The FCS has seen a high number of games moved up to the opening Thursday night for the 2024 season. The latest change was North Dakota State’s matchup versus Colorado, which was previously set for Saturday, August 31. NDSU holds a 9-4 record against FBS opponents since they moved to the FCS.
Murray State’s opening game for the 2024 season has been moved up from Saturday, August 31 to Thursday, August 29. The Racers will travel to take on Missouri in the third all-time matchup between the schools. Missouri won the first two contests in 2006 (47-7) and 2013 (58-14). Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s game at Arkansas was also moved from Saturday, August 31, to Thursday, August 29. The two teams have met once previously in 2021 with Arkansas winning 45-3.
As of this posting (including the two other games listed), 18 of the 59 opening week FCS versus FBS matchups are slated for Thursday, August 29. From 1978 through 2023, only three seasons had more than 10 FCS-FBS matchups played on the opening Thursday: 2010 had 11 games, 2021 had 10 games, and 2022 had 10 games as well. A full list of future FCS games, including the matchups scheduled for 2024, can be found here.
Photo Credit to North Dakota State University Athletics
