The 2024 FCS playoffs are the 47th in Division I subdivision history. The field opened with 24 teams in pursuit of the national championship. Here’s a breakdown of the quarterfinals.
If you like to root for the underdog, the 2024 FCS playoffs aren’t for you.
But you also don’t want to miss the power programs flexing their muscle again this postseason.
The eight-highest seeds advanced to the national quarterfinals this weekend, and top-seeded Montana State and No. 3 South Dakota State, the two-time defending FCS champion, were the first to keep the bandwagon rolling along the Road to Frisco.
School host sites are utilized in the FCS playoffs through the semifinals until the national championship game on Jan. 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
FCS Playoffs – Second Round
No. 1 seed Montana State (14-0) 52, No. 8 seed Idaho (10-4) 19
How It Happened – An unsuccessful onside kick attempt by Idaho set up Montana State for a touchdown with 3:47 left in the second quarter, breaking a 10-10 tie and beginning a run of 42 straight points as the Bobcats secured a program-record 14th consecutive win.
Game Ball – Take your pick: Bobcats quarterback Tommy Mellott (305 yards of total offense and three touchdowns) and running back Adam Jones (161 scrimmage yards, four TD runs) were unstoppable.
Key Stat – The Bobcats held a 17-minute, 42-second edge in time of possession, converting a combined 12 of 16 third- and fourth-down attempts into first downs.
Upcoming – Montana State will host either No. 4 seed South Dakota (10-2) or No. 5 seed UC Davis (11-2) in a national semifinal on Dec. 21 (3:30 p.m. ET).
No. 3 seed South Dakota State (12-2) 55, No. 6 seed UIW (11-3) 14
How It Happened – The two-time reigning champion Jackrabbits scored the first 38 points on the way to reaching the national semifinals for the seventh time in the last eight seasons. Mark Gronowski accounted for five TDs (three passing, two rushing) and tied former North Dakota State signal-caller Easton Stick for the most career wins by a starting FCS QB (49).
Game Ball – Perhaps go with a pair again: SDSU wide receiver Griffin Wilde caught two first-half touchdowns for the second consecutive playoff game and linebacker Adam Bock racked up a game-high 11 tackles.
Key Stat – The Jackrabbits didn’t just make UIW’s offense one-dimensional in the rout, they made the Cardinals a one-player attack. Quarterback Zach Calzada was responsible for all 51 pass attempts as well as 14 of their 26 carries.
Upcoming – The Jackrabbits will play either No. 2 seed North Dakota State (11-2) or No. 7 seed Mercer (11-2) in a national semifinal on Dec. 21 (noon ET).
Top Photo: South Dakota State Jackrabbits. (Dave Eggen/Inertia)
Follow all of our FCS football coverage, including on X, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.
