College Football: FCS Football Week 2 National Roundup

After an exciting Week 1 for FCS teams, there were high hopes for Week 2. The Football Championship Subdivision did not disappoint. Let's take a look at what went on with the FCS teams around the country in the second week of the season.

Taking Down The Big Boys, Part 2

The FBS teams were put on notice last weekend, as eight FCS teams notched wins over their upper-level foes. That trend continued in Week 2 with three more FCS teams taking down FBS opponents.

Maine traveled to Foxborough, Massachusetts for a showdown with former CAA rival UMass. Although the Minutemen are the ones in college football's top division, it was the Black Bears who came away with the 24-14 victory.

Maine came out with a balanced offense, and it worked beautifully. The team had 267 yards passing and 247 yards rushing, for a nice total of 514 yards. The rushing game was especially effective, as quarterback Marcus Wasilewski and running backs Rickey Stevens, Zedric Joseph and Nigel Jones combined for 245 yards and three touchdowns on 43 carries, with each of the four players rushing for at least 45 yards individually. 

It was the Black Bear defense that really shined, though. Maine limited UMass to only 265 yards total. That included a dominant run defense that held the Minutemen to only 64 yards and no rushing touchdowns.

A surprising upset came from Southland team Nicholls State, which was demolished by Oregon last week, 66-3. The Colonels got revenge for that thrashing by taking down MAC team Western Michigan 27-23 on the road.

Like Maine, Nicholls State used a balanced rushing attack to take down an FBS opponent. QBs Kalen Henderson and Tuskani Figaro and running back Marcus Washington combined for 224 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries. Each of them gained at least 65 yards individually.

The Colonels defense let up nearly 500 yards, but came up big when it counted. They intercepted WMU QB Tyler Van Tubbergen twice, including a pick on the goal line by defensive back Josh Dewey with less than a minute left that clinched the upset.

The largest margin of victory by an FCS team over an FBS team came from SoCon team Chattanooga, who took down transitioning Sun Belt team Georgia State 42-14.

The Mocs racked up 401 yards on the ground, with five different players gaining at least 40 yards. They were led by hometown running back Keon Williams, who rushed 20 times for 147 yards and a touchdown. UTC also got a very balanced performance out of dual-threat QB Jacob Huesman, who had 84 passing yards, 84 rushing yards and two touchdowns passing and rushing apiece.

Close, But No Cigar

While three FCS teams actually took down FBS opponents, there were several more who came just short of doing so.

Montana State led for all but 12 seconds of their game against SMU. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, those 12 seconds were at the end of the game. A 4-yard touchdown pass from Mustang QB Garrett Gilbert to WR Darius Joseph with under 15 seconds left in the game forced MSU to accept a one-point loss in a game that they were mostly in control of.

Fellow Big Sky team Portland State nearly pulled off a monumental upset against Pac-12 team Cal. After taking a 30-27 lead over the Golden Bears with about 11 minutes left in the game, the Vikings were unable to hold on and lost 37-30.

The New Hampshire Wildcats nearly dealt another of the directional Michigan schools a loss against an FCS opponent, but in the end fell 24-21 to Central Michigan after allowing 17 straight unanswered points to the Chippewas in the fourth quarter.

James Madison had a chance to tie up the game against Akron after scoring a touchdown with just over five minutes left in the game, but the two-point conversion failed and the Zips held on for a 35-33 win after time expired with the Dukes at Akron's 27-yard line.

Fellow CAA team Richmond was leading NC State with less than a minute to go, but the Spiders surrendered a 48-yard field goal with 33 seconds left that sent them home with a bitter 23-21 loss.

Indiana State had a chance to knock off Purdue, but Sycamore QB Mike Perish was picked off at the Boilermakers' 30-yard line with 19 seconds left.

Feeling the Agony of Losing to the Little Guys

Five FCS teams felt what it was like to get knocked off by a Division II opponent.

Northern Colorado had plenty of offense, but poorly-timed turnovers led to getting upset by the nearby Colorado State Pueblo ThunderWolves, who were playing their first-ever game against an FCS opponent. The Bears fell 36-41 to a CSUP team that forced three turnovers, including two pick-sixes.

Meanwhile, Pioneer League team Valparaiso couldn't hold on against fellow Indiana team St. Joseph's, losing 34-31. The Crusaders were simply unable to stop Puma QB Billy VandeMerkt, who threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns.

Fellow Pioneer League team Stetson was unable to get the offense going, falling to Florida Tech 20-13 with a total of only 182 yards.

Mississippi Valley State decided to take on nearby Division II power Delta State. That proved to be a poor decision for the Delta Devils, who fell to the Statesmen 24-14 despite forcing four turnovers.

Wagner put up 41 points, but that was one too few against Merrimack who scored the game-winning touchdown with 30 seconds left, giving the Warriors the 42-41 win over the Seahawks.

FCS Upset

There was also a major upset involving two FCS teams. Traditional powerhouse Appalachian State is preparing to transition to the FBS, but on Saturday couldn't take care of business against one of the MEAC's lesser-known teams, falling to North Carolina A&T 24-21 at home.

The Aggies used solid special teams and defense to take down the Mountaineers, with both a kickoff return and interception return for touchdowns.

5 Standout Individual Performances

Zach Zenner, South Dakota State RB (35-28 W vs. North Dakota): 37 carries, 295 yards, 3 touchdowns; 2 receptions, 31 yards, 1 touchdown

Vernon Adams, Eastern Washington QB (43-14 W vs. Western Oregon): 18-24, 298 yards, 5 touchdowns, 2 interceptions; 7 carries, 45 yards

Rob Jones, Delaware WR (42-21 W vs. Delaware State): 3 receptions, 43 yards, 2 touchdowns; 1 carry, 6 yards; 1 kickoff return, 18 yards; 1 punt return, 62 yards, 1 touchdown

Omar Osbourne, Albany RB (37-34 W vs. Colgate): 35 carries, 252 yards, 2 touchdowns; 1 reception, 8 yards

Lee Kurfis, Lehigh WR (51-44 2OT W. vs. Central Connecticut): 7 receptions, 222 yards, 2 touchdowns

Way-too-early Top 10

1. North Dakota State
2. Eastern Washington
3. Georgia Southern
4. Montana
5. Northern Iowa
6. Sam Houston State
7. Eastern Illinois
8. Montana State
9. Towson
10. South Dakota State

Post-Week 2 Payton Award Favorites

1. Vernon Adams, EWU QB
2. Jordan Johnson, Montana QB
3. Zach Zenner, SDSU RB
4. David Johnson, UNI RB
5. Terrance West, Towson RB