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The Soccer Championship Subdivision (FCS), beforehand often called Division I-AA, has produced a few of faculty soccer’s biggest groups and established perennial powers. Listed here are our rankings of the 25 finest all-time FCS faculties.
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25. Jacksonville State
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In 2023, Jacksonville State debuted on the FBS stage, following a merely stellar however comparatively quick stint as an FCS program. From 2003-22, the Gamecocks endured only one dropping season. Throughout that stretch, they received no less than 10 video games six occasions, together with 5 in a row from 2013-17. JSU, which received Division II nationwide titles in 1977 and ’92, made 10 appearances within the FCS playoffs, with the spotlight coming in 2015 beneath coach John Grass, when it reached the championship sport, solely to lose 37-10 to North Dakota State.
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24. Illinois State
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Starting within the late Nineteen Nineties and lasting for a lot of the present century, Illinois State has been a staple of success on the FCS stage. All eight of the Redbirds’ playoff appearances have come since 1998. They’ve gone 10-8 in such contests, reached the quarterfinals six occasions, the semifinals on two events, and fell wanting the varsity’s first nationwide championship by dropping to North Dakota State 29-27 within the 2014 title sport. As well as, ISU has received eight convention titles and produced notable NFL gamers, equivalent to former defensive again Mike Prior and receiver Laurent Robinson.
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23. McNeese State
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Coming into the 2023 season, McNeese State had reached the Division I-AA/FCS playoffs 16 occasions — tied for seventh-most all time. And whereas the Cowboys have received 11 of these postseason contests and reached the nationwide championship sport in 1997 and 2002, this system remains to be looking for its title — leaving the Cowboys as the one I-AA/FCS to succeed in the title sport twice and never win. Nonetheless, McNeese has received the Southland Convention 14 occasions and produced notable gamers equivalent to receiver Stephen Starring and defensive finish Kavika Pittman.
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22. Western Kentucky
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Through the Nineteen Seventies, Western Kentucky was among the many finest to play the sport on the Division I-AA stage. The Hilltoppers received the Ohio Valley Convention title 5 occasions throughout the decade and once more in 1980. Nevertheless, it was 2002 when WKU loved its most profitable season in program historical past at any stage. Beneath the course of coach Jack Harbaugh and behind an offense that averaged 253 dashing yards per sport, the Hilltoppers went 12-3 and beat McNeese State 34-14 to win the varsity’s solely soccer nationwide championship.
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21. New Hampshire
College of New Hampshire
New Hampshire started taking part in soccer within the Eighteen Nineties and has received greater than 54 p.c of its video games. This system has received 15 convention titles and made the Division I-AA/FCS playoffs 17 occasions. Twice, the Wildcats reached the semifinals (2013, ’14). This system has additionally produced greater than 30 All-Individuals and distinguished NFL gamers, equivalent to former Chicago Bears cornerback Jerry Azumah, who, as a school operating again, rushed for a national-record 6,193 profession yards and received the Walton Payton Award — given to the subdivision’s prime offensive participant.
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Come for the legendary marching band, keep for the soccer. Florida A&M received the primary Division I-AA Nationwide Championship Sport, capping a 12-1 1978 marketing campaign with a 35-28 title-game victory over Massachusetts. Since then, the Rattlers have been some of the profitable traditionally Black faculties (HBCUs) within the subdivision’s historical past. A program that is made eight total postseason appearances on the I-AA/FCS stage has additionally produced such marquee names as Faculty Corridor of Famer Willie Galimore and Ken Riley.
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19. Southern Illinois
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The Salukis received the Division I-AA nationwide championship in 1983 and have remained one of many subdivision’s most profitable packages. For the reason that flip of this present century, SIU has appeared within the FCS playoffs 9 occasions and reached the quarterfinals on 5 events. As well as, Southern has received eight total convention championships and has victories at FBS faculties Northwestern and Northern Illinois in 2002 and ’23, respectively. The Salukis program has additionally produced some profitable NFL expertise like quarterback Jim Hart, receiver Kevin Home, operating again Brandon Jacobs, and linebacker Bart Scott. To not point out, it was proving floor for coach Jerry Kill, who went on to get pleasure from success at Northern Illinois and Minnesota.
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18. Northern Iowa
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Coming into the 2023 season, Northern Iowa’s 22 Division I-AA/FCS playoff appearances tied for second-most in NCAA historical past. Take it additional, and the Panthers’ 26 playoff victories are fourth. That latter quantity additionally occurs to be probably the most by any staff that has not received a nationwide championship inside the subdivision. That is the one knock on this traditionally profitable program that reached the title sport in 2005, has received 33 convention championships, and produced Corridor-of-Fame quarterback Kurt Warner.
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Historically overshadowed by its perennial energy of a basketball program, the Wildcats can play some soccer, too. Villanova, which performed on the Division I-A stage from 1894-1980, has reached the Division I-AA/FCS playoffs 14 occasions, made all of it the way in which to the semifinals on three events, and received the entire thing in 2009, capping a 14-1 marketing campaign with a 23-21 victory over Montana within the nationwide championship sport. That squad was coached by the legendary Andy Talley, who received 229 of his 257 video games with the Wildcats. Nevertheless, this system is perhaps finest recognized for producing Corridor of Famer Howie Lengthy and longtime NFL operating again Brian Westbrook.
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16. Montana State
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Montana State has been profitable in taking part in soccer at nearly each classification. This system received an NAIA title in 1956, then claimed the Division II crown in 1976 and captured its solely Division I-AA/FCS championship in 1984, when Dave Arnold’s group went 12-2. And whereas the nationwide title drought continues, coming into the 2023 season, the Bobcats remained a perennial soccer pressure. In complete, Montana State has received 22 convention championships and made 12 playoff appearances. It has reached the semifinals thrice starting in 2019 and misplaced 38-10 to North Dakota State within the nationwide title contest to conclude the 2021 season. The college additionally produced longtime NFL kicker Jan Stenerud.
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15. Massachusetts
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Whereas UMass has not loved any constant success since transferring as much as the FBS stage in 2012, this system constructed fairly the legacy as a Division I-AA/FCS participant. The Minutemen received 22 league titles (Colonial Athletic, Atlantic 10, Yankee Convention), certified for the playoffs eight occasions, and performed within the first I-AA championship sport in 1978. With the 1998 season nonetheless the top of this system. Led by 2,500-yard rusher Marcel Shipp and All-American linebacker Khari Samuel, UMass went 12-3 and knocked off Georgia Southern 55-43 in a wild championship sport to win the varsity’s first nationwide title of the sort. The Minutemen returned to the title sport in 2006 however misplaced to Appalachian State.
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Since 2000 and coming into the 2023 season, Richmond has made 9 playoff appearances on the FCS stage. Whereas a member of this subdivision, the very best of the bunch got here in 2008 when the Spiders received a nationwide championship. Now, Richmond has not returned to the title sport since that magical season however did attain the semifinals in 2015. Nonetheless, the Spiders’ 16-11 playoff document, spanning 12 appearances, ranks among the many finest within the historical past of Division I-AA/FCS. Richmond has additionally posted spectacular victories over FBS groups equivalent to Duke and Virginia in recent times.
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It has been some time since Furman received a nationwide championship on the FCS — 1988, to be actual. Nevertheless, the constant success of the Paladins’ program has not subsided. It is made the playoffs 13 occasions within the years following that title, and the varsity’s 19 total postseason berths on the Division I-AA/FCS stage are fourth-most all time. Furman has gone 20-18 within the playoffs and in addition performed for the nationwide title in 2001. This system, which produced the likes of Sam Wyche, Billy Napier, and Stanford Jennings, has received 14 Southern Convention championships.
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Sam Houston is presently looking for its footing on the FBS stage. Nevertheless, from 2011-’21, the Bearkats went 111-33, went to the FCS playoffs 9 occasions, and received the 2020 nationwide championship when the season was performed throughout the spring of 2021 because of COVID-19. Amid that span, Sam Houston additionally reached the semifinals 9 occasions. In all, the Bearkats posted a 24-12 document whereas making 13 FCS playoff appearances. Relating to particular person honors, quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe received the Walter Payton Award because the FCS’s most excellent offensive participant in 2016 and ’17.
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11. Japanese Washington
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Sure, this was the school residence of star Los Angeles Rams huge receiver Cooper Kupp, however he had some good expertise surrounding him at EWU. The Jerry Rice Award winner, honoring the FCS’s finest freshman in 2013, and the Walter Payton Award winner in 2015, Kupp is the NCAA chief (spanning all divisions) with 6,464 profession receiving yards. In the meantime, his 428 receptions and 73 touchdowns are FCS data. The Eagles, who received the Division I-AA nationwide title in 2010, reached the semifinals in 2013 and ’16 with Kupp and made it to the championship sport in 2018. Coming into the 2023 marketing campaign, EWU has made 15 playoff appearances at this stage, going 20-14.
College of Delaware
Delaware’s lone FCS nationwide championship got here on the finish of the 2003 season. Nevertheless, the Blue Hens’ 25 playoff wins, coming into the 2023 season, rank fifth all-time within the historical past of the subdivision. In addition they reached the FCS nationwide title sport throughout each the 2007 season and 2010. In all, the Blue Hens have made 4 appearances within the Division I-AA/FCS nationwide championship sport. Delaware has additionally produced a number of gamers who loved NFL success. Most notably, quarterbacks Wealthy Gannon and Joe Flacco and defensive again Mike Adams.
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9. Japanese Kentucky
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When digging into the Division I-AA/FCS document books, Japanese Kentucky’s presence is distinguished. A two-time nationwide champion (1979, 1982), EKU is tied for second all-time in subdivision historical past with 22 playoff appearances. With the latest coming in 2022 — its first since 2014. A second that signaled a possible resurgence for one of many nice faculty soccer packages of the final 40 years. From 1979-’82, the Colonels reached the Division I-AA nationwide championship sport 4 straight seasons. Total, Japanese Kentucky is 16-20 within the playoffs.
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8. South Dakota State
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As of October 2023, South Dakota State is king of the FCS hill. The 2022 FCS nationwide champion, all 12 of the Jackrabbits’ playoff appearances have come since 2009. Coming into the 2023 season, this system has an 18-11 document within the playoffs. In the meantime, SDSU has received greater than 110 video games for the reason that starting of the 2012 marketing campaign. Since 2016, the Jackrabbits have reached the semifinals 5 occasions and the nationwide title sport on two events. Two-time Tremendous Bowl champion and Corridor of Famer Jim Langer and star Philadelphia Eagles tight finish Dallas Goedert stay the 2 most distinguished soccer merchandise of the varsity.
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No staff has made extra playoff appearances on the Division I-AA/FCS stage than Montana — with 27. Now, it has been a while for the reason that Grizzlies hoisted the nationwide championship trophy (1995, 2001), however this system remains to be going robust as some of the constantly profitable within the FCS. Montana’s 37 playoffs wins rank second all time, profitable the Massive Sky Convention title a whopping 18 occasions, although the latest got here in 2009. In 1995, quarterback Dave Dickenson received the Walter Payton Award, whereas Invoice Kelly, a Grizzlies star throughout the Nineteen Twenties, is a Faculty Corridor of Famer.
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It is nonetheless outstanding the heights the Marshall soccer program reached following the 1970 airplane crash that killed 37 gamers, 5 coaches, directors, household, and buddies of this system. Whereas the Thundering Herd has loved constant success as an FBS faculty, it grew to become an influence on the I-AA stage throughout the late Nineteen Eighties and all through the Nineteen Nineties. Marshall reached the nationwide championship sport in 1987, ’91, ’92. ’93, ’95 and ’96. It received two of these contests (1992, ’96). The Herd received the latter title with a man named Randy Moss catching 69 passes for 1,489 yards and 24 touchdowns that season.
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5. James Madison
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It hasn’t taken lengthy for James Madison to search out success on the FBS stage since becoming a member of these ranks in 2022. That got here after this system made 18 playoff appearances on the FCS stage and received the title in 2004 and ’16. The Dukes additionally reached the nationwide championship sport in 2017 and ’19. From 2016-’21, James Madison went 70-11 and paved the way in which for this system to maneuver its means as much as the very best stage of school soccer. All of the whereas by no means forgetting what it took and achieved to get up to now.
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4. Appalachian State
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One in all three faculties to assert no less than three nationwide championships on the Division I-AA/FCS stage, App State received these titles in 2005, ’06, and ’07 — thus constructing a mini-dynasty throughout the early oughts. Whereas a part of this subdivision, the Mountaineers made 20 playoff appearances and went 24-17 throughout these video games. Now, Appalachian State has loved some strong success as an FBS squad in recent times. Nonetheless, even amid these nationwide titles and all of the playoff victories, the crowning jewel in program historical past got here when it shocked then-No. 5 Michigan 34-32 in 2007, beneath the course of legendary coach Jerry Moore, to turn into the primary FCS faculty to beat a ranked FBS opponent.
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3. Youngstown State
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Amongst present FCS groups, Youngstown State’s 29 playoff victories rank third all time. All however seven of these wins got here throughout the Nineteen Nineties, when, beneath the course of coach Jim Tressel, the varsity received its 4 Division I-AA nationwide titles — good for third-most in NCAA historical past. The Penguins had been topped champions in 1991, ’93, ’94 and ’97. In addition they reached the title sport in 1992 and ’99. Now, success has been hit and miss since then for this system, however Youngstown State did return to the FCS Nationwide Championship Sport in 2016 beneath the course of former Nebraska coach Bo Pelini.
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2. Georgia Southern
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The one faculty in Division I-AA/FCS historical past to win a nationwide title in three totally different many years. Georgia Southern received all of it six occasions (1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1999, 2000) — rating second within the subdivision’s historical past. And whereas the Eagles proceed to carry their very own on their very own as a FBS program, what they did on the extent beneath is fairly particular. Georgia Southern received 10 Southern Convention titles, reached the playoffs 19 occasions, going 45-13, and completed as nationwide runner-up twice (1988, 1998). Coach Erk Russell received three of these championships.
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1. North Dakota State
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The place will we begin? How in regards to the FCS-record 9 nationwide championships (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021)? Or possibly the record-five-straight championships received from 2011-’15. Then there are the ten nationwide championship sport appearances, additionally an FCS document, or the 43 playoff victories. These numbers are certain to enhance after the 2023 season. In the meantime, former coach Chris Klieman (now at Kansas State) received 4 of these titles — tying the aforementioned Jim Tressel for probably the most in I-AA/FCS historical past. Did we point out that the Bison have had two current quarterbacks drafted within the prime 5 of the NFL Draft (Carson Wentz went No. 2 in 2016, and Trey Lance No. 3 in 2021)? Yeah, not too shabby.
A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports activities, leisure and popular culture for practically 30 years. If he might do it once more, he’d attend Degrassi Junior Excessive, Ampipe Excessive and Grand Lakes College.
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