Behind The Numbers: Week 9 FCS Football Review

The 2023 FCS football season is in full swing after an exciting Week 9 slate. We review all the FCS Week 9 action right here.

The 2023 FCS football season is in full swing as Week 9 has come to a close. Each week we will go behind the numbers on some of the biggest games across the FCS landscape.

We take a look behind the numbers from this weekend’s biggest Week 9 FCS football action below.

No. 9 Idaho 24, No. 2 Montana State 21

How Did Idaho win?

Idaho won this game on the margins and by limiting Montana State's offensive opportunities. Montana State still averaged 6.8 yards per play and was able to move the ball well in the second half. While the Vandals only averaged 4.6 yards per play, they finished with an offensive success rate of 47.14%. This meant that while Idaho was not dominant down to down, the Vandals were able to keep drives alive over and over again. Idaho’s three conversions on fourth down helped the Vandals hold onto the ball for over 41 minutes of game time compared to 18 minutes for the Bobcats. The Vandals almost doubled the amount of plays for Montana State (73 to 47) and kept the potent Montana State offense on the sideline.

Quarterback GeVani McCoy also stepped up and made some huge throws in one of the biggest games of his career. McCoy threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns while finishing the game with zero turnovers. He looked like the player many believed would compete for the Walter Payton Award. The touchdown throw to wide receiver Hayden Hatten was the highlight of the evening. Montana State’s coverage played well Saturday night, but the weapons for Idaho continuously made plays. Defensively, the Vandals did a great job containing the Montana State rushing attack and limited explosive plays on the ground. Safety Tommy McCormick was a huge part of this by playing aggressively in the box from his safety position. He led the Vandals with eight tackles and was vital in keeping dynamic quarterbacks Tommy Mellott and Sean Chambers in check. Cornerbacks Ormanie Arnold and Marcus Harris were also excellent in coverage this weekend.

Another huge moment in this game was the early 53-yard field goal for kicker Ricardo Chavez. Considering Montana State missed two field goal attempts, the kicking advantage for Idaho became another difference in the game.

What’s next for Montana State?

The Bobcats have had a brutal schedule, including three road games against Top-10 teams. Idaho executed a great game plan against the Bobcats and the Vandals still had to convert three of four fourth downs, hit a 53-yard field goal, and rely on two Montana State missed field goals just to win at home. The defense has still played well this season and added another eight tackles for loss on Saturday. Defensive end Brody Grebe continued his excellent season with 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. The Bobcats held the potent Idaho offense to 4.6 yards per play, which is a season-low for the Vandals. If Montana State can win the final three games, the Bobcats will still be in contention for one of the top four seeds.

What’s next for Idaho?

Idaho moves on from a huge home victory and must prepare to face Northern Colorado on the road. The Vandals have three games left against unranked competition and as long as this team can remain unbeaten, Idaho will lock in a top-three seed. The only concern that needs to be observed for this team continues to be the offensive line. The unit gave up another eight tackles for loss Saturday night, though they did improve as the game went along.

FCS Football Recap: Week 9 Takeaways

Mercer 45, No. 10 Western Carolina 38

How did Mercer win?

Mistakes were the story of this game as these teams combined for 19 penalties, nine turnovers, two missed field goals, and five missed red zone opportunities. Western Carolina finished the game with an offensive success rate of 52.4% while Mercer’s success rate was 44.6%. The Catamounts averaged 6.7 yards per play and the Bears averaged 5.6 yards per play. Despite all of that, Mercer held off a late Western Carolina surge and won their first signature game of the season. Mercer made fewer mistakes and was able to turn Western Carolina's mistakes into points, including a Lance Wise pick-six and Mic Wasson's fumble return for a touchdown.

The best player on the field was Mercer receiver Ty James. James finished with six receptions, 115 yards, and one touchdown. Every time Mercer needed a big play, James seemed to be the catalyst and continues to show why he is one of the best wide receivers in the country. While the Mercer run game was not dominant, but still finished with over 200 rushing yards and quarterback Carter Peevy made several big plays with his legs to extend drives.

What’s next for Western Carolina?

Western Carolina's youth and lack of experience seemed to be a major factor in this game. It is almost impossible to win at this level with 12 penalties and six turnovers. This performance showed a lack of maturity, including the performance of quarterback Cole Gonzales. The young quarterback has shown massive potential this season but made too many mistakes this weekend. The Catamounts may have lost a chance at a playoff seed this weekend but are still alive to make the playoffs. Western Carolina finishes the season against the bottom of the SoCon and wins in all three games should earn an at-large bid. The Catamounts need to limit the self-inflicted mistakes if this team wants to make a run in the postseason. The return of running back Desmond Reid will be a massive storyline to watch over the next three weeks.

What’s next for Mercer?

This game was a must-win situation for Mercer. The Bears did not have a signature win this season until this weekend and this team needed to keep the momentum going if the Bears want to make the first-ever FCS playoff appearance. Mercer will need to avenge last season’s loss to Samford or the Bears will most likely be on the outside looking in once again.

Southern 23, Texas Southern 17

How did Southern win?

Saturday night's game between Southern and Texas Southern gets added to the Week 9 edition of "Behind the Numbers" for being one of the most interesting statistical outcomes of the season. Texas Southern finished the game with 443 yards of total offense, while Southern only totaled 201 offensive yards. Texas Southern averaged 5.8 yards per play while Southern struggled with 3.5 yards per play. The Tigers had 26 first downs to Southern’s 11 first downs. Despite the massive statistical advantage, Southern shocked the Tigers in overtime. The biggest question from this weekend is how did the Jaguars win Saturday night's game.

The biggest reasons for Texas Southern's loss are crushing mistakes at crucial moments and excellent red zone defense for Southern. Texas Southern running back LaDarius Owens was sensational, finishing with 244 rushing yards. On two consecutive drives in the third quarter, the Tigers were inside Southern’s 10-yard line and came away with zero points. Wilson threw an interception on the first drive and penalties cost Texas Southern multiple opportunities to put points on the board on the second red zone attempt.

The Southern passing game was abysmal all night with less than 60 passing yards, but running back Kendric Rhymes put the offense on his back. Rhymes finished with 136 rushing yards, averaged 12.4 yards per carry, and two touchdowns including a 16-yard game-winning touchdown in overtime.

What’s next for Texas Southern?

Texas Southern falls to 2-6 after another close loss this season. The Tigers are now eliminated from the SWAC West race after this weekend's loss. Texas Southern has talent at multiple positions but came up short in big moments in key games. The Tigers still have another opportunity for a big win next weekend when Texas Southern travels to Jackson State in a cross-divisional game.

What’s next for Southern?

Southern controls their own destiny in the SWAC West race with Saturday night's win. The victory sets up a huge matchup this weekend when the Jaguars travel to Alcorn State in a matchup that could decide the SWAC West. A win in that game will not be the deciding factor, but it will go a long way to deciding the eventual winner with only three games remaining for both teams. The Southern-Alcorn State matchup will feature two great defenses and offenses that like to run the football. The main question for Southern is can quarterback Harold Blood keep pace with Alcorn State quarterback Aaron Allen. Allen has been impressive throwing the ball in the second half of this season and that may be the difference in this huge SWAC West matchup

FCS Top-25: Zach McKinnell's Week 9 Ballot