James Madison’s 2004 Title Run
Why It Shocked Everyone
James Madison wasn’t even a blip on the radar when the 2004 FCS playoffs started. They entered the postseason as the No. 13 seed, finished the regular season 9-2, and had never advanced past the second round before. Expectations were low.
What made this run shocking wasn’t just their seed — it was the path. They won three straight playoff games on the road. The Dukes beat No. 2 Furman 14-13, survived a slugfest with William & Mary 48-34, and shut down Montana 31-21 in the title game on December 17, 2004.
Quarterback Justin Rascati managed the offense efficiently, and the defense delivered key stops. It was a blueprint of grit, field control, and composure under pressure. Nothing flashy — just winning football.
Richmond’s Breakout in 2008
The Quiet Climb to the Top
Richmond had made the playoffs in 2007 but were not considered title threats the next year. A 9-3 regular season and no conference title didn’t scream dominance. Then came the switch.
Led by head coach Mike London, the Spiders turned on the jets in the playoffs. They crushed Eastern Kentucky 38-10, dismantled Northern Iowa 21-20, and rolled over Appalachian State 33-13. In the final, they handled Montana 24-7 on December 19, 2008.
The defense, spearheaded by Patrick Weldon and Justin Rogers, became a brick wall. Quarterback Eric Ward played mistake-free football and made plays when it counted. The team peaked at exactly the right time and never looked back.
Eastern Washington’s Red Turf Magic in 2010
When Home Turf Became a Statement
Eastern Washington debuted their famous red turf in 2010 and turned heads all season. But few expected them to go all the way. Despite winning the Big Sky, the Eagles were seeded fifth and were inconsistent early in the season.
They leaned heavily on quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and a late-game mentality. Three of their four playoff wins were comeback victories. The most unforgettable came in the title game: down 19-0 to Delaware on January 7, 2011, they roared back to win 20-19.
That title was Eastern Washington’s first ever. It was won with heart, late-game guts, and a quarterback who refused to go quietly.
Youngstown State’s Stunning 2016 Run
The Catch, the Climb, the Chaos
Youngstown State hadn’t made the playoffs in over a decade. Entering the 2016 postseason unseeded, few gave them a shot. But head coach Bo Pelini had the Penguins believing.
They knocked off Samford, Jacksonville State, and Wofford to reach the semifinals. There, they faced a heavily favored Eastern Washington squad and won 40-38 in a thriller. The highlight? Kevin Rader’s one-handed, contested touchdown catch with one second left — one of the most iconic moments in FCS playoff history.
Although they fell to James Madison 28-14 in the title game on January 7, 2017, the Penguins’ run was raw, dramatic, and completely unexpected.
Sam Houston’s Undefeated Spring Run in 2021
Shortened Season, Maximum Impact
2020’s pandemic pushed the FCS season into spring 2021. Sam Houston emerged from the chaos stronger than anyone. They hadn’t won a title before, and while always solid, they were never the favorite.
The Bearkats went 10-0 in the shortened spring season and navigated a brutal playoff gauntlet: No. 10 Monmouth, No. 1 North Dakota State, No. 3 James Madison, and No. 2 South Dakota State. Each win was tight. Each win was gritty.
Quarterback Eric Schmid led the offense with clutch throws, and the defense came up big in key moments. They beat South Dakota State 23-21 in the final on May 16, 2021. It was a perfect season with no margin for error — and they nailed it.
| Team | Championship Year | Playoff Seed | Final Opponent | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison | 2004-12-17 | 13 | Montana | 31-21 |
| Richmond | 2008-12-19 | Unseeded | Montana | 24-7 |
| Eastern Washington | 2011-01-07 | 5 | Delaware | 20-19 |
| Youngstown State | 2017-01-07 | Unseeded | James Madison | 14-28 (Loss) |
| Sam Houston | 2021-05-16 | 2 | South Dakota State | 23-21 |
