2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season

For the 2025 FBS season, see 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season.

2025 NCAA Division I FCS season
Regular season
Number of teams129
DurationAugust 23 – December 6
Playoff
DurationNovember 29 – January 5
Championship dateJanuary 5, 2026
Championship siteFirstBank Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
NCAA Division I FCS football seasons
 

The 2025 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 23 and ended in November, with the exception of the SWAC Football Championship Game in early December. The postseason will begin on November 29 and end on January 5, 2026 with the 2026 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.[1]

Due to the structure of the calendar in 2025, FCS teams were allowed to play 12 regular-season games instead of the usual 11.[2] This was the last season before the permanent expansion to a 12-game regular season (see "Notable headlines" below).

Conference changes and new programs

Two schools are playing their first FCS seasons in 2025—one transitioning from NCAA Division II, and the other playing its first season of varsity football. One other school changed conferences within FCS after the 2024 season. Two others left FCS for the Football Bowl Subdivision.

School 2024 conference 2025 conference Ref
Delaware CAA Football CUSA (FBS) [3][4]
Missouri State MVFC CUSA (FBS) [5][6]
New Haven NE-10 (D-II) NEC [7][8]
Richmond CAA Football Patriot [9]
UTRGV New program Southland [10][11]

The 2025 season will also be the last for at eight programs in their current FCS conferences, and is also Sacred Heart's last season as an FCS independent.

School 2025 conference 2026 conference Ref
Sacramento State Big Sky Independent [12]
Sacred Heart Independent CAA Football [13]
Saint Francis NEC PAC (Division III) [14]
Southern Utah UAC Big Sky [15]
Tennessee Tech OVC–Big South SoCon [16]
Utah Tech UAC Big Sky [15]
Villanova CAA Football Patriot League [17]
William & Mary CAA Football Patriot League [18]

Notable headlines

  • December 12, 2024 – The Ivy League announced that starting with the 2025 football season; the Ivy League champion will compete in the FCS playoffs. This will be the first time that conference has participated in postseason play since the 1945 signing of the Ivy Group Agreement, which initially governed football competition between Ivy schools but was extended to cover all sports in 1954.[19][a]
  • March 25, 2025 – Saint Francis announced that it would reclassify to NCAA Division III starting in 2026–27, when it will leave the Northeast Conference for the Presidents' Athletic Conference.[14]
  • April 25 – William & Mary announced that its football program would leave CAA Football for associate membership in the Patriot League starting in the 2026 season. W&M's non-football sports will remain in the multi-sports CAA, which is a separate entity from CAA Football.[18]
  • May 5 – The Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) announced a new governance structure that formalized the decades-long informal ties between it and the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), and created a formal relationship between the MVFC and the non-football Summit League. MVC commissioner Jeff Jackson replaced founding MVFC commissioner Patty Viverito following her June 30 retirement, and Summit commissioner Josh Fenton filled the new position of executive advisor at that time. Administrative operations are shared by the MVC and Summit, which are home to all but one of the MVFC's 10 members in the 2025 season.[20]
  • May 6 – New Haven announced that it accepted an invite to join the Northeast Conference effective July 1, 2025, and begin reclassification from NCAA Division II to be eligible for postseason play in 2028–29.[7]
  • June 5 – Villanova will leave CAA Football after the 2025 season for the Patriot League, while otherwise remaining a member of the non-football Big East Conference.[17]
  • June 23 – The NCAA Division I Board of Directors announced that St. Thomas had met all the requirements to be fully instated as a Division I university starting with the 2025–26 academic year. The Tommies will now be eligible for all NCAA postseason tournaments, including the FCS playoffs.[21][22]
  • June 25 – The Big Sky Conference announced that Southern Utah and Utah Tech, Western Athletic Conference (WAC) members that play football in the United Athletic Conference (UAC), would join the Big Sky in 2026.[15]
  • June 26:
    • The Division I Council approved the following measures, to take effect with the 2026 season, which the NCAA's FCS Oversight Committee had recommended on May 6:[23][24]
      • Permanent expansion of the FCS regular season from 11 to 12 games.
      • Standardization of the regular season starting date as the Thursday 13 weeks before the FCS playoff bracket is released on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. (The normal start of the FCS regular season had been the Thursday preceding Labor Day.)
      • Elimination of rule exceptions allowing contests that meet legislated criteria to be played as early as the second Saturday before Labor Day. Instead, all FCS teams will be able to play during what the Football Bowl Subdivision calls Week 0.
    • The Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) and WAC announced that their football alliance, the UAC, would become an all-sports conference in 2026. At that time, the WAC will rebrand as the UAC, with its membership including all seven remaining UAC members with scholarship FCS programs plus non-football UT Arlington. The ASUN membership going forward will consist of five non-football schools, Pioneer Football League member Stetson, and Bellarmine, which plays the non-NCAA variant of sprint football.[25]
  • July 22 — CAA Football announced that Sacred Heart would join the conference in 2026, ending the Pioneers' two-year stint as an FCS independent. Sacred Heart will remain a member of the non-football Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.[13]
  • August 13 – The Southern Conference announced that Tennessee Tech would join from the Ohio Valley Conference and the OVC–Big South Football Association in 2026.[16]
  • October 2 – The Northeast Conference adopted its longstanding abbreviation of NEC as its official name.[26]
  • October 8:
    • The Division I Administrative Committee, which officially renamed itself the Division I Cabinet at its scheduled meeting, introduced a proposal to expand allowed logos on student-athletes' uniforms and equipment beyond those of the manufacturer. It also approved changes to the football transfer portal previously recommended by the FBS and FCS Oversight Committees:[27]
      • A single transfer window will run from January 2–16. This only affects entry into the portal; a player who enters the portal may transfer outside the window.
      • The window for players undergoing a head coaching change was modified. The window for these players will open five calendar days after the hiring or public announcement of a new head coach, and run for 15 days. Should a school not hire or announce a new head coach after 30 days from the previous coach's departure, a separate 15-day window will open on the 31st day, provided that the 31st day is on or after January 3. The opportunity for such a window will exist through June 30.
  • October 18 – Shortly before its homecoming game against Marist, Morehead State officially renamed its home of Jayne Stadium to Phil Simms Stadium.[28]

Kickoff games

The regular season began on Saturday, August 23 in Week 0:

Conference standings

2025 Big Sky Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 2 Montana State $^   8 – 0     13 – 2  
No. 3 Montana ^   7 – 1     13 – 2  
No. 11 UC Davis ^   6 – 2     9 – 4  
Sacramento State   5 – 3     7 – 5  
Idaho State   5 – 3     6 – 6  
Northern Arizona   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Eastern Washington   4 – 4     5 – 7  
Cal Poly   2 – 6     4 – 8  
Idaho   2 – 6     4 – 8  
Northern Colorado   2 – 6     4 – 8  
Weber State   2 – 6     4 – 8  
Portland State   1 – 7     1 – 11  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
As of December 23, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll
2025 Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 8 Rhode Island $^   8 – 0     11 – 3  
No. 9 Villanova ^   7 – 1     12 – 3  
No. 22 New Hampshire ^   6 – 2     8 – 5  
No. 21 Monmouth   6 – 2     9 – 3  
William & Mary   6 – 2     7 – 5  
Maine   5 – 3     6 – 6  
Elon   4 – 4     6 – 6  
Stony Brook   4 – 4     6 – 6  
Towson   4 – 4     6 – 6  
North Carolina A&T   2 – 6     2 – 10  
Campbell   2 – 6     2 – 10  
Bryant   1 – 7     3 – 9  
Albany   1 – 7     2 – 10  
Hampton   0 – 8     2 – 10  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll
2025 Ivy League football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 24 Yale +^   6 – 1     9 – 3  
No. 15 Harvard +^   6 – 1     9 – 2  
Dartmouth   4 – 3     7 – 3  
Penn   4 – 3     6 – 4  
Cornell   3 – 4     4 – 6  
Princeton   2 – 5     3 – 7  
Brown   2 – 5     5 – 5  
Columbia   1 – 6     2 – 8  
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll
2025 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
South Carolina State $   5 – 0     10 – 3  
Delaware State   4 – 1     8 – 4  
North Carolina Central   3 – 2     8 – 4  
Howard   2 – 3     5 – 7  
Morgan State   1 – 4     4 – 8  
Norfolk State   0 – 5     1 – 11  
  • $ – Conference champion
As of December 23, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll
2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 1 North Dakota State $^   8 – 0     12 – 1  
No. 12 South Dakota ^   6 – 2     10 – 5  
No. 17т Illinois State ^   5 – 3     12 – 4  
No. 19 North Dakota ^   5 – 3     8 – 6  
No. 14 Youngstown State ^   5 – 3     8 – 5  
No. 16 South Dakota State ^   4 – 4     9 – 5  
No. 23 Southern Illinois   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Northern Iowa   1 – 7     3 – 9  
Murray State   1 – 7     1 – 11  
Indiana State   1 – 7     3 – 9  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
As of December 23, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll
2025 Northeast Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Central Connecticut $^   6 – 1     8 – 5  
Duquesne   5 – 2     7 – 5  
Mercyhurst*   4 – 3     5 – 7  
LIU   4 – 3     6 – 6  
Wagner   4 – 3     5 – 7  
Stonehill   3 – 4     4 – 8  
Robert Morris   2 – 5     3 – 9  
New Haven*   0 – 0     5 – 5  
Saint Francis   0 – 7     0 – 11  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
  • * – Ineligible for NEC title and FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II.
Rankings from STATS Poll
2025 OVC–Big South football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 6 Tennessee Tech $^   8 – 0     11 – 2  
UT Martin   6 – 2     6 – 6  
Gardner–Webb   5 – 3     7 – 5  
Lindenwood   5 – 3     6 – 6  
Charleston Southern   4 – 4     5 – 7  
Southeast Missouri State   3 – 5     4 – 8  
Western Illinois   3 – 5     4 – 8  
Eastern Illinois   2 – 6     3 – 8  
Tennessee State   0 – 8     2 – 10  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll
2025 Patriot League football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 4 Lehigh $^   7 – 0     12 – 1  
Lafayette   6 – 1     8 – 4  
Holy Cross   3 – 4     3 – 9  
Richmond   3 – 4     7 – 5  
Georgetown   3 – 4     6 – 6  
Colgate   3 – 4     5 – 7  
Bucknell   2 – 5     5 – 7  
Fordham   1 – 6     1 – 11  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll
2025 Pioneer Football League standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Drake $^   7 – 1     8 – 4  
Presbyterian   6 – 2     10 – 2  
San Diego   6 – 2     8 – 4  
St. Thomas (MN)   5 – 3     7 – 5  
Dayton   5 – 3     7 – 4  
Morehead State   4 – 4     6 – 6  
Butler   4 – 4     6 – 6  
Marist   3 – 5     5 – 7  
Stetson   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Davidson   1 – 7     2 – 10  
Valparaiso   1 – 7     2 – 10  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll
2025 Southern Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 7 Mercer $^   8 – 0     9 – 3  
Western Carolina   6 – 2     7 – 5  
East Tennessee State   5 – 3     7 – 5  
Wofford   5 – 3     6 – 6  
Chattanooga   4 – 4     5 – 7  
Furman   4 – 4     6 – 6  
The Citadel   3 – 5     4 – 8  
Samford   1 – 7     1 – 11  
VMI   0 – 8     1 – 11  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll
2025 Southland Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 10 Stephen F. Austin $^   8 – 0     11 – 3  
No. 17т Southeastern Louisiana ^   7 – 1     9 – 4  
No. 25 Lamar ^   5 – 3     8 – 5  
UT Rio Grande Valley   5 – 3     9 – 3  
Nicholls   4 – 4     4 – 8  
McNeese   4 – 4     5 – 7  
East Texas A&M   3 – 5     3 – 9  
Incarnate Word   3 – 5     5 – 7  
Houston Christian   1 – 7     2 – 10  
Northwestern State   0 – 8     1 – 11  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll
2025 Southwestern Athletic Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 20 Jackson State xy   7 – 1     9 – 3  
Alabama State x   7 – 1     10 – 2  
Bethune–Cookman   5 – 3     6 – 6  
Florida A&M   4 – 4     5 – 7  
Alabama A&M   1 – 7     4 – 8  
Mississippi Valley State*   1 – 7     2 – 10  
West Division
Prairie View A&M xy$   7 – 1     10 – 4  
Texas Southern   5 – 3     6 – 5  
Alcorn State   4 – 4     5 – 7  
Grambling State   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Arkansas–Pine Bluff*   2 – 6     4 – 8  
Southern   1 – 7     2 – 10  
Championship: Prairie View A&M 23, Jackson State 21
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • * – Ineligible for FCS postseason play due to failed academic requirements[30]
As of December 23, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll
2025 United Athletic Conference standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 13 Abilene Christian +^   7 – 1     9 – 5  
No. 5 Tarleton State +^   7 – 1     12 – 2  
Southern Utah   6 – 2     7 – 5  
West Georgia*   5 – 3     8 – 3  
Austin Peay   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Eastern Kentucky   3 – 5     5 – 7  
Central Arkansas   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Utah Tech   1 – 7     2 – 10  
North Alabama   1 – 7     2 – 10  
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
  • * – Ineligible for the UAC title and FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II.
Rankings from STATS Poll
2025 NCAA Division I FCS independents football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Sacred Heart   –     8 – 4  
Merrimack   –     4 – 8  

Playoff qualifiers

Automatic berths for conference champions

Locations of the 11 playoff automatic berths participants
Conference Team Record Appearance Last bid Result of last appearance
Big Sky Conference Montana State 10–2 15th 2024 Lost to North Dakota State in National Championship
CAA Football Rhode Island 10–2 5th 2024 Lost to Mercer in the second round
Ivy League Yale 8–2 1st[c] – –
Missouri Valley Football Conference North Dakota State 12–0 16th 2024 Won National Championship against Montana State
Northeast Conference Central Connecticut 8–4 4th 2024 Lost to Rhode Island in the first round
OVC–Big South Tennessee Tech 11–1 2nd 2011 Lost to Central Arkansas in the first round
Patriot League Lehigh 12–0 13th 2024 Lost to Idaho in the second round
Pioneer Football League Drake 8–3 3rd 2024 Lost to Tarleton State in the first round
Southern Conference Mercer 9–2 3rd 2024 Lost to North Dakota State in quarterfinal
Southland Conference Stephen F. Austin 10–2 9th 2021 Lost to Incarnate Word in first round
United Athletic Conference Abilene Christian 8–4 2nd 2024 Lost to North Dakota State in second round

At-large qualifiers

Locations of the 13 playoff at-large qualifiers participants
Conference Team Record Appearance Last bid Result of last appearance
Missouri Valley Football Conference Illinois State 8–4 10th 2024 Lost to UC Davis in second round
North Dakota 7–5 6th 2023 Lost to Sacramento State in first round
South Dakota State 8–4 15th 2024 Lost to North Dakota State in semifinals
South Dakota 8–4 5th 2024 Lost to Montana State in semifinals
Youngstown State 8–4 14th 2023 Lost to Villanova in second round
Southland Conference Southeastern Louisiana 9–3 6th 2022 Lost to Samford in second round
Lamar 8–4 2nd 2018 Lost to Northern Iowa in first round
CAA Football Villanova 9–2 17th 2024 Lost to Incarnate Word in second round
New Hampshire 8–4 19th 2024 Lost to UT Martin in first round
Ivy League Harvard 9–1 1st[c] – –
United Athletic Conference Tarleton State 11–1 2nd 2024 Lost to South Dakota in second round
Big Sky Conference Montana 11–1 30th 2024 Lost to South Dakota State in second round
UC Davis 8–3 4th 2024 Lost to South Dakota in the quarterfinals

Abstentions

Postseason

NCAA Division I playoff bracket

First Round
November 29
Campus sites
USA: ESPN+
Canada: TSN+ 		Second Round
December 6
Campus sites
USA: ESPN2/ESPN+
Canada: TSN+ 		Quarterfinals
December 12/13
Campus sites
USA: ABC/ESPN/ESPN+
Canada: TSN+ 		Semifinals
December 20
Campus sites
USA: ABC/ESPN2
Canada: TSN+ 		National Championship
January 5
7:30 p.m. EST
FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
USA: ESPN
Canada: TSN2/TSN+
1 North Dakota State 28
16 Southeastern Louisiana 3 Illinois State 29
Illinois State 21 Illinois State 42
8 UC Davis 31
8 UC Davis 47
9 Rhode Island 27 9 Rhode Island 26
Central Connecticut 19 Illinois State 30
12 Villanova 14
5 Lehigh 7
12 Villanova 52 12 Villanova 14
Harvard 7 12 Villanova 26
4 Tarleton State 21
4 Tarleton State 31
13 Tennessee Tech 6 North Dakota 13
North Dakota 31 Illinois State
2 Montana State
3 Montana 50
14 South Dakota State 41 14 South Dakota State 29
New Hampshire 3 3 Montana 52
11 South Dakota 22
6 Mercer 0
11 South Dakota 38 11 South Dakota 47
Drake 17 3 Montana 23
2 Montana State 48
7 Stephen F. Austin 41
10 Abilene Christian 38 10 Abilene Christian 34
Lamar 20 7 Stephen F. Austin 28
2 Montana State 44
2 Montana State 21
15 Youngstown State 42 Yale 13
Yale 43

Rankings

Main article: 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings

The top 25 from the Stats Perform and AFCA Coaches polls.

Pre-season polls

Stats Perform
Ranking Team
1 North Dakota State (54)
2 Montana State (1)
3 South Dakota State
4 South Dakota (1)
5 Incarnate Word
6 Illinois State
7 Montana
8 UC Davis
9 Rhode Island
10 Tarleton State
11 Mercer
12 Idaho
13 Villanova
14 Lehigh
15 Sacramento State
16 Abilene Christian
17 Jackson State
18 Western Carolina
19 Northern Arizona
20 Southern Illinois
21 Tennessee Tech
22 Monmouth
23 Stephen F. Austin
24 Stony Brook
25 Richmond

STATS source:[31]

Regular season top 10 matchups

Rankings reflect the Stats Perform Poll.

Date Visiting team Home team Site Result Attendance Ref.
September 6 No. 2 South Dakota State No. 3 Montana State Bobcat Stadium • Bozeman, Montana  30–24 2OT  22,117 [32]
September 27 No. 8 Idaho No. 5 Montana Washington–Grizzly Stadium • Missoula, Montana (Little Brown Stein)  30–41   27,025 [33]
October 4 No. 1 North Dakota State No. 6 Illinois State Hancock Stadium • Normal, Illinois  33–16   9,829 [34]
October 11 No. 8 Southern Illinois No. 1 North Dakota State Fargodome • Fargo, North Dakota  17–45   15,812 [35]
October 25 No. 1 North Dakota State No. 2 South Dakota State Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, South Dakota (Dakota Marker)  38–7   19,477 [36]
November 15 No. 9 UC Davis No. 3 Montana State Bobcat Stadium • Bozeman, Montana  17–38   21,777 [37]
November 22 No. 3 Montana State No. 2 Montana Washington–Grizzly Stadium • Missoula, Montana (Brawl of the Wild)  31–28   27,340 [38]
#Rankings from STATS poll released prior to the game.

Upsets

See also: 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings

This section lists unranked teams defeating STATS poll-ranked teams during the season.

Regular season

Date Visiting team Home team Site Result Attendance Ref.
August 23 No. 5 Incarnate Word Nicholls Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium • Thibodaux, Louisiana  6–20   8,779 [39]
August 30 Presbyterian No. 11 Mercer Five Star Stadium • Macon, Georgia  15–10   8,149 [40]
August 30 Gardner–Webb No. 18 Western Carolina E. J. Whitmire Stadium • Cullowhee, North Carolina  52–45   11,889 [41]
September 6 No. 4 South Dakota Lamar Provost Umphrey Stadium • Beaumont, Texas  13–20   6,043 [42]
September 6 West Georgia No. 22 Nicholls Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium • Thibodaux, Louisiana  34–10   5,456 [43]
September 6 No. 24 Southern Utah San Diego Torero Stadium • San Diego, California  27–30   2,564 [44]
September 20 No. 25 New Hampshire Dartmouth Memorial Field • Hanover, New Hampshire (Granite Bowl)  20–27   4,457 [45]
September 27 Cal Poly No. 21 Sacramento State Hornet Stadium • Sacramento, California  32–24   15,016 [46]
September 27 No. 12 Abilene Christian Incarnate Word Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium • San Antonio, Texas  7–38   3,006 [47]
October 3 No. 8 Rhode Island Brown Centreville Bank Stadium • Pawtucket, Rhode Island (Governor's Cup)  21–28   5,047 [48]
October 11 Northern Colorado No. 11 Idaho Kibbie Dome • Moscow, Idaho  49–33   12,902 [49]
October 11 No. 16 Austin Peay Eastern Kentucky Roy Kidd Stadium • Richmond, Kentucky  20–34   5,753 [50]
October 18 Youngstown State No. 10 Illinois State Hancock Stadium • Normal, Illinois  40–35   9,834 [51]
October 18 No. 13 Abilene Christian Southern Utah Eccles Coliseum • Cedar City, Utah  24–31   2,030 [52]
October 18 No. 24 Idaho Eastern Washington Roos Field • Cheney, Washington (rivalry)  14–21   6,071 [53]
October 25 Grambling State No. 12 Jackson State Allegiant Stadium • Las Vegas, Nevada (Las Vegas HBCU Classic)  26–24   29,655 [54]
October 25 No. 19 Presbyterian Dayton Welcome Stadium • Dayton, Ohio  19–35   2,687 [55]
October 31 Idaho No. 19 Northern Arizona Walkup Skydome • Flagstaff, Arizona  35–32 OT  8,010 [56]
November 1 Indiana State No. 4т South Dakota State Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, South Dakota  24–12   15,842 [57]
November 1 Idaho State No. 6 UC Davis UC Davis Health Stadium • Davis, California  38–36   10,973 [58]
November 1 No. 8 North Dakota South Dakota DakotaDome • Vermillion, South Dakota (Sitting Bull Trophy)  21–26   6,809 [59]
November 1 No. 14 Lamar Incarnate Word Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium • San Antonio, Texas  17–24   2,680 [60]
November 1 No. 22 Austin Peay Southern Utah Eccles Coliseum • Cedar City, Utah  17–33   2,808 [61]
November 8 New Hampshire No. 7 Monmouth Kessler Stadium • West Long Branch, New Jersey  34–13   3,127 [62]
November 8 No. 25 Presbyterian Davidson Davidson College Stadium • Davidson, North Carolina (1919 Cup)  13–14   2,373 [63]
November 15 East Tennessee State No. 25 Western Carolina E. J. Whitmire Stadium • Cullowhee, North Carolina (Blue Ridge Border Battle)  52–35   10,543 [64]
November 22 Albany No. 12 Monmouth Kessler Stadium • West Long Branch, New Jersey  31–24   2,813 [65]
November 22 No. 23 Northern Arizona Weber State Stewart Stadium • Ogden, Utah (Red Rock Trophy)  28–48   3,149 [66]
#Rankings from STATS poll released prior to the game.

FCS teams wins over FBS teams

Italics denotes FBS teams.

Date Visiting team Home team Site Result Attendance Ref.
August 29 No. 10 Tarleton State Army Michie Stadium • West Point, New York  30–27 2OT  23,032 [67][68]
August 30 Austin Peay Middle Tennessee Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, Tennessee  34–14   18,505 [67][69]
September 6 Bryant UMass Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium • Amherst, Massachusetts  27–26   3,714 [67][70]
September 6 LIU Eastern Michigan Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, Michigan  28–23   15,313 [67][71]
#Rankings from STATS poll released prior to the game.

Non-DI team wins over FCS teams

Italics denotes non-DI teams.

Date Visiting team Home team Site Result Attendance Ref.
August 30 Webber International (NAIA) Stetson Spec Martin Stadium • DeLand, Florida  31–21   1,975 [72]
September 6 Adrian (D-III) Valparaiso Brown Field • Valparaiso, Indiana  10–7   1,941 [73]
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

Awards and honors

All-conference teams

This is a list of the all-conference teams from the thirteen collegiate athletic conferences,[A] that sponsored football in the 2025 season.

All-Big Sky Conference

Coaching changes

Preseason and in-season

This is restricted to coaching changes that took place on or after May 1, 2025, and will include any changes announced after a team's last regularly scheduled games but before its playoff games. For coaching changes that occurred earlier in 2025, see 2024 NCAA Division I FCS end-of-season coaching changes.

School Outgoing coach Date Reason Replacement
Southern Terrence Graves October 20, 2025 Fired[75] Fred McNair (interim)
Samford Chris Hatcher November 9, 2025 Fired[76] Scot Sloan (interim)
Weber State Mickey Mental November 10, 2025 Fired[77] Brent Myers (interim)

End of season

This list includes coaching changes announced during the season that did not take effect until the end of the season.

School Outgoing coach Date Reason Replacement Previous position
Portland State Bruce Barnum November 22, 2025 Fired[78] Chris Fisk[79] Central Washington head coach (2019–2025)
Cal Poly Paul Wulff November 23, 2025 Fired[80] Tim Skipper[81] UCLA interim head coach (2025)
Hampton Trenton Boykin November 23, 2025 Fired[82] Van Malone[83] Kansas State assistant head coach/passing game coordinator/cornerbacks coach (2020–2025)
Penn Ray Priore November 24, 2025 Resigned[84] Ricky Santos[85] New Hampshire head coach (2022–2025)
Southern Fred McNair (interim) November 30, 2025 Permanent replacement Marshall Faulk[86] Colorado running backs coach (2025)
Samford Scot Sloan (interim) December 3, 2025 Permanent replacement John Grass[87] Clemson senior offensive analyst/assistant quarterbacks coach (2024–2025)
Sacramento State Brennan Marion December 5, 2025 Hired as offensive coordinator at Colorado[88] Alonzo Carter[89] Arizona assistant head coach/running backs coach (2024–2025)
Bucknell Dave Cecchini December 8, 2025 Fired[90]
Florida A&M James Colzie III December 8, 2025 Fired[91]
Mercer Mike Jacobs December 10, 2025 Hired by Toledo[92] Joel Taylor[93] West Georgia head coach (2024–2025)
Monmouth Kevin Callahan December 11, 2025 Transitioned to advisory role[94] Jeff Gallo Monmouth offensive coordinator (2019–2025)
West Georgia Joel Taylor December 11, 2025 Hired by Mercer[93] Steve Englehart[95] Presbyterian head coach (2022–2025)
New Hampshire Ricky Santos December 13, 2025 Hired by Penn[85]
Gardner-Webb Cris Reisert December 15, 2025 Resigned[96]
Howard Larry Scott December 15, 2025 Hired as tight ends coach at Auburn[97]
Weber State Brent Myers (interim) December 16, 2025 Permanent replacement Eric Kjar[98] Corner Canyon HS head coach (2017–2025)
VMI Danny Rocco December 16, 2025 Resigned[99]
Presbyterian Steve Englehart December 17, 2025 Hired by West Georgia[95]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ The Ivy League officially dates its existence from the 1954 extension of the Ivy Group Agreement.
  2. ^ Game was declared a no contest after long weather delay.
  3. ^ a b This was the first year that the Ivy League participated in the playoff.

References

  1. ^ "FCS Championship: Future dates and sites". NCAA.com. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  2. ^ "Bylaw 17.11.6.1: Number of Contests (FBS/FCS): Maximum Limitations – Institutional" (PDF). 2023–24 NCAA Division I Manual. NCAA. August 5, 2023. p. 263. Retrieved August 2, 2024. In championship subdivision football . . . Twelve football contests shall be permissible during those years in which there are 14 Saturdays from the first permissible playing date through the last playing date in November (e.g., 2024, 2025).
  3. ^ "CUSA Adds Delaware, Blue Hens to Join in 2025". conferenceusa.com. November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  4. ^ "Delaware Accepts Invitation to Join Conference USA as Full Member". University of Delaware Athletics. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  5. ^ "CUSA Adds Missouri State, Bears to Join in 2025". conferenceusa.com. May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  6. ^ "Missouri State Accepts Invitation to Join Conference USA". Missouri State University Athletics. May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Charging Ahead: University of New Haven accepts Northeast Conference membership invite". newhavenchargers.com. New Haven Chargers. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  8. ^ "Charging Up! University of New Haven Accepts Northeast Conference Membership Invite". northeastconference.org. Northeast Conference. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  9. ^ "Richmond Football to Move to Patriot League Following 2024 Season" (Press release). Richmond Spiders Athletics. May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  10. ^ "UTRGV announces approval of football, women's aquatics, band, spirit programs" (Press release). UTRGV Vaqueros. November 18, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  11. ^ "UTRGV Athletics Accepts Invitation to Join Southland Conference in 2024-25" (Press release). UTRGV Vaqueros Athletics. March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  12. ^ "NCAA denies Sacramento State's FBS waiver for 2026 season". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 26, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  13. ^ a b "CAA Football Welcomes Sacred Heart University As Its Newest Member For 2026 Season" (Press release). CAA Football. July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Saint Francis University to Reclassify to NCAA Division III, Join Presidents' Athletic Conference" (Press release). Presidents’ Athletic Conference. March 25, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  15. ^ a b c "The Big Sky Conference Welcomes Southern Utah, Utah Tech Starting in 2026" (Press release). Big Sky Conference. June 25, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "The Southern Conference Approves Tennessee Tech Membership" (Press release). Southern Conference. August 13, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  17. ^ a b "Patriot League Announces Villanova to Join League as Associate Member for Football in 2026" (Press release). Patriot League. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  18. ^ a b "William & Mary Football to Join Patriot League" (Press release). William & Mary Tribe. April 25, 2025. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  19. ^ "Play by Play: How Student-Athletes Ended Ivy League Football's 80-Year Ban on Postseason Games | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  20. ^ "Missouri Valley Football Conference, Summit League Forge Partnership" (Press release). Missouri Valley Football Conference. May 5, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  21. ^ "History in the making: St. THomas instated as full Division I member". tommiesports.com. St. Thomas Tommies. June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  22. ^ "St. Thomas is now a full Division 1 member, fully eligible for postseason play". kstp.com. KSTP 5 Eyewitness News. June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  23. ^ "Changes proposed to maximum number of FCS games, standardized start date" (Press release). NCAA. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  24. ^ "DI Council introduces proposals to add 2 women's championships" (Press release). NCAA. June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  25. ^ "Atlantic Sun Conference and Western Athletic Conference to Forge Strategic Alliance" (Press release). United Athletic Conference. June 26, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  26. ^ "New Look, Same Mission: NEC Begins Fresh Chapter" (Press release). NEC. October 2, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  27. ^ "DI Administrative Committee introduces proposal for commercial logos on uniforms, apparel and equipment" (Press release). NCAA. October 9, 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  28. ^ "Morehead State to Recognize Phil Simms with Honorary Stadium Naming During Homecoming" (Press release). Morehead State Eagles. June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  29. ^ "UC Davis-Mercer game declared a no contest after long weather delay". ESPN. August 24, 2025. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  30. ^ "Akron handed 2025 bowl ban: Zips flunk out of postseason after failing to meet NCAA academic standings". cbssports.com. CBS Sports. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  31. ^ "National Champ NDSU a Decisive Preseason No. 1 in Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll". theanalyst.com. Stats Perform. August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  32. ^ "NO. 2 SDSU WINS THRILLER IN DOUBLE OVERTIME". gojacks.com. South Dakota State University. September 7, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  33. ^ "Griz throttle Vandals, retail the Little Brown Stein". gogriz.com. University of Montana. September 28, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  34. ^ "Bison Pick Up 33-16 Road Win Over No. 6 Illinois State". gobison.com. North Dakota State University. October 4, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  35. ^ Lucy, Zachary (October 11, 2024). "Bison Capitalize on Turnovers to Beat No. 8 Southern Illinois, 45-17". gobison.com. North Dakota State University. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  36. ^ Lucy, Zachary (October 25, 2025). "No. 1 Bison Roll Past No. 2 Jackrabbits, 38-7". gobison.com. North Dakota State University. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  37. ^ Lamberty, Bill (November 16, 2025). "BOBCAT NOTEBOOK: Cats Use Game-Changing Defensive Plays to Topple UC Davis". msubobcats.com. Montana State University. Retrieved December 6, 2025. Caden Dowler's pick-six helped Montana State past ninth-ranked Aggies
  38. ^ Bill Lamberty, Bill Lamberty (November 22, 2025). "BIG SKY CHAMPS! Bobcats Top Grizzlies in Epic Brawl of the Wild". msubobcats.com. Montana State University. Retrieved December 6, 2025. Montana State Returns to the Top of the Sky
  39. ^ "Colonel Defense Dominates No. 5/4 UIW in Rybacki's Debut". geauxcolonels.com. Nicholls State University. August 23, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  40. ^ "Down Goes #11; PC Shocks Mercer in Macon". gobluehose.com. Presbyterian College. August 30, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  41. ^ Farris, Matthew (August 30, 2025). "Hampton Accounts for Six Touchdowns as Gardner-Webb Posts Largest Comeback Win in Program History; Takes Down No. 19 Western Carolina, 52-45". gwusports.com. Gardner–Webb University. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  42. ^ Dixon, James (September 6, 2025). "Cardinals Rally from Early Deficit to Stun No. 4 South Dakota". lamarcardinals.com. Lamar University. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  43. ^ Boggus, Jared (September 6, 2025). "Wolves Run to Road Win over No. 22 Nicholls | UWG Secures First Win Over Ranked Team in Division I Era". uwgathletics.com. University of West Georgia. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  44. ^ Honda, Breven (September 7, 2025). "Toreros Walk Off No. 24 Southern Utah in Historic Overtime Victory". usdtoreros.com. University of San Diego. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  45. ^ Lafleur, Justin (September 20, 2025). "Big Green Kick Off Season with 27-20 Win Over No. 25/23 UNH". dartmouthsports.com. Dartmouth College. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  46. ^ "Mustangs Open Big Sky Play with Win Over No. 21 Sacramento State". gopoly.com. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. September 27, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  47. ^ Rocha IV, Samuel (September 27, 2025). "Football Continue Home Win Streak Dominating Top-15 Ranked ACU". uiwcardinals.com. University of the Incarnate Word. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  48. ^ "Football Tops No. 8/10 Rhode Island 28-21 in Historic Governor's Cup". brownbears.com. Brown University. October 4, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  49. ^ Richards, Brooke (October 11, 2025). "Bears Stun No. 11/13 Idaho with Explosive 49-33 Road Win". uncbears.com. University of Northern Colorado. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  50. ^ "Colonels Knockoff No. 15 Austin Peay, 34-20". ekusports.com. Eastern Kentucky University. October 11, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  51. ^ "Brungard Spearheads 40-35 Victory At No. 9 Illinois State". ysusports.com. Youngstown State University. October 18, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  52. ^ Hunsaker, Regan (October 18, 2025). "Thunderbirds Topple Thirteenth-Ranked Team with Turnovers and Toughness in Thrilling Triumph". suutbirds.com. Southern Utah University. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  53. ^ Harlow, Braeden (October 18, 2025). "Rivalry won as Eagles down Vandals to remain perfect at Roos". goeags.com. Eastern Washington University. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  54. ^ Ford, Curtis (October 26, 2025). "Grambling State Stuns No. 12 Jackson State in Inaugural P&G Las Vegas HBCU Classic". gsutigers.com. Grambling State University. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  55. ^ "Football Upsets No. 16/19 Presbyterian". daytonflyers.com. University of Dayton. October 26, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  56. ^ "Vandals Escape Flagstaff With Overtime Win Over No. 19 NAU". govandals.com. University of Idaho. October 31, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  57. ^ Montgomery, Seth (November 1, 2025). "Rochelle scores three times, defense comes up with three turnovers in win at No. 4/5 South Dakota State". gosycamores.com. Indiana State University. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  58. ^ "Bengals Stun No. 6 UC Davis, 38–36, Behind Brooks' 219 Yards and Sinatra's Game-Winner". isubengals.com. Idaho State University. November 1, 2025. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  59. ^ Carlson, Steve (November 1, 2025). "Coyotes Hand No. 8 North Dakota First MVFC Loss". goyotes.com. University of South Dakota. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  60. ^ Rocha IV, Samuel (November 1, 2025). "Battle of the Cardinal Football Teams Ends in a UIW Victory at Homecoming". uiwcardinals.com. University of the Incarnate Word. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  61. ^ Hunsaker, Regan (November 1, 2025). "T-Birds Turn Heads with Total Team Triumph Over No. 22 Austin Peay". suutbirds.com. Southern Utah University. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  62. ^ "Mcallister Leads Defense in 34-13 Win at #6 Monmouth". unhwildcats.com. University of New Hampshire. November 8, 2025. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  63. ^ "'Cats Shock No. 23/25 Presbyterian to Retain 1919 Cup". davidsonwildcats.com. Davidson College. November 8, 2025. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  64. ^ "ETSU rolls past Western Carolina in annual Blue Ridge Border Battle, 52-35". etsubucs.com. East Tennessee State University. November 15, 2025. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  65. ^ "Football Downs Nationally Ranked Monmouth to Close Out Season". ualbanysports.com. State University of New York at Albany. November 22, 2025. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  66. ^ Paul Grua, Paul Grua (November 22, 2025). "Wildcats close out season with dominating win over NAU | Weber State beats the Lumberjacks 48-28 in Red Rock Rivalry trophy game". weberstatesports.com. Weber State University. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  67. ^ a b c d "FCS wins vs. FBS teams: All-time victories, upsets, wins vs. ranked teams". NCAA.com. September 7, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  68. ^ Cohen, Grant (August 29, 2025). "Tarleton State Football beats Army, takes down defending American champs in 2OT in West Point". tarletonsports.com. Tarleton State University. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  69. ^ Allard, Alex (August 30, 2025). "Governors Ground Blue Raiders for Second-Ever FBS Victory in 2025 Season Opener". letsgopeay.com. Austin Peay State University. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  70. ^ "BRYANT DEFEATS UMASS, 27-26, FOR FIRST WIN OVER FBS IN PROGRAM HISTORY". bryantbulldogs.com. Bryant University. September 6, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  71. ^ Bassman, Ricky (September 7, 2025). "LIU Knocks off Eastern Michigan to Earn Program's 1st FBS Win". liuathletics.com. Long Island University. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  72. ^ "Webber Football Completes Historic Upset and Becomes 10th NAIA School to defeat NCAA DIV 1 FCS Team and 12th Overall NAIA over FCS Win in 31-21 Victory Against Stetson". webberathletics.com. Webber International University. August 31, 2025. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  73. ^ "Football Stuns Valparaiso in Season Opener on Game Winning Drive". adrianbulldogs.com. Adrian College. September 6, 2025. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  74. ^ Rodgers, Tyson (November 26, 2025). "Treasure State Standouts Headline 2025 #BigSkyFB Postseason Honors". bigskyconf.com. Big Sky Conference. Retrieved December 16, 2025. Montana State's Caden Dowler wins Defensive Player of the Year honors
  75. ^ Brown III, Toyloy (October 20, 2025). "Southern fires football coach Terrence Graves in second year after 1-6 start to season". The Advocate. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  76. ^ "Hatcher Relieved Of Duties" (Press release). Samford Bulldogs. November 9, 2025. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  77. ^ Reynolds, Kevin (November 10, 2025). "Weber State fires football coach amid three-year skid". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  78. ^ Streng, Nik (November 23, 2025). "Portland State fires football coach Bruce Barnum after 1-11 season". oregonlive. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  79. ^ Lund, Mike (December 12, 2025). "Portland State Names Chris Fisk As New Head Coach Of The Vikings Football Program" (Press release). Portland State Vikings. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  80. ^ "Cal Poly parts ways with head football coach Paul Wulff" (Press release). KSBY News. November 23, 2025. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  81. ^ "Cal Poly Names Tim Skipper Head Football Coach" (Press release). Cal Poly Mustangs. December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  82. ^ "Leadership Change For Hampton Football" (Press release). Hampton Pirates. November 23, 2025. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  83. ^ "Van Malone Named Hampton's Head Football Coach" (Press release). Hampton Pirates. December 12, 2025. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  84. ^ "Ray Priore Stepping Down as George A. Munger Head Football Coach" (Press release). Penn Quakers. November 24, 2025. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
  85. ^ a b "Rick Santos Named Head Football Coach at Penn" (Press release). Penn Quakers. December 13, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  86. ^ Rittenburg, Adam (November 30, 2025). "Southern University names Marshall Faulk its new coach". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  87. ^ "Samford Names John Grass Head Football Coach" (Press release). Samford Bulldogs. December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  88. ^ "SACRAMENTO STATE ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN FOOTBALL LEADERSHIP" (Press release). Sacramento State Hornets. December 5, 2025. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  89. ^ "SACRAMENTO STATE NAMES ALONZO CARTER AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH" (Press release). Sacramento State Hornets. December 15, 2025. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  90. ^ "Bucknell Announces Change in Leadership in Football Program" (Press release). Bucknell Bison. December 8, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  91. ^ Thomas III, Gerald; Henry, Jim (December 8, 2025). "James Colzie III fired as FAMU football coach after dismal 2025 season". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  92. ^ "Mike Jacobs Named Head Football Coach at Toledo". utrockets.com. University of Toledo Athletics. December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  93. ^ a b Anderson, Todd (December 11, 2025). "Mercer Names Joel Taylor As Football Head Coach" (Press release). Mercer Bears. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  94. ^ "Monmouth University Names Jeff Gallo '05, '12M Head Football Coach as Kevin Callahan Transitions to Advisory Role" (Press release). Monmouth Hawks. December 11, 2025. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  95. ^ a b Boggus, Jared (December 17, 2025). "Steve Englehart Named 13th Head Football Coach at UWG" (Press release). West Georgia Wolves. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  96. ^ Farris, Matthew (December 15, 2025). "Reisert Steps Down as Head Coach of Gardner-Webb Football" (Press release). Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  97. ^ Kim, Melissa (December 15, 2025). "Howard head coach Larry Scott heading to Auburn University". WUSA. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  98. ^ Grua, Paul (December 16, 2025). "Eric Kjar named new head coach of Weber State football" (Press release). Weber State Wildcats. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  99. ^ "Rocco resigns after three seasons" (Press release). VMI Keydets. December 16, 2025. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.