Week 6 in the FCS

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Friday, October 6

Matchup	Time (ET)	TV/Mobile
Cornell at Harvard	7:00pm	ESPNU

Saturday, October 7

Matchup	Time (ET)	TV/Mobile
William & Mary at Virginia	12:00pm	ACCN
Sacred Heart at LIU	12:00pm	NEC Front Row
Rhode Island at Brown	12:00pm	ESPN+
Marist at Columbia	12:30pm	ESPN+
Dayton at Morehead State	1:00pm	ESPN+
Lafayette at Princeton	1:00pm	ESPN+
Butler at St. Thomas	1:00pm	Midco Sports Plus / FOX 9+
Holy Cross at Bucknell	1:00pm	ESPN+
Stonehill at Merrimack	1:00pm	ESPN+
Stetson at Presbyterian	1:00pm	ESPN+
Delaware State at CCSU	1:00pm	NEC Front Row
Stony Brook at Morgan State	1:00pm	ESPN+
Lehigh at Fordham	1:00pm	SNY/ESPN+
Georgetown at Penn	1:00pm	ESPN+
Yale at Dartmouth	1:30pm	ESPN+/NESN
Samford at Wofford	1:30pm	ESPN+
The Citadel at Furman	2:00pm	ESPN+
Valparaiso at Drake	2:00pm	ESPN+
Virginia-Lynchburg at SC State	2:00pm	ESPN+
NC Central at Elon	2:00pm	FloSports/WMYV
Western Illinois at North Dakota	2:00pm	ESPN+/Midco Sports
Tennessee Tech at Lindenwood	2:00pm	ESPN+
Campbell at Hampton	2:00pm	FloSports
Bethune-Cookman at Alabama State	3:00pm	HBCU GO
UT Martin at Eastern Illinois	3:00pm	ESPN+
Tennessee State at Kennesaw State	3:00pm	ESPN+
North Dakota State at Missouri State	3:00pm	ESPN+
Murray State at South Dakota	3:00pm	ESPN+
Howard at Northwestern	3:00pm	BTN
Duquesne at Delaware	3:00pm	FloSports/NBCS PHI
Maine at Richmond	3:30pm	FloSports
Mercer at ETSU	3:30pm	ESPN+
Grambling State at Alcorn State	3:30pm	ESPN+
HCU at Nicholls	4:00pm	ESPN+
Northwestern State at Lamar	4:00pm	ESPN+
UAlbany at Towson	4:00pm	FloSports
Villanova at North Carolina A&T	4:00pm	FloSports
Western Carolina at Chattanooga	4:00pm	ESPN+
Jackson State vs Alabama A&M (in Mobile, AL)	5:00pm	ESPN+
Southeastern La. at UIW	5:00pm	ESPN+
Southeast Missouri at Central Arkansas	5:00pm	ESPN+
Robert Morris at Gardner-Webb	6:00pm	ESPN+
Southern Illinois at Youngstown State	6:00pm	ESPN+
Montana at UC Davis	7:00pm	ESPN+ / Scripps / KQCA My58
Northern Iowa at Indiana State	7:00pm	ESPN+
South Dakota State at Illinois State	7:00pm	ESPN+/Marquee SN
Southern Utah at Tarleton State	7:00pm	ESPN+
MVSU at Prairie View A&M	7:00pm	PVAMU SN
Florida A&M at Southern	7:00pm	ESPNU
Idaho at Cal Poly	8:00pm	ESPN+
McNeese at Texas A&M-Commerce	8:00pm	ESPN+
Northern Arizona at Weber State	8:00pm	ESPN+
Stephen F. Austin at Utah Tech	9:00pm	ESPN+

 

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BIG SKY

FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 1, 2023) — No. 4 Idaho downed No. 19 Eastern Washington 44-36 on Saturday, as the ranked matchup between the Vandals and Eagles highlighted Week 5 action in Big Sky football.

Anthony Woods had a career day for the Vandals, as the sophomore rushed for 183 yards and five touchdowns to secure Idaho's first win in Cheney since 1994. The ranked win was Idaho's second in as many weeks, with three more ranked contests currently left on the Vandals’ schedule in 2023.

No. 13 Weber State rallied with 21 unanswered points and three interceptions in the fourth quarter to defeat Northern Colorado 28-21 on the road and move back into the win column. Preseason Big Sky Defensive MVP Winston Reid sealed the victory for the Wildcats, after he snatched an interception and returned it 40 yards to put Weber State up 28-21 with 1:46 left to play.

No. 8 Sacramento State also had a timely interception to seal its comeback win, as Kameron Rocha picked off a pass with 1:36 remaining to secure a 31-30 victory over Northern Arizona. The Hornets have now won 10 straight regular-season games at home.

Elsewhere in California, No. 21 UC Davis defeated Cal Poly 31-13, as the Aggies won their seventh straight game over the Mustangs and reclaimed the Golden Horseshoe. Trent Tompkins led the Aggies on offense, rushing for 89 yards and two touchdowns on the day.

It was Homecoming Weekend in the Treasure State, as No. 3 Montana State and No. 18 Montana earned wins in front of their home crowds.

Montana State stayed undefeated in league play with its 38-22 win over Portland State, with Bobcat quarterback Sean Chambers combining for 261 yards and four touchdowns through the air and on the ground. The win for Montana State was its 23 consecutive victory at home, which is the longest active streak in the FCS.

Montana held on to defeat Idaho State 28-20 at home, with the Grizzlies using a pair of momentum-changing trick plays to secure their victory. The first was a touchdown pass on a reverse from wideout Sawyer Racanelli, while the next was a converted fourth down on a beautiful pass from punter Travis Benham to set up another score late in the game.

Follow all things #BigSkyFB on Twitter and Instagram at @BigSkyFB. Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky, and TikTok for all the latest news around the league and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated.


Big Sky Football Week 5 Scores
Saturday, Sept. 30
FCS Rankings: Stats Perform/AFCA

#13/14 Weber State 28, Northern Colorado 21
Read Full Weber State Recap

#4/6 Idaho 44, #19/25 Eastern Washington 36
Read Full Idaho Recap

#18/16 Montana 28, Idaho State 20
Read Full Montana Recap

#3/3 Montana State 38, Portland State 22
Read Full Montana State Recap

#21/20 UC Davis 31, Cal Poly 13
Read Full UC Davis Recap

#8/9 Sacramento State 31, Northern Arizona 30
Read Full Sacramento State Recap

BIG SOUTH / OVC

Nationally-ranked UT Martin opened Conference play with a victory over Tennessee State; with the win the Skyhawks improved to 4-0 against FCS opponents this season. Eastern Illinois topped Northwestern State to improve to 4-1 on the year (its best start since 2013) while Charleston Southern kicked a last second field goal to top Kennesaw State, a team transitioning to the FBS.

#22 UT MARTIN 20, TENNESSEE STATE 10 | BOX SCORE
Kinkead Dent passed for one touchdown and ran for another to help UT Martin defeat Tennessee State and win its Big South-OVC Association opener on Saturday night. After Tennessee State (2-2, 1-1) took a 10-0 lead, Dent threw a 15-yard TD pass to DJ Nelson with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half. Then he went 31 yards for the go-ahead score with 48 seconds remaining and a 14-10 halftime lead. The Tigers' points came on Draylen Ellis' 28-yard run and James Lowery's field goal. But the Tigers ended up punting on its nine other possessions. Dent was 16-of-25 passing for 230 yards and ran for another 48. Sam Franklin rushed 132 yards on 20 carries while DeVonte Tanksley had 93 yards on six catches.

EASTERN ILLINOIS 19, NORTHWESTERN STATE 10 | BOX SCORE
Blake Ruffin’s interception in the fourth quarter set up a deciding two-score lead for Eastern Illinois as the Panthers improved to 4-1 with a 19-10 win over Northwestern State on Saturday night at Turpin Stadium. The 4-1 start is the best for the Panthers since the 2013 season. Pierce Holley passed for 274 yards with Justin Bowick catching four passes for 130 yards.

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 13, KENNESAW STATE 10 | BOX SCORE
Sam Babbush connected on a 48-yard field goal with two seconds remaining to lift Charleston Southern to a win over Kennesaw State. Babbush had hit from 34 yards in the third quarter to put his team ahead 10-3, only to see the Owls tie the game at the end of that quarter.

HOWARD 35, ROBERT MORRIS 10 | BOX SCORE
The RMU football team closed out their 2023 non-conference slate with a 35-10 loss to Howard at Joe Walton Stadium. Anthony Chiccitt completed 25-of-39 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown for the Colonials.

#24 RHODE ISLAND 49, BRYANT 26 | BOX SCORE
The Bryant University football team fell to No. 24 Rhode Island at Meade Stadium by a score of 49-26. Konor Lathrop caught his second TD in as many games. Matthew Prochaska hauled in his second of the season. Isaiah Schmidtke ran for a career-high 66 yards. Ryan Clark tallied his fifth TD on the ground, and Ridge Docekal threw the first of his career. Sean Hunt registered his first career interception, and Christopher Eaton Jr. posted his first sack of the season.

AUSTIN PEAY 52, LINDENWOOD 10 | BOX SCORE
the Lindenwood football team dropped a home game against Austin Peay by a score of 52-10 on Saturday afternoon from Hunter Stadium. Robert Giaimo finished the game with 121 all-purpose yards for the Lions while Chase Lanckriet added four catches for 56 yards.

CAA

It was a wild day in CAA Football with plenty of points and close finishes. Elon, UAlbany and Towson earned conference wins over nationally ranked opponents, while Hampton and Maine also picked up CAA victories. The league went 3-1 in non-conference action with Rhode Island, Monmouth and North Carolina A&T coming out on top.

Elon 14, William & Mary 6
Box Score

Matthew Downing threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes and Elon (3-2, 3-0 CAA) got a strong performance from its defense to battle past #4 William & Mary (4-1, 2-1 CAA), 14-6. It was just the second win ever for the Phoenix over a Top 5 program and snapped the Tribe’s nine-game conference winning streak.

Trailing 6-0 in the fourth quarter, Elon got an interception from Jaidyn Dennis that put the ball at the W&M 30-yard line. Downing took advantage, hitting Chandler Brayboy with a 16-yard TD pass to go up by one. On the next Phoenix possession, Downing found Brayboy with a 76-yard strike to the Tribe 10-yard line, and Elon capped the drive with an 8-yard TD catch by Jamarien Dalton. Caleb Curtain and Marco Patierno tallied 11 tackles apiece for an Elon defense that held W&M to second-quarter field goals of 32 and 45 yards from Caden Bonoffski. Malachi Imoh ran for 132 yards and Martin Lucas added 95 yards for the Tribe offensively, while Ryan Poole contributed a team-best 10 tackles.

Towson 54, New Hampshire 51 (ot)
Box Score

Towson (2-3, 1-1 CAA) scored 10 points in the final 3:43 to force overtime and then scored a walk-off touchdown in the extra session as the Tigers knocked off #14 New Hampshire (2-3, 0-2 CAA), 54-51. Towson quarterback Nathan Kent passed for career-highs of 252 yards and 5 TD’s, including a game-tying 15-yard toss to Lukkas Londono with 24 seconds left in regulation. After limiting the Wildcats to a field goal in overtime, the Tigers won the game on a 2-yard run by Devin Matthews.

Towson finished with 561 yards of offense, including 309 on the ground as D’Ago Hunter and Matthews each tallied 116 yards. The Tigers were up 30-20 early in the third quarter, but New Hampshire got a 3-yard TD catch from Caleb Burke and a pair of scoring runs from Dylan Laube to take a 41-30 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Tigers answered with a 24-yard TD catch by Daniel Thompson IV, but UNH went back up by 11 after Charles Briscoe blocked a punt and recovered in the end zone with 8:12 remaining. Wildcats’ quarterback Max Brosmer threw for 340 yards and 2 TD’s, while Laube ran for 92 yards.

UAlbany 31, Villanova 10
Box Score

UAlbany’s defense recorded seven sacks and forced five turnovers as the Great Danes (3-2, 1-0) defeated #16 Villanova (3-2, 1-1 CAA) in their CAA opener. AJ Simon tallied three sacks and Ori Jean-Charles and Anton Juncaj made two apiece as UAlbany held the Wildcats to 269 total yards.

The game was tied at 3-3 when UAlbany moved on top on a 12-yard TD pass from Reese Poffenbarger to Julian Hicks. Villanova drew even as Connor Watkins hit Jaylen Sanchez with a 17-yard toss, but the Great Danes took a 17-10 lead into halftime after a 19-yard Griffin Woodell catch. The Great Danes’ defense pitched a second-half shutout and UAlbany pulled away on a 3-yard TD run by Woodell early in the fourth quarter followed by a MarQeese Dietz 4-yard TD reception. Poffenbarger threw for 244 yards and 3 TD’s and Woodell rushed for a career-high 107 yards. For Villanova, Watkins passed for 198 yards.

Hampton 31, Richmond 14
Box Score

Hampton (3-1, 1-0 CAA) used a balanced offensive attack to roll up 497 total yards as the Pirates earned a 31-14 triumph at Richmond (2-3, 1-1 CAA). Quarterback Chris Zellous threw for 256 yards and a TD and ran for 60 and 2 TD’s, while Elijah Burris rushed for 115 yards on 16 carries. The Pirates’ defense held the Spiders to 260 total yards as Stanley Garner made six stops and intercepted two passes.

Hampton built a 17-0 halftime advantage on scoring runs by Zellous (7 yards) and Tymere Robinson (2 yards) and a 24-yard Brian Csehoski field goal. The Spiders twice closed within 10 on TD passes of 7 and 25 yards from reserve quarterback Camden Coleman, who threw for 224 yards in his collegiate debut. However, Hampton answered both times as Zellous tossed a 5-yard TD pass to Darren Moultrie and had an 8-yard TD run. Wayne Galloway and Tristan Wheeler each had 10 stops for the UR defense.

Maine 56, Stony Brook 28
Box Score

Derek Robertson was 25-of-30 passing for 394 yards and five touchdowns as Maine (1-4, 1-2 CAA) sprinted out to a 28-point first-quarter lead and beat Stony Brook (0-5, 0-4 CAA), 56-28. The Black Bears forced a fumble on the opening play and cashed it in with a 1-yard Tristen Kenan TD run. They used big plays to blow the game open later in the period as Robertson hit Joe Gillette with a 55-yard TD pass, Trevin Ewing ran in from 30 yards out and Montigo Moss caught a 41-yard scoring pass.

Stony Brook never got closer than 21 points the rest of the way, despite TD passes of 47, 51, 36 and 4 yards from Casey Case, who threw for 348 yards. Robertson added TD tosses to Moss and Cooper Heisey in the second half. Moss finished with five catches for 108 yards, while SBU’s Jayden Cook had seven receptions for 117 yards and 2 TD’s.

Rhode Island 49, Bryant 26
Box Score

Kasim Hill passed for 332 yards and three touchdowns as #24 Rhode Island (3-2, 2-1 CAA) overcame an early deficit to roll past Bryant, 49-26. Trailing 13-7 after the opening quarter, the Rams responded with 28 unanswered points and posted their highest scoring output since 2005. Hill spurred the rally, hitting John Erby with a 57-yard scoring pass, finding the end zone on a 5-yard run and connecting with Darius Savedge on a 24-yard TD pass to put URI up 28-13 at halftime. A 1-yard TD run from Ja’Den McKenzie and a 4-yard scoring pass to Kahtero Summers put the game away.

Along with Hill’s big day, Marquis Buchanan had nine receptions for 111 yards. Evan Stewart and A.J. Pena each had nine stops for the URI defense, with Pena adding 3.0 TFL’s and a pair of sacks.

Monmouth 49, Lehigh 7
Box Score

Marquez McCray was 22-of-28 passing for 333 yards and four touchdowns as Monmouth (2-3, 1-1 CAA) cruised over Lehigh. The Hawks piled up 619 yards of total offense as Jaden Shirden rushed for 119 yards, Sone Ntoh ran for 110 yards and 2 TD’s and Dymere Miller made eight catches for 128 yards and 2 TD’s.

The contest was tied at 7-7 midway through the second quarter before Monmouth exploded for 21 points over the final 6:13 of the half. McCray hit Miller with a 10-yard TD strike, Deuce Lee contributed a 36-yard pick six and Dre Tucker caught a 34-yard TD pass to make it 28-7 at halftime. The Hawks added three more TD’s in the third quarter on a 36-yard catch from Miller, a 92-yard run by Ntoh and a 29-yard reception by Gavin Nelson. Remi Johnson had nine tackles and 2.0 TFL’s for the MU defense and Tyrese Wright added six stops, 2.0 TFL’s and a forced fumble.

North Carolina A&T 28, Norfolk State 26
Box Score

Making his first career start, freshman quarterback Kevin White ran for 115 yards and 2 TD’s and added 98 yards through the air as North Carolina A&T (1-3, 0-1 CAA) held off Norfolk State, 28-26, for their first victory of the season. Kenji Christian picked up a team-high 118 yards and 2 TD’s on the ground for the Aggies, while linebacker B.J. Turner had a huge game defensively with 19 tackles and 2.5 TFL’s.

White broke loose for a 65-yard TD run on the second play of the game to put A&T up 7-0 quickly and Christian followed with a 34-yard scoring burst later in the period. The Aggies went ahead 28-12 in the third quarter after a 40-yard TD yard run by White and a 1-yarder by Christian. Norfolk State pulled within 28-26 with 3:07 to go, but the Aggies stopped the game-tying 2-point attempt and were able to run out the clock on their next possession.

North Carolina Central 49, Campbell 48 (ot)
Box Score

Hajj-Malik Williams passed for 302 yards and five touchdowns, but Campbell (2-3, 1-2 CAA) dropped a tough 49-48 decision in overtime at #13 North Carolina Central. Williams threw an 11-yard TD pass to Lamagea McDowell and scoring strikes of 70 and 65 yards to Jason Kelsey in the first quarter as the Camels took a 21-14 lead. A 6-yard TD catch by VJ Wilkins put Campbell up 35-14 in the second quarter, but N.C. Central scored 28 unanswered points to take the lead. The Camels forced OT on a 4-yard Na’Quari Rogers run and took the lead in overtime on a 13-yard TD catch by Ezeriah Anderson, but the extra point was blocked and NCCU got the win on a 25-yard run.

Kelsey finished with seven catches for 172 yards. D’Marcus Harrington made a team-high 10 tackles.

IVY

PRINCETON, N.J. – The close calls in league play continued in Week 3 of the Ivy League football season. Ivies went 3-1 in non-conference play, highlighted by No. 24 Harvard’s 38-28 win over No. 5 Holy Cross.

On Friday evening, Princeton used a long fourth quarter drive to top Columbia, 10-7. Then on Saturday, Dartmouth defeated Penn, 23-20, in overtime. All four league games this season have been decided by three or fewer points.

In addition to Harvard’s win, Brown and Yale turned in dominant performances. Yale picked up its first win of the season with a 45-3 win over Morgan State, while Brown improved to 2-0 in non-league play with a 42-20 result over Central Connecticut State.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 29
PRINCETON 10, COLUMBIA 7
7 p.m. // Princeton, N.J. // Powers Field at Princeton Stadium

• Princeton (2-1, 1-0 Ivy) used a 20-play, 81-yard fourth quarter drive to top Columbia (1-2, 0-1 Ivy), 10-7. The Tigers had three successful fourth down conversions on the drive, including John Volker’s one-yard touchdown plunge.
• Princeton’s linebacker tandem of Ozzie Nicholas (10) and Liam Johnson (9) combined for 19 tackles. Princeton quarterback Blake Stenstrom was 26-for-43 on the day including 7-for-11 on the final drive.
• Columbia defensive lineman Justin Townsend recorded the Lions touchdown with a two-yard pick six. The junior added two tackles including a sack for a loss of nine yards.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 30
YALE 45, MORGAN STATE 3
12 p.m. // New Haven, Conn. // Yale Bowl

• Yale (1-2, 0-1 Ivy) pulled away from Morgan State (1-4, 0-0 MEAC) to win the 2023 NAACP Harmony Classic, 45-3. As part of the event, Yale honored the late Levi Jackson '50, the first Black captain of the football team and the first full-season Black captain in any varsity sport among the eight Ivy League institutions. His daughter, Denise participated in the coin toss prior to the game
• Yale quarterback Nolan Grooms accounted for 450 yards of total offense and four touchdowns. The reigning Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year was 29-for-38 through the air and added 87 yards on nine rushing attempts. Receivers Mason Tipton and Ryan Lindley each reeled in nine catches.
• Bulldogs linebacker Joseph Vaughn had a 36-yard pick six. Yale’s defense limited Morgan State to 204 yards and just 12 first downs.

BROWN 42, CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE 20
12 p.m. // Providence, R.I. // Richard Gouse Field at Brown Stadium

• Brown (2-1, 0-1 Ivy) overpowered Central Connecticut State (1-3, 0-1 NEC), 42-20 after picking 460 yards of total offense.
• Brown quarterback Jake Willcox, who leads the FCS in passing yards per game with an average of 369.7, threw for a career high 386 yards. The Everett, Mass., native was 26-for-39 with four touchdowns through the air. His top target was receiver Wes Rockett, who hauled in eight receptions for 148 yards. Rockett leads the FCS in receiving yards per game with an average of 140.
• Defensive back Aubrey Parker was second on the team in tackles with six and also recorded an interception, which he returned 26 yards.

DARTMOUTH 23, PENN 20 (OT)
1 p.m. // Philadelphia, Pa. // Franklin Field

• Dartmouth (2-1, 1-0 Ivy) topped Penn (2-0, 0-0 Ivy) by a score of 23-20, after the Quakers scored 10 points in the final six minutes of the game to force overtime.
• The Big Green made the most of good starting field position. A blocked punt by Nico Schwikal put Dartmouth on the Penn one-yard line on its first offensive drive. Dartmouth’s other touchdown drive started on the Penn 36-yard line following a turnover. Freshman kicker Owen Zalc was 3-for-4 on field goal attempts.
• Penn quarterback Aidan Sayin threw for 357 yards and a pair of touchdown on 36-for-55 passing. Kicker Albert Jang knocked through a 51-yard field goal attempt with 57 seconds left to even the score.

COLGATE 35, CORNELL 25
2 p.m. // Ithaca, N.Y // Schoellkopf Field

• Cornell (2-1, 1-0 Ivy) suffered its first loss of the season, falling to Colgate (0-4, 0-1 Patriot), 35-25.
• Big Red receiver Nicholas Laboy hauled in seven receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Jameson Wang was 23-for-36 through the air for 226 yards and a touchdown and added two rushing scores.
• Cornell linebacker Noah Taylor posted a game-high 15 tackles.

#24 HARVARD 38, #5 HOLY CROSS 28
5 p.m. // Worcester, Mass. // Polar Park

• The No. 24 Harvard (3-0, 1-0 Ivy) defense caused five turnovers in its 38-28 win over No. 5 Holy Cross (3-2, 1-0 Patriot) at the EBW Football Classic played at Polar Park.
• Crimson dual threat quarterback Charles DePrima was 9-for-20 for 151 yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air and led Harvard with 89 rushing yards. Receiver Cooper Barkate had both a rushing and receiving touchdown.
• Defensive back AJ Lopez recorded a 26-yard pick six to mark his first career interception and touchdown. Lopez also forced a fumble. Linebacker Matt Hudson and safety Ty Bartrum each recorded interceptions.

 

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MEAC

Howard 35, Robert Morris 10

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - The Howard University football team turned in its most complete performance of the season en route to a 35-10 win over Robert Morris in a non-conference game at Joe Walton Stadium before 2,200.

Howard, coming off a disappointing loss to Hampton two weeks ago and then a bye week, struggled early against the Colonials defense, going on two drives but coming up short. The Bison found their rhythm on their third possession as graduate quarterback Quinton Williams put together an 11-play drive that covered 62 yards and capped off an eight-yard TD pass to junior wide receiver Nahshawn Hezeziah.

Box Score | Recap

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Delaware State 48, U-Virginia Lynchburg 10

DOVER, Del. - Delaware State used a huge 248-yard performance on the ground, including 102 yards from Marquis Gillis, to pick up a 48-10 win Saturday afternoon at home.

The triumph improved Delaware State's record to 1-4 on the season, while the Dragons fell to 0-5.

Gillis totaled 102 yards to lead the Hornets' ground attack in the game, picking up 6.4 yards per carry. Gillis also tacked on 38 receiving yards. Michael Chris-Ike recorded 89 yards on the ground, 8.9 yards per carry.

The most prolific target for Delaware State quarterbacks was Rahkeem Smith, who caught four passes for 67 yards and one score. Smith also had two returns, both resulting in touchdowns. An 88-yard kickoff return and a 60-yard punt return.

Box Score | Recap

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Norfolk State 26, North Carolina A&T 28

NORFOLK, Va. - A valiant fourth-quarter comeback came up just short for Norfolk State on Saturday, as the Spartans dropped a home contest to North Carolina A&T State 28-26 at William "Dick" Price Stadium.

The Aggies struck first, thanks to an explosive run play. On the second play from scrimmage, Kevin White broke free for a 65-yard touchdown score up the middle of the field.

Otto Kuhns found Andre Pegues for an 18-yard gain on the Spartans' first offensive play of the afternoon, but the drive stalled from there.

Noah Tracey pinned the Aggies at their own five-yard line with a booming punt on the following sequence. The play proved crucial to the Spartans' momentum, as a botched snap moments later resulted in a safety, putting NSU on the board.

Box Score | Recap

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Yale 45, Morgan State 3​

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Morgan State scored the game’s first points, but Nolan Grooms helped Yale take control by throttling the Bears 45-3 in the NAACP Harmony Classic at Yale Bowl, Class of 1954 Field.

The loss was the largest deficit for the Bears since a 59-7 defeat to Georgia Southern on Sept. 3, 2022. It was also Yale's first win of the season and improved the Bulldogs' series record to 2-0 against Morgan since 1984.

Morgan's defense, the FCS leaders in turnovers gained, continued to add to its collection today. MSU redshirt senior linebacker Sam Alsheimer stripped Grooms in the backfield and junior linebacker Xavier Shell pounced on the football just before the first quarter ended. The Bears would take advantage as junior Beckett Leary connected on a 39-yard field goal for the first points of the game.

Box Score | Recap

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#13 NC Central 49, Campbell 48 – OT

DURHAM, N.C. - NCCU quarterback Davius Richard ties the school record with four rushing touchdowns, the first to achieve that total since 1999. Richard rushed for 86 yards and four scores and passed for 265 yards and a touchdown.

NCCU running back Latrell Collier rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns, including a 25-yard trip to the end zone on his team's first play of overtime.

NCCU linebacker Jayden Flaker amassed a game-high 15 tackles.

The two teams combined for 857 yards of total offense (NCCU 447, Campbell 410).

Box Score | Recap

MVFC

Saturday, September 30, 2023Football

Date	Away	Home	Result	Location	Links
Saturday 9/30/2023	Youngstown State 41	Northern Iowa 44	Final	Cedar Falls, Iowa (Conf.)	Box Score
Saturday 9/30/2023	South Dakota 24	North Dakota State 19	Final	Fargo, ND (Conf.)	Box Score
Saturday 9/30/2023	North Dakota 21	South Dakota State 42	Final	Brookings, S.D. (Conf.)	Box Score
Saturday 9/30/2023	Missouri State 20	Southern Illinois 33	Final	Carbondale, IL (Conf.)	Box Score
Saturday 9/30/2023	Indiana State 28	Murray State 30	Final	Murray, KY (Conf.)	Box Score

NEC

Two of the three Northeast Conference games on the slate for Week 5 went down to the wire. Saint Francis U spoiled a late 51-yard field goal by Stonehill senior Perry Shelbred with a late touchdown to come away with its first win of the season, while Duquesne kicked a walk-off field goal to break a 28-28 draw and defeat LIU in its league opener. Merrimack scored a victory at Sacred Heart, while Central Connecticut and Wagner fell in non-conference road games at Brown and Rutgers, respectively.

Click here for Boxscores / Statistics

DUQUESNE 31, LIU 28
Graduate student Brian Bruzdewicz provided the third walk-off victory in NEC play this season, as his 34-yard field goal with no time left on the clock lifted Duquesne to a 31-28 win at LIU in both teams’ conference opener on Saturday. Junior Darrius Perrantes tossed three touchdowns for the Dukes, who trailed by as many as 14 before taking their first lead of the game at 28-21 in the final moments of the third on an Edward Robinson run.

Brown 42, CCSU 20
Brown used three touchdowns in the third quarter to pull away from Central Connecticut and score an eventual 42-20 win on Saturday. Sophomore Elijah Howard, who broke free for an 82-yard touchdown run in the third, ran for a season-high 146 yards to pace the Blue Devils in their final non-conference road game.

MERRIMACK 17, SACRED HEART 10
After trailing for the first three quarters, Merrimack put up 14 points in the final stanza to take down Sacred Heart, 17-10, in Fairfield, CT on Saturday. Junior defensive back Tre Jordan III gave the Warriors their first lead of the game with a pick six in the opening minutes of the fourth before sophomore wide receiver Donovan Wadley put the finishing touches on the comeback with a 45-yard touchdown run with 7:02 left to play.

SAINT FRANCIS U 15, STONEHILL 10
Redshirt junior Deondre Scott delivered the final blow of a back-and-forth slugfest between Saint Francis U and Stonehill, as his dive over a pile-up in front of the end zone with 19 seconds left propelled the Red Flash to a 15-10 victory and their first win in NEC play on Saturday. The running back silenced a hometown crowd with his first touchdown of the season just minutes after senior Perry Shelbred put the Skyhawks up, 10-9, with his second 50+ yard field goal of the year.

Rutgers 52, WAGNER 3
Rutgers rushed for 268 yards and recorded 169 yards in the air to score a 52-3 win over visiting Wagner on Saturday afternoon. The Scarlet Knights marked the second FBS opponent that the Seahawks have faced this season.

PATRIOT

AT GEORGETOWN HOYAS (3-2, 1-0 PL) 28, NO. 15/rv FORDHAM RAMS (3-2, 0-1 PL) 24
Cooper Field/Washington, D.C. 2 p.m. (ESPN+)
BOX SCORE
WASHINGTON – Fifth-year quarterback Tyler Knoop threw a four-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Brock Biestek with 56 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to lift Georgetown to a 28-24 victory over No. 15 Fordham.
*Knoop led the nine-play, 74-yard game-winning drive late in the final frame to overcome a three-point deficit after 10 straight points from the Rams. He completed 24-of-35 passes for 216 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
*Junior running back Naieem Kearney rushed for 114 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown run on 13 carries to help the Hoyas’ offense roll for 221 yards on the ground.
*Georgetown fifth-year running back Joshua Stakely caught three passes for 36 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 48 yards. Freshman tight end Isaiah Grimes caught seven passes for 68 yards and a score.
*The Hoyas’ defense was led by senior safety Preston Murray, who recorded five tackles and one sack, and junior defensive lineman Ibri Harrell added five tackles.
*Fordham sophomore quarterback C.J. Montes completed 16-of-34 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns, while senior wide receiver Garrett Cody caught four passes for 57 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Rams’ offense.
*Senior wide receiver Mekai Felton added five receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown.
*Senior defensive back Nahil Perkins finished with seven tackles and one of Fordham’s three interceptions. Senior defensive back Cameron Blair added five tackles, 1.0 TFL and an interception.
RECAPS: FORDHAM | GEORGETOWN

COLGATE RAIDERS (1-4, 0-1 PL) 35, AT CORNELL BIG RED (2-1 Ivy) 25
Schoellkopf Field/Ithaca, N.Y. 2 p.m. (ESPN+)
BOX SCORE
ITHACA, N.Y. – Colgate senior linebacker Christian Sweeney recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown with 1:37 remaining in the fourth quarter to seal the Raiders’ 35-25 victory over rival Cornell.
*First-year defensive lineman Brock Winsett forced the game-sealing fumble, finishing with four tackles and one sack. Sweeney added seven tackles and 1.0 TFL.
*Sophomore quarterback Zach Osborne accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing), completing 16-of-25 passes for 179 yards and rushing for another 62 yards on 17 carries to lead the Raiders’ offense.
*Colgate sophomore wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders caught seven passes for 74 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter to tie the score at seven.
*The Raiders kept pace with the Big Red until Osborne and junior running back Brendan Cassamajor rushed for consecutive touchdowns in the fourth quarter to put Colgate in front for good.
*Raiders’ first-year running back Chris Gee finished with a team-best 92 rushing yards on 11 carries.
*Senior defensive back Owen Goss and sophomore linebacker Cole Kozlowski recorded seven tackles apiece, while senior linebacker Drew Frankel finished with six tackles, 1.0 TFL and a forced fumble.
RECAP: COLGATE

AT MONMOUTH HAWKS (2-3, CAA) 49, LEHIGH MOUNTAIN HAWKS (1-4, 0-0 PL) 7
Kessler Stadium/West Long Branch, N.J. 1 p.m. (FloSports)
BOX SCORE
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Lehigh sophomore quarterback Brayten Silbor rushed for a touchdown in the second quarter to tie the score at seven, but Monmouth followed with 42 unanswered points to drop the Mountain Hawks, 49-7.
*Silbor completed 18-of-30 passes for 163 yards and one interception while rushing for 18 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
*Junior wide receiver Connor Kennedy caught six passes for a team-leading 71 yards. Junior running back Jack DiPietro and first-year running back Luke Yoder rushed for 43 yards apiece.
*Mountain Hawks’ first-year defensive lineman Matt Spatny finished with five tackles, 2.0 TFLs and 2.0 sacks.
*First-year defensive back DJ Brown registered a team-high eight tackles.
RECAP: LEHIGH

AT LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS (4-1, 1-0 PL) 56, BUCKNELL BISON (1-3, 0-1 PL) 22
Fisher Stadium/Easton, Pa. 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
BOX SCORE
EASTON, Pa. – Lafayette sophomore quarterback Dean DeNobile threw for 229 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Leopards to a 56-22 win over Bucknell in their League season opener at Fisher Stadium.
*DeNobile completed touchdown passes to four different receivers, all in the second quarter, to help Lafayette take a 42-12 lead into halftime
*Sophomore wide receiver Elijah Steward's lone catch was a 63-yard touchdown reception with 1:10 remaining in the first half.
*Freshman receiver Carson Persing finished with three catches for 59 yards and a score, and junior receiver Chris Carasia added a team-high six catches for 52 yards and a touchdown.
*Lafayette sophomore running back Jamar Curtis rushed for 106 yards on 10 carries, including a 10-yard touchdown run to start the scoring midway through the first quarter.
*Three more Leopards’ running backs eclipsed 40 yards to help the team compile 316 yards on the ground.
*Senior linebacker Billy Shaeffer recorded 5.5 tackles for a loss of 40 yards and 3.5 sacks, both League season highs. He finished with a team-high nine tackles.
*Senior linebacker Marco Olivas added three tackles and 2.0 TFLs, while senior safety Neriyan Brown finished with one interception, three pass breakups and five tackles.
*Bucknell junior quarterback Ralph Rucker completed 28-of-44 passes for 282 yards, one interception and a 26-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Eric Weatherly in the second quarter. Weatherly finished with seven receptions for 107 yards.
*Senior running back Coleman Bennett caught five passes for 40 yards and rushed for a touchdown in the first half for the Bison.
*Bucknell senior linebacker Blake Leake finished with a game-high 10 tackles, while junior defensive tackle Aneesh Vyas added five tackles, 1.0 sack and one pass breakup.
RECAP: LAFAYETTE | BUCKNELL

HARVARD CRIMSON (3-0, Ivy) 38, AT NO. 5/6 HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS (3-2, 0-0 PL) 28
Polar Park/Worcester, Mass. 5 p.m. (ESPN+)
BOX SCORE
WORCESTER, Mass. – Holy Cross senior wide receiver Jalen Coker caught seven passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns, but the No. 5/6 Crusaders fell to Harvard, 38-28, at Polar Park.
*Coker broke the Crusaders’ career touchdowns record, reaching the end zone for the 23rd on a 74-yard connection in the first quarter. He also added a 30-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.
*Senior quarterback Matthew Sluka completed 15-of-26 passes for 320 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 83 yards on 20 carries.
*Crusaders’ senior wide receiver Byron Shipman also caught two touchdown passes, and junior wide receiver Justin Shorter caught two passes for 71 yards.
*Fifth-year linebacker Jacob Dobbs posted a team-high 12 tackles, 2.5 TFLs and a half sack. Junior safety Curtis Harris-Lopez added 11 tackles.
RECAP: HOLY CROSS

 

[s--k]

PIONEER

Davidson 55, San Diego 33

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Mari Adams ran for four touchdowns, leading Davidson to a 55-33 PFL victory against San Diego Saturday at Richardson Stadium. Davidson led 17-16 at the half but broke the game open with a 35-7 outburst on the other side of the break. Adams ran for touchdowns of 38, 4, and 66 yards as part of the burst – the 66-yard run put Davidson ahead 52-19 and secured the win. Adams ran for 169 yards and was one of three 100-yard rushers for the Wildcats, with quarterback Coulter Cleland running for 130 yards and Mason Sheron adding 114 yards. San Diego quarterback Grant Sergent became the PFL’s first 400-yard passer this season, completing 22-of-39 passes for 408 yards and three touchdowns.

St. Thomas 20, Dayton 14

DAYTON, Ohio – St. Thomas scored 20 first-half points and held on late to defeat Dayton 20-14 in Saturday PFL action at Welcome Stadium. Tak Tateoka threw two touchdowns in the opening half. He connected with McElroy for an 18-yard touchdown to open the scoring. The Tommies extended the lead to 20-0 on Jacob Wildermuth’s one-yard touchdown reception to close St. Thomas’ scoring with 4:32 left in the first half. Dayton scored before the halftime break with Dante Casciola 10-yard touchdown run, trimming the deficit to 20-7. Neither team scored in the second half until Dayton’s Cole Dow found Gavin Lochow five-yard touchdown with 4:17 left in the game. Dayton drove to the St. Thomas six-yard line on its final drive of the game, but an incomplete pass on fourth down ended the drive. St. Thomas needed just 223 yards in the win, with Tateoka passing for 100 yards on 15-of-23 passing. Casciola passed for 161 yards to pace Dayton’s offense.

Marist 34, Stetson 24​

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Brock Bagozzi found Matt Stianche for a 68-yard touchdown at the start of the second half and Marist made that touchdown hold up for a 34-24 PFL victory against Stetson Saturday at Tenney Stadium. The Red Foxes and Hatters battled to a 21-21 halftime score. Bagozzi put Marist ahead with 33 seconds left with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Willette. Stetson responded quickly as Matt O’Conner led a four-play, 67-yard drive that he capped with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Atkin as the clock hit zero. After Bagozzi’s touchdown pass just 1:34 into the second half, neither team would find the end zone. Daniel Holbrook would hit a 34-yard field goal for Stetson’s final points, narrowing the deficit to 28-24. Chase Gardi connected on field goals from 30 and 20 yards to seal the victory. Amin Woods ran for 232 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries to lead Marist’s offense. O’Connor passed for 291 yards on 20-of-27 passing for two touchdowns for Stetson.

Butler 27, Presbyterian 17

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Butler scored the game’s final 13 points to rally from a halftime deficit for a 27-17 PFL victory against Presbyterian Saturday at the Sellick Bowl. Presbyterian took a 17-14 lead into halftime courtesy Mack Mikko’s 44-yard field goal with 4:24 left in the half. Butler turned the tide on the first possession of the second half as Bret Bushka led a 16-play, 85-yard drive that consumed 8:48 off the clock and his 14-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Lezon put the Bulldogs ahead 21-17. Luka Zurak added field goals of 23 and 20 yards in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Bushka passed for 148 yards and a touchdown while running for 99 yards and another score to lead Butler’s offense. Tyler Wesley’s 17-of-28, 323-yard passing effort paced the Blue Hose.

Drake 16, Morehead State 9

MOREHEAD, Ky. – Drake scored the game’s first 13 points and held on to down Morehead State 16-9 in PFL action Saturday at Jayne Stadium. Dorian Boyland’s 64-yard touchdown run on the opening drive put Drake ahead for good. The Bulldogs extended their lead early in the second quarter when Luke Bailey and Trey Radocha connected on a 15-yard touchdown reception for a 13-0 lead. Morehead State would get on the board just before halftime when Carter Cravens found Ryan Upp for a four-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the deficit to 13-6. However, neither team would find the end zone in the second half, with each team settling for a single field goal as Drake held on for the win. Bailey completed 23-of-36 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown, with Boyland running for 123 yards and a score. Cravens amassed 285 total offensive yards, rushing for a team-best 64 yards and adding 221 yards on 18-of-39 passing.

Valparaiso 16, Southwest Minnesota State 15

VALPARAISO, Ind. – Michael Appel Jr.’s 35-yard touchdown run with 5:14 remaining proved to be the game-winner as Valparaiso rallied from a 15-0 deficit to defeat Southwest Minnesota State 16-15 in non-conference action Saturday at Brown Field. Southwest Minnesota opened the game with a safety, a 65-yard touchdown pass, and a pick-six to open up a 15-0 lead with 13:26 left in the first half. Valparaiso got on the scoreboard four minutes later on Ryan Hawk’s 40-yard field goal. Appel then led Valparaiso to a touchdown with 28 seconds left in the half, finding Brandon Jimenez for a 28-yard touchdown as the Beacons trailed by five points, 15-10, at halftime. Valparaiso won despite amassing only 179 offensive yards, Appel passing for 78 yards and running for another 20 yards.

SOCON

Samford 42, ETSU 28
No. 21/17 Western Carolina 49, The Citadel 14
Mercer 38, VMI 3
No. 22 Chattanooga 23, Wofford 13

SWAC

Saturday, September 30, 2023Football

Date	Away	Home	Result	Location	Links
Saturday 9/30/2023	Florida A&M 31	Mississippi Valley State 7	Final	Itta Bena, MS (Conf.)	Box Score
Saturday 9/30/2023	Tuskegee 3	Alabama A&M 58	Final	Huntsville, Ala.	Box Score
Saturday 9/30/2023	Lincoln (CA) 7	Texas Southern 52	Final	Houston, Texas	Box Score
Saturday 9/30/2023	Southern 27	Arkansas-Pine Bluff 0	Final	Pine Bluff, AR (Conf.)	Box Score
Saturday 9/30/2023	Alcorn State 23	Alabama State 20	Final	Montgomery, AL (Conf.)	Box Score
Saturday 9/30/2023	Prairie View A&M 20	Grambling State 35	Final	(Conf.)	Box Score

 

[s--k]

SOUTHLAND

Saturday, September 30, 2023Football

Date	Away	Home	Result	Location	Links
Saturday 9/30/2023	Tarleton 14	Southeastern 13	Final	Hammond, LA	Box Score
Saturday 9/30/2023	Eastern Illinois 19	Northwestern State 10	Final	Natchitoches, LA	Box Score
Saturday 9/30/2023	Texas A&M-Commerce 27	Stephen F. Austin 56	Final	Nacogdoches, TX	Box Score
Saturday 9/30/2023	Lamar 21	HCU 19	Final	Houston, TX (Conf.)	Box Score
Saturday 9/30/2023	Nicholls 31	McNeese 10	Final	Lake Charles, LA (Conf.)	Box Score

UAC

#UACFOOTBALL - EKU had a successful debut and Central Arkansas collected its second consecutive win in league play to headline the winning performances around United Athletic Conference football in Week Five. Austin Peay, Stephen F. Austin and Tarleton also secured key victories in non-conference clashes on Saturday.

The Bears took an early lead on the road at Southern Utah and then held on for the 29-27 decision to improve to 2-0 in UAC play while the Colonels visited North Alabama and claimed a 32-22 victory in their inaugural conference contest.

The Govs posted their third consecutive win and produced a 28-point first quarter for the second time this season en route to a dominating 52-10 decision over Lindenwood. The Lumberjacks had an explosive outing, scoring 14 points in each quarter to hand Texas A&M Commerce a 56-27 loss.

Tarleton rounded out the UAC victory train with their league-leading fourth win, edging Southeastern Louisiana, 14-13, marking the 100th career win for head coach Todd Whitten with the Texans.

UAC RESULTS | SEPT. 30
Austin Peay 52, Lindenwood 10 | Boxscore
*Central Arkansas 29, Southern Utah 27 | Boxscore
*Eastern Kentucky 32, North Alabama 22 | Boxscore
Stephen F. Austin 56, Texas A&M Commerce 27 | Boxscore
Tarleton 14, Southeastern Louisiana 13 | Boxscore
North Texas 45, Abilene Christian 31 | Boxscore
Colorado State 41, Utah Tech 20 | Boxscore

* = UAC Game
NOTE: Game stories linked to UAC winners

 

[steponaduck]

Really excellent work here.

My current FCS leans using projections at massey ratings:

(Fri) Cornell +21
Holy Cross -28
Columbia -20
Yale -1.5
North Dakota -23.5
UC Davis -1.5
Idaho -27
Layayette +10.5
Furman -31
Howard +35
Western Carolina +5.5

 

[s--k]

I remember in the summer I thought William & Mary would beat Virginia this week. But W&M has forgotten how to score points. Current W&M HC Mike London was also coach at Virginia (ACC Coach of the year 2011).

 

[s--k]

I've never been one to know or even want to try and figure out what I like so early in the week, which is why I really love when the FCS lines come out. I just kind of evaluate and consider things as the week moves on.

I don't think we get Lafayette near that 10.5 number, probably opens around or below 6 - which I think I would still like. 5 weeks in the books and everything points to them being just a solid damn team and we've seen Princeton 3 games now. Lafayette's D has 14 sacks and 25 TFLs the last two weeks (Monmouth and Bucknell)! Bucknell is bad, Monmouth is not. Three games this year with DD TFL performances. And I do not think highly of Princeton's OL. The Princeton D vs the Lafayette O is the interesting matchup as this should be the best FCS D that Lafayette has played all year. I think that determines the game. Massey is showing a total of 40.5? Princeton games still on that Under streak, now at 13 straight. Last year obviously a better Princeton O only scored 23 on them...won 23-2 as 16 pt road fav (total was 37.5).

Fordham vs Lehigh should be considered, although Lehigh has covered 3 of the last 4, they've been outgained by an avg of 227 the last 3 vs Cornell, Dartmouth and Monmouth. Held to 239y vs Cornell (some of which was garbage), held to 167y vs Dartmouth (14 of 17 pts weren't earned by the offense) and Monmouth held them to 281y. Lehigh converted 3-of-23 3rd downs their last two games, on the year they convert 22% - if you take out their best game of 50%, they converted 13.7%. I wouldn't be surprised if that line closed around 28 which is pretty much what Fordham was favored by at home vs Wagner. Massey shows it at 21.5, but Sagarin has 18.5.

I don't know how accurate Massey's game totals are? 47.5 for Sacred Heart and LIU? It was an offensive explosion last week for LIU, but their games are normally low scoring, Unders 3-0 before last week. 4 of 5 Sacred Heart games have gone Under.

Marist and Columbia 48.5? That feels high too. They did have a 50.5 and a 49 in 2022 and 2021 when those teams played, one of which went Over. You know me generally liking Ivy Unders. Marist games are 4-0 on Overs this year though, so maybe I'm wrong.

I should probably stop looking at those totals, and just wait for something more real, but Stonehill - Merrimack 47.5? Merrimack averages 19 ppg vs FCS and they average just 252 ypg their last 3 FCS games. They beat Sacred Heart last week despite being 0-for-8 passing and only averaging 3.5 ypp. Somehow Merrimack-Wagner scored 57 pts on a 34.5 pt total! That puts their totals at 2-2 overall. If we take out the Holy Cross game, because HC is really good on O and Stonehill is not that good, Unders 2-1. Stonehill did have a 33 pt output vs CCSU, but avg 22 ppg their last 3 of 4 in which I am not counting the game they got shut out in. Avg 288 ypg the last 3 all of which went Under. Under 3-2 on the year. If we take out a really good offensive team in UNH, they we're left with 3-1 Unders vs the rest because Merrimack is not a good offenisve team right now either.

It will be interesting to see what they release the WCU-Chattanooga line at. WCU has been strong all year and I think Chattanooga just had an off week last time out. Really interesging game. +5.5 I like with them.

Yale should be a good one.

Will look at more later.

 

[s--k]

Is the buy sign back on Mercer?

It's very obvious through 5 games, Mercer O wants to rely more on the run (either by choice or necessity). Last year they attempted 30.7 passes per game, this year it is 20.2. It's not as big of a change in the rush att per game, but this year it is 40.6 and last year it was 37.1. That's the difference, they aren't as good of a running team as they should be passing team with the receivers they have, but are limited at QB this year compared to last, so the game plan is different and the offense isn't as effective. Even last week, you'd figure they can do whatever they want vs VMI, maybe work on the passing game, nope, just 17 attempts, same as vs Furman and same as vs Mercer. They like 17. Only attempted 19 vs Morehead St. So that is too bad for them because Ty James and Devron Harper are one of the best WR Duos around. Their ypp is down from 7.0 in 2022 to 5.4 this year while they average almost 150 ypg less!

And their D.... allowing 28.6 ppg this year vs 22.09 last year. That is going to get skewed by allowing Ole Miss 73. But still you look what Furman did vs them, even Morehead to a degree. It's been a disappointing year. But they did get a feel-good win last week vs VMI and now they play another weak team. I think?

East Tennessee State had a surprising offensive output last week. After just 6 pts in two FCS teams before their bye, they come out with 28 pts and 342y on Samford. The pts obviously is their best of the year, the yards are their best vs FCS and it was 6.1 ypp. We know the Samford D is bad and man, allowing ETSU to do that, they are bad. ETSU still can't pass worth a damn, but they are improving at running the ball. Worth noting, two of their TD drives were less than 40 yards following turnovers.

Mercer has one of their "big games" on deck vs Chattanooga. This line is looking to be around a TD for Mercer as road chalk.

I'm tempted to want to get back on Mercer and I'm tempted to continue fading ETSU. I'd feel better about it if Mercer was a better all-around offense with better ability through the air as ETSU has been torched vs Samford and Austin Peay in their pass D - allowing 84 and 80% completions and 840y in those two. Does that mean that Mercer vs this secondary will be better than they usually are because I know the Mercer WRs are good enough if the QB and gameplan are able to exploit it. So far this year vs everyone they haven't wanted to attack in that fashion much. Thoughts?

 

[s--k]

10/06 07:00 pm

309027 309028

Cornell Harvard

54½ -19½

10/07 12:00 pm	309029 309030	William & Mary Virginia					41½ 13
10/07 03:00 pm	309031 309032	Howard Northwestern					59½ -29½
10/07 12:00 pm	309033 309034	Sacred Heart Long Island					40½ -4½
10/07 12:00 pm	309035 309036	Rhode Island Brown					7 61½
10/07 12:30 pm	309037 309038	Marist Columbia					43½ -27½
10/07 01:00 pm	309039 309040	Lafayette Princeton

10/07 01:00 pm	309041 309042	Delaware St Central Conn.					55½ -7½
10/07 01:00 pm	309043 309044	Dayton Morehead St					3 57½
10/07 01:00 pm	309045 309046	Holy Cross Bucknell					-26½ 59½
10/07 01:00 pm	309047 309048	Stetson Presbyterian					56½ 1
10/07 01:00 pm	309049 309050	Georgetown Pennsylvania					41½ 13
10/07 01:00 pm	309051 309052	Lehigh Fordham					54½ -21½
10/07 01:00 pm	309053 309054	Stony Brook Morgan State					41½ 3
10/07 01:00 pm	309055 309056	Butler St Thomas					45½ 7
10/07 01:00 pm	309057 309058	Stonehill Merrimack					41½ -9½
10/07 01:30 pm	309059 309060	Yale Dartmouth					-2½ 45

10/07 01:30 pm	309061 309062	Samford Wofford					-9½ 51½
10/07 02:00 pm	309063 309064	The Citadel Furman					54½ -31½
10/07 02:00 pm	309065 309066	Western Illinois North Dakota					65½ -24½
10/07 02:00 pm	309067 309068	Tennessee Tech Lindenwood					54½ 1
10/07 02:00 pm	309069 309070	Valparaiso Drake					47½ -4½
10/07 02:00 pm	309071 309072	NC Central Elon					55½ -9½
10/07 02:00 pm	309073 309074	Campbell Hampton					-7½ 68½
10/07 03:00 pm	309075 309076	Tennessee St Kennesaw State					40½ -4½
10/07 03:00 pm	309077 309078	Murray St South Dakota					46½ -22½
10/07 03:00 pm	309079 309080	North Dakota State Missouri St					-10½ 56½
10/07 03:00 pm	309081 309082	Tennessee Martin Eastern Illinois					10 49½

10/07 03:00 pm	309083 309084	Duquesne Delaware					59½ 21
10/07 03:00 pm	309085 309086	Bethune Cookman Alabama St					43½ 3
10/07 03:30 pm	309087 309088	Grambling Alcorn St					47½ -3½
10/07 03:30 pm	309089 309090	Mercer East Tennessee State					10 53½
10/07 03:30 pm	309091 309092	Maine Richmond					46½ -4½
10/07 04:00 pm	309093 309094	Houston Christian Nicholls State					55½ -15½
10/07 04:00 pm	309095 309096	Northwestern State Lamar					45½ 3
10/07 04:00 pm	309097 309098	Albany Towson					7 47½
10/07 04:00 pm	309099 309100	Western Carolina Chattanooga					59½ -4½
10/07 04:00 pm	309101 309102	Villanova N. Carolina A & T					9 47½
10/07 04:00 pm	309103 309104	Robert Morris Gardner Webb					53½ -16½
10/07 05:00 pm	309105 309106	SE Missouri St Central Arkansas					58½ 3
10/07 05:00 pm	309107 309108	Jackson St Alabama A&M					10 53½

10/07 05:00 pm	309109 309110	SE Louisiana Incarnate Word					55½ 10
10/07 06:00 pm	309111 309112	So Illinois Youngstown State					6 59½
10/07 07:00 pm	309113 309114	Montana UC Davis					51½ -3½
10/07 07:00 pm	309115 309116	Southern Utah Tarleton State					-1½ 54½
10/07 07:00 pm	309117 309118	Miss. Valley St Prairie View					50½ 10
10/07 07:00 pm	309119 309120	South Dakota State Illinois St					19 45½
10/07 07:00 pm	309121 309122	Northern Iowa Indiana State					21 50½
10/07 07:00 pm	309123 309124	Florida A&M Southern					-4½ 38½
10/07 08:00 pm	309125 309126	Northern Arizona Weber State					52½ -13½
10/07 08:00 pm	309127 309128	McNeese St Texas A&M Commerce					48½ 4
10/07 08:05 pm	309129 309130	Idaho Cal Poly					-27½ 59½
10/07 09:00 pm	309131 309132	Stephen F.Austin Utah Tech					-14½ 71½

 

[s--k]

Question answered on the Massey totals vs what gets released at 5dimes or elsewhere, not close so won't ever waste time looking at those again.

Travel day and going to be pretty busy next couple days unfortunately. I will post some things when I can.

 

[steponaduck]

Idaho should feast. By a wide margin

 

[KJ]

Idaho should feast. By a wide margin

I think so too, only reservation is they're off a pretty big victory. Poly will give it up like a bunny ranch though.

 

[s--k]

Huard missed last week with a concussion, but he hasn’t been that good when he’s played anyway. Cal Poly is very weak team. QB for Idaho wasn’t asked for much last week as their game plan was to utilize run. He probably has big headline type game here, Idaho should crack 50 I’d think.

 

[KJ]

Huard missed last week with a concussion, but he hasn’t been that good when he’s played anyway. Cal Poly is very weak team. QB for Idaho wasn’t asked for much last week as their game plan was to utilize run. He probably has big headline type game here, Idaho should crack 50 I’d think.

I'm a situational capper more than anything and am not the biggest fan of taking a team off a big win to perform as expected

For me this one comes down to how bad Poly is and if the situation even matters. Lean towards it doesn't but it's certainly a factor for me

 

[s--k]

I'm a situational capper more than anything and am not the biggest fan of taking a team off a big win to perform as expected

For me this one comes down to how bad Poly is and if the situation even matters. Lean towards it doesn't but it's certainly a factor for me

I see the situation and it is valid for sure. Idaho is not just off of one big game - it's three in a row; the Cal game to the Sac State game to the Eastern Washington game - so it could be seen as a collection of big games to now let down vs a bad Cal Poly team. Davis was -23 there last week and outgained them 430-211. winning 31-13 (led 24-0 and 31-7) in a game that appeared Davis, who isn't great, also did not play their top game. So if Idaho plays a B game maybe they don't crack 50 and get stuck in the 40s and need to hold to less than 17 or something. Poly backdoored last week on Davis. Lamar backdoored on Idaho week 1. That is always possible if Idaho doesn't play their best and get up big enough. I saw Poly play vs Portland State, they were SOO bad! Maybe all the upsets last week is something the Idaho coaches can use to maintain their team's focus. This could be a special year for Idaho, can't let it get ruined by some bad Poly team. Idaho D looked shaky at first, but they probably were not prepared for Eastern Washington's backup QB to start who is a runner while EWash QB 1 is not - so caught them off guard. I don't think Cal Poly has a QB like that in Huard or Bo Kelly whomever starts this week.

 

[s--k]

Looks like they are going to keep us guessing, maybe until Saturday what the opener on Lafayette and Princeton could be.

 

[s--k]

In 3 games vs equal competition, Stonehill has been pretty good. Take out UNH and Fordham games, who are not comparable to Merrimack .... not sure how they get a Merrimack -9.5. Unless Stonehill has just never go an upgraded PR all year. Line dropped quite a bit in their favor last week and they still covered the 6.5 (hinged on a late 2 pt conversion fail by St Francis). But they led that game late and played real well at Georgetown and at CCSU. Although in those 3 ATS covers they were outgained in all, but slightly (-21, -29, -49). Merrimack is a crazy team, I mean who loses to Lehigh! And Wagner - and were outgained in both! They beat SHU last week 17-7 but trailed 3-7 entering the 4Q when they got a pick-six for the lead and later added a 45y run for the final margin. SHU was -3 at home there. Is SHU better than Stonehill, I don't think so. Merrimack is going to run run and try to run some more. Not a good offense. This line looks like it should be more like 7 or less, not 9.5.

 

[s--k]

Lindenwood is likely going to take money when open hits.. -1 at home vs Tenn Tech. They are off back-to-back blowout losses vs AP and Ill St, but they put up yards 430 (4.8) vs AP and just only trailed Ill St by 10 until Redbirds scored 3 straight TDs to close it out. I'd think this is a game where Lindenwood finally plays another weaker team, like they did vs W ILL when they won 43-40, but W ILL has an offense, hence the Lindenwood D yielding pts and yards to them. Tenn Tech hasn't shown much O all year, held under 300y in each of their first three until they beat Kennesaw 17-7 with a season high 361 (5.2) O output. Looked pretty good, until Charleston Southern proceeded to also beat Kennesaw. Not like Lindenwood D is close to good, but their O has shown ability and have played better teams already then Tenn Tech. -1 at home?

 

[s--k]

Pretty interesting game in the Pioneer with Butler traveling to St Thomas. St Thomas struggling some this year which is new to them since moving up to FCS. Have pretty much dominated the Pioneer, 14-2 the last two years. But they look mortal right now. Games vs Butler have been getting closer, 36-0 (-10) in 2021 and 27-13 (-7.5) last year with yards fairly even. This looks like an improved Butler team, went 7-4 last year and this is year 2 for the coaching staff. Not sure I can watch this as it's on something called Midco Sports +, but I am interested in this game. Hard to go against St Thomas when it comes to Pioneer play - they just do not look the same however.

 

[s--k]

As aforementioned, Yale at Dartmouth should be a good spot for a Yale win. Dartmouth is still having some issues on O, they played 3 QBs last week as I think their normal passing guy at QB Cadwallader may've got hurt forcing a third stringer passing option to play. Dartmouth is plenty comfortable playing multiple QBs, but it doesn't really help their O much - they have the second worst total O and ypp O in the Ivy (Yale is #2 in both catagories). And Dartmouth QBs have a 2-3 TD-INT ratio. So not a very threatening O, they like to run as you would expect, but they aren't especially good at that either. Solid D. I think Yale's D is pretty good as well despite what some of the numbers might say having faced Holy Cross and Cornell out the gate. Yale only won 24-21 last year at home, but had a 440-268 yardage edge. It was 24-7 end of 3Q before Dartmouth scored 2 TDs in the 4Q to make it look closer (Dartmouth did fumble at the Y01 earlier in the game). Yale was SOD and threw INT in Dartmouth territory and kicked a FG at the end of a long drive. We saw the Yale D weakness vs HC week 1 and vs Cornell...they were really on the cusp of making that 21-0 early, but didn't and Cornell was able to come back to win the poor weather conditions. Both those offenses are much better than Dartmouth so Yale's D shouldn't be stressed as much. Dartmouth was outgained 251-394 last week yet won in OT at Penn.

 

[s--k]

Not like I want to make a case for Wofford with the kind of season they are having, but that team has not quit. Since the Presbyterian loss they are 2-0 ATS having outgained VMI by 127 despite losing by 3 (+4) and last week took Chattanooga deep into the 4Q. So they are giving the effort. They go on back-to-back road games after this one so I expect the effort to be there again this week to try and grab their first home win of the year. Samford sitll possesses a strong offense with Heirs at QB, although he has thrown 6 INTs already this year after just 5 all of last year (2 each of last 3 games). Wofford possesses the SoCon's top pass eff D, but that must be a product of their schedule rather than some kind of scheme or personnel advantage I would suspect. Samford D is very bad. Could happen, a turnover prone with a bad D team as a road favorite vs a try hard Wofford team? Could happen.

 

[s--k]

I said I couldn't post much. I'm at an airport, I just couldn;'t stay away. But won't have much more time until Friday probably now. So many more games still to talk about!

 

[steponaduck]

might jump on the Big Red in smart guy ball on friday night +19.5. cornell can throw it around a bit.

 

[s--k]

Came across Phil Steele / nc sports putting out weekly FCS ATS logs. I've been keeping my own, something like this is very helpful to have. I attached a 2022 one I found online earlier this year, here is the current one. I contacted them about the error on Central Connecticut State's schedule, otherwise, looks good! I had to google for it, not sure how to access it on his site.

I'm going to spend time later Friday running down some games, see what else looks good this week.

 

[s--k]

I just took some Cornell +19.5 at MGM. They didn't have a total yet. BM and DK, my other US books didn't open it yet and BM didn't have it yet either. BOL had 17.5.

Thought that Brown could keep it within 2 scores and while the Brown O is better than Cornell's, I think Cornell could do the same as they have a slightly better D and the line is a little higher.

Said last week I wasn't sure if Harvard is a good O yet, after 3 games I'd say it looks to be trending in the direction that they do as QB DePrima plays more. The Harvard passing game still does not look consistent. I was not a fan of Charlie Dean at QB last year and didn't really respect the 2022 Harvard O much. Overall I'd say they are down at RB and WR, but do have a more dynamic and bigger threat overall at QB. Harvard D, if nothing else, is very opportunistic with turnovers having forced 4 vs St Thomas and 5 vs Holy Cross all of which were pivotal if shaping the final score and margin of victory. Brown was very good with not turning it over, that is going to be big for Cornell to stay in the game.

Looks like WR/PR/KR Kiser might be back for Cornell. He is a difference maker that got hurt vs Yale and DNP last week. He's on the depth chart, so that is all I can go by. LB Stebbins is not on the depth chart after also being hurt at Yale. He too is a significant difference maker for them. Cornell does have good LB depth overall, just hate to not see him out there.

Harvard has won the last 3, but they have all been by somewhat tight margins, atleast within this spread.

2022 - 35-28 (-13) at Cornell, was 13-7 HT and Harvard outgained them 385-250 (5.9-3.7)
2021 - 24-10 (-24.5) at Harvard, was 7-3 HT Cornell led, but in the end Harvard outgained them 343-299 (5.1-4.1).
2019 - 35-22 (-16) at Harvard, was 28-10 HT, Harvard outgained them 360-290 (5.5-4.1)

This line does seem on the high side given that Cornell is better overall this year even with the Colgate loss. Harvard always gets respect on the spread whether they are actually good or not. Hopefully it is a good one tonight as they moved it to ESPN2, so national stage for people to tune in. Turnovers are the only thing I believe would make this a one-sided game.

Edit - another 2-deep does not have playmaking WR Kiser listed. That is too bad. Without him their O lacks much excitement.

 

[steponaduck]

**FCS PLAY**


CORNELL +18 -103

 

[s--k]

Rhode Island at Brown is the Governor's Cup annual game, which lately has not gone so well for Brown

2022 38-10 URI (-16.5)
2021 45-24 URI (-11)
2019 31-28 URI (-17)
2018 48-0 URI (-20)
2017 24-21 Brown

I don't know what the line was in 2017, but as far as recent lines, this 7 pt line is pretty low. Both teams are good vs expectations relative to the point spread this year, Brown 3-0 ATS and Rhody 4-1 ATS with their only loss coming in bad weather vs a Nova team who exploited their soft run D. URI has outgained, sometimes significantly, each opponent except for the Nova game. Brown is +64 yards through 3 games most of which came last week vs CCSU.

URI has been 7-4 each of the last two years then weren't as good in the immediate years after. They again look at least as good as last year. They are vulnerable on D vs the run, Brown is always more QB centric and pass reliant rather than a strong running team. So I wouldn't think the Brown O has any advantages here, but they are usually good at what they do. And the Brown D is always poor and this year does not look any different (Bryant 435 TY-6.7 ypp, Harvard 464 TY-7.7ypp, CCSU 368 TY-5.6ypp).

So the good Rhode Island O should be able to have a lot of success vs this Brown D as they have recently vs them. Brown's D doesn't look improved. I'm not sure their O is actually better, as they are usually pretty strong. Seems like Over could be a look, but I'm not sure there is value on it at 61.5 The Bryant-URI total surged after open last week from 46 open to 57 close. They've set this one fairly high already.

Recently, last year Brown turned it over 5x and URI outgained them by 279y! Two years ago here at Brown they were again hurt by 4 turnovers which led to 24 URI pts off them, two of those Brown TOs were in the RZ (Brown 99 TY edge despite losing by 21). Wilcox had a problem with INTs last year, but in three games this year has not thrown one INT yet.

The line says something is different this year. I think Brown stays in it if Wilcox plays clean, but only +7 is kind of low for me to take them. Will see what line movement does after open.

 

[s--k]

After seeing that Columbia O last week at Princeton, crazy to think they cover 4 TDs, but they usually do well vs Marist. 38-3 last year (led 31-0 HT) and 37-14 two years ago. Those lines were just 20.5 and 17.5 each of the last two, totals 50.5 and 49 in those...here they are pricing it at 27.5/43.5? Bigger spread and lower total this year. I know that Columbia shutout an up and down Georgetown team two weeks ago (411-167 yard edge in that one). Columbia's D is pretty capable shutdown vs Princeton and GT, however a good Lafayette this year put up 392 yards on them in the first game. Marist, who knows, won 2 straight vs Valpo and Stetson who play absolutely no D. I don't see myself on this game.

I don't know anything about Virginia this year. Preseason I would've bet W&M to win this game. After seeing them usually move the ball, but fail to score the pts out of it this year I'm less inclined to do so.

Would like Central Connecticut State, but laying over a TD with them ... even vs lowly Delaware State, probably can't.

Lafayette - Princeton we still don't have an early number. I could like Lafayette at most any + number. Already made some comments on that one.

Dayton - Morehead, no idea.

Holy Cross should bounceback and Bucknell. In games that Bucknell is out matched (JMU, Penn and Laf) they've been outscored by 28.3 ppg and outgained by 247 ypg. I definitely could see HC being hungover here with a B game as that loss to Harvard hurts. It snapped their 19 game regular season win streak, it hurt their chances of getting a seed in the playoffs - hard to know exactly how that loss is impacting their mental space. That B or off game could manifest itself on their D in potentially allowing Bucknell to sustain some drives, burn some clock and perhaps score more than expected because even vs good defenses in Penn and Lafayette they've scored 21 and 22 pts the last two weeks and I do think that Bucknell is slightly more capable offense this year than last. Going to need HC to get close to 50 if Bucknell is able to match their points from the last two weeks. Playing this I think would require less than 28 for sure and I assume it will get bet up at open, not sure I actually play it.

Already said Butler is an interesting game at St Thomas, kind of like +7, but don't know.

And hard to see Merrimack laying many pts as they appear like they may vs a pesky Stonehill team.

Presbyterian as a favorite?

Think I still like Fordham even though they too are in a let-down spot following the loss at Georgetown. Different from the HC-Bucknell game, I do not see much capability on Lehigh O so I fear them less backdooring or keeping this game unexpectedly close as I might in the HC-Bucknell game. I think Lehigh has been fortunate to look like they were in some games this year that I don't think they really were. As long as Fordham scores in the 40s as they should, they should be ok.

It's hard to really know what the heck Georgetown O or D is going to field any week at this point. In watching some of the Fordham-GT game, the Hoya QB throws the ball as often to the DBs as he does his receivers, but the DBs don't catch as many. Penn has strong D and usually pretty good passing game, hit and miss on the ground. Don't like having to lay DD here though and GT is too streaky to know which team is going to show up. A lower number I could take Penn.

Yale was hit on as was Samford-Wofford.

I have The Citadel at 0-4-1, or they could be 0-5. The lines keep getting higher though. Furman is laying north of 30 in this one and that probably goes up at open. Paladens do have Samford next which is usually a big game. The Citadel is historically bad, but the lines are getting harder and harder to lay against them I think. Baby steps, the last three weeks Citadel has scored 3 then 10 then 14 and in those their total yardage has gone from 158 to 202 to 226. I've enthusiastly played against The Citadel twice this year (Campbell and WCU) but will have to sit this one out.

Valpo - Drake, no interest.

NC Central at Elon is very interesting. Both off huge upset wins last week and recocering emotionally could be tough for both. Elon beat W&M last year as well so perhaps it is a little easier for them. NCCU avenged a big 2022 loss vs Campbell in dramatic OT win last week. Guess I really don't like the situation of them playing this week after that one. I am still not sold on Elon being all that good, but problem is on the other side, the NCCU D isn't good either. I like Richard at QB for NCCU and like Hampton at RB for Elon. Who has more success vs the other team? Likely pass. If NCCU was off a normal game or a bye last week I would be playing them.

One thing I noticed with Western Illinois is that when they lose, it always happens in the 2H. They only trailed NMSU by 6 at HT, lost by 37. Only trailed Ill St by 4 at HT, lost by 26. Were beating Lindenwood by 17 at HT, lost by 3. And were tied with SUU last game, lost by 20. I don't know how to apply that to this week's game as none of my outlets offer 1H options. It has been a while since we have seen North Dakota look good thanks to them playing SDSU and Boise their last two games. I don't think their D is very good, but this total is high at 65.5 compared to the Drake number of 53 and the NAU total of 58.5 - those games should resmemble what happens with Western Illinois here. And actually, UND only led Drake 14-0 HT and NAU 13-3 HT before getting up in the 2H on both (NAU backdoored). Line is high, total is high. Not real interested in Fav or Ov at those numbers, could lean W ILL to hang or back door.

Had mentioned I liked Lindenwood vs a weak Tenn Tech team. Lindenwood is weak themselves, but do possess some O that should be good enough vs a lesser opponent. Not sure what Tennessee Tech possesses at all to make me fearful of them in this one.

Campbell at Hampton, well, I think I need a cool down from Campbell games. Hampton's upset last week really wasn't all that surprising given that Richmond was again without their starting QB and also given the fact how Richmond has played this year in total. But Hampton has some offense. Vs an O like Campbell, I would think Hampton is in trouble defensively. Total is way high though, 68.5? Campbell needs to protect their D. They ran the ball 45x in their win at Monmouth a few weeks back with very good results. The last two games combined they only ran it 51x, both were losses. I think that Campbell's staff realizes this and they are run heavy this week. So could be an unexpected Under if that is the game plan.

Bethune- ASU, pass

UT Martin at Eastern Illinois is interesting. I'm less likely to be playing EIU this week (I have been on them in various ways 4 of 5 this season) as I don't think this is a good matchup for them, like BGSU was also not a good matchup. EIU is decent, but their 4-1 record might have people thinking they are better than they actually are. The O isn't consistent enough and the D can be had in multiple ways vs the right opponent. UT Martin might be one of the best still under the radar teams out there. Assuming they don't have to rely on their passing game, which can be ok, but not a strong suit, their running game is outstanding. Vs a good offense, which maybe they haven't really seen one yet, not sure how good their D is. If EIU played their absolute best A+ on offense, I think they can be good on that side of the ball, but really have not seen them do that at all this year so won't expect it here either. I fully expect UT Martin to win and probably cover, but I think I just stay off this one.

Kennesaw still being favored, I get it they are at home, but they are on their longest ever losing streak in football, 4 games. The bottom has completely fallen out after a couple games they played better than expected vs SoCon teams, vs the likes of Tennessee Tech and Charleston Southern they have looked pitiful. Think that Tennessee State is better than both those teams. Not a big play or anything, but I'm going to grab TSU at open as I expect with the way that Kennesaw has played of late, they are hot fade material.

North Dakota State I like to bounce back. I sounds dumb now, but I said it and I feel that before last Saturday most would've agreed that NDSU was perhaps playing the best football of anyone in the country and they did it vs pretty decent (at least solidly improved) EWU and a I think pretty good UCA team. It was a nice 3-0 start, but now everyone is pointing back to the questions people had in the offseason. Who knows, USD is 4-0 and have shutout one bad team and held another limited team to just 6 pts, maybe USD is just damn solid and NDSU didn't take them seriously off the bye week. Either way, I like them to rebound as NDSU has good history of doing so off a loss. Last year off two regular season losses, they came back to beat USD and Ill St by 17 one on the road and one at home. In 2021 after their only loss to SDSU they traveled to YSU and won by 32. In spring 2020/21 season, they beat Missouri St 25-0 after losing to SIU. Missouri State's staring QB was hurt towards the end of the 1H last week, so may want to look for an update. Missouri State D can be run on and we know that is what NDSU is best at. Last week SIU had their best ypc of the season on them (4.5ypc SIU isn't a strong rush O). UT Martin gashed them for 405 and 9.9ypc! Not sure I would call Missouri St a bad team, because they are better than most other teams we would classify as bad, but if their O is down a notch with the backup QB, they aren't a good run team when they play better competition and their D already can't stop anyone, and NDSU is "just" a 10 pt road fav here off that loss? I will be looking for the opening number on this as soon as it comes out.

Going to take a break for a bit after that.

 

[s--k]

See line crashing on Cornell - Harvard. At a certain point if it gets there I likely try and middle that one.

 

[KJ]

Not following a ton but been paying attention to SIU

Value might be gone at this point but they've been taking care of business in a not so easy conference so far

 

[s--k]

Not following a ton but been paying attention to SIU

Value might be gone at this point but they've been taking care of business in a not so easy conference so far

Good all around team, but could just as easily be 2-2 as 4-0. I have some thoughts on SIU-YSU I’ll get to.

 

[s--k]

I'll jump ahead to the SIU - YSU game.

Last week, I was really impressed with what Davidson and that YSU passing game looked like vs a comparable opponent. Before last week, I thought it was a capable passing game, but not one that would or could really lead them to wins. Last week at UNI Davidson went 75% 332y 2-1 ratio, several big plays through the air. Previously the assumption was the passing game would compliment the bread and butter rush offense. Now we've seen they can excel at both vs a decent FCS team. That I think opens up the possibilities for this team. The D, last week and at some select other times hasn't been as strong as expected on the other hand. The one thing that jumps out to me this season has been the penalties, maybe not the sheer number or yards, but it is when they have occurred. YSU opponents have already received 13 FDs in just 4 games this year. Last ssn it was 21 over 11 games. 3.25 FDs per game awarded to YSU opponents by penalty, but they have come in big moments, jumping offside on 3rd or 4th down, jumping offside nulifying a pick-six earlier in the year. PI or personal fouls on 3rd and long keeping opposing drives alive other than punting in two different games. This is a problem, it happens to everyone, but it seems like it is happening in bigger moments to YSU over the course of all the games so far vs what I see in other games. And the consistency, it hasn't been there, they have yet to play a solid 4Q game vs any team this year. So summarizing, the O has surprised in a good way, the D has been uneven and the mental mistakes have been a concern. If they can put it all together, this is a team with a good ceiling I feel. But the "if", it's why they didn't beat UNI. It's why they didn't cover vs Robert Morris. It's why they only led Valpo 17-10 at HT.

SIU is 4-0 instead of 2-2 because when their O has been off, as it has in a couple games (NIU and SEMO), the D stepped up and made the plays to win the game, or keep the game within reach until the O could come around. Timely turnovers forced, sacks at the right time. Some of those moments though make me wonder, this offense hasn't been as strong as it is going to need to be. They were outgained by 141y vs NIU and turned the Huskies away at the end of the game to preserve a 14-11 win. They were down 0-15 and by 12 in the 4Q vs SEMO yet were able to win. The D has won them 2 games that they could've or should've lost because their offense wasn't good enough for all or portions of the game. It is surprising to see they rank last on 3rd down O in the MVFC, they shouldn't, but do (26%) - that would rank 112th in the FCS. That is their worst facet, but they are just a middle pack type offense - which it might seem like they are better than that, but really aren't. But because they do a few things really well on D (run D and sacks) they have made up for some of the problems on O.

Situationally, it is a really huge game for YSU off the UNI loss. If this was YSU vs Indiana State or something, they might be looking backwards more this week, but because this is #5 ranked team in their house, off the UNI loss, I think this is an urgent must win for YSU. YSU was left out of the playoffs last year at 7-4. They are 2-2 right now, the odds of them losing this game and running the table from here? Not that likely. So this is really a got to have it game, which should bring the best out of them. The fact that SIU isn't a huge offensive threat should also help. The thing that worries me with YSU is still the little things. If they can play clean and cut out some of the mistakes, they most certainly can and maybe even should win this game. SIU isn't really that much better than them. It's a close series, YSU has won the last two and 3 of the last 5. It is actually a really good dog series, dog is 5-0 ATS with 4 outright upsets. If YSU wins this game it shouldn't come as a shock, I think it will just mean they finally put it all together for the first time and SIU has been close to losing a couple games they won already this year, so they walk a thin line. YSU +pts is a good play I think.

 

[twinkie13]

ESPN2 showing the Cornell/Harvard game is nice.

No play but pulling for yall

 

[twinkie13]

Nice by Cornell there

 

[steponaduck]

Yeah Twinkie. Mayday field goal to end the half. Money.

 

[s--k]

Not very comfortable laying big number with South Dakota even if it is just Murray St.

I haven't seen one snap of Northwestern football this year and have no data on them and don't seem motivated to want to look them up. I do kind of like Howard, but I'm blind to FBS at this point. I would assume Howard could cover, I mean, something tells me they can maybe beat them? That probably sounds silly, this is a weakness with not handicapping or watching the other side of the subdivision.

Delaware has been mostly impressive this year, both on D considering they lost a lot and at QB being how they lost a good one there and were unproven. They are 3-0 ATS vs FCS at my numbers (1 pt cover vs St Francis). I have Overs 4-0 in all Delaware games. Overs are also undefeated in Duquesne games. I think the jury has to still be out on Duquesne in terms of ability. Beat a Dll, got blown out vs two FBS teams and then beat LIU 31-28 with a 496-398 TY edge (6.2-8.1). Duquesne D must be a question. Delaware should be able to have success on the ground if nothing else - Long Island ran for 293 (8.4) on Duquesne. Just not sure what kind of O Duquense might put up here in their first game vs a good FCS opponent. I'd say Over as the safest bet just based on overall 7-0 combined Overs in lined games for these teams on the year, assuming Delaware does most of the heavy lifting, but to get there Duquense is going to have to contribute some...Stony Brook and St Francis are probably similar for comparison purposes, they scored 13 and 14 respectively on the Blue Hens - would that be enough in this one? Can the Duquesne O be counted on? Still don't know. Without being able to forumlate an opinion on that I can't have much of an opinion on the 21 pt spread. It probably gets bet up at open though. One thing that gives me pause to assume Delaware runs away with this one is the 42-14 win over St Francis looks good until you see that Delaware had a narrow 49 TY edge - 14 pts off TOs returned for TD and short field...which could happen again vs Duquense, but just not a dominating stat sheet as the score would suggest.

Richmond had been pretty lost on O this year with or without their top QB. Let's take out their best O game (vs Delaware St) and their worst (vs Michigan St) and average the rest. In those other 3 the Spiders are averaging just 14.6 ppg and 277 ypg on O. They've won just one of those games vs the likes of Morgan, Stony Brook and Hampton thanks to a walk off FG in a one pt win at SB. Morgan beat them by 7 and Hampton by 17 last week. The Richmond D had played pretty well until last week Hampton gashed them for 497y and 27 FDs! Maine found themselves last week vs Stony Brook after playing a real tough opening schedule. Overall I think they are better than Richmond at least offensively regardless of who Richmond plays at QB. Either their week 1-3 starter (who was last year's backup so not some huge loss), or the Fr QB they started last week who is definitely better than the other two reserves who played vs SB. Maine teams comparable or worse to this year's team have only faced Richmond in 2019 and 2022, dog is 2-0 ATS but those were both 14 pt spreads. Richmond is finally getting priced closer to what they currently are. -4.5 here, hard to feel great about either side at that number. Under is a little low as well, 46.5. Unders 3-1 in Richmond games but they have been close, 45 on a 48 total last week, 44 on a 45 total vs Del St and then 27 on a 44 way back in week 1. The only Over was the weather game, they manged 39 pts on a ultra low 33.5 pt total. Maine Unders went 3-1 before last week when Black Bears smashed the total by scoring 56 alone! Was last week real for Maine? Really a tough game to like anything to put real money on.

Mercer, I was thinking about them. Posed the question earlier in post #9, which I get, not many people play FCS here or elsewhere so kind of on my own to figure it out. I was not involved in the ETSU - AP game, but I know in the Jax St and Samford games, the lines moved a lot against ETSU after open (6 pt moves in each). I would expect that to happen again, so maybe I just try and grab a piece of Mercer -10 at open if that is what it is and ride that out. ETSU is just so bad. I've been burned by Mercer underperforming though so can't say I love it.

Grambling and Alcorn, I just don't have much of anything I've really seen on the SWAC or MEAC teams and I like to combine some personal opinion with the results and stats and angles. So without that, I don't play much of any of these type games. Total seems low though, 47.5? Alcorn does not score much, but Grambling D does not stop much. And the Alcorn O has been improving...428y last week, 384 before that and 337 before that. Avg just 20 ppg in those 3 though and one was OT. Did outgain each of those 3 by combined 284 yards. Grambling is avg 463 ypg and 35 ppg the last two vs FCS and outgained those by 305 combined. Looks like a compelling game on paper. I'd blindly take Over I suppose.

 

[s--k]

If I had not played McNeese against Nicholls last week and if I had not played Houston Christian against Lamar last week I would probably be thinking that HCU +more than 2 TDs is decent vs Nicholls. I mean.... it isn't like Nicholls O was really good vs McNeese, just that McNeese was so bad. I did not see the Lamar - HCU game, they lost obviously so HCU's game vs SELU remains a total annomoly at this point. I could see myself on HCU again though given this spread. Nicholls has been outgained in both of their covers vs FCS this year, were -148 as a big dog week 1 to Sac St and last week by -72y in the 21-10 win at McNeese. They didn't have to do much in that one because McNeese is so bad. Is HCU bad or just not good? I think there is a difference and I'm thinking they may just not be good at this point vs some of the other 'meh' type teams in the Southland, which if that is true, they can hang in this number. WKU and UTM are just on a different level so whatever HCU did vs them concerns me not. What they didn't do vs Lamar last week is a concern to look into. Moving it on Lamar last week was not a problem. Getting pts was. SOD at L05, punt, SOD at L29 and FG from the L27. That was good enough for a 3-0 lead, but if they could've scored more on 3 of those first 4 drives it could've been a completely different game. Also kicked FG from the L03 in the 2H. HCU only lost 17-19 last year (+4.5), are they that much worse, is Nicholls that much better? I was wrong last week both in doubting Nicholls and backing HCU, I try to not be too scared of that though and treat each game a new, unless I'm repeatedly off on a team(s).

Sometimes you just keep riding a good thing til it ends and that is how I'm going to approach Western Carolina. From a live bet vs Arkansas each and every week I have been on this team and very happy to have been. This is now the biggest game of their season. Samford appeared like it was, but Chattanooga is a contender in the SoCon, Samford is not. Nobody outside of Arkansas has been able to stop or even slow this WCU O all year. We are talking 587.25 ypg of O! So, this Chatt D is going to be their toughest challenge by a bunch. Doing it vs Samford, EKU, Charles So and Citadel is one thing, they are all bad Ds. Chattanooga has a good D, maybe not as good as it was last year in some respects (N Ala put up 517 (8.1) and Samford moved it for 473 (5.8). This is still different than traveling to and winning at EKU who isn't a defensive team and that was a close game with WCU not leading until the 4Q and kicked the game winner with under :30 to go. They have just been so good all year, no way can I jump off now. I am going to bet this whatever it is at open because even though Chattanooga is good, WCU has been taking money like nobody's business all year and like me, I don't think anyone is going to stop playing them now. WCU won by 3 as 8 pt home dog in last year's season finale - that loss some could say, kept Chattanooga out of the playoffs. So Mocs certainly bring their own motivation to this one.

I don't see myself doing anyting with NW State and Lamar

Albany at Towson is very very very interesting. Both teams off two upset CAA wins vs would-be league favorites and two teams I was on last week, one because I actually liked and one just because of where the number went. Albany is for real on defense and certainly good on O as well. Towson, that offense was fantastic last week! Here is the thing though, they put up 561 yards and 48 pts in regulation on New Hampshire. Their previous best was just 352y on Morgan! Over 200 more yards in the game vs UNH than any of their other games vs the likes of Norfolk, Morgan, Monmouth and Maryland. They came in averaging just 311 ypg and 15.75 ppg! Oddly, I actually feel like their real offensive idenity is closer to the UNH outing than the previous games. Their QB, RBs and receivers were pretty damn good, I don't know how they didn't have better success in thier other games. But at any rate, flat out, UNH is a bad D. What about the Towson D? If Norfolk St and Monmouth can avg 440 on Towson D I don't see why Albany can't as well. Albany has not proved they can cover a favorite role yet, 0-1 in that spot so far, but that was weather game in a bigger line at Morgan. Like Albany to win, but not crazy about the road fav 7. Over 47.5 could be considered even if the Albany D shows up like they have all year, Towson should get atleast 20 I'd think and I don't know why Albany wouldn't come close to 30 at least?

Villanova lost to Albany last week and the Albany DL just caused all kinds of problems for the Nova QB and their normally good O. NC A&T D is pretty good too and for once had some good O last week. A&T started Tr Fr Kevin White at QB last week and it made a difference. 1) it was just vs Norfolk St, but 2) they won and 3) his legs were a difference - 65y TD run second play of the game! Now, again it was just Norfolk and it isn't like they just exploded on O, outside of that 65y TD run, they gained just 330y on their other 74 offensive plays - still better than the meager 171 total yards they had been averaging vs UAB, NCCU and Elon. Tr Fr facing a pretty solid Villanova D especially when they play inferior teams could be a bad combination. I respect this NC A&T D as well though. So 47.5 feels a little high assuming that A&T won't be scoring much and the A&T HC knows how to keep opposing Os under wraps as well. They held NCCU 92y and 17 pts below their non-UCLA other 3 game average and Elon was a little over their avg vs A&T but just 352 TY and 27 pts. I'm not as alarmed as the Norfolk scoring output vs A&T last week suggests because that was two late TDs and 156y of O in that one (40% of their game total) - that was the first Over in A&T games. So I don't think this is a huge Villanova blowout unless the Fr QB just makes all kinds of mistakes, but I would look for them to bounceback and win by 2 or more scores and I may have a little on the Under as well.

 

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Cornell is calling timeout down 18 with 2:12 left, their last time out ... are they trying to egg Harvard into scoring or what?

 

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I may play Jackson St at open if it is like 10 vs Alabama A&M. The A&M schedule is really soft. They pad the stats with games vs Lane and Tuskegee, Ark PB. Lost to Southern by 10 as 5.5 pt road dog. So I have no idea who or what A&M actually is, never seen them play. But Southern D really put the clamps on them. 13 TFLs contributed to a -17 rush yards and overall just 2.7 ypp in that one. Speaking of Southern, Jackson St put up 415 (6.3ypp) on that same D that A&M struggled with. Depending on lines, Jackson St could be just 1-3 ATS their last 4 games so some might be skeptical to back them after recent failures. But I think their D is pretty good as is their running game, it should be a nice win for Jackson St I'd think.

Doesn't feel like a game I play with SELU at UIW. I took a chance on SELU last week and I'm fine with that loss, had plenty of chances but rough season for them. UIW has impressed me this year, not as good as last year, but good enough when they beat ACU. I'm not sure why I don't like UIW here, but sometimes games just don't seem like they click.

SEMO at Central Arkansas should be a hell of a game. SEMO only plays close games vs good FCS teams, but outgained and lost both to SIU and EKU (outgained by total of 316y in both yet only lost by combed 4 pts and only trailed for a couple of seconds in each). That team badly needed a bye. Central Ark has been pretty beastly. Played much better at Southern Utah than final implies who I think is a solid team. They've proven they can blow doors off bad teams (as SEMO can), but UCA also has covers to their credit at Okla St and NDSU (backdoor). Feel like UCA is pretty battle tested, but SEMO has been through the fire as well, just haven't won those games that were oh so close. SEMO won last year by 8 Lean UCA especially at only -3, but man, it's tough to think of SEMO on a 3 game losing streak.

GW number is too high for me even though I know that Robert Morris isn't a good team.

Montana at Davis is two teams I look to play against not on.

Northern Iowa is a lot of pts -21 at Indiana State, but I'm tempted to lay that. Not sure I will. UNI's last two games have shown the O that I think many expected out of them when the season started. So they are now, who they should've been or could've been. The YSU game was a big one to get and they do have SDSU on deck so sandwich spot here on the road could be an off game. Better QB Chambers returned last week for Ind St but they got in a hole and couldn't climb all the way out. Were a +4/5 pt dog, moved all the way to favored at KO, not sure if that was fade of Murray St or buy on Ind St. Either way, at the closing number at least they are 0-4 ATS. Would take a less than A game by UNI for them to hang in here. I don't think I am that interested in taking UNI anyway.

Another big MVFC road chalk is SDSU at Illinois State. So last week I thought maybe the UND O could have enough success vs the Jackrabbits to hang in the number, some recent history indicated they could, but no they could not. Now I'm wondering how a better D and lesser O in Illinois State might matchup vs SDSU? Lost by 24 last year catching 20.5 7-31 in Brookings. I think the Ill St O is better at this point in time than when they played last year, the D was down on paper, but have played to their normal good standard they typicially do here. That was a rough stretch for the Red Birds to close the year without Annexstad at QB after he got hurt. The D kept hte scores down, the O was just nowhere to be found. Annexstad is of course not hurt now and their O has been pretty good - except for the fact all the Ds they have played are weak and they still had an off game and lost at EIU with some bad RZ and 3rd down O. So SDSU D is going to be a challange. After seeing last week and all, I think the way to play with SDSU is play their game, you don't try to be small and quick and misdirection and smoke and mirrors them, you get down and dirty and knock down drag it out and I think that is the kind of team Illinois State is. I hate to be going against the #1 team in the country back-to-back weeks because 0-2 doing that would feel dumb, but the line is tempting me as is some potential that may exist in this Ill St team.. This was the national champions last year, yet they only won their 4 FCS road games by an average of 8.25, a couple real close ones bring the average down, but still, they didn't beat anyone by more than 14 on the road last year regular season. Full disclosure they were much better in 2021. First true road game this year. Ill St off a bye, as was UND, didn't help them, but as we knew, UND plays no D. Historically Ill St is a strong D team. Just have to keep a lid on the Jacks pt output and manage a couple TDs by Ill St is what I'm thinking.

I probably like Southern Utah at Tarleton. Part of the reason I took SELU last week wasn't just a save the season hailmary out of SELU, but it was a play against Tarleton St who I don't think is as good as their record shows. The 14-13 win last week vs SELU I think speaks to that as well. Tarleton has only played 3 FCS opponents and they were outgained in 2 of those, outgained by -207 last week! I've mentioned numerous times at various pts for different reasons how misleading their final vs North Alabama was. Southern Utah I have seen a lot. Sometimes I feel they are just missing a little something on O, but they are a tough team. 5-0 ATS even though they have some misleading covers as well, did not deserve the favorite cover vs W ILL nor the dog cover vs UCA last week. But in their first 3 they were tough as hell outs for ASU, BYU and Davis. So at 1-4 I think they are better than their record indicates vs Tarleton at 4-1 I don't feel they are as good as that. I just looked at the line, SUU is -1.5 road fav, so PR agrees! Would like them to be dogged by a few for insurance though, not sure which way it moves. ATS record is so good for each, just can't guess if money comes in on which side. Tarleton was so bad on O last week, I assume they'll be working hard to be better this week. SUU has bye on deck and they are just 1-4 so I think they should be all in this game as well. A game vs A game, think I like Southern Utah, but not crazy to lay road pts with them.

Mississippi Valley is bad, but I don't need to follow whereever they go to play against them. Only had two chances this year and split, so it's ok. Can't believe that FAMU failed to cover last week, they held Valley to just 149 total yards (2.4ypp)! Not the first time, Delta ST held them to 2.4 ypp too! They are as bad as it gets, but last week goes to show that doesn't mean they always fail to cover and what should I like out of PV? I don't know, maybe I play them at open anyway, just as straight fade vs MVSU because they are just so bad. PV did have that 300 yard rushing game (5.0) on ACU a few weeks back. Have not come close to duplicating it, but atleast they did something right once this year.

FAMU at Southern, looks like Southern has a good D but have disappointed the first two games, but now have won the last 2 and are off their best game of the year (27-0 win +267 TY vs Ark PB). FAMU? 0-2 ATS as favorites this year. They were off a poor game vs ASU so MVSU should be a get right game, it wasn't. They are off a poor game vs MVSU, now play Southern - but Southern has good D. I was like Under, then just looked, 38.5 - damn. I'm not playing this.

Idaho at Cal Poly we all like as mentioned. Bet at open as line will climb quickly. Risk is three big games in a row for Vandals now they play lowly Poly with potential for off game. I look at it as Idaho QB stat padder game after they rode the run game vs EWU last week. Could envision Idaho covering at HT if Poly plays as bad as I have seen them (like vs Port St). Backdoor could be concern, so need them to get up by enough. At their best, Idaho scores over 50. At their worst, they still find their way into the 40s. Hope the D does their part and it's all good.

Three more games left to think about, but I'm taking a break again, been doing this like all freaking night. But it's how I figure out what I'm thinking. You can probably tell I'm working it out as I type. Been a good system so far.

 

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I wasn't looking and didn't think about it, but I just saw Bet Rivers has NW -23.5/59.5 and +1150 for Howard. UVA is -10/41.5 and +325 for W&M. Not sure how long those have been out or what open was. I don't see anyone else out with those yet.

 

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Third week in a row for parts of NE to be getting weather on Saturday

 

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In what feels like an odd collection of games, I'm looking for these at open:

Lafayette and Under
Stonehill
Fordham
Yale
Lindenwood
Campbell/Hampton Under
Tenn State
NDSU
Mercer
Grambling/Alcorn Over
Western Carolina
HCU
Albany/Towson Over
Nova / Under
Jackson St
YSU
Central Ark
PV A&M
Idaho

Then others I am intrigued to see where numbers move to compel me into anything something else. Notably, Butler (want more pts), Bucknell (want more pts), CCSU (lay fewer), Wofford (want more pts), The Citadel (want more pts), Western Ill (want more pts), Ill St (want more pts), Southern Utah (want dogged not fav), FAMU (lay fewer)

 

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BOL put out UVA -10.5/40.5

 

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BOL put out UVA -10.5/40.5

BM UVA -10/40.5, NW-24/55.5 and BOL went NW-24.5/55.5

 

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UVA chopped down to 7 and 7.5, still 10 at BR

 

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Played a Howard ML $14.50 to win $181.25, and W&M $20 to win $86 - call me crazy

 

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First round at BM

10/0712:00
Sacred Heart
Long Island
+4-112
-4-112
o38.5-112
u38.5-112

10/0712:00
Rhode Island
Brown
-6.5-112
+6.5-112
o60.5-112
u60.5-112

10/0712:30
Marist
Columbia
+27.5-112
-27.5-112
o43.5-112
u43.5-112

 

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And BOL

 

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Looks like Providence RI shows late game rain for URI-Brown. Light rain for LIU and Columbia home games in NYC area