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NORTH ALABAMA AND SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE TO MEET IN FCS KICKOFF

Montgomery – The North Alabama Lions and Southeast Missouri State Redhawks will meet in the 10th annual FCS Kickoff at the historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, Aug. 24 to kick off the 2024 college football season. The game time, ESPN platform designation and ticket information will be announced at a later date.

“The FCS Kickoff has become an opening weekend tradition in the City of Montgomery,” Johnny Williams, Executive Director of the FCS Kickoff and Camellia Bowl, said. “This is the 10th year of the FCS Kickoff and the seventh time we have hosted at the Cramton Bowl. We are excited about this year’s matchup between UNA and Southeast Missouri.”

North Alabama will be playing the FCS Kickoff for the second straight year. The Lions fell to the Mercer Bears 17-7 in last year’s game.

“The Lions are thrilled to return to ESPN’s Week 0 programming and open the 2024 college football season in the FCS Kickoff Game,” said UNA Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney. “This is a showcase opportunity for the University of North Alabama in our home state and throughout the country. The City of Montgomery produces a first-class event and I know that our fans, student-athletes, and alumni will enjoy the premier hospitality that surrounds this game.”

Southeast Missouri State will be making its first appearance in the FCS Kickoff.

“We are thrilled to help kick off FCS Football as we showcase Southeast Missouri Football and our institution to a national television audience,” said SEMO Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Brady Barke. “This game has historically featured tradition-rich programs and we’re excited for our program to be a part of it this year.”

Owned and operated by ESPN Events, the FCS Kickoff made its debut on Aug. 23, 2014 when No. 1 Eastern Washington defeated No. 17 Sam Houston State 56-35 in Cheney, Washington. The 2023 FCS Kickoff will be the sixth played at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. Jacksonville State, which defeated Chattanooga 27-13 in the first game on Aug. 26, 2017, earned a 42-10 win over Stephen F. Austin in 2022, which marked the JSU head coaching debut for Rich Rodriguez.

ESPN Events

ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In 2024, the 34-event schedule includes four early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 10 college basketball events, the premier regular season college softball and gymnastics events, as well as the Band of the Year National Championship. Collectively, these events account for over 400 hours of live programming on ESPN platforms, reaching 60 million viewers and attracting more than 650,000 annual attendees. Each year, the portfolio of events features more than 20 Division I conferences and hosts over 4,000 participating student-athletes. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans. Follow ESPN Events on FacebookTwitter/X and YouTube

FCS KICKOFF ALL-TIME RESULTS:

Date                     Result 

Aug. 23, 2014      Eastern Washington 56, Sam Houston State 35 (Cheney, Washington)

Aug, 29, 2015      Montana State 38, North Dakota State 35 (Missoula, Montana)

Aug. 27, 2016      North Dakota State 24, Charleston Southern 17 (Fargo, ND)

Aug, 26, 2017      Jacksonville State 27, Chattanooga 13 (Montgomery)

Aug. 25, 2018      North Carolina A&T 20, Jacksonville State 17 (Montgomery)

Aug. 26, 2019      Youngstown State 45, Samford 20 (Montgomery)

Aug. 29, 2020      Central Arkansas 24, Austin Peay 17 (Montgomery)

Aug. 27, 2022      Jacksonville State 42, Stephen F. Austin 10 (Montgomery)Aug. 26, 2023      Mercer 17, North Alabama 7 (Montgomery)

* The 2021 FCS Kickoff was cancelled due to COVID

NEWS

Dowling Takes Home MVP Trophy

Mercer linebacker Isaac Dowling led a defense that held North Alabama in check for much of the 2023 FCS Kickoff Classic, recording a team-high 10 tackles to earn Most Valuable Player honors in the Bears’ 17-7 win on Saturday at Cramton Bowl.

Having an outstanding game on national television to open the season would be quite an accomplishment for most players, but Dowling certainly isn’t like most players.
“For me personally, I definitely could’ve been better,” he said in rating his performance. “I felt like I made a lot of mistakes, missed a couple of tackles as well. I’d definitely say this is one of my lower games.”

The 5-foot-9, 225-pound junior from Snellville, Ga., anchored a Mercer defense that put the brakes on North Alabama, but that type of performance is one head coach Drew Cronic was expecting despite the array of unknowns his team was facing in Brent Dearmon’s coaching debut at North Alabama.
“Coach (Joel) Taylor, our defensive coordinator, (did a) phenomenal job,” Cronic said. “You’ve got a new coach, a new situation, so you’re really having to get ready for everything. I thought we adjusted. I think Isaac had a few blitzes there where we were able to make some plays. You saw him on some very well timed blitzes. And I think we’re pretty dang good on defense.”

The game had that early-season feel for both offenses as neither could sustain any success in the blazing August temperatures. But a lightning strike seven miles away halted play for 76 minutes in the third quarter and the North Alabama offense was never a threat once play resumed, managing just 15 yards on its final three possessions over the final 17 minutes of the game.

“We just settled in,” Dowling said. “Coming from the (weather) break, we had a lot of time to think about it. As time went on, we’re confident in what we can do and picking up what they were doing as well. Just playing faster.”

And the faster Mercer’s defense got, the more difficult it became for North Alabama to find any traction on offense. A lot of that can be attributed to Dowling, who earned the respect of his teammates by being selected as a team captain as a freshman in 2021 and again as a sophomore in 2022.

“Isaac’s a good football player,” Cronic said. “And he has been since the day he showed up on our campus. He’s started since the day he showed up. We signed him in our first signing class. That kid is a coach’s dream. He does everything right. Everything. His name has never come across my desk for one negative thing. I mean, he’s got a 3.7 GPA in public health, he has a sister who graduated from Mercer, his parents are awesome. When you tell him to do something, it’s going to get done. And he is a kid that prepares for everything.

“So he’s a good player, but he’s an even better player because of the time he spends, how important it is to him, his attitude, his approach. He was being honest with you up here. He expects to play better. Even though he had whatever it was, 12 tackles, 13 tackles and made some huge plays, I promise you he’s going to be critical of himself in that film and he’s going to get better. That’s just who he is. There’s no one more deserving to win that MVP award for the game than he is.”

Dowling might not agree with his coach.

“I’m hard on myself,” he admitted. “I want to do everything right. I felt like I made a lot of mistakes, but those can be fixed.”

ESPN Events

ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In 2022, the 32-event schedule included three early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events, and a college softball event, which account for approximately 400 hours of live programming, while reaching nearly 64 million viewers and attracting over 800,000 annual attendees. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans. For more information, visit the official website, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube pages.

NEWS

Mercer Defense Shines in FCS Kickoff

MONTGOMERY – The Mercer defense set the tone in a 17-7 victory over North Alabama in the ninth annual FCS Kickoff at the historic Cramton Bowl.

The Bears limited the Lions to seven points and 248 total yards in the lowest-scoring FCS Kickoff game in history.

Isaac Dowling led the Bears with 10 tackles to earn Most Valuable Player honors. He added 1.5 tackles for loss, one-half sack and one quarterback pressure.

Myles Redding had nine tackles and broke up one pass.

The Mercer defense forced four three-and-outs and thwarted three fourth-down attempts, including two deep in Bears territory.

Defensive tackle Jordan Swain added a blocked field goal to contribute to the win.

“Our defense came up big in some critical situations,” Mercer head coach Drew Cronic said. “They stopped them on fourth down, they blocked a field goal. We knew the strength of our team was our defense. A lot of experience there.”

Mercer returned the opening kickoff to the UNA 49-yard line then scored nine plays later to take a 7-0 lead.

Carter Peevey’s 14-yard touchdown pass to Ty James gave the Bears points on their first possession of the new season.

After the defense forced a three-and-out, Mercer muffed a punt that gave UNA the ball at the Bears 27-yard line.

The Bears defense held the Lions to five yards on the next three plays and North Alabama missed a 39-yard field goal attempt.

As the Mercer offense struggled, North Alabama tied the game at 7-7 when quarterback TJ Smith scampered three yards late in the first quarter.

North Alabama got a solid effort from its defense too, holding the Bears to 17 points and 285 total yards.

Safety Edwin White Schultz finished with a game-high 14 tackles, tying the FCS Kickoff record for most tackles in a game.

White Schultz had nine solo tackles, a tackle for loss and one forced fumble that prevented a touchdown inside the five-yard line.

The 14 tackles tied the previous record set by Chattanooga’s Tavon Lawson in 2017 and North Dakota State’s Jordan Champion in 2015.

Mercer regained the lead 10-7 on Reice Griffith’s 24-yard field goal with 4:40 left in the first half.

The game was interrupted at the 11:39 mark of the third quarter due to a weather delay. The game was resumed at 5:58 p.m., after a 76-minute delay.

The 2022 FCS Kickoff also had an extensive weather delay and after a 2-plus hour delay the game was finally called giving Jacksonville State a 42-17 win over Stephen F. Austin.

Mercer’s defense seemed to be re-energized after the delay and held the Lions to 23 total yards on the final four possessions.

Mercer stretched the lead to 17-7 on Micah Bell’s three-yard touchdown run with 11:44 left in the game.

Bell led all rushers with 20 carries for 75 yards and one touchdown.

The Bears offense ran out the final 5:42 with the help of a fourth-down conversion early in its final possession.

ESPN Events

ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In 2022, the 32-event schedule included three early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events, and a college softball event, which account for approximately 400 hours of live programming, while reaching nearly 64 million viewers and attracting over 800,000 annual attendees. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans. For more information, visit the official website, FacebookTwitter or YouTube pages.

NEWS

MERCER, NORTH ALABAMA TO MEET IN 2023 FCS KICKOFF

Ninth annual FCS Kickoff to be played Saturday, Aug. 26 at historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery

MONTGOMERY – Mercer University and the University of North Alabama will meet in the ninth annual FCS Kickoff at the historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on Saturday, Aug. 26 to kick off the 2023 college football season. The game time, ESPN network designation and ticket information will be announced at a later date. It will be the first appearance in the FCS Kickoff for both programs.

Mercer, the home team, had one of the nation’s most high-powered offenses in 2022. The Bears set numerous team and individual records while leading the Southern Conference with 38.2 points per game and placing 12 players on the all-conference team.

Mercer was ranked in the AFCA Top 25 the entire season for the first time in program history. The Bears earned their highest ranking ever (No. 11) and finished the season ranked No. 21 in the poll.

“We’re excited to be playing in the first college football game of the season,” said Mercer head coach Drew Cronic. “This is a great opportunity to showcase our football program and the entire FCS.”

North Alabama will begin a new era in the FCS Kickoff as head coach Brent Dearmon will make his head coaching debut for the Lions.

“Our staff and players are excited about the opportunity to play on a national stage in Montgomery for the FCS Kickoff game,” said Dearmon. “This will help us in so many ways as a program for years to come. Playing a first-class opponent will be a great challenge for us as well.”

A native of Saraland, Ala., Dearmon served as offensive coordinator at Kansas, Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic the last three seasons. Previously the head coach at B.C. Rain High School (2011-12) and Bethel College (2018), his alma mater, Bethel went 10-0 in his lone season and ranked second in NAIA, scoring 55 points per game.

Mercer reinstated football in 2013 after a 72-year absence.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Mercer University and our football program,” said Mercer director of athletics Jim Cole. “To work with ESPN and the city of Montgomery to kick off the college football season on a national stage is something we couldn’t pass up.”

UNA recently made the transition to FCS after a successful stint at the Division II level. The Lions won three straight national championships from 1993-95.

“Participating in the FCS Kickoff is a showcase opportunity for North Alabama athletics and the university as a whole,” said UNA director of athletics Dr. Josh Looney. “Bringing the new-look Lion football program to Alabama’s capital city, while participating in a nationally-televised game, offers an incredible platform to display the newest Division I football team and fastest-growing university in the state. We are thankful to Johnny Williams and ESPN for the invitation to kick off our 2023 season in Week 0 and join this outstanding event.”

Owned and operated by ESPN Events, the FCS Kickoff made its debut on Aug. 23, 2014 when No. 1 Eastern Washington defeated No. 17 Sam Houston State 56-35 in Cheney, Washington. The 2023 FCS Kickoff will be the sixth played at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. Jacksonville State, which defeated Chattanooga 27-13 in the first game on Aug. 26, 2017, earned a 42-10 win over Stephen F. Austin in last year, which marked the JSU head coaching debut for Rich Rodriguez.

ESPN Events

ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In 2022, the 32-event schedule included three early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events, and a college softball event, which account for approximately 400 hours of live programming, while reaching nearly 64 million viewers and attracting over 800,000 annual attendees. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans. For more information, visit the official website, FacebookTwitter or YouTube pages.

FCS KICKOFF ALL-TIME RESULTS:

Date                     Result 

Aug. 23, 2014      Eastern Washington 56, Sam Houston State 35 (Cheney, Washington)

Aug, 29, 2015      Montana State 38, North Dakota State 35 (Missoula, Montana)

Aug. 27, 2016      North Dakota State 24, Charleston Southern 17 (Fargo, ND)

Aug, 26, 2017      Jacksonville State 27, Chattanooga 13 (Montgomery)

Aug. 25, 2018      North Carolina A&T 20, Jacksonville State 17 (Montgomery)

Aug. 26, 2019      Youngstown State 45, Samford 20 (Montgomery)

Aug. 29, 2020      Central Arkansas 24, Austin Peay 17 (Montgomery)

Aug. 27, 2022      Jacksonville State 42, Stephen F. Austin 10 (Montgomery)

* The 2021 FCS Kickoff was cancelled due to COVID

NEWS

Webb Leads JSU to Comeback Win

MONTGOMERY – It’s not how you start, but how you finish.

Jacksonville State senior quarterback Zion Webb overcame a slow start and then orchestrated a second half comeback to lead the Gamecocks to a 42-17 win over Stephen F. Austin the eighth FCS Kickoff at the historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.

JSU (1-0) scored 35 unanswered points to give head coach Rich Rodriguez the win in his Gamecocks coaching debut.

Webb finished with 219 total yards and three rushing touchdowns in the win. He completed his final eight passes and finished 9-for-16 for 160 yards through the air. He ran the ball 11 times for 54 yards and career-high three TDs.

The game was stopped by a weather delay with 13:16 left in the fourth quarter, when rain and lightning hit the area at 5:33 p.m. (CT). The game was officially called at 7:19 p.m. (CT).

“After suspending play because of lightning with 13:18 in the fourth quarter with Jacksonville State leading 42-17 over Stephen F Austin, it was determined that the game could not be resumed without significant risk to the health and safety of the student athletes,” according to the A-Sun Conference. “Per NCAA rules 3-3-3c(2) and with both institutions in complete agreement, the game was ended with the final score 42-17.

Trailing 17-7 with 1:56 left in the first half, JSU scored two quick touchdowns to take 21-17 halftime lead.

Senior running back Matt LaRoche scored on an 8-yard run to close the gap to 17-14. Webb set up the score with a 73-yard pass to junior wide receiver Sterling Galban to give the Gamecocks a first-and-goal at the SFA 8-yard line.

The JSU defense forced a three-and-out on the next possession putting the ball back in the hands of Webb, who marched the team 49 yards for the go-ahead score. Webb capped the with a 4-yard TD run to give the Gamecocks their first lead of the game at 21-17.

The Gamecocks scored on their first two possessions of the third quarter to increase the lead to 35-17.

Webb capped an 82-yard drive with a 2-yard run on fourth-and-goal to give JSU a 28-17 lead with 8:10 left in the third quarter.

Senior safety Deco Wilson recorded his first career interception to set the up the next score.

Webb capped the 52-yard drive with a 4-yard quarterback keeper to push the lead to 35-17.

After setting up a pair of touchdowns with turnovers, the JSU defense got a touchdown of its own when linebacker Cole Fuller recovered a fumble in the end zone with 3:16 left in the third quarter to extend the lead to 42-17.

Stephen F. Austin (0-1) took advantage of a pair of early JSU turnovers to take a 17-7 lead.

Webb struggled early on for the Gamecocks with two turnovers in the first four possessions.

The Lumberjacks took advantage of the miscues.

SFA senior quarterback Trae Self completed a 1-yard TD pass to junior wide receiver Darryle Simmons on a fourth-and-goal to give the Lumberjacks a 7-0 lead with 6:33 left in the first quarter.

JSU answered with a 13-play, 75-yard drive, capped by running back Pat Jackson’s 1-yard to tie the game at 7-7.

Self hooked up with senior wide receiver Xavier Gipson on a 50-yard scoring strike to give SFA a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter.

Chris Campos’ 36-yard field goal pushed the lead to 17-7 with 6:33 left in the first half.

2022 FCS Kickoff Final Stats >

 

 

NEWS

Ninth Annual Camellia Bowl Set for December 27

Bowl Game to be Part of 100th Season of Historic Cramton Bowl

MONTGOMERY – The ninth annual Camellia Bowl will be played on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 11 a.m. CT (noon ET) at the historic Cramton Bowl, which will celebrate its 100th birthday during the 2022 college football season. The Camellia Bowl and City of Montgomery have multiple events planned to celebrate the bowl and iconic stadium’s centennial anniversary,

“We are thrilled to host the Camellia Bowl in Montgomery for the ninth year,” executive director Johnny Williams said. “We have had some very exciting games and we hope this year will continue that tradition as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Cramton Bowl, which will be a historic event itself.”

The Camellia Bowl will air on ESPN and match up teams from the Sun Belt Conference, the Mid-American Conference and Conference USA.

Seven of the first eight games have been decided by eight points or less, including the inaugural Camellia Bowl in 2014 when Bowling Green defeated South Alabama 33-28. Last year, Georgia State defeated Ball State as the two teams combined for 71 points in the highest-scoring Camellia Bowl to date.

In addition to the postseason Camellia Bowl, Montgomery will host two preseason kickoff games this season.Jacksonville State will meet Stephen F. Austin in the 9th FCS Kickoff on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN – the fifth FCS Kickoff game played at historic Cramton Bowl. Also, Tuskegee and Fort Valley State will square off in the second annual Boeing Red Tails Classic on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPNU. Fort Valley State defeated Tuskegee in last year’s inaugural game, which was created with ESPN Events to honor the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.

 

CAMELLIA BOWL ALL-TIME RESULTS:

Date                       Result                                                 

Dec. 20, 2014      Bowling Green 33, South Alabama 28

Dec. 19, 2015      Appalachian State 31, Ohio 29

Dec. 17, 2016      Appalachian State 31, Toledo 28

Dec. 16, 2017      Middle Tennessee 35, Arkansas St. 30

Dec. 15, 2018      Georgia Southern 23, E. Michigan 21

Dec. 21, 2019      Arkansas St. 34, FIU 26

Dec. 25, 2020      Buffalo 17, Marshall 10

Dec. 25, 2021      Georgia State 51, Ball State 20

 

FCS KICKOFF ALL-TIME RESULTS:

Date                       Result 

Aug. 23, 2014      Eastern Washington 56, Sam Houston State 35 (Cheney, Washington)

Aug, 29, 2015      Montana State 38, North Dakota State 35 (Missoula, Montana)

Aug. 27, 2016      North Dakota State 24, Charleston Southern 17 (Fargo, ND)

Aug, 26, 2017      Jacksonville State 27, Chattanooga 13 (Montgomery)

Aug. 25, 2018      North Carolina A&T 20, Jacksonville State 17 (Montgomery)

Aug. 26, 2019      Youngstown State 45, Samford 20 (Montgomery)

Aug. 29, 2020      Central Arkansas 24, Austin Peay 17 (Montgomery)

NEWS

CENTRAL ARKANSAS USES LATE TD TO WIN GUARDIAN CREDIT UNION FCS KICKOFF

MONTGOMERY – Central Arkansas overcame a pair of deficits, including on the final minute to defeat Austin Peay 24-17 in the seventh annual Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at Cramton Bowl.

UCA junior quarterback Breylin Smith threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Lujuan Winningham on a fade pattern with 34 seconds left in the game to lift the Bears to the come-from-behind win in the first game of the 2020 college football season. A two-point conversion pass from Smith to tight end Sam Camargo handed the Bears their second come-from-behind win in two years.

No. 11 Central Arkansas marched 68 yards in six plays in just over a minute for the winning score.

Freshman defensive back Tamaurain sealed the win with an interception at the UCA 6-yard line as time expired.

The Bears beat the Governors in similar fashion on the road in 2019, with Smith hitting Winningham with touchdown passes twice in the fourth quarter and cornerback Robert Rochell capping a 24-16 win with an interception in the final seconds.

Austin Peay (0-1) had taken a 17-16 lead when quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall scored on  1-yard run with 1:40 left on the clock.

Central Arkansas trailed 10-0 in the second quarter, but reeled off 17 straight points to take is first lead on its opening possession of the third quarter.

Austin Peay scored on the very first play of the college football season when freshman running back C.J. Evans raced 75 yards up the west sideline for a touchdown.

“We wanted to come and start fast and C.J. did that,” APSU first-year head coach Marquas Lovings said. “On the first play of the game, he takes it 75 yards down the sideline. It was the first carry in his collegiate career. He will always remember scoring on his first collegiate rushing attempt and scoring the first touchdown of the 2020 college football season.”

APSU kicker Grant Paulette booted a 28-yard field early in the second quarter to take a 10-0 lead.

Central Arkansas got on the board when Ray Hayden hit a 30-yard field to cut the lead to 10-3 with 7:37 left in the half.

The Bears were back in business on their next possession following a botched snap on the punt. The 27-yard loss set UCA up with a first down at the Governors 11-yard line, but three plays only netted three yards and Hayden added 27-yard field goal to trim the deficit to 10-6 with 3:41 left.

On the next possession, Oatsvall lost a fumble at the 44-yard line, which was recovered by Deandre Lamont at the Govs 27-yard line. On the very next play, Smith was intercepted in the end zone by Nathan Page.

“Boy, wasn’t that like last year?’ said UCA head coach Nathan Brown. “At the end of the day, we found our two horses, Tyler (Hudson) and Lujuan made big plays in the end. Any time you get a win, that’s a big win. It’s hard to win a Division I football game, regardless of who you’re playing.

“So tonight was a great night. You get a chance to play in front of probably the biggest audience to ever watch a UCA football game. And to win in the fashion we did. We gave them a show. We weren’t pretty but I guarantee it was fun to watch. Our big players made plays when it mattered.”

Central Arkansas took its first lead of the game on the first possession of the third quarter. Kierre Crossley accounted for all 54 yards on the ground in the three-play drive. He ran for 17 yards on the first play and followed up with a 5-yard run. On second and five, Crossley burst up the middle a scored on a 34-yard touchdown run. Hayden’s extra point made 16-10.

Crossley led all rushers with 110 yards (13 carries) and one touchdown.

Evans added 98 yards (10 carries) one TD in collegiate debut for the Governors.

Smith completed 26 of 49 passes for 283 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Winningham caught six passes for 86 yards and one TD for the Bears.

Oatsvall completed 14 of 31 passes for 181 yards and one interception. He also ran for 37 yards and one TD.  Oatsvall also punted seven times (267 yards) for a 38.1 average and pinned the Bears inside the 20-yard line twice.

 

Check out the final stats >

 

 

NEWS

COVID-19 Update – Ticket Notice

The ticket is a revocable license to attend the event printed on the face of this ticket.  By using this ticket and entering the facility, holder agrees to all terms hereof.

All persons, regardless of age, must present a ticket for admission. Not responsible for lost or stolen tickets. The facility reserves the rights to refuse admission or eject any person violating facility rules, local, state or federal law, or whose conduct is deemed illegal, disorderly, or offensive by management. Persons entering the facility are subject to search. This ticket is non-transferable and may not be resold. No re-entry to the facility on ticket stubs. No refunds. No exchanges. Event time and date are subject to change.

This ticket may not be used for advertising, promotion (including contests and sweepstakes) or other trade or commercial purposes, without the prior written approval of ESPN.  Holder of this ticket grants permission to ESPN (and their designees) to utilize holder’s image, likeness, actions and/or statements in any live or recorded audio, video or photographic display or other transmission, exhibition, publication or reproduction made of, or at, the event in any medium or context for any purpose, including commercial or promotional purposes, without further authorization or compensation.  Breach of any of the terms of this license, failure to comply with facility rules, or the refunding to holder of the printed purchase price on the face of this ticket (less any discount the purchaser may have received from ESPN or otherwise) shall automatically terminate any rights that holder may have hereunder and shall authorize ESPN to revoke the ticket at any time prior to or during the event, refuse admission to the facility or eject holder from the facility.  Breach of any of the terms of this license shall also subject holder to all legal remedies available to ESPN.

HOLDER VOLUNTARILY ASSUMES ALL RISK AND DANGER ARISING FROM, OR RELATED IN ANY WAY TO, THE EVENT, WHETHER OCCURRING PRIOR TO, DURING, OR AFTER THE EVENT, HOWEVER CAUSED AND WHETHER BY NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY (INCLUDING DEATH), THE RISK OF LOST, STOLEN OR DAMAGED PROPERTY, AND ALL OTHER HAZARDS RELATED TO THE EVENT INCLUDING THE INHERENT RISK OF EXPOSURE TO COVID-19. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, BY ATTENDING AND/OR PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENT, HOLDER, ON HIS/HER OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY ACCOMPANYING MINOR(S), IS DEEMED TO HAVE, AND HEREBY DOES, VOLUNTARILY AND KNOWINGLY, WAIVE, RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND RELINQUISH ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, ACTIONS AND LAWSUITS OF ANY KIND RELATED TO OR ARISING FROM HIS/HER ATTENDANCE, INCLUDING THOSE RELATED TO COVID-19, AGAINST ANY PARTY INVOLVED IN THE STAGING, CONDUCT, PARTICIPATION IN, PRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION OF THE EVENT.

NEWS

AUSTIN PEAY, CENTRAL ARKANSAS TO MEET IN GUARDIAN CREDIT UNION FCS KICKOFF

MONTGOMERY – Once again, the college football season will begin in Alabama’s Capital City.

Central Arkansas and Austin Peay will meet in the 2020 Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at historic Cramton Bowl on Saturday, Aug. 29. The kickoff time and television network, along with ticket information, will be announced at a later date.

Central Arkansas was scheduled to host Austin Peay on Saturday, Sept. 19, but the two schools agreed to move the game to the season-opening FCS Kickoff.

“We are excited to be selected to participate in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff,” Central Arkansas Director of Athletics Dr. Brad Teague said. “To be the only game on TV at that time will showcase our great university and athletics program. We are proud that the University of Central Arkansas will be represented in a national game. This is an opportunity that presents itself infrequently and we do not take that lightly. We want to make sure this game day is a special day for our Bear Nation.”

“The Governors could not be more excited to participate in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff,” Austin Peay Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison said. “This game provides us another opportunity to display the Austin Peay spirit on the national stage. I know our student athletes and all of Stacheville will enjoy the southern hospitality provided by the great folks in the City of Montgomery. Many thanks to Johnny Williams, the selection committee, and ESPN for this gargantuan opportunity.”

Central Arkansas (9-4) won the 2019 Southland Conference Championship and advanced to the FCS Playoffs. The Bears lost to Illinois State 24-14 in the second round.

“This is a big deal for not only UCA football and athletics but the university as a whole,” Central Arkansas head coach Nathan Brown said. “To be asked to play in the Week Zero FCS kickoff game is a true honor and shows the respect that our football program has across the nation. We will be one of the only games that weekend and to be featured on ESPN is a big deal not only for our current players and coaches but also for future recruits and a way to spread our national brand. We are humbled and excited to be presented with this opportunity and plan to put our best foot forward to represent Bear Nation in a positive light nationally.”

Austin Peay (11-4) won the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference Championship and advanced to the FCS quarterfinals. The Governors opened their playoff run with a 42-6 home win over No. 16 Furman. One week later, APSU posted a 42-28 win at No. 3 Sacramento State. APSU suffered a 24-10 loss at No. 10 Montana State to end the season.

“It is an honor to accept the invitation to play in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff Classic in Montgomery and represent Austin Peay,” head coach Mark Hudspeth said. “Our team is honored to be one of only two teams selected to play in Week Zero. We look forward to the opportunity to open the season on ESPN and showcase our program, our university and the city of Clarksville.”

Hudspeth has ties to the state of Alabama. He is the former head coach at North Alabama, where he compiled a 66-21 record in seven seasons in Florence. He led UNA to two Gulf South Conference Championships and three trips to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. Hudspeth also spent three seasons as assistant coach at Central Arkansas, where he was a graduate assistant in 1992-93 and defensive backs coach in 1998.

The 2020 season will mark the fourth straight season the FCS Kickoff will be held in Montgomery.  In 2017, Jacksonville State defeated Chattanooga, 27-13. In 2018, North Carolina A&T defeated Jacksonville State 20-17.  Last year, Youngstown State defeated Samford 45-22.

The FCS Kickoff is in its seventh year overall.  The event began in 2014 when Eastern Washington defeated Sam Houston State 56-35 at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash.  In 2015, Montana knocked off defending FCS champion North Dakota State 38-35 at Grizzly Stadium in Missoula.  In 2016, North Dakota State defeated Charleston Southern 24-17 at the Fargodome in Fargo, N.D.

 

FCS Kickoff All-Time Scores:

Aug. 23, 2014                      Eastern Washington 56, Sam Houston State 35 (Cheney, Wash.)

Aug. 29, 2015                      Montana 38, North Dakota State 35 (Missoula, Mont.)

Aug. 27, 2016                      North Dakota State 24, Charleston Southern 17 (Fargo, N.D.)

Aug. 26, 2017                      Jacksonville State 27, Chattanooga 13 (Montgomery)

Aug. 25, 2018                      North Carolina A&T 20, Jacksonville State 17 (Montgomery)

Aug. 24, 2019                      Youngstown State 45, Samford 22 (Montgomery)

 

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NEWS

YOUNGSTOWN STATE FORCES FOUR TURNOVERS IN FCS KICKOFF WIN

MONTGOMERY – Youngstown State defense forced four turnovers and the offense scored on four of its first six possessions to post a 45-22 win over Samford in the sixth annual Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff Classic at the historic Cramton Bowl.

Youngstown State (1-0) recorded three interceptions and recovered one fumble in its season-opening win. The Penguins converted two of the four turnovers into touchdowns, including a 26-yard scoop and score by senior weak side linebacker Cash Mitchell to give YSU a 14-7 lead in the first quarter.

Junior strong safety Zaire Jones recorded two interceptions, while defensive back John Harper also recorded an interception. The three interceptions were as many as the Penguins defense recorded during the entire 2018 season. YSU only had three interceptions in 11 games last season.

While the defense created turnovers, the offense took advantage. YSU controlled the clock with 41:27 time of possession in the win. The Penguins also converted 10-of-18 third down attempts in the win.

“This is starting point for our football team.” Youngstown State head coach Bo Pelini said. “Overall, I thought we played well. We had a little lull in the third quarter and gave up two big plays on defense. For the first time out, I thought we played good football. I think we are a work in progress, but I think we have a chance to be a really good football team.”

Samford (0-1) took a brief 7-0 lead when quarterback Liam Welch threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Montgomery native Trey Adams (Trinity) on the Bulldogs second possession of the game.

Welch completed 13-of-22 passes for 142 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions before being replaced in the second half. Adams caught four passes for 74 yards and one touchdown in his first ever game at the Cramton Bowl.

“It was nice to come home,” the former Trinity standout said. “I have played some 7-on-7 here but this was the first time I played in a game here. I was good to come home and play in front of my family.”

Trailing 7-0, Youngstown State scored on its next three possessions to take a 17-7 lead.Senior quarterback Nathan Mays threw a 16-yard pass to Samuel St. Surin to cap a 13-play, 83-yard drive to tie the game at 7-7. Following Mitchell’s defensive touchdown, sophomore kicker Colton McFadden extended the lead to 17-7 with a 43-yard field goal.

Mays closed out the half with a 4-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Josh Burgett to give the Penguins a 24-7 halftime lead.

Mays finished with 214 total yards for the Penguins. He completed 10-of-18 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran 13 times for 90 yards.

Both teams sputtered on offense in the third quarter, before an explosive final 15 minutes.

Youngstown State scored on three straight possessions in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Sophomore tailback Braxton Chapman scored on a 1-yard run 14:29 left in the game to extend the lead to 31-7.

Samford made a change at quarterback and junior Chris Oladokun sparked the Bulldogs with a pair of scoring drives. On his third play from scrimmage, he fired a 64-yard touchdown pass to Montrell Washington. Oladokun then ran for the 2-point conversion to cut the lead to 31-15.

“We competed well,” Samford head coach Chris Hatcher said. “We did not quit. We turned the ball over four times. We did not tackle very well. We had a hard time getting off the field on that side of the ball and that makes for a long afternoon against a team that controlled the clock.”

Washington, who finished with two catches for 80 yards and one TD, also provided a spark on special teams. He had five kick returns for 117 yards.

Youngstown State answered with an 8-minute drive, capped by Chapman second 1-yard touchdown of the quarter to extend the lead to 38-15. Chapman had 11 carries for 50 yards and two TDs in the win.

Oladokun then scored on a 10-yard run with just over three minutes left to trim the deficit to 38-22.

Oladokun completed 7-of-10 passes for 126 yards and one TD off the bench. He also had five carries for 14 yards and one TD.

Youngstown State closed out the scoring with a 3-yard run by junior tailback Christian Turner with just over two minutes to play.

The 45 points scored are the second-most points scored in the history of the FCS Kickoff Classic. No. 1 Eastern Washington holds the record in it 56-35 win over No. 17 Sam Houston State in 2014.

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