FCS Playoffs

[ST_Lawson]

It's really hard to beat a good team twice in a season. It's also really hard to pick against the Bison in the playoffs. They've shown that they can really step things up in the postseason. Not saying SDSU can't do it, but they'll need to play better than in their earlier win to take this one. Just look at how many times SDSU got within 5-10 yards of the end zone and came away with 0 points....hint...it was a lot.

[sealhall74]

Give Stig an A for creativity. Looked like a rugby play.

[wiu712]

Attendance for the Friday night game at James Madison = 15,646.

[ST_Lawson]

So...yea, James Madison destroyed Sam Houston State 65-7 last night.
Today, North Dakota State beat South Dakota State 36-10.
Youngstown State beat Wofford 30-23 in 2 OT.
And right now, Eastern Washington is leading Richmond 21-0 at halftime.

NDSU will host James Madison next weekend, and if the results hold for the last game, then Youngstown State will travel to Eastern Washington next weekend. Winners of those two games will play in the national championship game, so there's the potential for another all-MVFC championship game if both NDSU and YSU win their games next weekend.

[meganeck]

Did you watch the YSU game Scott, sounds like it was a heck of a game

[ST_Lawson]

Did you watch the YSU game Scott, sounds like it was a heck of a game

Oh, it was and definately the most exciting of the 4 games this weekend (the other three point margins were 26, 38, and 58). YSU kinda dug a hole for themselves early with a couple of turnovers although they really didn't play that badly outside of that. Wofford was up 9-0 after the 1st quarter, but YSU battled back going up 13-9 in the second quarter and into halftime with the lead. 3rd quarter they traded TDs and then in the 4th Wofford got another TD and YSU got a FG to tie it up 23-all at the end of regulation. Wofford had a chance to win it in the last few seconds, but a 53-yard FG fell short.

In the first OT, Wofford got all the way up to the YSU 2 yard line, but didn't make it going for it on 4th an 1. YSU then had the ball, didn't get much of anywhere, but missed a FG from 37 yards out. In the second OT, YSU started with the ball and picked their way down to the end zone to get a TD on a 2-yard run. Then it was Wofford's turn to try and match it. They lost 2 yards on the first run, tried a "trick" play, tossing it back and forth from QB to another player (WR or RB) and then back to the QB to try for a pass, but was incomplete. Then going for it on 4th and 13, they swung out to the left and tried a lateral option to a RB, but the "pass" was forward and incomplete, which ended the game.

So, some close calls, some big plays, and some real strong defense from both sides of the ball. If you're interested and have access to ESPN3/WatchESPN, the replay should be available for at least a few days. It was a pretty decent game and worth a review if you're into that sort of thing.

Eastern Washington did beat Richmond (38-0), so they'll host Youngstown State next weekend and as previously mentioned, North Dakota State will host James Madison. 2 MVFC teams, a CAA team, and a Big Sky team. Winners advance to the championship game.

[wiu712]

Attendance at Eastern Washington = 5,150.
Attendance at Youngstown State = 8,066.
Attendance at North Dakota State = 18,285.

[meganeck]

Did you watch the YSU game Scott, sounds like it was a heck of a game

Oh, it was and definately the most exciting of the 4 games this weekend (the other three point margins were 26, 38, and 58). YSU kinda dug a hole for themselves early with a couple of turnovers although they really didn't play that badly outside of that. Wofford was up 9-0 after the 1st quarter, but YSU battled back going up 13-9 in the second quarter and into halftime with the lead. 3rd quarter they traded TDs and then in the 4th Wofford got another TD and YSU got a FG to tie it up 23-all at the end of regulation. Wofford had a chance to win it in the last few seconds, but a 53-yard FG fell short.

In the first OT, Wofford got all the way up to the YSU 2 yard line, but didn't make it going for it on 4th an 1. YSU then had the ball, didn't get much of anywhere, but missed a FG from 37 yards out. In the second OT, YSU started with the ball and picked their way down to the end zone to get a TD on a 2-yard run. Then it was Wofford's turn to try and match it. They lost 2 yards on the first run, tried a "trick" play, tossing it back and forth from QB to another player (WR or RB) and then back to the QB to try for a pass, but was incomplete. Then going for it on 4th and 13, they swung out to the left and tried a lateral option to a RB, but the "pass" was forward and incomplete, which ended the game.

So, some close calls, some big plays, and some real strong defense from both sides of the ball. If you're interested and have access to ESPN3/WatchESPN, the replay should be available for at least a few days. It was a pretty decent game and worth a review if you're into that sort of thing.

Eastern Washington did beat Richmond (38-0), so they'll host Youngstown State next weekend and as previously mentioned, North Dakota State will host James Madison. 2 MVFC teams, a CAA team, and a Big Sky team. Winners advance to the championship game.

Wow, if anything I might try to watch that OT...On paper looks like the semi-finals should be good.

[sealhall74]

Rumors are floating around that several Penguins may not be making the flight to EWU this weekend and it ain't because Penguins can't fly.

[ST_Lawson]

Yea, 5 players, including possibly 3-4 very good starters, tested positive for a substance. Rumors say pot, but hasn't been confirmed yet. Either way it will likely be a huge hit to their team.

EDIT - also Martin Ruiz, one of their top RBs was held out of most of last weekend's game, only in on one play, and is facing firearm charges also: http://wkbn.com/2016/12/13/youngstown-s ... um=twitter