FCS Kickoff

Last updated

FCS Kickoff
Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff
Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff logo.png
Stadium Cramton Bowl (2017–present)
Location Montgomery, Alabama
Previous stadiumsCampus sites (2014–2016)
Operated2014–present
Sponsors
Guardian Credit Union (2017–present)
2023 matchup
No. 20 Mercer Bears 17, North Alabama 7
2024 matchup
Southeast Missouri State vs. North Alabama

The FCS Kickoff is an annual college football game played on the Saturday before the opening weekend of the college football season. The game showcases teams from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). For the game's first three editions, it was played at campus sites; since 2017, the game has been played at a neutral site, the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. The game is televised nationally by ESPN, and for sponsorship reasons is officially the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff.

Contents

History

In February 2013, ESPN announced that the 2014 college football season would begin at its earliest point in 11 years with the creation of the "FCS Kickoff", an annual game which would showcase two top-level teams from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. ESPN stated that during meetings with FCS conference commissioners there was an interest in creating a "tentpole type" event around FCS football [1] and to showcase the quality and depth of FCS football to a national audience. [2]

Under current NCAA rules, FCS teams are not allowed to play their first regular-season game until the Thursday preceding Labor Day. However, an exception to this rule has been carved out for nationally televised events (on either over-the-air or cable networks); teams may participate in such an event against an out-of-conference opponent on the Saturday or Sunday preceding the standard season start date. No more than one team from a conference can participate in such an event in a given season, and no team can appear in such a game in three consecutive seasons. [3]

The 2017 edition marked several changes for the event. First, ESPN took ownership of the event through its ESPN Events division. The event was moved to a neutral site (the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama); received a name sponsorship by Guardian Credit Union, a small Montgomery-based credit union; was co-branded as the Montgomery Kickoff Classic; and also took on Alabama FCS member Jacksonville State University as a partner for the 2017 and 2018 editions. As such, JSU participated in both editions of the event. [4] [5] With Jacksonville State barred from a third consecutive FCS Kickoff appearance by NCAA rule, ESPN chose another Alabama program, Samford, as the de facto home team for the 2019 edition. [6]

The 2020 edition, which saw Central Arkansas defeat Austin Peay, was the first since ESPN took ownership of the event that did not feature an Alabama school. [7]

Game results

SeasonDateWinning teamLosing teamVenueAttendance
2014 August 23 No. 1 Eastern Washington 56No. 17 Sam Houston State 35 Roos Field (Cheney, WA)10,310 [8]
2015 August 29 No. 13 Montana 38No. 1 North Dakota State 35 Washington–Grizzly Stadium (Missoula, MT)26,472 [9]
2016 August 27No. 1 North Dakota State 24No. 7 Charleston Southern 17 Fargodome (Fargo, ND)18,881 [10]
2017 August 26No. 6 Jacksonville State 27No. 12 Chattanooga 13 Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, AL)12,952 [11]
2018 August 25No. 14 North Carolina A&T 20No. 6 Jacksonville State 1713,500 [12]
2019 August 24 Youngstown State 45 Samford 2212,560 [13]
2020 August 29No. 11 Central Arkansas 24 No. 13 Austin Peay 172,000 [14]
2022 August 27 Jacksonville State 42No. 10 Stephen F. Austin 175,235 
2023 August 26No. 20 Mercer 17 North Alabama 75,566 [15]

Rankings are from the STATS FCS Poll.


Records

By team

RankTeamAppsRecordWin %PFPA
1 Central Arkansas 11–01.0002417
Eastern Washington 11–01.0005635
Mercer 11–01.000177
Montana 11–01.0003835
North Carolina A&T 11–01.0002017
Youngstown State 11–01.0004522
7 Jacksonville State [lower-alpha 1] 32–1.6678650
8 North Dakota State 21–1.5005955
9 Austin Peay 10–1.0001724
Charleston Southern 10–1.0001724
Chattanooga 10–1.0001327
North Alabama 10–1.000717
Sam Houston [lower-alpha 1] [lower-alpha 2] 10–1.0003556
Samford 10–1.0002245
Stephen F. Austin 10–1.0001742
  1. 1 2 Now playing in Division I FBS.
  2. Sam Houston dropped "State" from its athletic branding in 2020.

By conference

RankConferenceAppsRecordWin %PFPA
1 Big Sky 22–01.0009470
ASUN 11–01.0004217
MEAC 11–01.0002017
4 MVFC 32–1.66710477
5 Southland 21–1.5005973
6 Ohio Valley 31–2.3336157
Southern 31–2.3335279
7 Big South 10–1.0001724
UAC 10–1.000717
WAC 10–1.0001742

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cramton Bowl</span> American stadium

Cramton Bowl is a 25,000-seat stadium located in Montgomery, Alabama. Cramton Bowl opened in 1922 as a baseball stadium and has been home to Major League Baseball spring training and to minor league baseball. Today, however, its primary use is for American football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aflac Kickoff Game</span> NCAA Football event

The Aflac Kickoff Game is an annual series of college football games played on the opening weekend of the NCAA Division I FBS season in Atlanta, Georgia. Organized by the Peach Bowl, the event coincides with Labor Day weekend in the United States. From its inception in 2008 until 2016, it was held at the Georgia Dome. The Georgia Dome's replacement, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, began hosting the games starting in 2017. Since 2012, there have been occasional doubleheaders in the series.

The 1934 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1934 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 41st overall season and 2nd as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his fourth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. They finished the season with a perfect record, as Southeastern Conference champions for the second consecutive season and defeated Stanford in the Rose Bowl.

The 2014 Southern Conference football season was the 93rd season of college football for the Southern Conference (SoCon) and formed a part of the 2014 NCAA Division I FCS football season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auburn Tigers football statistical leaders</span>

The Auburn Tigers football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Auburn Tigers football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, Single season and career leaders. The Tigers represent Auburn University in the NCAA's Southeastern Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football statistical leaders</span>

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Chanticleers represent Coastal Carolina University in the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference. Coastal joined the Sun Belt for non-football sports in 2016, began play in Sun Belt football in the second year of its transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2017, and became a full FBS member in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 NCAA Division I FCS football season</span> American college football season

The 2017 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of college football in the United States, was organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. The FCS Championship Game was played on January 6, 2018, in Frisco, Texas. The North Dakota State Bison beat the James Madison Dukes, 17–13, to capture their sixth title in seven years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Kennesaw State Owls football team</span> American college football season

The 2017 Kennesaw State Owls football team represented Kennesaw State University in the 2017 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by third-year head coach Brian Bohannon and played their home games at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia as third-year members of the Big South Conference. They finished the season 12–2, 5–0 in Big South play to win the Big South conference championship. The Owls received the Big South's automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs, their first trip to the playoffs in school history. In the first round of the playoffs, the Owls defeated Samford in a rematch of their only regular season loss and marked the school's first ever playoff win. In the second round, the Owls upset No. 3 seed Jacksonville State to advance to the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, despite a furious second half comeback, they lost to Sam Houston State.

The 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season was the 149th season of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at its highest level of competition, the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The regular season began on August 25, 2018, and ended on December 8, 2018. The postseason began on December 15, and aside from any all-star games that were scheduled, concluded on January 7, 2019, with the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Clemson Tigers won the title game over the Alabama Crimson Tide, the school's third national title and second in three years, and also becoming the first team since the 1897 Penn Quakers to have a perfect 15-0 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season</span> American college football season

The 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of college football in the United States, was organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. The FCS Championship Game was played on January 5, 2019, in Frisco, Texas. North Dakota State claimed its second consecutive FCS title, and seventh in eight years, defeating Eastern Washington, 38-24.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game</span> Postseason college football game

The 2017 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game was a postseason college football game that determined a national champion in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision for the 2016 season. It was played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on January 7, 2017, with kickoff at 12:00 noon EST, and was the culminating game of the 2016 FCS Playoffs. With sponsorship from Northwestern Mutual, the game was officially known as the NCAA FCS Football Championship Presented by Northwestern Mutual.

The 2016 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game was a postseason college football game that determined a national champion in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision for the 2015 season. It was played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on January 9, 2016, with kickoff at 12:00 noon EST, and was the culminating game of the 2015 FCS Playoffs. With sponsorship from Northwestern Mutual, the game was officially known as the NCAA FCS Football Championship Presented by Northwestern Mutual.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 NCAA Division I FCS football season</span> American college football season

The 2019 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of college football in the United States, was organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. The FCS Championship Game was played on January 11, 2020, in Frisco, Texas. Defending champion North Dakota State completed the regular season undefeated, then won their eighth championship in nine seasons, defeating James Madison, 28-20, for the title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season</span> American college football season

The 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of college football in the United States, was organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Central Arkansas Bears football team</span> American college football season

The 2020 Central Arkansas Bears football team represented the University of Central Arkansas in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season as a member of the Southland Conference. The Bears were led by third-year head coach Nathan Brown and played their home games at Estes Stadium.

The 2020 Austin Peay Governors football team represented Austin Peay State University during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Governors were led by Scotty Walden and played their home games at Fortera Stadium. They were competing as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Montgomery Bowl</span> Postseason college football bowl game

The 2020 Montgomery Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 23, 2020, at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. The game was broadcast on ESPN, with kickoff at 7:00 p.m. EST. It was the inaugural, and potentially only, edition of the Montgomery Bowl. It was one of two bowl games, along with the Camellia Bowl, that were played at the Cramton Bowl following the 2020 FBS football season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacksonville State Gamecocks football statistical leaders</span>

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Jacksonville State Gamecocks football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Gamecocks represent Jacksonville State University in the NCAA Division I FCS WAC–ASUN Challenge through the 2022 season, after which they will move to Division I FBS and join Conference USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 NCAA Division I FCS football season</span> American college football season

The 2022 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of college football in the United States, is organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. The regular season began on August 27 and ended on November 19. The postseason began on November 26, and ended on January 8, 2023, with the 2023 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. South Dakota State defeated defending champion North Dakota State, 45-21, to win the title.

The 2024 North Alabama Lions football team will represent North Alabama University in the United Athletic Conference (UAC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Lions will be led by second-year head coach Brent Dearmon. The team will play its home games at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama.

References

  1. "ESPN to give college football season an early start in 2014". usatoday.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  2. "College football season to kick off with FCS battle between Sam Houston State and Eastern Washington on August 23". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  3. "Bylaw 17.10.3.2: First Contest, Exception—Nationally Televised Contest—Championship Subdivision" (PDF). 2018–19 NCAA Division I Manual. NCAA. July 2018. p. 272. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  4. Rankin, Duane; Stevens, Matthew (October 12, 2016). "ESPN announces Montgomery Kickoff Classic for 2017". Montgomery Advertiser . Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  5. "Guardian Credit Union Joins FCS Kickoff as Title Sponsor" (Press release). ESPN. March 21, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  6. Haley, Craig (September 25, 2018). "Samford, Youngstown State to meet in 2019 FCS Kickoff". Yahoo! Sports. Associated Press. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  7. "Austin Peay Football to Open 2020 at Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff" (Press release). Ohio Valley Conference. January 29, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  8. "Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. Eastern Washington Eagles Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  9. "North Dakota State Bison vs. Montana Grizzlies Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  10. "Charleston Southern Buccaneers vs. North Dakota State Bison Box Score". ESPN.com. August 27, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  11. "Chattanooga Mocs vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  12. "North Carolina A&T Aggies vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  13. "Youngstown State Penguins vs. Samford Bulldogs Box Score". ESPN.com. August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  14. "Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas - Game Summary - August 29, 2020 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  15. "Gamecase: FCS Kickoff". ESPN.com. August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.