Five games featuring matchups between two top-25 teams highlight this weekend's schedule. Stats Perform | The Analyst's Craig Haley previews each of those key matchups.
MVFC: No. 11 North Dakota St. (6-2, 3-2) at No. 1 South Dakota St. (8-0, 5-0) | NDSU holds a 63-46-5 series lead heading into the 115th meeting, and it’s a 10-9 edge in the Dakota Marker trophy game, which began in 2004. Reigning FCS champion SDSU is riding a 22-game winning streak, which is tied for the sixth-longest in FCS history and includes two of its four straight wins over NDSU, the nine-time national champion since 2011. Incredibly, the team with the higher time of possession has won the last 20 meetings. SDSU’s 6.7 yards per carry rank second in the FCS, with a stout line paving the way for running backs Isaiah Davis (754 yards, eight touchdowns) and Amar Johnson (510, three). In the first half this season, NDSU hasn’t trailed in its six wins and hasn’t led in its two losses. Quarterback Cam Miller leads the FCS in completion percentage (76.1), often targeting wide receiver Zach Mathis (33 receptions, 507 yards) and tight end Joe Stoffel (five TDs). Both teams have outstanding special teams, and it’s a phase of the game that could be pivotal.
CAA: No. 24 William & Mary (5-3, 3-2) at No. 23 UAlbany (6-2, 4-1) | Notable: W&M defeated Monmouth 31-28 to end a three-game losing streak, with QB Darius Wilson posting season highs (24-for-33, 283 yards, two TDs) and RB Malachi Imoh surpassing 100 rushing yards for the fifth straight time against an FCS opponent. The Tribe, who rank No. 1 in the CAA in fewest yards (284.6) and points (17.9) allowed per game, will pressure UAlbany QB Reese Poffenbarger (sacked 60 times in 20 career games, including 24 this year). Great Danes LB Dylan Kelly ranks fourth in the FCS in tackles per game (12), and defensive ends Anton Juncaj and AJ Simon have combined for 28.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks.
Southern: No. 2 Furman (7-1, 5-0) at No. 14 Chattanooga (7-2, 6-1) | Notable: The winner will secure at least a share of the SoCon title as well as the conference’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs (Furman last won a three-way shared title in 2018 and Chattanooga’s most recent was a 2015 co-title). Furman uses the run (RB Dominic Roberto and QB Tyler Huff have a combined 1,100 rushing yards) to set up the pass, while Chattanooga may use Chase Artopoeus (2,383 passing yards, 18 TDs) to set up the run the Paladins (71.4 percent of yards allowed are through the air).
MVFC: No. 9 South Dakota (6-2, 4-1) at No. 10 Southern Illinois (6-2, 3-2) | Notable: This is a big-picture matchup for a potential seed in the FCS playoffs. Even after a 37-3 loss to top-ranked South Dakota State, USD ranks ninth in the FCS in fewest points allowed per game (17.3). Quarterback Aidan Bouman came off the bench to lead a comeback win over SIU last season and has started all 12 games since then. The Salukis are allowing 16.6 points per game – seventh-best nationally – losing only 17-10 to SDSU one week before a 63-0 shutout win over Western Illinois. Nic Baker holds their all-time record with 8,415 passing yards, and his 61 TD passes are four shy of the standard.
Big Sky: No. 7 Sacramento State (6-2, 3-2) at No. 4 Montana (7-1, 4-1) | Notable: Sac State is 3-0 against Montana since 2019. UM coach Bobby Hauck is tied for the most all-time wins by a Big Sky coach (123, along with former Northern Arizona mentor Jerome Souers). The Griz, behind LB Braxton Hill, are allowing just 16.9 points and 75.8 rushing yards per game, and they’re +9 in turnovers. Fifteen different Sac State players have scored TDs this season (RBs Marcus Fulcher and Elijah Tau-Tolliver lead with six and five, respectively). Tight end Marshel Martin IV is coming off a big game against Idaho State (six receptions, 103 yards, TD).
With a new episode each Wednesday, “FCS Delivered” goes inside the action and news across the subdivision. Two-time Super Bowl champion Gary Reasons and national FCS writer Craig Haley have plenty to talk about and debate, including the latest Top 25 poll, weekly awards winners, and key matchups. The show also features “FCS National Awards on Campus,” Reasons’ weekly visit and presentation with a national player or team of the week. FCS Delivered, presented by FedEx Ground, is available on TheAnalyst.com, YouTube and podcast platforms.
FCS ALL-IN is produced by Big Sky Conference staff in collaboration with communications directors and video managers at all FCS Conferences -- features Craig Haley (Stats Perform) and Sam Herder (HERO Sports) with host Alex Eschelman. It's available on YouTube this week.
BIG SKY CONFERENCE
- Sacramento State Travels to Montana for Another Big Sky Top-10 Showdown -- No. 7 Sacramento State will travel to No. 4 Montana this Saturday, as the Hornets seek to extend their three-game winning streak over the Grizzlies. The Hornets are 1-12 all-time against the Grizzlies in Missoula, with their win in 2021 snapping a winless skid in the series on the road. Montana was ranked No. 5 in the nation before that 2021 upset, as Sacramento State won 28-21.
- Homecoming for Two Big Sky Coaches -- This week's matchups will see a pair of homecomings for Big Sky head coaches, as Cal Poly's Paul Wulff returns to face Eastern Washington and Sacramento State's Andy Thompson goes back to take on Montana. Wulff spent eight seasons as head coach at EWU from 2000-07, winning 53 games and reaching the FCS Playoffs three times. Wulff also served as an assistant at EWU from 1994-99, where he coached current Eagles head coach Aaron Best from 1996-99. Thompson, who has been at Sacramento State since 2019, played linebacker at Montana from 1999-2003. Thompson helped the Grizzlies to five Big Sky titles and one national championship (2001) during his five-year career in Missoula. He played in 44 career games with 103 total tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss.
- Eck Picks Up Another Top-5 Win -- Idaho defeated No. 2 Montana State last week at home, as the Vandals picked up another Top-5 win under current head coach Jason Eck. During Eck's two-year tenure, the Vandals are 3-1 against Top-5 teams, with wins over No. 2 Montana State and No. 4 Sacramento State this season while defeating No. 3 Montana last year. Prior to Eck's arrival, Idaho was 0-4 In games against Top-5 teams since returning to the FCS.
BIG SOUTH-OVC FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
- For the first time this season, a full slate of conference games is on the docket this week, as all 10 Association members will compete against each other. Another full set of league contests will be played next week, with the Nov. 18 season fi-nale schedule comprised of four match-ups. Of the 16 Association-conference games played thus far, 12 have been won by the home team, while the overall average margin of victory is 15.44 points. Five contests have been one possession decisions -- including three by two points-or-less, while two match-ups have gone into overtime. The 16 games have combined for 777 points, for a per game average of 48.56 points scored
- The 6-2 Tennessee State Tigers have secured their first winning season since 2017, when TSU finished 6-5. The last time the Tigers won seven games was in 2016 (7-4). Meanwhile, TSU carries a 4-game win streak into Saturday’s contest at Charleston Southern, and is averaging 37.0 points, while holding the opposition to 14.3 points and 243.0 yards of offense during its current streak.
- Tennessee State DL Terrell Allen established Big South-OVC Association single-game records with 6.5 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 quarterback sacks in this past week’s 43-20 victory over Lindenwood. In his last three games, Allen has recorded 14.5 TFL and 10.5 sacks, to boost his season totals to national bests of 20.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 13.5 quarterback takedowns.
- Tennessee Tech posted an Association single-game record of three defensive touchdowns last week in its 38-13 win at Robert Morris. The Golden Eagles returned two fumbles for scores, plus a pick-six from. Tech has a league-best four defensive touchdowns this season.
- Gardner-Webb RB Narii Gaither is seventh all-time in Big South Conference history with 2,989 career rushing yards, and needs 11 rushing yards to become just the seventh Big South player with 3,000 in his career. Meanwhile, Gaither is the all-time leader for career receptions by a Big South running back with 96. His 792 career receiving yards are second among Big South RBs all-time -- just 28 away from breaking the record of 819 (Kennesaw State’s Shaquil Terry, 2017-21).
CAA FOOTBALL
- TOP TEAMS SQUARE OFF IN WEEK 10: There are several head-to-head matchups between the league's top teams in Week 10. First-place Delaware hosts an Elon squad that is just a game back in the standings, and there is a Top 25 clash as #23 UAlbany welcomes #24 William & Mary. Villanova takes a 3-game winning streak to New Hampshire, Hampton travels to Maine, Monmouth entertains Stony Brook and Towson visits North Carolina A&T. Campbell steps out of conference to face in-state foe North Carolina.
- BEST IN FCS BY LAND, AIR, RETURNS AND ALL-PURPOSE: CAA players lead the nation in a variety of individual categories this week. Monmouth running back Jaden Shirden is the top rusher in FCS with 1,173 yards. New Hampshire quarterback Max Brosmer is first in FCS in passing yards (2,664), passing TD's (23) and total offense (2,791). North Carolina A&T's Taymon Cooke tops FCS in kickoff return average (40.0) and kickoff return TD's (3). New Hampshire's Dylan Laube is #1 in all-purpose yardage (1,714). Villanova's Connor Watkins leads FCS in yards per completion (18.7), while teammates Rayjoun Pringle (26.4) and Jaylen Sanchez (26.4) hold the top two spots in yards per reception.
- BLOCK THAT KICK: New Hampshire blocked its 10th kick last Saturday, which not only leads FCS, but is five more than any other team in the nation. The FCS record for blocked kicks in a season is 13, set by Davidson in 1999.
- TOPS IN TAKEAWAYS: Richmond leads the nation with 23 turnovers gained, which includes an FCS-best 14 interceptions. The Spiders are also #1 in FCS with five defensive touchdowns after recording three pick sixes in the past two games.
IVY LEAGUE
- No. 19 Harvard and Princeton, both 3-1 in Ivy play, each have the chance to add to their narrow one-game advantages in the Ivy standings over the five-team cluster consisting of Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Penn and Yale. The Tigers open the weekend at Dartmouth at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3 before a national television audience on ESPNU. The Crimson take on Columbia at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4 in New York.
- Saturday’s slate also includes a pair of crucial games between 2-2 teams to stay in the hunt. Yale travels to Brown for a noon kickoff and Cornell plays at Penn at 1 p.m.
- The standings are indicative of how close the play has been within the league. Of the 16 games played this season, 10 have been decided by a single possession. Six have been determined by a field goal or less. Last season, 16 of the 28 league games were decided by one possession.
MID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
- The Howard Bison will face the South Carolina State Bulldogs in an ESPN televised football game this week as a part of the conference’s 2023 televised schedule. The Howard at South Carolina State matchup will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 4, on ESPN+ and will air taped delayed on ESPNU at 11 p.m. ET. The Bulldogs are 37-12 in the all-time series, but the Bison come into this game riding a 28-14 win in the 2022 season.
- The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) has invited North Carolina Central University senior running back Latrell Collier to participate in the 2024 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl. Collier (R-Sr., 5-10, 200, Bluefield, W.Va.) currently leads the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with 507 rushing yards and is positioned second with six rushing touchdowns. He also has 20 receptions for 158 yards and another score.
- North Carolina Central quarterback Davius Richard was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. Morgan State's Erick Hunter earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, while South Carolina State's Jawarn Howell was named Rookie of the Week. N.C. Central's Torricelli Simpkins III and Morgan State's Keith Jenkins Jr. received Lineman of the Week and Specialist of the Week accolades, respectively.
MISSOURI VALLEY FOOTBALL
- South Dakota State (8-0) is the only FCS unbeaten. Notably, there are only eight FBS programs that are perfect.
- The MVFC has nine of its 12 programs in the Top 31 of the Sagarin Ratings, including 8 of the Top 17 (AND 6 OF THE TOP 10) among FCS programs. The MVFC is the top-rated FCS league in the Sagarin Ratings.
- South Dakota State is ranked No. 1 across the board (Sagarin, Massey, Stats Perform and AFCA rankings). Eleven of the league’s 12 programs have SOS ratings 22 or higher (AND 10 OF THE TOP 17), including UNI, which has the FCS nation’s hardest-rated schedule (per Massey).
- Two Conference games this week feature ranked MVFC teams playing one another. In the 225 previous such meetings the home team is 128-95 and the higher-ranked team has a 141-83 record. Of the previous 225 meetings, 62 times the meeting involved teams that were both in the Top 10. Two games this week feature two MVFC Top-10 teams facing one another (South Dakota at Southern Illinois; and North Dakota State at South Dakota State).
- Southern Illinois recorded a 63-0 victory against Western Illinois on Oct. 28. The 63-point output tied for the 15th-most points scored in a Conference game. SIU holds the top two spots for most points scored in a league game (73 in 2015 against Missouri State and 72 in 2007 vs. Indiana State). The 63-point margin, however, set a league record for largest margin of victory.
NORTHEAST CONFERENCE
- Duquesne continues to dominate the Northeast Conference (NEC) as the Dukes improved to 4-0 in league play and gained a two-game edge in the standings with a convincing 27-0 road win at Sacred Heart. Saint Francis U and Wagner each scored come-from-behind wins on their home turfs over Merrimack and Stonehill, respectively, to move into a three-way tie with the Warriors for second place in the conference. Rounding out the action was an early Thursday prime time matchup on CBS Sports Network that saw LIU storm back from a 20-10 deficit to edge Central Connecticut in New Britain by a 24-23 final.
- Redshirt freshman Nick Whitfield, Jr. had big shoes to fill in the absence of reigning NEC Offensive Player of the Year Cole Doyle, and the quarterback did not disappoint in his first career start as he orchestrated a 15-point, fourth-quarter comeback to lead Saint Francis U to a 28-27 win over Merrimack. He became the first player in the NEC this season to double up on weekly awards, grabbing both Offensive Player of the Week and the Rookie of the Week honors. Whitfield also received national recognition for his big-time performance as he was named the FedEx Ground FCS National Freshman Player of the Week by Stats Perform.
- Merrimack junior Tyvon Edmonds Jr. became the first NEC player this season to eclipse the 1,000 rushing yard mark after he ran for his league-best fourth game of 100+ yards against Saint Francis U. The nation’s second leading rusher with 128.1 yards per game, he also became the first Warrior to surpass 1,000 yards in a single season since the program made the jump to Division I in 2019.
PATRIOT LEAGUE
- LAFAYETTE RANKED NO. 16 AND 20; HOLY CROSS NO. 21 IN COACHES POLL; FORDHAM RECEIVING VOTES -- Lafayette climbed to No. 16 in the FCS Coaches Poll and No. 20 in the Stats Perform Top 25 Poll. The Leopards No. 16 ranking in the Coaches’ Poll is the highest a Leopards’ squad has been ranked in the Patriot League era. Prior to this season, the last time Lafayette was in either poll was Dec. 21, 2009. The Crusaders moved up to No. 21 in the FCS Coaches Poll and are receiving votes in the Stats Perform Top 25 after a 49-47 win at Fordham. The Rams are receiving votes in the Coaches’ Poll.
- COLGATE’S OWEN GOSS NAMED FEDEX GROUND FCS NATIONAL SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK -- Colgate Sr. DB Owen Goss earned FedEx Ground FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday. Goss tied the FCS single-game record for combined blocked kicks, finishing with a blocked field goal and two blocked PATs in a loss against Bucknell. He joins five other FCS players, including Colgate’s Brandon Tinson (2000) and Bucknell’s Josh Eden (2010).
- DOBBS CLOSING IN ON PATRIOT LEAGUE TACKLES RECORD -- Holy Cross 5th-year LB Jacob Dobbs is six tackles shy of breaking the Patriot League career total tackles record of 425, held by Lee Picariello (Lehigh) and David Streeter (Holy Cross). Dobbs leads the FCS with 13.9 tackles per game. The League’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year is tied for fourth in League history with 420 tackles and is second among the FCS active leaders. Lafayette Sr. LB Marco Olivas up to 363 for his career, while currently ranking third among the FCS active leaders. Conway eclipsed 300 tackles on Sept. 30 and currently ranks second in the League, averaging 11.3 tackles per game through eight games. He is fourth among the active FCS leaders with 351.
PIONEER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
- MITCHELL PASSES 1,000 YARD MARK -- Butler running back Jyran Mitchell became the first PFL running back to surpass 1,000 yards this season, finishing Week 9 with 1,088 rushing yards – second most in the FCS behind Monmouth’s Jaden Shirden and his 1,173 rushing yards. He leads the PFL rushing yard race by 378 yards with one additional game played in relation to his chasers.
- RUNNING BACK REVIVAL -- Mitchell is one of five league running backs entering Week 10 ranked among the FCS Top 40 in rushing yards per game. Mitchell is ranked fifth in the FCS with 120.9 yards per game. San Diego’s Isaiah Williams moved up to 19th with 89.4 yards per game while Davidson’s Mari Adams (89.4 ypg) slipped to 19th among FCS rushers this week. They are joined by Davidson’s Mason Sheron (29th, 79.6 ypg) and Dayton’s Michael Neel (38th, 74.5 ypg).
- YOU’RE IN GOOD HANDS WITH THESE PFL TEAMS -- Davidson is one of the FCS’ toughest teams to get the ball away from, with the Wildcats committing just four turnovers to lead the FCS. Butler, Drake, and Morehead State have lost nine turnovers this season and are tied for 28th among FCS teams.
- TOP OF TAKEAWAYS -- Marist remains the league’s best at forcing turnovers, getting two more takeaways in Week 9 to enter this week’s action with 18 turnovers gained – fourth in the FCS. Stetson nabbed four turnovers in Week 9 and now is tied with San Diego with 15 turnovers gained in 2023, good for 19th in the FCS.
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
- Eight of the nine SoCon squads are in action. Samford has a bye this week. Furman sits atop the standings at 5-0 in conference play. Four SoCon teams appeared in either the AFCA or Stats Perform Top 25 polls. Furman is second in both polls. Chattanooga is 13th in the AFCA and 14th in the Stats Perform poll. Western Carolina comes in at 20th in the AFCA and 16th in the Stats Perform. Mercer received votes in the AFCA and is No. 25 in the Stats Perform poll. Samford received votes in the AFCA poll.
- Furman and Chattanooga meet in a matchup for first place in the standings. The winner of the game will clinch at least a share of the conference’s regular season title.
- VMI running back Hunter Rice posted a career-high 208 rushing yards and three TDs last week against Chattanooga. Rice eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the third consecutive game versus the Mocs and moved into second place in the SoCon in rushing yards.
- Samford quarterback Michael Hiers is second in the FCS in passing yards (2,288). Heirs leads the SoCon and is third in FCS football in completion percentage (.727).
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE
- Can UIW Complete the Three-Peat? -- No. 4 UIW will look to clinch their third-straight Southland Championship on Saturday afternoon as they welcome in Nicholls in their second straight battle of unbeaten teams in the SLC. The Cardinals went to 4-0 in league play after knocking off previously unbeaten Lamar last week and can wrap up a share of the title and the league’s AQ with a win over Nicholls and only one game to go.
- Huskies Flying High -- For the first time since 2019, the HCU Huskies sit at .500 on the season with two games to play as Head Coach Braxton Harris has turned the program around in his first year in at the helm. HCU has matched a school record in league games won and can finish .500 or better for the first time in school history with a strong finish.
- Getting It Done on Both Sides -- UIW currently ranks No. 4 in the nation in total offense, averaging 472.0 yards per game and No. 6 in the nation in total defense, only allowing 278.4 yards per game. UIW is one of only three teams in the entire country that ranks in the Top 10 in both total offense and defense, joining No. 1 South Dakota State and No. 10 North Dakota State. UIW is the only team in the FCS to rank in the top six in both categories.
SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
- Jackson State’s Leilani Armenta became the first woman in HBCU history to score in a game. She converted all three of her PAT attempts during the Tigers road win at UAPB.
- A total of five conference match-ups highlight the broadcast schedule for week 10 action in league play with Mississippi Valley State at BethuneCookman (ESPNU), Florida A&M at Alabama A&M (ESPN+), Texas Southern at Jackson State (ESPN+), Southern at Alcorn State (ESPN+), and ArkansasPine Bluff at Prairie View A&M (HBCU GO).
- The 2023 Cricket SWAC Football Championship will be carried live on ESPN2 on Saturday, December 2 at 3:00 pm CST.
UNITED ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
- HOME SWEET HOME -- UAC members are 11-4 IN NON-CONFERENCE HOME GAMES this season. The next out-of-conference home game comes on Nov. 4 when Southern Utah hosts Lincoln (CA).
- FREQUENT TRAVELERS -- UAC squads have been the road team in 25 of 35 non-conference games thus far in the 2023 campaign.
- LONGEST YARDS -- The UAC is home to two of the longest plays in FCS competition this season: ShunDerrick Powell (UCA) 95-yard rush and Kam Thomas (APSU) 89-yard punt return lead the nation in the category.
- NATIONAL TREASURES, 4.0 -- For the fourth time this season an UAC performer garnered national recognition with a FedEx Ground National Player of the Week Award. On Monday, Austin Peay QB Mike DiLiello garnered the Offensive Player of the Week honor after going 20-of-25 for 353 yards passing and a school-record 6 TDs... EKU LB Logan Blake was named the Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 16) after tallying 15 tackles (10 solo) and a game-deciding INT. ShunDerrick Powell, a RB for Central Arkansas, picked up the Offensive POW nod (Sept. 25) after rushing for a career-high 256 yds in a win over ACU. Utah Tech placekicker Connor Brooksby earned Special Teams honors (Sept. 18) after breaking the school’s single-game record with five made field goals, going a perfect 5-for-5, connecting from 22, 48, 34, 48 and 40 yards. He also hit all five of his PAT tries en route to a 20-point performance.