What We Learned About FCS Football In Week 1 Of The 2026 Season: Scores, Highlights & More

The first full weekend of college football was filled with highlights, touchdowns, upsets, blowouts and unforgettable performances, including in the FCS.

Sep 9, 2026 by Matt Cannizzaro

Replay: Small School Saturday at Monmouth (IL) | Sep 5 @ 4 PM3:08:42

If one second of chaos can have season-altering implications and create a storm of controversy and conversation, imagine what some of the best athletes in college football could accomplish in 3,600 seconds over the course of an afternoon.

The first full weekend of college football was filled with highlights, touchdowns, upsets, blowouts and unforgettable performances, including in the Football Championship Subdivision, where some teams are really starting to gain traction after two weeks of action.

Among them, is top-ranked Montana State, which picked up another dominant win and improved to 2-0. That might not be much of a surprise, but there were some along the way.

Any football fan who turned on a TV, visited a social media platform or might be one of the few who still reads a newspaper, the sports spotlight Saturday night and into Sunday belonged to the Michigan and Western Michigan football programs after the shocking and controversial ending to their showdown.

If you somehow missed it, here's the summary: Michigan won the game 13-12 on a final-play Hail Mary pass that many argue shouldn’t have happened. On the previous attempt, it appeared that time had expired, meaning the game was over.

After official review, the Wolverines were awarded another opportunity with one second on the clock, and they were able to pull off the win.

The heated debate has continued into the new week, with even CNN keeping up with the progress and discussion.

However, that drama should be reserved for columns about those teams, their conferences and what it means within the Football Bowl Subdivision.

We’re here to talk about what happened with the FCS teams in Week 1, though there will be some crossover, with nearly 50 games being matchups between FCS and FBS programs.

We already learned last week that during the early part of the season, before the loaded conference slate becomes the priority, FCS teams often take the opportunity to play up a level and face FBS teams.

There are multiple reasons for taking that challenge, whether it be for the exposure, financial incentives or the chance to gauge themselves against the big-time, big-muscle top-tier opponents.

Let’s take a look at some of the key storylines from Week 1 and what they told us – not just from the cross-division games, but from across the FCS:

Did The FCS Hold Its Own Against The FBS Teams In Week 1?

There were almost 50 FCS vs. FBS contests over Labor Day Weekend, and a majority of them went as most might expect – heavily in favor of the FBS teams.

However, the weekend also included three noteworthy upsets for the FCS participants and a few instances where elite FCS teams unexpectedly lost.

If you enjoy explosive plays and high-scoring games, then this week was a winner, regardless of the results.

If you are a hopeful fan of an FCS program or someone who roots for the underdog, and things didn’t go your way, well, there’s always next week. Hopefully, all your guys stayed safe and had fun and get to try to make you proud again in a few days.

In the meantime, here’s a look at Week 1 FCS vs. FBS by the numbers:

1 – Overtime contest (The Citadel def. Charlotte 43-41 in triple-overtime)
3 – FCS victories over FBS teams
9 – Games where the winning team scored at least 60 points
14 – FCS vs. FBS contests decided by 50 or more points
48 – FCS vs. FBS games during Week 1 of the season (Sept. 3-5)
74 – Largest margin of victory (Louisiana Tech def. Northwestern State, 80-6)

In which games were the FCS upsets?

Tarleton State def. Bowling Green, 20-13

We read it last year on social media when Tarleton State was rolling through the 2025 campaign – “Tarleton is not a state!”

Perhaps that might change after the Texans, ranked fifth in the American Football Coaches Association FCS Coaches Poll, went on the road and handled business against Bowling Green, spoiling the Falcons’ season-opener and collecting a second consecutive win over an FBS opponent, 20-13.

Tarleton State won a 30-27 double-overtime thriller last year against Army as part of a 9-0 start to the campaign. The Texans finished the year at 12-2, with their second loss coming against Villanova in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FCS Championship.

Tarleton State now is the 16th program with FBS wins in the same, or consecutive, seasons since the FCS and FBS labels were created in 2006.

Against Bowling Green, the Texans led 17-7 at halftime and shined defensively in the second half to stay in control.

TSU was led by fifth-year running back Tylan Hines, who rushed for 250 yards on 26 carries and added another 47 yards on two receptions. Though he didn't find the end zone in the game, his contributions earned him Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week honors.

The Texans are 2-0 and headed to McNeese on Saturday.

The Citadel def. Charlotte, 43-41 (3OT)

The Citadel was 4-8 overall last season, including three losses to end year, and 3-5 in conference play. Then, the 2026 season began with a 42-14 road loss to Wofford.

Expectations for last week’s game against FBS Charlotte probably leaned in favor of the 49ers, but The Citadel did have history on its side.

The only other time the two programs met also produced an unforgettable outcome – a 63-56 double-overtime win for The Citadel in 2014, despite nearly 700 yards of total offense from Charlotte.

It was the highest-scoring game in Charlotte football history, while the 684 yards of offense was a program-record performance that still stands. The Bulldogs were just a little bit better that day, compiling 689 total yards, including 553 on the ground, leading to seven rushing touchdowns.

This year’s showdown was even more exhausting.

First, there was a 90-minute lightning delay, then it took three overtime periods to settle things.

At the end of regulation, the contest was tied at 28, and each team scored 13 points across the first two overtime opportunities.

The game finally was decided in the new, alternating 2-point conversion format that kicks in when a third overtime is necessary.

The Citadel had the ball first and converted. Backup quarterback Nick Billoups pulled off a trick play, completing a 2-point pass to redshirt senior tight end Whit Hobgood.

Charlotte could not answer, and the 43-41 game ended with an incomplete pass.

The 49ers outgained their visitors in loss, 538-400, but came up short on the scoreboard.

The Citadel was led by graduate running back Gavin Garcia, who ran for 137 yards and three touchdowns on 21 attempts.

It was the 10th victory for The Citadel over an FBS opponent since the 1978 decision to reclassify Division I football in I-A (FBS) and I-AA (FCS), and the first since Sept. 14, 2019, a 27-24 overtime upset at Georgia Tech.

Idaho State def. Utah State, 29-17

Idaho State was able to remain undefeated (2-0) with a 29-17 upset of Utah State.

The game was described as a stunner and marked the first win for the Bengals over an FBS opponent since 2017. It also was the first time since 2000 that Idaho State was able to get past the Aggies.

The last time Idaho State and Utah State played was 2023, with the Aggies prevailing 78-28. This year was the first time in five meetings Utah State scored less than 38 points.

The hero for the Bengals was sophomore kicker Mason Lindberg, who connected for five field goals, including a career-long 48-yarder.

The Idaho State defense also showed out, using four interceptions to keep the Aggies at bay.

Overall, it was the 22nd meeting between the two teams. Utah State owns a 19-3 advantage in the series.

Here are all of the results from the FCS vs. FBS matchups in Week 1:

*FCS winners in bold

Thursday, Sept. 3

Utah def. Idaho, 66-14
Missouri def. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 54-14
UCF def. Bethune-Cookman, 73-6
Delaware def. Merrimack, 42-7
Kennesaw State def. West Georgia, 47-0
Buffalo def. UAlbany, 21-17
Minnesota def. Eastern Illinois, 59-7

Friday, Sept. 4

Purdue def. Indiana State, 44-19
Georgia State def. North Carolina A&T, 59-10
Kansas def. Long Island, 51-6

Saturday, Sept. 5

FCS victories bolded.

Syracuse def. New Hampshire, 66-3
UConn def. Lafayette, 56-7
Army def. Bryant, 59-3
Tarleton State def. Bowling Green, 20-13
Kentucky def. Youngstown State, 45-13
Iowa State def. SEMO, 38-10
Air Force def. Duquesne, 34-0
Temple def. Rhode Island, 38-14
Tennessee def. Furman, 56-9
The Citadel def. Charlotte, 43-41 (3OT)
Navy def. Towson, 42-15
UTSA def. UTRGV, 45-16
North Dakota State def. Fordham, 38-0
Appalachian State def. Maine, 55-3
Arkansas def. North Alabama, 31-14
Southern Miss def. Alcorn State, 49-3
Old Dominion def. Norfolk State, 31-10
Texas Tech def. Abilene Christian, 33-10
Vanderbilt def. Austin Peay, 28-9
Kansas State def. Nicholls State, 71-3
Idaho State def. Utah State, 29-17
Rice def. Houston Christian, 31-3
Middle Tennessee def. Murray State, 38-14
Georgia Southern def. Charleston Southern, 31-0
South Alabama def. Southeastern Louisiana, 39-14
Virginia Tech def. VMI, 73-3
Louisiana Tech def. Northwestern State, 80-6
BYU def. Utah Tech, 63-7
Maryland def. Hampton, 62-0
Northwestern def. South Dakota State, 34-18
Louisiana def. Lamar, 38-7
New Mexico State def. Mercyhurst, 51-14
San Diego State def. Portland State, 53-20
Arizona State def. Morgan State, 70-7
Sacramento State def. Mississippi Valley State, 52-0
Jacksonville State def. Eastern Kentucky, 49-7
Arizona def. Northern Arizona, 35-7
Georgia def. Tennessee State, 63-3

Montana State Could Be Untouchable In 2026

Reigning FCS champion Montana State has been to back-to-back title games, losing to North Dakota State in 2024 (35-32) and then beating Illinois State in overtime in 2025 (35-34).

Through two weeks this season, the Bobcats are outscoring their opponents 105-24. That includes a 54-0 win on the road at Utah Tech and a 51-24 victory over Butler on Saturday. The first also was the first Big Sky game of the season for Montana State.

The Butler contest started with pair of field goals and then a 100-yard kickoff return from junior Jabez Woods to close the first quarter.

Montana State led Butler 30-3 at halftime and cruised across the finish line with 498 yards of total offense (332 passing, 166 rushing).

Individually, fifth-year quarterback Justin Lamson was 15 for 20 for 239 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 3 yards and a touchdown on two carries.

The win was the school-record 16th straight for the Bobcats, who started 2025 with two consecutive loss and then rattled off 14 wins on the way to the season-ending hardware.

Montana State finished last season at the top of the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and still sits atop the list in the latest edition.

FCS Top-25 Results For Week 1

*Winners in bold

No. 1 Montana State def. Butler, 51-24
No. 2 South Dakota State lost to Northwestern, 34-18
No. 3 Montana def. Drake, 45-10
No. 4 Illinois State def. Western Illinois, 41-10
No. 5 Tarleton State def. Bowling Green, 20-13
No. 6 UC Davis def. San Diego, 49-17
No. 7 Youngstown State lost to Kentucky, 45-13
No. 8 Rhode Island lost to Temple, 38-14
No. 9 North Dakota def. St. Thomas (Minn.), 62-26
No. 10 Lehigh def. Georgetown (D.C.), 45-14
No. 11 Stephen F. Austin def. East Texas A&M, 44-7
No. 12 South Dakota def. Northern Colorado, 38-23
No. 13 Tennessee Tech def. Chattanooga, 24-9
No. 14 Austin Peay lost to Vanderbilt, 28-9
No. 15 Mercer def. Presbyterian, 62-3
No. 16 Lamar lost to Louisiana, 38-7
No. 17 Villanova def. Bucknell, 17-16
No. 18 Yale — Idle
No. 19 William & Mary def. Delaware State, 22-15
No. 20 Northern Arizona lost to Arizona, 35-7
No. 21 ACU lost to Texas Tech, 33-10
No. 22 South Carolina State def. Florida A&M, 31-13
No. 23 Richmond def. Howard, 28-21
No. 24 Central Arkansas lost to West Florida, 42-14
No. 25 Southern Illinois def. Samford, 22-18

New AFCA FCS Rankings After Week 1 Of 2026

As of Sept. 6

Montana St. (2-0) — 648 — Prev. 1
Montana (2-0) — 591 — Prev. 3
South Dakota St. (1-1) — 582 — Prev. 2
Illinois St. (2-0) — 575 — Prev. 4
Tarleton St. (2-0) — 551 — Prev. 5
UC Davis (2-0) — 519 — Prev. 6
North Dakota (2-0) — 448 — Prev. 9
Lehigh (2-0) — 425 — Prev. 10
Stephen F. Austin (2-0) — 417 — Prev. 11
Youngstown St. (1-1) — 372 — Prev. 7
Tennessee Tech (2-0) — 357 — Prev. 13
South Dakota (2-0) — 352 — Prev. 12
Rhode Island (1-1) — 333 — Prev. 8
Mercer (2-0) — 316 — Prev. 15
Austin Peay (1-1) — 237 — Prev. 14
William & Mary (2-0) — 216 — Prev. 19
Lamar (1-1) — 195 — Prev. 16
Villanova (1-1) — 163 — Prev. 17
Yale (0-0) — 142 — Prev. 18
South Carolina St. (2-0) — 132 — Prev. 22
Richmond (2-0) — 130 — Prev. 23
West Florida (2-0) — 102 — Prev. NR
Northern Arizona (1-1) — 101 — Prev. 20
Idaho St. (2-0) — 75 — Prev. NR
ACU (0-2) — 71 — Prev. 21

Dropped Out: Central Arkansas (24), Southern Illinois (25)

Others Receiving Votes: Wofford, 53; Cal Poly, 44; Southern Illinois, 41; Prairie View A&M, 32; Elon, 31; Colgate, 25; Campbell, 23; UT-Rio Grande Valley, 15; Alabama St., 13; Jackson St., 13; Robert Morris (Pa.), 13; UIW, 13; Harvard, 12; Furman, 10; Southern Utah, 10; UT Martin, 10; Southeast Missouri St., 8; Central Arkansas, 6; Chattanooga, 6; Portland St., 5; Western Carolina, 5; Dartmouth, 4; Monmouth (N.J.), 4; East Tennessee St., 1; Eastern Washington, 1; San Diego, 1; The Citadel, 1.

Is 2026 The Year Of The Camel?

Since joining the ultra-competitive Colonial Athletic Association for the 2023 season, the Campbell University football team has gone 5-6 (4-4) in 2023, 3-9 (1-7) in 2024 and 2-10 (2-6) in 2025 and never really been considered a contender.

However, with the departure of Villanova and William & Mary, plus the addition of Sacred Heart, things in the CAA are a little uncertain this year.

Did that help the Camels in the preseason CAA poll? Not really, as past performance holds a lot of weight, but being selected to finish eighth in the 13-team conference could be a motivating factor for Campbell.

The picture will become clearer soon enough – sort of.

Campbell will start its conference slate with a pair of CAA games on Sept. 19 and Sept. 26, and that brings a huge opportunity. Those two contests will be against North Carolina A&T and Hampton, the teams tabbed to finish 12th and 13th in the CAA this year, respectively.

So far, those programs have combined to go 1-3 in 2026, while Campbell is 2-0 after wins over East Tennessee State (49-37) and Western Carolina (28-19).

Hampton beat Virginia University of Lynchburg 45-0 and then got routed by Maryland 62-0. N.C. A&T fell to Morgan State (17-7) and Georgia State (59-10).

Picking off the weaker teams early could do a lot for Campbell, especially with Maine, Monmouth and UAlbany already registering conference wins to set the pace in the CAA.

But there’s something huge on the horizon for the Camels that could either massively help or hurt their trajectory for the year.

This week, Campbell will make a trip south to face the FBS and Southeastern Conference standout Florida Gators in one of the loudest and most intimidating places to play – Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, otherwise known as The Swamp.

The old saying is “Only Gators Get Out Alive!” and that rang true in Florida’s 66-21 season-opening win over neighbor Florida Atlantic.

There probably aren’t many people expecting Campbell to leave Florida with a win, but if the Camels can play well and learn from the opportunity, they could go into their conference games with a lot of confidence and momentum.

If they get eaten up by the Gators and let it get them down, reaching October with anything less than a 2-0 conference record could quickly take Campbell out of the conversation about CAA contenders or potential at-large playoff selections.

Could early success be just the momentum the Camels need? Or will their new defensive coordinator, Brandon Butcher, prove to be the missing piece?

To help formulate an opinion, read more about Campbell football: 5 Things To Know About Campbell University Camels Football In 2026

Some Things To Know About FCS Football

The FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) is the second tier of NCAA Division I football, with the top tier being the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision).

While the FBS determines its national champion through a 12-team, committee-selected College Football Playoff, the FCS Championship includes 24 teams.

The FCS conference champions automatically qualify for the playoffs, and the remaining spots are filled via at-large selection.

This season, there will be 128 programs across 13 conferences. The regular season will begin in late August, and the playoffs will get underway at the end of November.

Who Won The Each Football National Championship For The 2025-2026 Season?

Division I FBS – Indiana def. Miami, 27-21
Division I FCS – Montana State def. Illinois State 35-34 (OT)
Division II – Ferris State def. Harding, 42-21
Division III – University of Wisconsin-River Falls def. North Central (Ill.), 24-14

When Do The 2026 NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs Start?

The first round of the 2026 NCAA FCS Playoffs will be Nov. 28.

The format includes 24 teams and five rounds of play – first round, second round, quarterfinals, semifinals and the championship game. Everything through the semifinals will be played at the site of the participating schools.

Round 2 is set for Dec. 5, the quarterfinals will be held Dec. 11 (one game) and Dec. 12 (three games) and the semifinals will take place Dec. 19.

The 2026 FCS national championship will be determined Jan. 11, 2027, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Music City first hosted the title tilt in 2025 after 15 consecutive visits to Frisco, Texas.

Every game will be broadcast live on the ESPN family of networks.

How Do The FCS Playoffs Work?

The 24 FCS teams that advance to the playoffs are situated into a single-elimination bracket.

The top 16 teams are seeded, with the first eight earning byes into the second round. Seeds 9-16 must play in the opening round of action, but they get to play host, as do the higher seeds in each game through the semifinals.

The two semifinal winners then make the trip to Nashville to play for the national championship.

In 2025, Montana State defeated Illinois State 35-34 in overtime to claim the trophy.

Since 2011, North Dakota State had been dominating the FCS landscape, winning 10 national titles, but the Bison have now moved to a bigger pasture – the FBS level as part of the Mountain West Conference.

Western Carolina vs. Campbell Football Highlights | 2026 FCS Football

Watch Western Carolina vs. Campbell highlights from Sept. 6, 2026, on FloCollege.

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