Opta FCS Football

#fcsfootball with Stats Perform/The Analyst. Top 25; Walter Payton, Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice, Eddie/Doris Robinson & HBCU awards; @CraigHaley2025 coverage.

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

The new #StatsPerformFCSTop25 Poll is out.

Four teams are receiving first-place votes.

https://t.co/6vVjP31g1Q

[Craig Haley @CraigHaley2025]

Furman's Clay Hendrix announced the 2026 season will be the last of his Paladins’ coaching career.

The 63-year-old is in his 10th season as head coach and 29th overall at his alma mater. He has a 62-49 record, with two Southern Conference titles and four FCS playoff appearances.

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

Stephen F. Austin football coach Colby Carthel has agreed to a contract extension with the Southland Conference school through the 2031 campaign.

The No. 2 Lumberjacks are 8-0 this year and 52-38 in Carthel's eight seasons.

📸SFA Athletics

[Craig Haley @CraigHaley2025]

FCS largest decline in winning pct. from 2025 to 2026 season:
West Georgia (-.602): 8-3 (.727) to 1-7 (.125)
Towson (-500): 6-6 (.500) to 0-8 (.000)
Drake (-.417): 8-4 (.667) to 2-6 (.250)
New Hampshire (-.393): 8-5 (.615) to 2-7 (.222)
Maine (-.375): 6-6 (.500) to 1-7 (.125)

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

New NEC commissioner Dan Lynch recently served as Chief Commercial Officer of the New York/New Jersey 2026 FIFA World Cup Host Committee.

[NEC @NECsports]

✨ A new chapter starts today.

Dan Lynch has been named the fifth full-time Commissioner in NEC history, bringing more than three decades of sports business leadership to the conference.

Welcome to the NEC, Dan!

#OpportunityLivesHere

🔗 https://t.co/YXvvRx2ieq

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

Let’s give them something to talk, er, make that shout about this week.

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

All of the Week 8 national awards winners and honorable mention selections.
https://t.co/pHWZ5f8DxN

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

Stats Perform FCS National Team of the Week

Congratulations to the Chattanooga Mocs and coach Rusty Wright.

Story on FCS Week 8 Awards: https://t.co/pHWZ5f85If

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

Stats Perform FCS National Freshman Player of the Week

Congratulations to Idaho RB Gino Addison.

Story on FCS Week 8 Awards: https://t.co/pHWZ5f8DxN

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week

Congratulations to Idaho PK Owen Forsman.

Story on FCS Week 8 Awards: https://t.co/pHWZ5f8DxN

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week

Congratulations to UTRGV LB Jaiden Haygood.

Story on FCS Week 8 Awards: https://t.co/pHWZ5f85If

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week

Congratulations to Western Illinois QB Kennedy McGill.

Story on FCS Week 8 Awards: https://t.co/pHWZ5f8DxN

[Craig Haley @CraigHaley2025]

FCS teams with largest win improvement from 2025 season to 2026 season:
5 Wins - Campbell (7-1)
3 Wins - UAlbany (5-3), Norfolk State (4-4)
2 Wins - Alabama A&M (6-2), Bryant (5-3), Columbia (4-2), Houston Christian (4-4), North Alabama (4-4), Valparaiso (4-4)

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

After the big conference games this weekend, Craig Haley picked the best title races.

Story: https://t.co/GIjKk72l2l

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

FCS teams that are both unbeaten at home and winless on the road:
Northern Iowa (3-0, 0-4)
UIW (4-0, 0-4)
*Alcorn State (3-0, 0-4)
*Grambling State (4-0, 0-2)
*-also played one neutral site game

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

After a pivotal Week 8 for conference races, @CraigHaley2025 ranks the best title races in the FCS.

https://t.co/GIjKk71NcN

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

Some order restored today.
https://t.co/foomANmS5y

[Opta FCS Football @OptaAnalystFCS]

No. 20 UC Davis (5-3, 3-2 Big Sky) 33,
Northern Colorado (3-6, 2-4) 6

Treynor Cleeland: 2 TD passes; Jordan Fisher: 2 TD runs

📸@UCDfootball