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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 14h

Only five of the 11 FCS unbeaten teams entering Week 5 remained that way.

OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 14h

No. 19 Northern Arizona (4-2, 2-1 Big Sky) 31, No. 12 Idaho State (4-1, 1-1) 21 NAU QB Ty Pennington: 301 total yards, 2 TD passes; TE Jeter Purdy: 6 receptions, 146 yards, TD ISU QB Jordan Cooke: 385 pass yards, 3 TDs, 2 INT @NAU_Football on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 15h

Western Carolina (3-3, 1-1 SoCon) 44, No. 9 Tennessee Tech (4-1, 2-1) 20 WCU RB Josh Perry: 25 carries, 157 yards, 2 TDs; 3 receptions TTU WR Gabe Nunez: 13 receptions, 225 yards, TD Photo: @CatamountsFB on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 15h

No. 20 Harvard (3-0) 20, No. 22 Colgate (4-2) 17 Harvard completes 44-yard TD pass on final play, with Nathan Bailey scoring off a lateral from Teigan Pelletier Colgate’s Jake Stearney connected for 13-yard TD to Matt Fogler with 27 seconds left for 17-14 lead Photo: @HarvardFootball on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 16h

Stats Perform FCS Game of the Week No. 2 South Dakota State (5-1. 2-0 MVFC) 31, No. 10 Illinois State (4-2, 0-2) 14 SDSU QB Josh Holst: 2 TD passes; S Dontay Johnson: 13 tackles Illinois State: 3 turnovers Photo: @GoJacksFB on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 17h

No. 25 Jackson State (5-0, 2-0 SWAC) 31, Alabama A&M (4-2, 1-1) 28 JSU overcome 28-17 deficit in fourth quarter with: Li'Darius Pryor 29-yard TD run Kobe Paul 17-yard TD pass from Jared Lockhart Photo: @gojsutigersfb on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 18h

No. 3 Montana (5-1, 3-0 Big Sky) 36, Northern Colorado (2-4, 1-2) 14 Kealli’i Ah Yat: 23 of 30, 346 yards, 5 TDs Brooks Davis: 9 receptions, 205 yards, 3 TDs Photo: @MontanaGrizFB on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 20h

The Citadel (2-3) 34, No. 15 South Carolina State (5-1) 31 Evan Kiely kicks 31-yard FG with 0:02 left; coach Maurice Drayton's squad also has an FBS win (Charlotte) The two longest FCS winning streaks entering Week 5 are over: Montana State at 19 and South Carolina State at 13.

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 03/10/2026

South Dakota State would likely claim the No. 1 ranking with a win tonight. Illinois State has another plan.

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 03/10/2026

An unranked team toppling No. 1 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll is not a frequent occurrence. theanalyst.com/articles/mon...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 03/10/2026

Big Sky (delivers) After Dark! Idaho (1-4, 1-1) 35, No. 1 Montana State (5-1, 2-1) 34 Vandals end MSU’s 19-game winning streak Joshua Wood throws 25-yard TD pass to Ryan Jezioro, two-point run at 0:00 mark MSU QB Patrick Duchien: 341 yards of total offense, 3 total TD Photos: @VandalFootball on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 02/10/2026

The highest FCS vs. FCS out-of-conference winning percentages (*does not include three Big Sky vs. Big Sky nonconference games). Ranking the FCS conferences: theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 01/10/2026

On The FCS Edge, Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistrcill discussed Division I football's potential future with three tiers. Full episode: youtu.be/s8XaFEcOhNE?...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 01/10/2026

The FCS teams that have outscored their opponents the most this season.

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 30/09/2026

The Stats Perform FCS Game of the Week offers a chance to rise in the Valley: No. 2 South Dakota State (4-1, 1-0) at No. 10 Illinois State (4-1, 0-1) Kendra Sheehan previews the Week 5 showdown.

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 30/09/2026

Per FCS senior editor Craig Haley, first-year FCS program West Florida has an agreement to play Arkansas in 2029. The Argonauts are eligible to play an FBS school in 2028, so another matchup could wind up preceding the Razorbacks.

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 30/09/2026

Points responsible for include those scored or passed for by a player. To qualify for the NCAA leaderboard, a player must have participated in 75 percent of a team’s games.

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 29/09/2026

There are four FCS ranked-vs.-ranked games this week. FCS Top 25 Poll: theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 29/09/2026

FCS vs. FBS matchups on Saturday: Samford (1-3) at UAB (2-2) Texas Southern (1-3) at Florida Atlantic (3-1) McNeese (2-3) at LSU (3-1)

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 29/09/2026

Two rivals less than 50 miles apart, Wofford and Furman are set for a special matchup on Saturday in Greenville, South Carolina.

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 28/09/2026

Flexing muscle in the Stats Perform FCS Top 10 Poll. Top 25: theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 28/09/2026

Top-10 win-out percentages for the remainder of the regular season. Full TRACR rankings and predictions: theanalyst.com/fcs-predicti...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 28/09/2026

Stats Perform FCS National Freshman Player of the Week Congratulations to Alabama A&M RB Byron Perrilliat. FCS Week 4 Awards: theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 28/09/2026

Stats Perform FCS National Team of the Week Congratulations to the St. Thomas Tommies and coach Glenn Caruso. FCS Week 4 Awards: theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 28/09/2026

Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week Congratulations to Portland State PK Joshua Hossmann Lees. FCS Week 4 Awards: theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 28/09/2026

Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week Congratulations to Harvard DB Xaden Benson. FCS Week 4 Awards: theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 28/09/2026

Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week Congratulations to Montana RB Eli Gillman. FCS Week 4 Awards: theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 27/09/2026

Illinois and defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck, the former Montana head coach, departed ways on Sunday, one day after a 42-19 loss to Ohio State dropped the Illini to 2-2.

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 27/09/2026

No. 1 Montana State (5-0, 2-0 Big Sky) 28, No. 18 Northern Arizona (3-2, 1-1) 14 UM QB Patrick Duchien: 3 total TDs (2 rush, 1 pass); RB Colson Coon: 18 carries, 199 yards Bobcats: 19-game winning streak NAU QB Ty Pennington: 26 of 38, 239 yards, 2 TDs; 72 rush yards Photo: @MSUBobcats_FB on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 27/09/2026

Stats Perform FCS Game of the Week No. 5 Montana (4-1, 2-0 Big Sky) 62, No. 10 UC Davis (3-2, 1-1) 22 UM RB Eli Gillman: 26 carries, 275 yards (school record), 4 TDs Grizzlies scored the first 31 points Photo: @MontanaGrizFB on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 27/09/2026

No. 14 Idaho State (4-0, 1-0 Big Sky) 28, Southern Utah (1-4, 0-2) 24 ISU WR Chedon James: 7 receptions, 134 yards, TD catch; 4-yard TD run Turnovers: ISU 4, SUU 3 Photo: @BengalGridiron on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 27/09/2026

Montana’s Eli Gillman has collected his 57th career rushing touchdown against UC Davis tonight to snap a tie with former Sacramento State running back Charles Roberts for first place in Big Sky Conference history. (@MontanaGrizFB photo)

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 27/09/2026

No. 2 South Dakota State (4-1) 42, Eastern Illinois (1-4) 7 SDSU (408 rushing yards) Josiah Johnson: 14 carries, 121 yards, 2 TDs; James Basinger: 9 carries, 116 yards, TD Photo: @GoJacksFB on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 27/09/2026

No. 22 Campbell (4-1, 2-0 CAA) 44, Hampton (1-4, 0-2) 20 QB Kamden Sixkiller: 5 TD passes (2 to Chinua Ezeigbo) Camels have doubled last year’s win total already while starting 4-1 for just the third time since they returned to football in 2008. Photo: @GoCamelsFB on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 27/09/2026

Columbia is the first FCS team to post back-to-back overtime wins (Lafayette and Georgetown) since Montana in the 2023 playoff quarterfinals and semifinals. Photo: @CULionsFB on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 27/09/2026

Northern Iowa (2-2, 1-0 MVFC) 28, No. 3 Illinois State (4-1, 0-1) 21 UNI QB Jaxon Dailey: 261 total yards, 3 total TDs Illinois State’s 11-game road winning streak is over. Photo: @UNIFootball on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 27/09/2026

North Carolina A&T (1-4, 1-1 CAA) 22, No. 19 Rhode Island (2-3, 1-2) 18 NC A&T LB Donavan Frederick: 13 tackles (10 solos), 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 3 passes defended Photo: @NCATFootball on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 27/09/2026

No. 15 Lamar (3-1, 1-0 Southland) 49, Nicholls (2-3, 1-1) 18 Lamar QB Aiden McCown: 312 total yards, 4 total TDs Photo: @LamarFootball on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 27/09/2026

Gardner-Webb (1-4) has suffered one-point losses to two FBS opponents this season: Sept. 12: 24-23 to Liberty Today: 36-35 to Marshall Photo: @HerdFB on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 26/09/2026

Colgate (4-1, 3-0 Patriot) 28, No. 23 Villanova (2-3, 1-2) 21 Colgate QB Jake Stearney: 3 TD passes; LB Trooper Price: 9 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks Villanova WR Braden Reed: 6 receptions, 100 yards, TD Photo: @ColgateFB on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 26/09/2026

No. 11 Youngstown State (3-2, 1-1 MVFC) 47, No. 8 South Dakota (3-2, 0-1) 28 YSU QB Beau Brungard: 329 total yards (170 rushing), 4 total yards (3 rushing); LB Graydon Rollins: 17 tackles, 1.5 TFLs Photo: @ysufootball on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 26/09/2026

No. 12 Tennessee Tech (4-0, 2-0 SoCon) 42, Wofford (2-3, 1-2) 38 Jax Leatherwood's 15-yard TD pass to Eric Weatherly with 1:06 left was the game-winner for coach Bobby Wilder's Golden Eagles. Leatherwood finished with 427 yards and five TDs through the air.

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 26/09/2026

Cornell (1-1, 1-0) 38, No. 17 Yale (1-1, 0-1) 25 Cornell QB Garrett Bass-Sulpizio: 2 TD runs; S Tommy MacPherson: 6 tackles, 2 INTs Yale played without No. 1 QB Dante Reno. Photo: @yalefootball on X

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 26/09/2026

Thirteen of the season's final 24 FCS-vs.-FBS matchups are today. Week 4 Preview: theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 26/09/2026

Week 4 schedule for teams in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll and those receiving votes toward the national media rankings: theanalyst.com/articles/fcs...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 25/09/2026

We’re home to the FCS National Awards, Top 25 media poll and coverage of the Division I subdivision. Website: theanalyst.com/competition/... X: @OptaAnalystFCS Facebook: FCS Football (OptaAnalystFCS) Instagram: OptaAnalystFCS Bluesky: optaanalystfcs Craig Haley on X: @CraigHaley2025

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 24/09/2026

On The FCS Edge, West Florida coach Kaleb Nobles says elite talent can rise from D-II to FCS to FBS in a way that's similar to minor league baseball. Watch the podcast: youtu.be/A8-WpD_VEEk?...

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 24/09/2026

Top 50 FCS QBs in most passing yards per game. Yale's Dante Reno leads at 454.0 yards after the Ivy League opened its season last Saturday.

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OptaAnalystFCS @optaanalystfcs.optajoe.com · 23/09/2026

Winning ... and winning decisively.

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