The 2025 FCS playoffs were pared to eight teams in the second round. We’re reviewing how teams moved farther along the Road to Nashville in pursuit of the national championship.
North Dakota State had been nearly invincible at home during its FCS playoff history, but fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference member Illinois State was not going to be intimidated by a trip inside the Fargodome on Saturday.
The unseeded Redbirds scored 15 points in the final three minutes to upset the No. 1-ranked, defending national champion Bison 29-28 in the second round.
Coach Brock Spack’s 10-4 team, which won at Southeastern Louisiana in the first round, is 7-0 on the road against FCS opponent this season and 13-1 over the last two seasons.
NDSU entered the game with a 14-game winning streak over Illinois State and had only one loss in 39 FCS playoff games. But the 10-time national champ since 2011 was ousted prior to the quarterfinals for the first time in its 16 consecutive playoff appearances.
South Dakota and Villanova also posted road wins, bringing the overall total to six for the first time since 2017.
School host sites are utilized until the national championship game on Jan. 5 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. One quarterfinal will be held Friday night and three more next Saturday.
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Illinois State (10-4) 29, No. 1 Seed North Dakota State (12-1) 28
How It Happened – Illinois State was all heroics after trailing 28-14 with three minutes remaining. Tommy Rittenhouse connected with Daniel Sobkowicz for a TD pass with 2:44 left. Then after the Redbirds regained the ball at the NDSU 23 on Jake Anderson’s strip sack of Cole Payton, Rittenhouse threw another TD pass to Sobkowicz and followed with a two-point conversion to Scotty Presson Jr.
Game Ball – Three of Sobkowicz’s eight receptions went for touchdowns as he finished with 67 yards. He also caught three TDs against South Dakota State on Nov. 15, giving him a trio against each of the two MVFC powers that have combined for the last four FCS championships.
Key Stat – No opponent in NDSU’s 22-year Division I era has had a larger time of possession than Illinois State’s 42 minutes, 1 second. It led to the Redbirds also having large advantages in yards (422 to 179) and first downs (23 to 6) and not being undone by Rittenhouse throwing five interceptions, including a pick-6.
Up Next – Illinois State will travel to No. 8 seed UC Davis (8-3) or No. 9 seed Rhode Island (11-2) for a national quarterfinal on Dec. 12 or 13.
No. 12 Seed Villanova (11-2) 14, No. 5 Seed Lehigh (12-1) 7
How It Happened – Villanova went ahead 14-7 on Pat McQuaide’s 28-yard TD pass to Braden Reed with 3:02 left. Obinna Nwobodo then forced a Lehigh fumble that teammate Shane Hartzell recovered at the Wildcats 11 with 1:49 to play.
Game Ball – Hartzell had six tackles, including five solos and a 10-yard sack in the fourth quarter in addition to the late fumble recovery.
Key Stat – The Wildcats were plus-2 on turnovers, with Hartzell’s fumble recovery preceded by linebacker Richie Kimmel forcing and safety Josh Oluremi recovering a third-quarter fumble that led to a touchdown. The CAA Football squad is plus-11 in turnover margin this season.
Up Next – In a first-time meeting,Vilanova will play at No. 4 seed Tarleton State (12-1) in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 12 or 13.
No. 4 Seed Tarleton State (12-1) 31, North Dakota (8-6) 13
How It Happened – Tarleton State scored points on three of its first four possessions in each half and never trailed before 19,742. The Texans set their program record for wins in a season.
Game Ball – Texans quarterback Victor Gabalis completed 15-of-25 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns (3, 64 and 77 yards) with one interception. He’s passed for 885 yards and 10 TDs in his last three games.
Key Stats – The United Athletic Conference co-champ enjoyed a 14:18 advantage in time of possession while running 17 more plays and outgaining UND 437-248.
Up Next – Tarleton State will host No. 12 seed Villanova (11-2) in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 12 or 13.
No. 3 Seed Montana (12-1) 50, No. 14 Seed South Dakota State (9-5) 29
How It Happened – Montana scored 30 straight points after trailing 14-6 through one quarter, finishing with the most points and yards (552) surrendered by South Dakota State since the 2018 season.
Game Balls – The Grizzlies’ Big 3 on offense delivered as Keali’I Ah Yat (29 of 37, career-high 360 yards, four TDs), Eli Gillman (24 carries, 135 yards, two TDs) and (Michael Wortham (eight receptions, 113 yards, TD) led the way.
Key Stats – Montana had more first downs (32 to 19), yards (552 to 417) and offensive plays (81 to 60) while posting a 9:28 advantage in time of possession.
Up Next – Montana, which drew 18,197 in its first playoff game, next hosts No. 11 seed South Dakota (10-4) in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 12 or 13. The Griz own a 14-6 series lead over the Coyotes.
No. 11 Seed South Dakota (10-4) 47, No. 6 Seed Mercer (9-3) 0
How It Happened – South Dakota intercepted Jerry Rice Award recipient Braden Atkinson four times and turned the picks into 24 points.
Game Ball – Coyotes defensive coordinator Billy Kirch and his unit for solving Atkinson, who entered the game second in the FCS in passing yards and with 34 TD passes to just seven interceptions. Defensive back Mikey Munn snared two of the picks, while Gabriel Hardman and RJ Stewart had one each. The defense also had a safety.
Key Stat – Mercer has two wins in its first three playoff appearances, but it’s been eliminated in successive years by three Dakota schools (South Dakota State, North Dakota State and USD) by a combined 119-7.
Up Next – South Dakota will travel to No. 3 seed Montana (12-1) in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 12 or 13.
No. 7 Seed Stephen F. Austin (11-2) 41, No. 10 Seed Abilene Christian (9-5) 34
How It Happened – Sam Vidlak (357 passing yards) and Kylon Harris (183 receiving yards) connected for a 9-yard touchdown pass with 10:25 left, giving a 38-34 lead as it averaged a regular-season to loss to Abilene Christian. The Southland Conference champ has won 11 straight games since the defeat.
Game Ball – Vidlak and Harris were a winning tag-team. Vidlak was 26 for 35 for 357 yards and three TDs, while Harris matched his career high in receiving yards on 11 catches.
Key Stat – The Lumberjacks averaged 7.5 yards per play, up from only 4.2 in their 28-20 loss to ACU.
Up Next – Stephen F. Austin will travel to No. 2 seed Montana State (11-2) for a national quarterfinal on Dec. 12 or 13. The Lumberjacks are 2-4 against the Bobcats entering their first meeting since 2013.
No. 2 Seed Montana State (11-2) 21, Yale (9-3) 13
How It Happened – Montana State forced four turnovers and scored two touchdowns off them as 20.867 watched the Bobcats gain their 42nd win in their last 44 home games.
Game Ball – Sophomore running back Adam Jones carried the ball 18 times for 107 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown in fourth quarter as the Big Sky champ went ahead 21-6. He also caught a pair of passes for 34 yards.
Key Stat – Yale’s 11 possessions had an average start at its 22-yard line. The Bobcats’ Colby Froker averaged 63.5 yards on four kickoffs, with one touchback, and the Bulldogs had zero return yards on his six punts, including one downed at the Yale 3 and three others pinning the Ivy League squad within its 20.
Up Next – Montana State will host No. 7 seed Stephen F. Austin (11-2) in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 12 or 13.
No. 9 Seed Rhode Island (11-2) at No. 8 Seed UC Davis (8-3)
Late Saturday game, with the winner to host Illinois State in a national quarterfinal on Dec. 12 or 13.
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FCS Playoffs Second-Round Scoreboard: Illinois State Ousts Defending Champ NDSU Opta Analyst.
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