EWU 49-SHSU 42. With all due respect to Tim Flanders, the Eagles have the most dynamic player on the field in Adams. He already proved against Oregon State that when he's on, EWU's offense is pretty much unstoppable. He should have no problem getting up for a game of this magnitude, which should give EWU the win in a shootout. The Bearkats had absolutely no answers for Adams in the second half of last season's semifinal matchup, and that will probably continue over into this game.

The non-conference slate of games is starting to wind down, and we find ourselves now with a mix of both paycheck games and meaningful games. Let's take a look at what happened around the country with FCS teams in Week 3.

Taking Down the Big Boys, Part 3

Going into Week 3, FCS teams had upset an FBS team a total of 11 times already this season. That total was added to Saturday.

Bethune-Cookman knocked off fellow Florida team FIU, and it wasn't even close. The Wildcats thoroughly controlled the majority of the game en route to a 34-13 win over the Panthers.

Bethune-Cookman racked up over 300 yards rushing and registered four touchdowns on the ground. They were led by junior running back Anthony Jordan, who had 150 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.

The Wildcat defense also came up big, limiting FIU to just 229 yards of total offense. They also got on the scoreboard themselves, courtesy of a 92-yard pick-six by DB Tim Burke.

The win was Bethune-Cookman's first-ever over an FBS opponent.

Patriot League team Fordham also added to the upset total, taking home a 30-29 victory over Temple. The Rams scored on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Michael Nebrich to Sam Ajala with just four seconds left, and the PAT gave them the narrow one-point victory.

Nebrich threw for 320 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in leading a Fordham offense that totaled 520 yards. RB Carlton Koonce also came through big on the ground, rushing 27 times for 168 yards and a touchdown. 

Close, But No Cigar

In one of the craziest games of the week, Stony Brook went into five overtimes against Buffalo. Unfortunately for the Seawolves, their field goal in the fifth OT was topped by a six-yard touchdown run by the Bulls, sending them back to Long Island with a 26-23 loss.

Losing to the Little Guys, Again

Just like last week, several FCS teams experienced the agony of losing to Division II opponents.

Valparaiso fell to a Division II team for the second week in a row, this time, losing 36-34 to William Jewell College. The Crusaders put up plenty of offense (521 yards), but three turnovers doomed them to a close loss to the Cardinals.

Their Pioneer League brethren, Davidson, also fell to a Division II opponent, losing 34-18 to Lenoir-Rhyne. While the Wildcats held the Bears passing game in check by allowing only 89 yards through the air, they had absolutely no answer to a prolific running game. The Bears gashed Davidson for 419 yards on the ground, shocking their FCS hosts.

Grambling State also had trouble on defense, allowing 600 yards of total offense in a 47-34 loss to Lincoln College of Missouri. The Blue Tigers dominated the Tigers all day long, imposing their will both through the air and on the ground, forcing two Grambling State turnovers, while committing none themselves, and even getting a kickoff return for a touchdown.

Nail-Biters Aplenty in the SWAC

This traditionally proud conference saw three different conference games come down to close finishes, providing an excellent start to the beginning of conference play.

Mississippi Valley State was up, 21-7, on Alcorn State at halftime, but the Braves came out of the locker room swinging. They reeled off 28 unanswered points to go up, 35-21. The Delta Devils then answered with a touchdown of their own, but were unable to get the tying score, and were sent back home with a close 35-28 loss.

Alcorn State senior running back Arnold Walker led the Braves offense, putting up 118 yards and two touchdowns on the ground on just 18 carries. Braves QB John Gibbs Jr. turned in an effective performance, going 18-of-26 for 180 yards and two touchdowns, getting a successful two-point conversion passing and adding another touchdown rushing.

Reigning conference champions Arkansas-Pine Bluff found themselves locked in a fierce struggle with Alabama State that saw the Golden Lions lose to the Hornets, 40-39. Special teams woes plagued ARPB, who had a pair of missed PATs, a missed field goal and a bad snap on a punt.

For Alabama State, former University of Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell was a force on the ground. He rushed 29 times for 161 yards and two touchdowns in leading a Hornets' rushing attack that totaled 275 yards and three touchdowns.

Southern and Prairie View A&M engaged in one of the most exciting games of the weekend at any level, with Southern coming away with a 62-59 victory in double overtime. After Prairie View kicked a field goal, Jaguars QB Dray Joseph hit senior WR Lee Doss on a 24-yard touchdown pass to give Southern the hard-fought win.

Offense reigned supreme in this game. Prairie View put up 772 yards while Southern added 625, for a combined total of 1,397 yards.

For the Jaguars, the Joseph-to-Doss connection was nearly unstoppable. Joseph threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns, with 214 yards and three of those touchdowns going to Doss.

The Panthers were absolutely prolific on the ground, with running backs Courtney Brown and Johnta Hebert each averaging seven yards a carry while combining for 377 yards and six touchdowns rushing, while adding 133 yards receiving between them.

Meaningful Conference Games

Georgia Southern, who was picked to win the Southern Conference, traveled to South Carolina to take on fellow SoCon team Wofford. The Terriers proved to be poor hosts, sending the Eagles back to Georgia with a 30-20 loss.

While Georgia Southern actually outgained Wofford, 426 yards to 391, the Terriers came up big on defense, forcing two fumbles and getting an interception. This result is sure to shake up a conference race that was already experiencing uncertainty due to the shaky start to the season for traditional powerhouse Appalachian State.

Montana traveled to Grand Forks looking for revenge against a North Dakota squad that stunned the Griz last season. They got it, and then some, with a convincing 55-17 win that proves the Griz are back—and a team to be reckoned with this season (if there was still any doubt after their season-opening thrashing of Appalachian State).

Montana held North Dakota's prolific passing attack in check, limiting them to just 281 yards through the air and picking off UND QB Joe Mollberg twice.

Griz QB Jordan Johnson further proved that he had shaken off the rust from sitting out all of last season, throwing for 354 yards and five touchdowns on just 19 attempts.

Montana also got a strong performance from what is increasingly looking like one of the best running back tandems in the country, with Jordan Canada and Travon Van rushing for 176 yards and two touchdowns on just 24 combined carries.

Five Standout Individual Performances

Jordan Johnson, Montana QB (55-17 W vs. North Dakota): 15-of-19, 354 yards, 5 touchdowns; 4 carries, 21 yards

Courtney Brown, Prairie View A&M RB (59-62 2OT L vs. Southern): 32 carries, 224 yards, 3 touchdowns; 3 receptions, 83 yards

Dray Joseph, Southern QB (62-59 2OT W vs. Prairie View A&M): 30-of-48, 480 yards, 6 touchdowns

Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois QB (57-24 W vs. Illinois State): 26-of-41, 480 yards, 7 touchdowns

Chuckie Looney, Marist QB (43-23 W vs. Georgetown): 17-of-27, 275 yards, 4 touchdowns; 6 carries, 42 yards, 1 touchdown

Way-too-early Top 10

1. North Dakota State

2. Montana

3. Eastern Washington

4. Sam Houston State

5. Eastern Illinois

6. Northern Iowa

7. Montana State

8. Towson

9. Fordham

10. Bethune-Cookman

Post-Week 3 Payton Award Favorites

1. Vernon Adams, EWU QB

2. Jordan Johnson, Montana QB

3. Zach Zenner, SDST RB

4. Terrance West, Towson RB

5. Jimmy Garoppolo, EIU QB

Jaborian McKenzie was one of the four Vanderbilt players kicked off the team in June due to his alleged involvement in the rape of a teammate's girlfriend.

Thursday, it was revealed that despite his impending legal proceedings, McKenzie was still playing Division I football, for Alcorn State of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Braves' head coach Jay Hopson was quoted by the Associated Press as saying "If I ever find anything or if I can get any proof that he is guilty, he will be suspended from our football team...From everything I’ve gotten, from every resource, this kid is 100 percent innocent."

McKenzie had already seen the field this season in his short time with Alcorn State, returning kicks against Mississippi State last weekend.

Those will now be the last times he sees the field for the Braves, as the Associated Press reports he was kicked off the team (h/t USA Today)less than a day after the revelation of his continued presence in college football, despite the rape charges.

So what changed in less than 24 hours that resulted from him going from being in good standing with his coach to being kicked off the team?

Nothing, or at least nothing that McKenzie did. The furor around McKenzie being allowed to continue playing college football while awaiting trial for rape caught up to the school, forcing them to take necessary action to avoid a negative spotlight on the school.

McKenzie is from southwest Mississippi, just like Alcorn State, but geographical proximity was not nearly a good enough reason to stay with a player facing some very serious charges, charges that could bring major fallout with them, which would negatively affect the school.

Alcorn State will now move on, hoping to put an incident in which they exhibited questionable judgment behind them.

On Saturday, the Montana State Bobcats nearly upset the Southern Methodist Mustangs in Dallas. Thanks to a four-yard touchdown pass with less than 15 seconds remaining, SMU sent MSU back to Bozeman with a loss. 

Now it turns out that wasn't the only loss the Bobcats will take from that game.

According to Jon Maletz of the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, star quarterback DeNarius McGhee will be out for three to seven weeks with a separated shoulder sustained on the last play of the game.

The play in question was a bizarre sequence of events that will leave Bobcat fans second-guessing whether it was wise—especially in hindsight.

As time ran out, McGhee completed a pass to wide receiver Tanner Roderick, who then lateraled the ball back to offensive lineman Quinn Catalano. Catalano then lateraled it himself, putting the ball back in the hands of McGhee. He was tackled awkwardly to the ground by two SMU defenders and landed badly on his throwing shoulder.

No word was initially given on McGhee's status, but Bobcat Nation's worst fears came true with Monday's injury announcement.

Losing McGhee is a huge blow for an MSU team with national title hopes. He is the winningest QB in school history and a two-time Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year (2010 and 2012).

During McGhee's absence, MSU will turn to in-state QB Jake Bleskin, a redshirt sophomore from Great Falls who has seen little action during his time in Bozeman so far. However, he was set up to be the heir to the QB position after McGhee's graduation.

It will be interesting to see how the offense adjusts to Bleskin, a more traditional passer as opposed to McGhee's dual-threat style.

While it is too early to say how McGhee's injury will affect the Bobcats' championship aspirations, it certainly casts some uncertainty over a season full of promise.