Welcome to the FCS Football Talk podcast.
On this episode, Sam Herder and Zach McKinnell discuss:
-Week 2 Three Game Balls and A Flag
-No. 23 North Dakota’s win over No. 4 Montana
-No. 1 South Dakota State’s statement win against No. 12 Incarnate Word
-How do we view South Dakota State and Montana after two weeks?
-Multiple preseason-ranked programs fall to 0-2
-Week 3 previews: No. 17 UAlbany at No. 4 Idaho, No. 23 Mercer at No. 14 Chattanooga, No. 12 UIW at No. 9 Southern Illinois, No. 24 Nicholls at No. 11 Sacramento State
-Other FCS matchups to watch in Week 3
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3 Game Balls and a Flag
Each week of the 2024 FCS football season, the FCS Football Talk podcast will award three game balls and a flag from the previous weekend’s action.
The game balls are awarded to three standout teams or individual players, while the flag is thrown after a disappointing performance or questionable coaching decision.
Below are the three game balls and a flag from Week 2.
Zach’s 3 Game Balls And A Flag
- Game Ball: Idaho
- The Vandals defeated Wyoming, 17-13, in the third FBS upset of the season
- Back-to-back FBS wins for the Vandals (Nevada; 2023)
- First win against Wyoming since 1921
- First win in Laramie in program history
- Idaho held Wyoming to 3 points over the first three quarters
- The Cowboys were limited to 270 total yards and 3.9 yards per play
- Linebacker Jaxton Eck led the Vandals with nine total tackles
- Defensive end Keyshawn James-Newby had another impressive performance
- Led the Vandals with three TFLs and three sacks
- Over the first two games, James-Newby has recorded 10 total tackles, 5.5 TFLs, five sacks, and two forced fumbles
- In his first career start, Jack Wagner completed 12-of-21 attempts for 101 passing yards and one touchdown
- The Vandals defeated Wyoming, 17-13, in the third FBS upset of the season
- Game Ball: Campbell
- Defeated No. 16 Western Carolina for the first win over a ranked opponent in program history
- First win for Braxton Harris as the head coach at Campbell
- Campbell held Western Carolina to only 287 total yards and 4.3 yards per play
- Forced five turnovers, including four interceptions from quarterback Cole Gonzales
- Linebacker Jalen Brooks led the team with 12 total tackles, one interception, and one pass breakup
- The Camels rolled up over 440 yards of total offense, led by multiple explosive plays from quarterback Chad Mascoe
- Mascoe: 18-of-29 for 306 passing yards, two passing TDs, one rushing TD
- Wide receiver VJ Wilkins led the Camels with five receptions and two receiving touchdowns
- Defeated No. 16 Western Carolina for the first win over a ranked opponent in program history
- Game Ball: Southern Utah
- Secured the fourth FCS over FBS upset of the 2024 season
- First FBS win for the Thunderbirds since 2013
- The Thunderbirds scored 18 unanswered points in the second half to overcome a 17-6 halftime deficit
- UTEP kicker Buzz Flabiano missed a game-tying field goal in overtime
- Southern Utah recorded over 260 rushing yards, averaging over 5.7 yards per carry
- Running back Targhee Lambson: 183 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 9.2 YPC
- Quarterback Jackson Berry extended multiple key drives with his legs, rushing for 53 yards
- Southern Utah’s defense recorded 10 tackles for loss and limited UTEP to 5-of-16 on third downs
- Secured the fourth FCS over FBS upset of the 2024 season
- Flag: Eastern Washington
- The Eagles suffered an upset loss to Drake, losing 35-32 in an overtime battle
- The win ended an 8-game non-conference losing streak for the Bulldogs
- It was also the hottest game in Eastern Washington history (95 degrees) at kickoff
- The Bulldogs dominated offensively, generating over 460 yards of total offense
- Quarterback Luke Bailey completed 28-of-48 attempts for 380 passing yards and two touchdowns
- Wide receivers Mitchell January and Trey Radocha combined for 9 receptions for 202 receiving yards and one touchdown
- Eastern Washington was limited to 385 total yards, including only 179 passing yards
- Nine different Drake players recorded at least 0.5 tackles for loss
- Linebacker Sean Allison led the Bulldogs with 15 total tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one sack
- The Eagles suffered an upset loss to Drake, losing 35-32 in an overtime battle
Sam’s 3 Game Balls And A Flag
- Game ball: UND
- No. 23 North Dakota beats No. 4 Montana 27-24, erasing a 24-7 halftime deficit
- North Dakota rushed 49 times for 243 yards, including 161 yards in the second half
- UND owned a 37:14-22:46 time of possession advantage
- Both teams move to 1-1 overall
- UND hosts Idaho State, San Diego, and Murray State before visiting NDSU
- Game ball: Wofford
- Out to a 2-0 record, beating two 2023 playoff teams in Gardner-Webb and Richmond
- Beats No. 14 Richmond 26-19 last weekend
- Holding teams to 19.5 points per game
- Kyle Watkins already has 14 catches for 242 yards and a touchdown
- Hosts No. 13 William & Mary this week
- Game ball: Griffin Wilde
- SDSU true sophomore WR
- Already has 17 catches for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns this year
- Last year, he had 20 catches for 399 yards and 6 TDs
- Flag: Western Carolina
- 0-2 start after being preseason ranked No. 20
- Lost to NC State in Week 1 and then lost 24-16 to unranked Campbell at home
- QB Cole Gonzales threw four interceptions in the Campbell loss
- WCU travels to ranked Elon and Montana in the next two weeks
