FCS Football Recap: Week 10 Takeaways

It was an exciting weekend of college football in Week 10. We recap all the FCS football action from Week 10 here.

Week 10 of the FCS football season was filled with chaos across the FCS landscape that shifted multiple conference championship races. Furman clinched the first auto-bid of the season as the Paladins defeated Chattanooga to win at least a share of the SoCon championship.

Below are some major takeaways from all the Week 10 FCS football action.

South Dakota State Extends Win Streak Over North Dakota State

South Dakota State has now won five consecutive games over North Dakota State with Saturday's 33-16 win over the Bison. The Jackrabbits extended their winning streak to 23 games, which is the sixth-longest streak in FCS history.

Quarterback Mark Gronowski completed 12-of-19 attempts for 213 passing yards and two passing touchdowns to wide receiver Jadon Janke, including an explosive 46-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Running back Isaiah Davis led the Jackrabbits with 106 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, while Amar Johnson contributed 36 rushing yards. 

The defense forced three North Dakota State turnovers, including two interceptions in the second half. Linebacker Jason Freeman led the defense with 12 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one interception. It was another dominant performance for the defense as the Jackrabbits held the Bison to only seven points in the second half.

PHOTOS: South Dakota State Defeats North Dakota State To Win 2023 Dakota Marker

Furman Punches Ticket To FCS Playoffs With Win vs. Chattanooga

Furman clinched the SoCon championship with a 17-14 win over Chattanooga on Saturday. It is the 15th SoCon title in school history and the Paladins have now won 12 consecutive conference games. The Paladins also locked up the auto-bid to the FCS Playoffs with the win over the Mocs.

Quarterback Tyler Huff suffered a shoulder injury in the first half, but Carson Jones had a solid performance with 139 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. Jones led a 50-yard game-winning touchdown drive, capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass to Wayne Anderson Jr. with 1:44 remaining. 

The Paladins allowed over 350 total yards but held the Mocs scoreless over the final nine minutes of the game. Defensive end Jeremiah Jackson led the Paladins with two tackles for loss and two sacks, while Braden Gilby totaled eight tackles and three quarterback hurries. 

Montana Makes Statement In Dominant Win Over Sacramento State

Montana head coach Bobby Hauck became the Big Sky conference's all-time winningest coach on Saturday night. The Grizzlies dominated Sacramento State as Montana scored 34 unanswered points against the Hornets. It was the fifth consecutive win and second win over a Top-10 opponent for the Grizzlies this season.

The Montana offense exploded for 547 total yards and averaged 7.6 yards per play against the Hornets. Running back Eli Gillman led the Griz with 113 rushing yards (7.1 YPC) and one rushing touchdown, while Nick Ostmo contributed two rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Clifton McDowell finished the game with 218 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and 83 rushing yards. McDowell found wide receiver Keelan White for the longest touchdown pass in school history (97 Yards) in the fourth quarter. 

Montana suffocated Sacramento State's offense, allowing only 268 total yards and 3.9 yards per play. Linebacker Braxton Hill led the defense with nine total tackles, while Tyler Flink contributed seven tackles. Montana's defense held Sacramento State to less than 35 yards on 11 of 13 drives on Saturday night.

Nicholls State Stuns No. 8 Incarnate Word In Massive Upset Win

Nicholls State stunned No. 8 Incarnate Word in a 45-32 upset win, which puts Nicholls in control of the Southland title race. The Colonels can clinch the Southland title and an auto-bid with a win over Lamar next weekend. It would be the first conference title since 2019 for the Colonels.

The Colonels rolled up over 330 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns against the Cardinals, led by Jalon Spears with a career-high 160 rushing yards. Running back Collin Guggenheim finished with 153 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. The offense scored 24 unanswered points in the second quarter to overcome an early 10-0 deficit. 

Nicholls State forced three turnovers, including a game-clinching interception by Devonte Matthews with 56 seconds remaining. Matthews finished the game with three tackles, one fumble recovery, one interception, and one defensive touchdown. 

Alcorn State Takes Control Of SWAC West With Blowout Win vs. Southern

Alcorn State controls their own destiny after an impressive win over Southern this weekend. The Braves can clinch the SWAC West with wins over Texas Southern and Jackson State or one win and a Prairie View A&M loss over the next two weeks. It will be the first division championship since 2019 for the Braves.

The Braves exploded for 31 unanswered points in the first half after an early 7-0 deficit. Running back Jarveon Howard led the offense with 128 rushing yards on 18 carries. Quarterback Aaron Allen completed 19-of-30 attempts for 263 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. 

Keenan Leachman had a career game with three tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions. The Braves forced five total turnovers, including three interceptions from quarterback Harold Blood. Defensive lineman Malachi Bailey finished the game with six total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.

CAA Chaos Shakes Up Conference Championship Race

After a chaotic weekend across the conference, there is now a five-way tie for first place in the CAA entering the final two weeks of the regular season. UAlbany, Delaware, Villanova, Richmond, and Elon all sit at 5-1 in conference play after Week 10.

Elon shocked Delaware in a 33-27 upset victory, giving the Blue Hens the first FCS loss of the season. Quarterback Matthew Downing led the Phoenix with 352 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Phoenix now have two wins over top-five opponents this season.

UAlbany has now won three consecutive games after a 24-8 win over William & Mary. The Great Danes held the Tribe to 216 total yards and 45 rushing yards in a dominant defensive performance. AJ Simon led the Great Danes with 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. 

Villanova continued to roll with a 45-33 win over New Hampshire, giving the Wildcats four consecutive wins after a Sep. 30 loss to UAlbany. The Wildcats racked up 248 yards on the ground, led by Jalen Jackson with 145 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Villanova will face Delaware on Nov. 18 in a crucial conference matchup, while Richmond hosts Elon next weekend. UAlbany can clinch at least a share of the conference title with wins over Stony Brook and Monmouth to end the season.

Other Notable Scores:

No. 3 Idaho 27, Northern Colorado 13
No. 6 Montana State 45, Northern Arizona 21
No. 9 South Dakota 14, No. 10 Southern Illinois 7
No. 12 North Carolina Central 38, Norfolk State 24
No. 13 North Dakota 45, Murray State 31
No. 15 Florida A&M 42, Alabama A&M 28
No. 16 Western Carolina 28, Wofford 25
No. 18 Northern Iowa 50, Western Illinois 6
No. 19 Austin Peay 33, Eastern Kentucky 30 (OT)
Colgate 37, No. 20 Lafayette 34 (OT)
No. 21 UT Martin 44, Tennessee Tech 41 (OT)
No. 22 Youngstown State 19, Indiana State 7
No. 25 Mercer 38, The Citadel 16
Central Arkansas 27, North Alabama 14
Harvard 38, Columbia 24
Holy Cross 28, Lehigh 24
Charleston Southern 35, Tennessee State 21
Tarleton State 59, Stephen F. Austin 17
Gardner-Webb 45, Bryant 44 (OT)
UC Davis 37, Portland State 23
Alabama State 17, Grambling State 6
Drake 10, Marist 3
Robert Morris 21, SEMO 20
South Carolina State 27, Howard 24
Lamar 41, Texas A&M-Commerce 21