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 second round.
If you blinked, two-thirds of the original 24-team field in the FCS playoffs were eliminated by the end of Saturday’s second round.
It goes fast for any team that’s not performing at the top of its game.
The good news: A bunch of teams appear elite in the FCS playoffs.
The second-round survivors advance to the quarterfinals Dec. 13-14. School host sites are utilized until the national championship game on Jan. 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
FCS Playoffs – Second Round
No. 3 seed South Dakota State (11-2) 35, No. 14 seed Montana (9-5) 10
Game Ball – SDSU QB Mark Gronowski: 12 of 16, 151 yards, touchdown passes to Griffin Wilde; two rush TDs; 21-yard reception
Key Stat – The Jackrabbits won control of the line of scrimmage, nearly tripling Montana in rushing yards 222-75.
Upcoming – The Jackrabbits next host No. 6 seed UIW (11-2) in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 13 or 14. They defeated the Cardinals 45-24 on Sept. 7.
No. 6 seed UIW (11-2) 13, No. 11 seed Villanova (10-4) 6
Game Ball – UIW’s defense was balanced in limiting Villanova to 138 yards, the Wildcats’ lowest total since 2004. Safety Mason Chambers’ interception with four minutes remaining help seal the win.
Key Stat – The Cardinals controlled game clock with a 10-minute, 11-second advantage while outgaining the Wildcats 437-138.
Upcoming – The Cardinals next play at No. 3 seed South Dakota State (11-2) in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 13 or 14.
No. 7 seed Mercer (11-2) 17, No. 10 seed Rhode Island (11-3) 10
Game Ball – Mercer FS Myles Redding: 14-yard pick-six, two pass breakups, four tackles
Key Stat – URI’s Malik Grant had surpassed 200 rushing yards in URI’s two previous games, but Mercer limited him to 13 carries for 36 yards and the Rams to just 49 rushing yards.
Upcoming – The Bears next play at No. 2 seed North Dakota State (11-2) in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 13 or 14. It will be a first-time meeting between the programs.
No. 1 seed Montana State (13-0) 49, UT Martin (9-5) 17
Game Ball – MSU QB Tommy Mellott: 22 of 25, 300 yards, four TDs (two to Taco Dowler)
Key Stat – The Bobcats averaged 8.5 yards per play, gaining 501 yards on 59 plays.
Upcoming – The Bobcats next host either Lehigh (9-3) or No. 8 seed Idaho (9-3) in a national quarterfinal.
No. 4 seed South Dakota (10-2) 42, No. 13 seed Tarleton State (10-4) 31
Game Ball – USD RB Travis Theis: 25 carries, 130 yards, three TDs; four receptions, 40 yards
Key Stat – The Coyotes were plus-three in turnover margin, intercepting a trio of passes.
Upcoming – USD next hosts No. 5 seed UC Davis (11-2) in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 13 or 14. The Coyotes hold a 4-2 series lead, winning the most-recent meeting 27-17 in 2015.
No. 2 seed North Dakota State (11-2) 51, No. 15 seed Abilene Christian (9-5) 31
Game Ball – NDSU LB Logan Kopp: 5 tackles; 12-yard sack with a forced fumble and recovery; 31-yard pick-six; two pass breakups
Key Stat – Trailing 17-3, NDSU’s Jackson Williams scored on a 100-yard kickoff return before the Bison scored on their next five possessions.
Upcoming – The Bison next host No. 7 seed Mercer (11-2) in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 13 or 14.
No. 5 seed UC Davis (11-2) 42, No. 12 seed Illinois State (10-4) 10
Game Ball – UCD QB Miles Hastings: 25 of 33, 403 yards, three TDs
Key Stat – Illinois State managed only 4.3 yards per pass attempt (266 yards on 62 pass), down from 7.5 in its first 13 games.
Upcoming – The Aggies next play at No. 4 seed South Dakota (10-2) in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 13 or 14.
Lehigh (9-3) at No. 8 seed Idaho (9-3)
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Upcoming – The winner next plays at No. 1 seed Montana State (13-0) in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 13 or 14.
Top Photo: South Dakota State vs. Montana (Dave Eggen/Inertia)
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