2023 FCS Playoffs: Second-Round Recap

The FCS Playoffs continued with eight second-round matchups. We recap all the action from the second round of the FCS Playoffs.

The 2023 FCS Playoffs continued with eight second-round matchups this past weekend. North Dakota State won the 46th all-time game in the playoffs and now holds the record for the most all-time wins in the FCS Playoffs.

We recap all the second-round action from the FCS Playoffs below.

No. 1 South Dakota State 41, Mercer 0

South Dakota State dominated every aspect of this game, led by a suffocating defensive performance. The Jackrabbits held Mercer to only six first downs and 151 total offensive yards. Linebacker Isaiah Stalbird led the Jackrabbits with seven total tackles, while linebacker Jason Freeman contributed six total tackles. South Dakota State forced quarterback Carter Peevy into two interceptions and held All-American wide receiver Ty James to 28 receiving yards.

The Jackrabbits rolled up over 340 yards on the ground and four rushing touchdowns. Running backs Isaiah Davis (117 Rushing Yards) and Amar Johnson (107 Rushing Yards) surpassed the 100-yard mark. Wide receiver Jaxon Janke had another outstanding performance with seven receptions for 106 receiving yards and one touchdown. It was an efficient offensive performance as the Jackrabbits converted 9-of-14 third down attempts and scored on the game's first five possessions. 

Up Next: South Dakota State will host No. 8 Villanova in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN. 

No. 5 UAlbany 41, Richmond 13

UAlbany put this game away early as the Great Dane stormed out to a 27-0 lead in the second quarter. Quarterback Reese Poffenbarger completed 12-of-23 passes for 170 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns. Running back Griffin Woodell finished the game with 96 rushing yards (7.4 YPC) and one rushing touchdown. 

The Great Danes allowed Richmond to move the ball but forced timely turnovers and dominated the line of scrimmage. Defensive linemen AJ Simon and Anton Juncaj combined for 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as the Great Danes finished with five sacks. Richmond struggled to run the football, only totaling 38 rushing yards on 39 attempts. Defensive back Bill Hackett had a massive pick-six to extend the lead to 27 points and Aamir Hall had a massive interception to stop a Richmond drive inside the red zone.

Up Next: No. 5 UAlbany will travel to No. 4 Idaho in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

No. 2 Montana 49, Delaware 19

Montana averaged 6.8 yards per play and rolled up almost 400 yards of total offense despite poor weather conditions. Quarterback Clifton McDowell continued his impressive season with 186 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 51 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. The Grizzlies continuously generated explosive plays as Montana scored three touchdowns on drives that lasted less than four plays. 

The Grizzlies stopped Delaware on three fourth-down attempts and forced two turnovers. Safety Jaxon Lee scored on a 56-yard fumble return and forced a safety on a special teams mistake from the Blue Hens. Defensive end Hayden Harris led the Grizzlies with eight total tackles and two quarterback hurries.

Up Next: No. 2 Montana will host No. 7 Furman in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2. 

No. 8 Villanova 45, Youngstown State 28

Youngstown State's defense did not have an answer for the explosive Villanova offense as the Wildcats averaged 8.8 yards per play. Quarterback Connor Watkins recorded 275 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 56 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns. The Wildcats finished the game with nine explosive runs, including a 22-yard touchdown run from running back DeeWil Barlee late in the fourth quarter. 

Villanova forced two crucial second-half interceptions to prevent the Penguins from mounting a comeback. The Wildcats held the Youngstown State rushing attack to only 82 rushing yards on 30 carries (2.7 YPC). Linebacker Shane Hartzell led the Wildcats with 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one sack. 

Up Next: No. 8 Villanova will travel to No. 1 South Dakota State in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN.

No. 7 Furman 26, Chattanooga 7

Furman's dominant defensive performance led the Paladins to an impressive win over Chattanooga. The Paladins held the Mocs to only 84 passing yards and forced two key second-half interceptions. Safety Kam Brinson led the defense with nine total tackles, while cornerback Travis Blackshear continued his All-American season with his fourth interception of the season. Chattanooga ended the game with only 200 yards of total offense and nine first downs. 

The Paladins did an excellent job at controlling the pace, holding the ball for over 35 minutes of the game. Quarterback Tyler Huff completed 18-of-29 passes for 192 passing yards, and 32 rushing yards in his return after a late-season injury. Running back Dominic Roberto scored two rushing touchdowns, while Grant Robinson led the Paladins with 62 rushing yards. 

Up Next: No. 7 Furman will travel to No. 2 Montana in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

No. 3 South Dakota 34, Sacramento State 24

South Dakota never trailed in this game after the Coyotes capitalized on multiple Sacramento State turnovers to build an early 17-0 lead in the first quarter. Defensive lineman Mi'Quise Grace scored on a 56-yard fumble return and finished the game with two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Defensive back Dennis Shorter led the Coyotes with 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, and three pass breakups. 

The Coyotes continued to dominate on the ground, finishing with 194 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Running back Charles Pierre Jr. led the team with 123 rushing yards on 13 carries (9.5 YPC). Quarterback Aidan Bouman was efficient, completing 11-of-16 passes for 174 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. 

Up Next: No. 3 South Dakota will host North Dakota State in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m. CT on ABC.

No. 4 Idaho 20, Southern Illinois 17 (OT)

The story of this game was special teams as kicker Ricardo Chavez hit a 29-yard game-winning field goal after a clutch interception from cornerback Marcus Harris. The Vandals partially blocked the potential game-winning field goal at the end of regulation. Wide receiver Jermaine Jackson sparked the Idaho comeback with an 86-yard punt return in the third quarter.

Idaho's offense struggled at times, but wide receiver Hayden Hatten had another massive game with six receptions for 111 receiving yards. Quarterback Gevani McCoy completed 15-of-23 passes for 183 passing yards. Linebacker Xe'ree Alexander led the Vandals with 10 total tackles and one forced fumble. 

Up Next: No. 4 Idaho will host No. 5 UAlbany in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. CT on ESPN+. 

North Dakota State 35, No. 6 Montana State 34

Offensive lineman Hunter Poncius blocked Montana State's extra point in overtime, which secured North Dakota State's one-point victory. The Bobcats continued to struggle on special teams as kicker Casey Kautzman missed two field goals in the first quarter. Montana State finished the game with over 500 yards of total offense and averaged 8.6 yards per play, but failed to capitalize on multiple opportunities to win the game.

The Bison offense struggled through the air but rolled up almost 300 rushing yards and 6.9 yards per carry. Running back TaMerik Williams led the Bison with 162 rushing yards (14.7 YPC) and two rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver Eli Green made crucial plays, finishing with four receptions for 63 receiving yards. Safety Cole Wisniewski had an outstanding game with nine total tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception.

Up Next: North Dakota State will travel to No. 3 South Dakota in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m. CT on ABC. 

North Dakota State blocks the extra-point attempt in overtime as the Bison stun Montana State in a 35-34 upset in Bozeman 🤯
🎥: @NDSUfootball
pic.twitter.com/ecFoOLOmAi

— FCS Football Central (@The__Bluebloods) December 2, 2023

2023 FCS Playoff Bracket