Week 7 of the spring FCS season got off to a tough Saturday start when the No. 2 North Dakota State at South Dakota game got canceled a few hours before the game due to a positive COVID test within the NDSU program. But while the typical social media freakout ensued, we were reminded later just how fun the one-time spring season has been. And also reminds us that, all things considered, it’s been a successful one. After all, 85 percent of the games scheduled have happened.
Two of those games today ended in electric fashion.
At 5:13 p.m. CT, Randall Johnson connected with Justin Malone on a 50-yard Hail Mary as time expired to give No. 3 Weber State a 28-23 win against Northern Arizona.
At 5:18 p.m. CT, Missouri State’s Jose Pizano nailed a 33-yard field goal to upset No. 10 Southern Illinois 30-27.
Both results have serious impacts on the playoff picture.
If Weber State loses that game, the Wildcats are in a much more competitive race for the Big Sky’s auto-bid, and their shot at a playoff seed is all but gone. One play, and a Top 4 seed is still on the table for Weber.
Missouri State’s win not only knocks SIU out of the playoff picture with the Salukis suffering their third loss, but now the Bears are in position to contend for a playoff spot.
Missouri State is 4-4 overall. But three of those losses came in the fall, one against Oklahoma and the other two vs. Central Arkansas. The Bears are 4-1 in the Valley this spring with three straight wins against ranked opponents (at the time of the game). With matchups at North Dakota and vs. Youngstown State remaining, a four-loss Missouri State team most definitely is in the playoff conversation now.
