FCS Playoffs 2015: Round 2 Results, Quarterfinals Schedule and Bracket Update

The FBS finally implemented a playoff system to determine its national champion after years of outcry, but a postseason tournament is nothing new for the FCS.

This year’s installment is down to eight teams following Saturday’s action. Here is a look at the second-round results and the updated bracket heading into the quarterfinals:

Matchup	Next Opponent
North Dakota State 37, Montana 6	Northern Iowa
Northern Iowa 29, Portland State 17	North Dakota State
Jacksonville State 41, Chattanooga 35	Charleston Southern
Charleston Southern 14, Citadel 6	Jacksonville State
Colgate 44, James Madison 38	Sam Houston State
Sam Houston State 34, McNeese State 29	Colgate
Richmond 48, William & Mary 13	Illinois State
Illinois State 36, Western Illinois 19	Richmond

North Dakota State Routs Montana, 37-6

Coming off a first-round bye, North Dakota State began its quest for a fifth straight FCS title with a convincing 37-6 win over Montana, one of just two teams that defeated the Bison in the regular season.

NDSU jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead and didn’t look back. The Bison needed just three plays to score on their first offensive drive and then had a pair of pick-sixes to secure the victory.

NDSU quarterback Easton Stick threw for just 66 yards, but that’s all the Bison needed alongside their 250 yards and pair of touchdowns on the ground.

The Bison will be home again next week, hosting another playoff game, per the school's athletic department:

Northern Iowa Downs Portland State, 29-17

Northern Iowa seized control of its showdown with Portland State early, and it never let go. 

The Panthers rushing attack was dominant from start to finish as Tyvis Smith and Aaron Bailey ripped Portland State's defense in arguably the day's most impressive statistical accomplishment. 

Smith and Bailey ran for 207 and 200 yards, respectively, which was remarkable, considering Portland State rushed for 180 yards as a team.

The Vikings made a late run to cut the deficit to six points with 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but Smith's 59-yard touchdown run four minutes later sealed things for Northern Iowa. 

Next up for the Panthers is a showdown with North Dakota State.

Jacksonville State Survives Chattanooga in OT

Top-ranked Jacksonville State scored 21 unanswered points in the first half, but Chattanooga mounted a comeback and took a late lead that pushed the Gamecocks to the brink.

Jacksonville State needed a 75-yard touchdown run by Troymaine Pope with less than five minutes remaining to force the game into overtime, and quarterback Eli Jenkins scampered in for a 14-yard score to secure the win in OT.

Chattanooga head coach Russ Huesman indicated the game wasn’t as close as it may have appeared, per Chris Allen Brown of the Anniston Star:

The Gamecocks’ lone loss this season came to Auburn in Week 2, though Jacksonville State pushed that game to overtime at Jordan-Hare Stadium and nearly pulled off what would’ve been one of the biggest upsets of the season.

The Gamecocks will head into next week’s game against No. 8 Charleston Southern as the favorites. 

Charleston Southern Keeps The Citadel Out of the End Zone in 14-6 Win

Charleston Southern got off to a slow start and didn’t score until midway through the second quarter, but its two first-half touchdowns were all it needed.

Running back Mike Holloway scored a pair of touchdowns from 41 and 32 yards out, respectively, and the defense held on in the second half to catapult the Buccaneers to the quarterfinals.

The Citadel posted more offensive yards (267-199) than Charleston Southern but was plagued by six turnovers.

Nonetheless, 2015 was a remarkable season for the Bulldogs, who upset South Carolina in their regular-season finale, as Scott Eisberg of WCIV noted:

Charleston Southern was 4-of-14 on third down and had just 37 passing yards, going 3-of-4 on pass attempts. It will need to quickly adjust before its clash with Jacksonville State next week.

Cinderella Colgate Stuns James Madison, 44-38

James Madison scored four touchdowns in the second quarter but had already been facing a 17-0 deficit that ended up costing the Dukes.

Colgate running back James Holland churned out 285 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 9:20 remaining.

Holland’s high school alma mater shared its well wishes after the game:

Unranked Colgate will march to the quarterfinals as the biggest surprise of the playoffs thus far. ESPN Stats & Info showed how much of an underdog the Raiders were entering the second round Saturday:

Sam Houston State Slides Past McNeese State, 34-29

McNeese State entered Saturday's matchup undefeated but departed Cowboy Stadium with a loss to its name.

While McNeese State led 10-7 after the first quarter, the Cowboys offense stalled as the Bearkats found their groove. Sam Houston State went on to score 17 points in the second quarter and 10 in the third, which proved to be enough to withstand the Cowboys' fourth-quarter comeback attempt. 

Jeremiah Briscoe led Sam Houston State behind 313 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-34 passing, while Cory Avery rushed 30 times for 134 yards and a score.

McNeese quarterback Daniel Sams posted 225 yards and four scores to four different receivers through the air, but the Cowboys didn't produce enough during the second and third quarters to keep pace with Sam Houston State's offense.

Richmond Clobbers William & Mary, 48-13

Richmond never let its foot off the gas in its dominating 48-13 win over archrival William & Mary.

The Spiders more than doubled the Tribe’s offensive output (448-214 in total yards) and took advantage of four William & Mary turnovers, turning them into 20 points. Their defense now has 19 interceptions in the last 10 games, ranking first in the Colonial Athletic Association.

All-conference running back Jacobi Green ran for 141 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Kyle Lauletta added another 146 yards through the air and two scores on the ground.

Richmond is now three wins away from its first title since 2008 and will take on Illinois State in the quarterfinals.

Illinois State Rallies Late vs. Western Illinois for 2nd Time in 2015

Illinois State outscored neighboring Western Illinois 21-7 in the fourth quarter to overcome a second-half deficit and reach the FCS quarterfinals.

The Redbirds churned out 350 rushing yards, including 217 from running back Marshaun Coprich and 111 from quarterback Tre Roberson. Both had a pair of scores on the ground as well.

FCS Football shared a replay of Coprich's long run:

It marked the second time this season that Western Illinois gave up a late lead and went on to lose to the Redbirds. The Leathernecks led 28-21 in an Oct. 24 game before Illinois State scored 27 unanswered en route to a 48-28 win in its homecoming game.

“I don’t think you can compare the two games, but I do have a bitter taste in my mouth,” WIU linebacker Brett Taylor told Scott Holland of Gatehouse Media Illinois. “A loss is still a loss.”

Illinois State will host Richmond next week and continue its hopeful march following last year’s 29-27 loss to North Dakota State in the FCS title game.