FCS Podcast: Several Preseason-Ranked Teams Fall To 0-2, UND Upsets Montana, Week 3 Preview

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
    
• 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

• 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
    
• 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

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