The 2025 FCS playoffs continue to provide thrills and surprises. We’re reviewing how teams won quarterfinal-round games to take another step in pursuit of the national championship.
The power conferences are flexing their muscle in the FCS playoffs.
First it was the Big Sky Conference, then it was CAA Football.
Who’s next in the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs after Montana State and Villanova were the first two teams to advance this weekend.
Next weekend’s semifinal-round winners will advance to the national championship game on Jan. 5 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
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No. 12 Seed Villanova (12-2) 26, No. 4 Seed Tarleton State (12-2) 21
How It Happened – Villanova fell behind 14-0 midway through the first quarter only to chip away and go ahead for the first time 26-21 on Braden Reed’s 11-yard touchdown pass from Pat McQuaide with 12:49 left. Tarleton State’s would-be TD catch on fourth down with just under two minutes left was ruled out of bounds after review.
Game Balls – The Wildcats’ young offensive standouts made the big plays. Reed, a freshman wide receiver, threw a touchdown pass (27 yards) in addition to catching the game-winning TD as one of his five receptions. Sophomore running back Ja’briel Mace carried the ball 18 times for 151 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown.
Key Stat – Tarleton State’s FCS-leading scoring offense was held to under half of its 44-point pre-game average and to 266 yards, or 206 below its average. Linebacker Shane Hartzell led the Wildcats defense with seven tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Up Next – Villanova will play either Illinois State (10-4) or No. 8 seed UC Davis (9-3) in a national semifinal on Dec. 20.
No. 2 seed Montana State (12-2) 44, No. 7 seed Stephen F. Austin (11-3) 28
How It Happened – The Bobcats converted three first-half takeaways into points, and once their lead reached double digits, it stayed there – growing as high as 24-0. Running back Adam Jones turned 14 touches from scrimmage into 160 yards and three touchdowns.
Game Balls – From the edge, Kenneth Eiden IV registered three of Montana State’s five sacks against SFA’s Sam Vidlak and forced two fumbles. In the secondary, Caden Dowler had eight solo tackles and intercepted a pass in a fifth straight game, taking it back 37 yards to secure the Big Sky’s single-season record for interception return yards (267).
Key Stats – SFA’s defense was dominant this season, but Montana State produced season highs against it with 473 yards (Lumberjacks’ pregame average: 266.0), 227 rushing yards (87.8) and 44 points (16.7).
Up Next – Montana State will host No. 3 seed Montana (12-1) or No. 11 seed South Dakota (10-4) in a national semifinal on Dec. 20.
Top photo by Kelly Gorham/Montana State Communications. For more FCS football coverage, follow on social media at X, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.
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