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The 2024 FCS playoffs are the 47th in Division I subdivision history. The field opened with 24 teams in pursuit of the national championship.
The 2024 FCS playoffs kicked off with eight first-round matchups on Saturday.
School host sites are utilized until the national championship game on Jan. 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
FCS Playoffs – First Round
No. 12 seed Illinois State (10-3) 35, Southeast Missouri (9-4) 27
Game Ball – Illinois State defense: eight turnovers forced (Keondre Jackson pick-six, joining Paul Omsodia with two takeaways each)
Key Stat – SEMO quarterback Paxton DeLaurent sets playoff records with 85 attempts and 567 yards
Upcoming – Redbirds next play at No. 5 seed UC Davis (10-2) in the second round on Dec. 7 (4 p.m. ET)
No. 10 seed Rhode Island (11-2) 21, Central Connecticut State (7-6) 17
Game Ball – Rhode Island running back Malik Grant: 29 carries, 223 yards (75 long)
Key Stat – CCSU limited to 271 total yards (4.9-yard average on 55 plays)
Upcoming – Rams next play at No. 7 seed Mercer (10-2) in the second round on Dec. 7 (2 p.m. ET)
UT Martin (9-4) 41, No. 16 seed New Hampshire (8-5) 10
Game Ball – UTM QB Kinkead Dent: 302 yards of total offense, TD run
Key Stat – UTM a combined 10 of 21 on third and fourth downs and UNH just 2 of 16 as Skyhawks produce a 482-124 margin in total yards.
Upcoming – Skyhawks next play at No. 1 seed Montana State (8-4) in the second round on Dec. 7 (3 p.m. ET)
Lehigh (9-3) 20, No. 9 seed Richmond (10-3) 16
Game Ball – Lehigh WR Geoffrey Jamiel: 10 receptions, 137 yards, TD
Key Stat – Mountain Hawks plus-3 in turnover margin (entered the game even for the season)
Upcoming – Mountain Hawks next play at No. 8 seed Idaho (9-3) in the second round on Dec. 7 (9 p.m. ET)
No. 11 seed Villanova (10-3) 22, Eastern Kentucky (8-5) 17
Game Ball – Villanova RB David Avit: 169 scrimmage yards
Key Stat – ‘Nova pass defense holds EKU QB Matt Morrissey to 9 of 27 for 75 yards and one TD
Upcoming – Wildcats next play at No. 6 seed UIW (10-2) in the second round on Dec. 7 (2 p.m. ET)
No. 13 seed Tarleton State (10-3) 43, Drake (8-3) 29
Game Balls – TSU passing combo of QB Victor Gabalis (26 of 36, 337 yards, two TDs) and WR Darius Cooper (11 receptions, 190 yards, TD)
Key Stat – Texans outgain Drake 490-356 in first-ever FCS playoff game
Upcoming – Texans next play at No. 4 seed South Dakota (9-2) in the second round on Dec. 7 (3 p.m. ET)
No. 15 seed Abilene Christian (9-4) 24, Northern Arizona (8-5) 0
Game Ball – ACU RB Sam Hicks: 22 carries, 171 yards, TD; 5 receptions, 64 yards
Key Stat – In first-ever FCS playoff game, Wildcats limit NAU to 3.5 yards per play (194 yards on 55 plays)
Upcoming – Wildcats next play at No. 2 seed North Dakota State (10-2) in the second round on Dec. 7 (3 p.m. ET)
Tennessee State (9-3) at No. 14 seed Montana (8-4)
Kickoff – 10:15 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Upcoming – The winner will play at No. 3 seed South Dakota State (10-2) in the second round on Dec. 7 (2 p.m. ET)
Top photo Rhode Island running back Malik Grant. (URI Athletics)
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