Illinois State: A Remarkable Run to the National Championship Game

Illinois State entered the 2025 FCS football season as a Top 10 team, but few could have predicted the incredible journey the Redbirds would take. The team’s 12-5 record (5-3 MVFC) and near miss in the national championship game were a testament to their resilience and determination.

After starting the season with a loss to Youngstown State on October 18, the Redbirds found themselves at 4-3 overall. However, they quickly turned things around, winning eight of their next nine games, including four consecutive road wins in the postseason. Key players like Tommy Rittenhouse and Daniel Sobkowicz played pivotal roles, while the defense made crucial plays when it mattered most. This run was one of the most remarkable in FCS football history, coming just one point short of being named national champions.

West Georgia: A Historic Second Season at Division I

West Georgia had a stunning second season at the Division I level, finishing with an 8-3 record (5-3 UAC). The Wolves were voted seventh in the preseason UAC poll, but they completely shattered expectations with a 5-0 start that earned them their first-ever Top 25 ranking at the FCS level.

All three of their losses came against Top 25 teams, including two that were Top 16 seeds in the FCS Playoffs. Defensive lineman David Hoage became the program’s first-ever FCS All-American, leading the team with 20 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. Head coach Joel Taylor was named the UAC Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, highlighting the program’s impressive growth.

Yale: Defying Expectations in the Ivy League

Yale continued its dominance in the Ivy League under head coach Tony Reno, securing the conference title with a 9-3 record (6-1 Ivy League). While Harvard and Dartmouth were the preseason favorites, the Bulldogs proved otherwise with a dominant 45-28 win over Harvard to secure their first-ever auto bid into the FCS Playoffs.

The team’s performance in the postseason was nothing short of extraordinary. Despite trailing Youngstown State 42-14 in the third quarter, Yale mounted a historic comeback with 29 unanswered points. Josh Pitsenberger delivered an All-American season, earning Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year honors. This victory further solidified Tony Reno’s reputation as one of the top coaches in FCS football.

UTRGV: A Record-Breaking Inaugural Season

UTRGV’s inaugural season was nothing short of remarkable. The Vaqueros received only 24 votes in the preseason SLC poll, finishing last in the conference. However, they ended the season with a 9-3 record (5-3 Southland), making them the most successful inaugural team since FIU won six games in 2002.

The Vaqueros’ success wasn’t due to easy opponents; instead, they defeated several strong Division I teams, including Prairie View A&M, Incarnate Word, and Nicholls. Six of their nine wins came against Division I opponents, showcasing their ability to compete at a high level from day one.

In addition to their on-field success, UTRGV ranked 11th in total attendance in the FCS this season. They averaged over 12,000 fans per game, totaling nearly 88,000 fans over their seven home games, where they remained undefeated.

Delaware State: A New Era of Success

Delaware State was expected to finish last in the MEAC, receiving only 20 total points in the preseason poll. Instead, the Hornets finished with an 8-4 record (4-1 MEAC), one game away from making the first Celebration Bowl appearance in program history.

Under DeSean Jackson, the Hornets had the best rushing attack in the country, averaging 291.2 yards per game. Marquis Gillis and James Jones led the offensive charge, while quarterback Kaiden Bennett provided key moments with his legs. This was a program that hadn’t won seven games since 2007, making Jackson’s impact even more significant.

Prairie View A&M: A Historic SWAC Championship Run

Prairie View A&M defied expectations by finishing with a 10-4 record (7-1 SWAC), securing their first SWAC Championship since 2009. The Panthers were not even projected to win their own division, finishing third in the SWAC West in the preseason poll.

After a 1-2 start, the Panthers went on a nine-game winning streak, securing a spot in the Celebration Bowl for the first time in program history. Their stout defense led the nation in passing defense, holding opponents to just 139.2 yards per game. Although they fell short in the Celebration Bowl, the Panthers’ achievement marked a historic season for the program.