Mercyhurst University will begin the reclassification process from NCAA Division II to Division I and join the Northeast Conference beginning with the 2024-25 academic year. The four-year reclassification process means Mercyhurst will not be a full Division I member eligible for NCAA Championships (FCS Playoffs) until the 2028-29 academic year. Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, Mercyhurst…
Two 2024 FCS versus FBS matchups have seen a date change. The Eastern Illinois at Illinois game has been changed from Saturday, August 31 to Thursday, August 29. This is the second time the game has been moved this offseason. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday, August 24 but moved back a week to…
The North Carolina Central Eagles will be flying on a new artificial football field following the installation of an updated FieldTurf surface. NCCU budgeted roughly $1.8 million on the project at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium which will also see improved drainage systems. The previous surface from 2009 was known as Mondoturf and replaced the old grass turf…
Welcome back to the most mundane part of the FCS Playoff series. In this installment, additional background, context, and reasoning are provided for the decisions made when putting this series together. This is strictly academic for those who want to learn more about the “in the weeds” aspects and includes no charts or tables. For…
Welcome to the last installment of the statistical dive into the FCS playoffs where all the information and charts are brought together to draw a few conclusions along with some parting words on what the future may hold. As a recap, the first four parts reviewed the entire playoffs from 1978 through 2023 followed by…
North Dakota and head coach Bubba Schweigert agreed to an extension that will keep him in Grand Forks through the 2027 season. Schweigert has been in charge of the Fighting Hawks since 2014. Schweigert was an assistant coach at North Dakota from 1989 through 1996 and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 1997. He remained…
The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is leaving the Western Athletic Conference to join the Southland Conference beginning with the 2024-25 academic year according to Pete Thamel. UTRGV will pay a $2 million exit fee to the WAC. The Vaqueros announced the start of a football program in late 2022 and were…
Welcome back to Fear The FCS, where a descent into FCS Playoff history has reached its lowest depth. Part one looked at the entirety of the FCS playoffs while the second part of a five-part series focused on the 1978 through 1992 era. Part three focused on the 1993 through 2009 season and the penultimate…
Central Connecticut State’s 2024 season opener against Central Michigan was moved up from Saturday, August 31 to Thursday, August 29. That change will make 4 FCS versus MAC games that day along with Duquesne–Toledo, Fordham–Bowling Green, and Lafayette–Buffalo. CCSU has played MAC opponents five times since 2007 but has not won any of those matchups….
Welcome back to Fear The FCS, where a descent into FCS Playoff history is well underway. Part one looked at the entirety of the FCS playoffs while the second part of a five-part series focused on the 1978 through 1992 era. In this breakdown, the 1993 through 2009 era will be examined and subsequent entries…
