The 2024 FCS playoffs are the forty seventh in Division I subdivision historical past. The sphere opened with 24 groups in pursuit of the nationwide championship. Right here’s a breakdown of the quarterfinals.
When you wish to root for the underdog, the 2024 FCS playoffs aren’t for you.
However you positive should be impressed how the facility packages are flexing their muscle once more this postseason.
After the eight-highest seeds superior to the nationwide quarterfinals, the highest 4 – No. 1 seed Montana State, No. 2 North Dakota State, No. 3 South Dakota State and No. 4 South Dakota – saved the bandwagons rolling alongside the Street to Frisco to the semifinals.
College host websites are utilized within the FCS playoffs by the semis till the nationwide championship recreation on Jan. 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
FCS Playoffs – Second Spherical
No. 1 seed Montana State (14-0) 52, No. 8 seed Idaho (10-4) 19
How It Occurred – An unsuccessful onside kick try by Idaho arrange Montana State for a landing with 3:47 left within the second quarter, breaking a 10-10 tie and starting a run of 42 straight factors because the Bobcats secured a program-record 14th consecutive win.
Sport Ball – Take your decide: Bobcats quarterback Tommy Mellott (305 yards of complete offense and three touchdowns) and operating again Adam Jones (161 scrimmage yards, 4 TD runs) had been unstoppable.
Key Stat – The Bobcats held a 17-minute, 42-second edge in time of possession, changing a mixed 12 of 16 third- and fourth-down makes an attempt into first downs.
Upcoming – Montana State will host No. 4 seed South Dakota in a nationwide semifinal on Dec. 21 (3:30 p.m. ET). The Bobcats received the one two earlier conferences, each in Bozeman in 2008 and ’09.
No. 2 seed North Dakota State (12-2) 31, No. 7 seed Mercer (11-3) 7
How It Occurred – Cam Miller handed for 2 touchdowns to Bryce Lance and rushed for one more rating earlier than the NDSU protection put the clamps on Mercer. The Bison improved to 37-1 all-time contained in the Fargodome in FCS playoff video games.
Sport Ball – The Bison protection unfold the wealth, limiting Mercer to a season-low 195 yards. Cornerback Anthony Chideme-Alfaro had a career-high six tackles and an interception at his workforce’s 6-yard line.
Key Stat – The Bears had been 1 of 11 on third-down conversion makes an attempt and 0 of two on fourth-down makes an attempt.
Upcoming – The Bison will host No. 3 seed South Dakota State in a nationwide semifinal on Dec. 21 (midday ET). Their 13-9 win within the common season ended a five-game dropping streak to the Jackrabbits and elevated their all-time sequence result in 64-47-5.
No. 3 seed South Dakota State (12-2) 55, No. 6 seed UIW (11-3) 14
How It Occurred – The 2-time reigning champion Jackrabbits (29 straight residence wins) scored the primary 38 factors on the best way to reaching the nationwide semifinals for the seventh time within the final eight seasons. Mark Gronowski accounted for 5 TDs (three passing, two speeding) and tied former North Dakota State signal-caller Easton Stick for essentially the most profession wins by a beginning FCS QB (49).
Sport Ball – Maybe go together with a pair: SDSU large receiver Griffin Wilde caught two first-half touchdowns for the second consecutive playoff recreation and linebacker Adam Bock racked up a game-high 11 tackles.
Key Stat – The Jackrabbits didn’t simply make UIW’s offense one-dimensional within the rout, they made the Cardinals a one-player assault. Quarterback Zach Calzada was chargeable for all 51 cross makes an attempt in addition to 14 of their 26 carries.
Upcoming – The Jackrabbits will play at No. 2 seed North Dakota State in a nationwide semifinal on Dec. 21 (midday ET).
No. 4 seed South Dakota (11-2) 35, No. 5 seed UC Davis (11-3) 21
How It Occurred – South Dakota compelled six turnovers to beat three of its personal and punch its first FCS semifinal-round ticket. Operating again Travis Theis and tight finish JJ Galbreath scored two touchdowns every within the win, whereas UC Davis performed the vast majority of the sport with out operating again Lan Larison, the FCS all-purpose yardage chief who suffered an ankle harm within the second quarter.
Sport Ball – Coyotes linebacker Gary Bryant III had a fumble restoration, an interception in his workforce’s finish zone and corralled a career-high 15 tackles (he went over 100 for the season).
Key Stat – The half-dozen takeaways had been the second-most in a recreation throughout South Dakota’s FCS period (since 2008).
Upcoming – The Coyotes will play at No. 1 seed Montana State in a nationwide semifinal on Dec. 21 (3:30 p.m. ET).
Prime Picture: South Dakota Coyotes vs. UC Davis. (USD Athletics)
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