2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season

American college football season October 2016 December 2025 2016 NCAA logo.svg 125 August 26 – December 3 November 26 – December 17 January 7, 2017 Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas James Madison Sam Houston State quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe Northern Iowa defensive end Karter Schult The 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of college football in the United States, was organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. The NCAA Division I Football Championship Game was played on January 7, 2017, in Frisco, Texas. The James Madison Dukes defeated the Youngstown State Penguins, 28–14, to capture their second national championship in team history. Conference changes and new programs School 2015 conference 2016 conference Coastal Carolina Big South FCS independent East Tennessee State FCS independent SoCon Notable headlines April 20 – The NCAA banned five schools from the 2016 postseason for failure to meet Academic Progress Rate criteria: Florida A&M, Howard, Morgan State, Savannah State, and Southern. April 28 – Following the March 1 announcement by the Sun Belt Conference that it would not renew its football-only membership agreements with Idaho and New Mexico State when they expire at the end of the 2017 season,http://sunbeltsports.org/news/2016/3/1/FB_0301161055.aspx Sun Belt Football to Be 10 Teams in 2018 Sun Belt Conference March 1, 2016 March 3, 2016 Idaho announced that it would return to FCS football in its all-sports league, the Big Sky Conference, in 2018.http://www.uidaho.edu/president/communications/ftball-announcement?SPSID=87195&SPID=10352&DB_OEM_ID=17100 UI Moving Football to Big Sky Conference University of Idaho Office of the President April 28, 2016 May 1, 2016 The Vandals thus became the first team ever to voluntarily drop from FBS to FCS.http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/dennis-dodd/25568947/idaho-will-become-first-team-to-drop-from-fbs-to-fcs-in-2018 Idaho will become first team to drop from FBS to FCS in 2018 Dennis Dodd CBSSports.com April 27, 2016 April 30, 2016 April 30, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160430033932/http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/dennis-dodd/25568947/idaho-will-become-first-team-to-drop-from-fbs-to-fcs-in-2018 dead September 17 – East Tennessee State and Western Carolina played on a temporary fieldturf surface installed on the infield of the Bristol Motor Speedway. The same NASCAR racetrack hosted a game between Tennessee and Virginia Tech one week earlier.http://www.soconsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=21895&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=210672287&DB_OEM_ID=4000 ETSU, WCU to Play at Bristol Motor Speedway Southern Conference January 29, 2016 March 15, 2016 September 4, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170904064248/http://www.soconsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=21895&SPID=1781&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=210672287&DB_OEM_ID=4000 dead November 19 – Joe Thomas Sr., a 55-year-old walk-on at South Carolina State, appeared for one play in the first quarter of the Bulldogs' season finale against Savannah State, rushing for 3 yards. Although the NCAA does not keep statistics on player ages, the father of Green Bay Packers linebacker Joe Thomas Jr. is believed to be the oldest player ever to take the field in a Division I game.https://www.si.com/college-football/2016/11/19/joe-thomas-sr-55-year-old-running-back-south-carolina-state Joe Thomas Sr., 55, becomes oldest D-I football player ever to take field Sports Illustrated November 19, 2016 November 20, 2016 FCS team wins over FBS teams Italics denotes FBS teams. no no September 2 no Albany Buffalo University at Buffalo Stadium Amherst, New York no 22–16 18,657 FCS wins vs. FBS teams: All-time victories, upsets, wins vs. ranked teams https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/fcs-wins-vs-fbs-teams-all-time-victories-upsets NCAA.com September 7, 2025 October 2, 2025 September 3 no 14 Eastern Washington Washington State Martin Stadium Pullman, Washington no 45–42 32,952 September 3 no 5 Northern Iowa Iowa State Jack Trice Stadium Ames, Iowa no 25–20 60,629 September 3 no 4 Richmond Virginia Scott Stadium Charlottesville, Virginia no 37–20 49,270 September 10 no Eastern Illinois Miami (OH) Yager Stadium Oxford, Ohio no 21–17 17,369 September 10 no 10 Illinois State Northwestern Ryan Field Evanston, Illinois no 9–7 30,635 September 10 no 23 North Carolina A&T Kent State Dix Stadium Kent, Ohio no 39–36 4OT 13,540 September 17 no 1 North Dakota State 13 (FBS) Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, Iowa no 23–21 70,585 September 24 no Central Arkansas Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium Jonesboro, Arkansas no 28–23 28,012 September 24 no 13 Western Illinois Northern Illinois Huskie Stadium DeKalb, Illinois no 28–23 15,496 STATS poll released prior to the game Conference standings Conference summaries Championship games Conference Champion Runner-upScoreOffensive Player of the YearDefensive Player of the YearCoach of the Year SWAC Grambling State11–1 (9–0) Alcorn State5–6 (5–4) 27–20 Devante Kincade(Grambling State) Tiger Donovan McCray(Grambling State) Broderick Fobbs(Grambling State) Other conference winners Note: Records are regular-season only, and do not include playoff games. ConferenceChampionRecordOffensive Player of the YearDefensive Player of the YearCoach of the Year Big Sky Eastern WashingtonNorth Dakota 10–1 (8–0)9–2 (8–0) Gage Gubrud(Eastern Washington)Cooper Kupp(Eastern Washington) Cole Reyes(North Dakota) Bubba Schweigert(North Dakota) Big South Charleston SouthernLiberty 7–3 (4–1)6–5 (4–1) Tyrell Maxwell(Gardner–Webb) Anthony Ellis(Charleston Southern) Jamey Chadwell(Charleston Southern) CAA James Madison 10–1 (8–0) Bryan Schor(James Madison) Tanoh Kpassagnon(Villanova) Mike Houston(James Madison) Ivy PennPrinceton 7–3 (6–1)8–2 (6–1) John Lovett(Princeton) Folarin Orimolade(Dartmouth) Bob Surace(Princeton) MEAC North Carolina Central 9–2 (8–0) Tarik Cohen(North Carolina A&T) Shaquille Leonard(South Carolina State) Jerry Mack(North Carolina Central) MVFC North Dakota StateSouth Dakota State 10–1 (7–1)8–3 (7–1) Taryn Christion(South Dakota State) Karter Schult(Northern Iowa) John Stiegelmeier(South Dakota State) NEC DuquesneSaint Francis (PA) 8–3 (5–1)7–4 (5–1) Kamron Lewis(Saint Francis) Christian Kuntz(Duquesne) Chris Villarrial(Saint Francis) OVC Jacksonville State 10–1 (7–0) Eli Jenkins(Jacksonville State) Darius Jackson(Jacksonville State) John Grass(Jacksonville State) Patriot Lehigh 9–2 (6–0) Nick Shafnisky(Lehigh) Pat Afriyie(Colgate) Andy Coen(Lehigh) Pioneer San Diego 9–1 (8–0) Jonah Hodges(San Diego) Donald Payne(Stetson) Dale Lindsey(San Diego) Southern The Citadel 10–1 (8–0) Devlin Hodges(Samford) Keionta Davis(Chattanooga) Brent Thompson(The Citadel) Southland Sam Houston State 11–0 (9–0) Overall: Jeremiah Briscoe(Sam Houston State)Offensive: Yedidiah Louis(Sam Houston State) P. J. Hall(Sam Houston State) K. C. Keeler(Sam Houston State) a Playoff qualifiers Automatic berths for conference champions ConferenceTeamAppearanceLast bidResultBig Sky Conference Eastern Washington 12th 2014 Quarterfinals (L – Illinois State)Big South Conference Charleston Southern 2nd 2015 Quarterfinals (L – Jacksonville State)Colonial Athletic Association James Madison 13th 2015 National Champions (W – Youngstown State)Missouri Valley Football Conference South Dakota State 6th 2015 First Round (L – Montana)Northeast Conference Saint Francis (PA) 1st – –Ohio Valley Conference Jacksonville State 7th 2015 Championship Game (L – North Dakota State)Patriot League Lehigh 10th 2011 Quarterfinals (L – North Dakota State)Pioneer Football League San Diego 2nd 2014 First Round (L – Montana)Southern Conference The Citadel 5th 2015 Second Round (L – Charleston Southern)Southland Conference Sam Houston State 10th 2015 Semifinals (L – Jacksonville State) At large qualifiers ConferenceTeamAppearanceLast bidResult Big Sky Conference Cal Poly 4th 2012 Second Round (L – Sam Houston State) North Dakota 1st – – Weber State 5th 2009 First Round (L – William & Mary) Big South Conference None Colonial Athletic Association New Hampshire 15th 2015 First Round (L – Colgate) Richmond 11th 2015 Semifinals (L – North Dakota State) Villanova 11th 2014 Quarterfinals (L – Sam Houston State) Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference North Carolina A&T 5th 2003 First Round (L – Wofford) Missouri Valley Football Conference Illinois State 7th 2015 Quarterfinals (L – Richmond) North Dakota State 7th 2015 Semifinals (L - James Madison) Youngstown State 14th 2006 Semifinals (L – Appalachian State) Northeast Conference None Ohio Valley Conference None Patriot League None Pioneer Football League None Southern Conference Chattanooga 4th 2015 Second Round (L – Jacksonville State) Samford 6th 2013 First Round (L – Jacksonville State) Wofford 6th 2012 Quarterfinals (L – North Dakota State) Southland Conference Central Arkansas 3rd 2012 Second Round (L – Georgia Southern) Southwestern Athletic Conference None Abstentions Ivy League – Princeton Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference – North Carolina Central Southwestern Athletic Conference – Grambling State Postseason Bowl game GameDate/TVLocationWinning TeamLosing TeamScoreOffensive MVPDefensive MVPCelebration BowlDecember 17ABCGeorgia DomeAtlanta, GeorgiaGrambling State12–1 (9–0)North Carolina Central9–3 (8–0)10–9Martez Carter(RB, Grambling State)Jameel Jackson(DB, Grambling State) NCAA Division I playoff bracket y y First roundNovember 26Campus sitesESPN3 Second roundDecember 3Campus sitesESPN3 QuarterfinalsDecember 9 and 10Campus sitesESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 SemifinalsDecember 16 and 17Campus sitesESPN2, ESPNU National ChampionshipJanuary 712:00 pmToyota Stadium, Frisco, TexasESPN2 Cal Poly* 21 San Diego 35 Villanova* 31 Saint Francis (PA) 21 New Hampshire* 64 Lehigh 21 Chattanooga* 45 Weber State 14 Central Arkansas* 31 Illinois State 24 Richmond* 39 North Carolina A&T 10 Youngstown State* 38 Samford 24 Wofford* 15 Charleston Southern 14 1 North Dakota State* 45 San Diego 7 8 South Dakota State* 10 Villanova 7 4 James Madison* 55 New Hampshire 22 5 Sam Houston State* 41 Chattanooga 36 2 Eastern Washington* 31 Central Arkansas 14 7 North Dakota* 24 Richmond 27 3 Jacksonville State* 24 Youngstown State 40 6 The Citadel* 3 Wofford 17 1 North Dakota State* 36 8 South Dakota State 10 4 James Madison* 65 5 Sam Houston State 7 2 Eastern Washington* 38 Richmond 0 Youngstown State* 30   Wofford 23 1 North Dakota State* 17 4 James Madison 27 2 Eastern Washington* 38 Youngstown State 40 4 James Madison 28   Youngstown State 14 * Home team    WinnerAll times in Eastern Standard Time (UTC−05:00) Awards and honors Walter Payton Award The Walter Payton Award is given to the year's most outstanding offensive player. Finalists: Jeremiah Briscoe (QB), Sam Houston State Gage Gubrud (QB), Eastern Washington Cooper Kupp (WR), Eastern Washington Buck Buchanan Award The Buck Buchanan Award is given to the year's most outstanding defensive player. Finalists: Dylan Cole (LB), Missouri State P. J. Hall (DE), Sam Houston State Karter Schult (DE), Northern Iowa Jerry Rice Award The Jerry Rice Award is given to the year's most outstanding freshman. Winner: A. J. Hines (RB), Duquesne Coaches AFCA Coach of the Year: Mike Houston, James Madison Eddie Robinson Award: K. C. Keeler, Sam Houston State Updated stadiums South Dakota State debuted Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium (capacity 19,340). New Hampshire debuted a major renovation of the renamed Wildcat Stadium, expanded to just over 11,000 from the previous capacity of 6,500. William & Mary also debuted a major renovation and expansion to its Zable Stadium, which the saw the addition of an upper deck and an increase in capacity to 12,259. Prairie View A&M opened its new Panther Stadium (capacity 15,000).New Stadium, Pair of FBS Opponents Highlight 2016 Football Schedule http://pvpanthers.com/news/2016/2/4/FB_0204160211.aspx?path=football Prairie View A&M University Athletics June 23, 2016 February 4, 2016The New Look Panther Stadium http://www.panther-stadium.com/ Prairie View A&M University Athletics June 23, 2016 Coaching changes In-season This is restricted to coaching changes that took place on or after May 1, 2016. For coaching changes that occurred earlier in 2016, see 2015 NCAA Division I FCS end-of-season coaching changes. SchoolOutgoing coachDateReasonReplacement Delaware Dave Brock October 16 FiredUniversity of Delaware Athletics Announces Changes in Coaching Staff http://www.bluehens.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29100&ATCLID=211232805 Delaware Athletics October 16, 2016 Dennis Dottin-Carter (interim) End of season SchoolOutgoing coachDateReasonReplacement Abilene Christian Ken Collums November 20 Fired Mark Ribaudo (interim) Howard Gary Harrell November 20 Contract was not renewed Mike Londonhttps://www.baltimoresun.com/2017/01/06/mike-london-leaving-maryland-to-become-howard-head-coach/ Mike London leaving Maryland to become Howard head coach Baltimoresun.com Presbyterian Harold Nichols November 20 Resigned Tommy Spangler UC Davis Ron Gould November 20 Fired Dan Hawkins Lamar Ray Woodard November 21 Fired Mike Schultz Bryant Marty Fine November 30 Resigned James Perry Lafayette Frank Tavani December 1 Fired John Garrett Furman Bruce Fowler December 2 Resigned Clay Hendrix Villanova Andy Talley December 3 Retired Mark FerranteSDSU slips past 'Nova to end Talley's career https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400927132 ESPN 11 December 2016 Delaware Dennis Dottin-Carter (interim) December 13 Permanent replacement Danny RoccoDelaware 'closer to home' for new football coach Rocco https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/college/ud/2016/12/13/richmonds-rocco-new-blue-hens-football-coach/95367878/ Delaware Online 13 December 2016 Richmond Danny Rocco December 13 Hired by Delaware Russ HuesmanHuesman Named Head Coach Of Spiders Football http://www.richmondspiders.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26800&ATCLID=211358095 RichmondsSpiders.com 14 December 2016 Chattanooga Russ Huesman December 14 Hired by Richmond Tom Arth Indiana State Mike Sanford December 16 Resigned Curt Mallory Abilene Christian Mark Ribaudo (interim) December 18 Permanent replacement Adam Dorrel Eastern Washington Beau Baldwin January 16 Hired as OC at California Aaron Best Rule changes The following rule changes were recommended by the NCAA Football Rules Committee for the 2022 season:https://www.ncaa.org/news/2022/3/4/media-center-appeals-process-proposed-for-football-players-called-for-targeting-in-second-half.aspx Appeals Process Proposed for Football Players called for targeting NCAA March 4, 2022 March 4, 2022 When players are disqualified for a targeting call in the second half or in overtime (which requires a carryover penalty of sitting out the first half of the next scheduled game), an appeals process will be available to allow the National Coordinator of Officials (currently Steve Shaw) to review tapes of the targeting penalty for consideration of not requiring the player to sit out the first half of the following game. Injury timeouts awarded due to "deceptive actions" during a game will also be able to reviewed by the National Coordinator of Officials to determine what sanctions, if any, against teams who use this tactic, enforced at the conference or school level. Blocking below the waist will only be permitted inside the tackle box by linemen and stationary backs. Blocks below the waist outside of the tackle box are not allowed. Defensive holding will remain a 10-yard penalty but will always carry an automatic first down. Codifying the rule change made shortly after the 2021 ACC Championship Game, ball carriers who simulate a feet-first slide will be declared down at that spot. Uniform rules would require the sock/leg covering to go from the shoe to the bottom of the pants, similar to the NFL rule. Attendances The top 10 NCAA Division I FCS football teams by average home attendance in 2016: { class"wikitable sortable" !#!!College football team!!Average attendancehttps://www.footballscoop.com/2025/03/04/ncaa-football-attendance-2016 NCAA football attendance up in 2016 April 10, 2017 Footballscoop.com July 25, 2026 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Montana Grizzlies 25,377 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count James Madison Dukes 19,844 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Florida A&M Rattlers 19,710 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Jackson State Tigers 19,660 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count North Dakota State Bison 18,556 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Montana State Bobcats 17,907 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Jacksonville State Gamecocks 17,576 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens 16,478 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Liberty Flames 16,377 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Grambling State Tigers 16,355 - } See also 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season 2016 NCAA Division II football season 2016 NCAA Division III football season 2016 NAIA football season References