1 2 WELCOME TABLE OF CONTENTS STATS prides itself on being the world’s leading provider of sports content Page and technology. Our mission is to be a game-changer as to how sports are Welcoming Letters 4-5 consumed, bringing differentiated data and analysis to teams and fans FCS Awards Finalists 7 across the globe. But for all our high-tech research and products, there is something more basic that lays the foundation for our success: a passion – Award Finalist 8 for the game. In that way – hard work and a commitment to excellence Keelan Doss – Finalist 10 powered by a love of sport – STATS and FCS football mirror each other. It’s Chris Streveler – Walter Payton Award Finalist 12 been three seasons since STATS took the baton from Andrew Ankrah – Finalist 14 as media custodian of the subdivision, and we couldn’t be prouder of how it’s turned out. Our website has become the go-to source for everything Darius Jackson – Buck Buchanan Award Finalist 16 FCS, and our poll and awards are recognized across the country as an Brett Taylor – Buck Buchanan Award Finalist 18 unquestioned authority on teams and players. Bringing in the legacy Bryson Armstrong – Award Recipient 20 honors a year ago – namesakes like Payton, Buchanan, Rice and Robinson – Recipient 22 – allowed us to link a rich past and a potent present. As a company, we take part in many events, but the annual FCS Awards Banquet is one Jake Wieneke – Doris Robinson Award Recipient 24 of my favorites. You see, at STATS, we’re used to dealing with numbers STATS FCS Awards Namesakes 28-29 on a day-to-day basis. But tonight is always about the people. It’s like a Past FCS Awards Winners 30 homecoming. And there’s nothing more rewarding to us than seeing those STATS FCS All-American First Team 31 who we’ve built relationships with while covering this beat, and honoring NCAA Division I FCS Championship Game Results 32 the best of the best every season. That’s what this is all about. We hope you get just as much enjoyment out of it as we do. 2017 FCS Playoffs 33 Master of Ceremonies and FCS Awards Voters 35 Brian Orefice Autographs 36 STATS News Director

2017 FCS AWARDS BANQUET FCS SUPPORTERS Page Banquet Coordinators: Brian Orefice, Justin Einhorn, Brett Inside Cover Huston, Philip Sokol and Craig Haley 2 CAA Football 6 Graphic Designer: Jeffrey Reitzes Sam Houston State University 9 9 Awards Program Writers: Taylor Bechtold, Matt Becker, UC Davis 11 Justin Einhorn, Scott Garbarini, Craig Haley, Brett Huston and University of South Dakota 13 Jeff Mezydlo 15 Jacksonville State University 17 STATS FCS Website: www.fcs.football 17 Western University 19 For future FCS business and advertising inquiries, please Kennesaw State University 21 contact Brian Orefice at [email protected]. Austin Peay State University 23 South Dakota State University 25 STATS LLC Global Headquarters Northeast Conference 25 203 North LaSalle St. 26 Suite 2200 27 Chicago, IL 60601 Pioneer Football League 27 1-847-583-2100 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference 34 www.stats.com Missouri Valley Football Conference Back Inside STATS LLC Back Cover 3 4 5 6 2017 STATS FCS AWARDS FINALISTS WALTER PAYTON AWARD FINALISTS BUCK BUCHANAN AWARD FINALISTS (FCS Offensive Player of the Year) (FCS Defensive Player of the Year) Dominick Bragalone RB Lehigh Andrew Ankrah DE James Madison Jeremiah Briscoe QB Sam Houston State Mike Basile SS Monmouth Chandler Burks QB Kennesaw State Marlon Bridges FS Jacksonville State Taryn Christion QB South Dakota State Brandon Bryant LB Lafayette QB Northern Arizona Josh Buss LB Montana Keelan Doss WR UC Davis De’Arius Christmas LB Grambling State Goedert TE South Dakota State Nick DeLuca LB North Dakota State QB Eastern Washington Garrett Dolan LB Houston Baptist Hayden Hildebrand QB Central Arkansas Malik Duncan CB Saint Francis QB Samford Anthony Ellis DE Charleston Southern Chad Kanoff QB Princeton Jared Farley LB Northern Iowa DeVante Kincade QB Grambling State Ahmad Gooden DE Samford Kyle Lauletta QB Richmond P.J. Hall DL Sam Houston State Anthony Lawrence QB San Diego Davontae Harris CB Illinois State Josh Mack RB Maine Darius Jackson DE Jacksonville State Detrez Newsome RB Western Carolina Mario Jenkins LB Idaho State Neil O’Connor WR New Hampshire Darius Leonard LB South Carolina State Brandon Parker OT North Carolina A&T Warren Messer LB Elon Troy Pelletier WR Lehigh Matthew Oplinger LB Yale Lamar Raynard QB North Carolina A&T Jonathan Petersen DE San Diego Bryan Schor QB James Madison Christian Rozeboom LB South Dakota State Chris Streveler QB South Dakota Tremon Smith CB Central Arkansas Tommy Stuart QB Duquesne Brett Taylor LB Western Illinois RB Jacksonville State Sione Teuhema LB Southeastern Louisiana Justin Watson WR Penn Jaison Williams DE Austin Peay

JERRY RICE AWARD FINALISTS EDDIE ROBINSON AWARD FINALISTS (FCS Freshman Player of the Year) (FCS Coach of the Year) Troy Anderson RB/LB Montana State Wofford Southern Conference Bryson Armstrong LB Kennesaw State Al Bagnoli Columbia Ivy League Grant Breneman QB Colgate Kennesaw State Big South Conference Davis Cheek QB Elon North Carolina A&T Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference LB North Dakota State Kierre Crossley RB Central Arkansas Kevin Callahan Monmouth Big South Conference Glenn Cunningham LB Fordham Dave Cecchini Valparaiso Pioneer Football League Zane Dudek RB Yale Elon CAA Football Wesley Dugger RB Davidson Charlie Fisher Western Illinois Missouri Valley Football Conference Reynard Ellis LB Furman John Grass Jacksonville State Ohio Valley Conference Jaron Grayer LB Maine Will Healy Austin Peay Ohio Valley Conference Pete Guerriero RB Monmouth Mike Houston James Madison CAA Football Gresch Jensen QB Montana Dan Hunt Colgate Patriot League Anthony Knighton DE Southern Illinois North Dakota State Missouri Valley Football Conference Torrance Marable RB Presbyterian Howard Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Franklin “Mac” McCain III CB North Carolina A&T A Southwestern A Caylin Newton QB Howard Fred McNair lcorn State thletic Conference Kaelan Riley QB Mercer Tim Rebowe Nicholls Southland Conference Vincent Sellers S Tennessee State Pete Rossomando Central Connecticut State Northeast Conference Daniel Smith QB Campbell Southern Utah Big Sky Conference

DORIS ROBINSON AWARD FINALISTS (FCS Scholar-Athlete of the Year) Chandler Burks QB Kennesaw State Bryan Schor QB James Madison Percy Cargo Jr. DB Grambling State Andy Schumpert TE Furman Justin Lea OL Jacksonville State Andrew Vollert TE Weber State Max Michaels NB San Diego Marlon Walls S Stephen F. Austin Andrew O’Neill WR Sacred Heart Justin Watson WR Penn Alex Pechin P Bucknell Jake Wieneke WR South Dakota State Fidel Romo-Martinez P Delaware State 7 In the 30-year history of the Walter Payton Award, only one player has taken home the trophy twice. The second one could be a player who wasn’t even part of the FCS three years ago – or the FBS, for that matter.

Jeremiah Briscoe didn’t have a home on either level after the 2014 season when UAB disbanded its football program, though it didn’t take long for Sam Houston State to scoop him up. That move paid off big-time when Briscoe set an FCS single-season record with 57 passes in 2016 as part of his Payton Award-winning season.

The TD passes don’t quite compare this year – that had something to do with him adjusting to a new – but Briscoe’s 45 still lead the FCS by a wide margin. That total along with completing 335 passes for just over 5,000 passing yards have Briscoe in position to possibly take home the hardware again.

“It’s been an absolute roller coaster,” Briscoe said. “If someone would have told me 3½ years ago where I’d be right now, I’d tell ‘em they were a liar. It’s been unbelievable.”

The only player to win the Payton Award twice was Appalachian State in 2008 and 2009. The idea of Briscoe pulling off the feat didn’t even enter his mind coming into his senior season.

“It was something that I really didn’t think about winning again and now it’s kind of become a reality. It’s pretty crazy,” Briscoe said. “If I do end up winning it, being the second person to win it twice and back-to-back, it’s indescribable because of all the great players that have come through FCS and how many years this has been going on.”

- Justin Einhorn 8 9 Keelan Doss finished his junior season at UC Davis with more than twice as many yards as he had Twitter followers.

That second number is about to get a serious bump.

From a skinny high school receiver whose only scholarship offer came from UC Davis to a 6-foot- 3 standout whose hands are seemingly made of Stickum, Doss is now one of three finalists for the STATS FCS Walter Payton Award, given to the subdivision’s top offensive player – and that’s just the beginning for the Alameda, , native. Whether he decides to forego his final season of eligibility or stick around for another year with the Aggies, the NFL is calling.

There figure to be more than 700-some FCS diehards following him on Twitter when he answers.

“Keelan is the best receiver I have ever coached,” UC Davis coach told The Sacramento Bee. “I have never had a guy that has this size, this speed and this physical ability, and with all the intangibles.”

Doss finished the 2017 regular season ranked No. 1 in the nation among FBS and FCS players in receiving yards (1,499), yards per game (136.3) and receptions per game (10.5). He set career highs with 15 receptions and 208 receiving yards against Eastern Washington on Oct. 7.

The Aggies had a chance to clinch their first winning season since 2010 in their finale, but lost to rival Sacramento State 52-47, so there’s at least one motivating reason to return. It certainly wasn’t for a lack of effort from Doss, who had a career-high 215 yards from scrimmage.

“I could be back,” Doss says of his plans in 2018.

Big Sky secondaries certainly hope he pursues that NFL dream a year ahead of schedule.

- Brett Huston 10 11 When Chris Streveler entered the huddle for South Dakota’s first possession of the 2016 opener, not only were Coyotes fans surprised to see the former Minnesota quarterback-turned-receiver leading the offense, so were some teammates.

“Some of the guys didn’t know I was starting going into the game,” Streveler said. “It never really got officially announced to the team and we kinda kept it under wraps to the media.”

It didn’t take long for Streveler to introduce himself to his teammates - and the rest of the FCS. He ran for a 55-yard touchdown on the fifth play from scrimmage and on the Coyotes’ second possession, scampered 42 yards for another score. “It wasn’t like I was going out there like I got to prove myself,” Streveler said, “but I think some of the guys were pretty excited about those types of plays.”

Exciting plays were the norm throughout the 2017 season for the dynamic QB.

Streveler had attempted 225 passes before throwing his first and finished with an MVFC single-season record of 4,854 total yards to go with 43 TDs. The subdivision’s only quarterback ranking in the top 10 in passing yards, total TDs, completion percentage, TD/INT ratio and , Streveler saved one of his best performances for the playoffs. In a shootout with Sam Houston State and fellow Walter Payton Award hopeful Jeremiah Briscoe, Streveler threw for a playoff-record 520 yards and was responsible for six TDs. It’s been quite the journey for Streveler, who just two years ago was bouncing from position to position at Minnesota trying to simply get on the field to help his team win. At South Dakota, the do-everything QB led the program to its first FCS playoff win while rewriting the school’s record book – a far cry from the inconspicuous way his career began there. - Matt Becker 12 13 Andrew Ankrah had a sophomore season to be proud of, emerging into one of the FCS’ top pass rushers while earning second-team STATS All- America honors as a first-year starter for James Madison University. His new coach was less impressed. “When we got here (in 2016), he was coming off a year where he put up some really solid individual stats,” Dukes coach Mike Houston remarked. “But to be honest, he was not a very good football player.” Aware of the immense potential Ankrah still possessed, Houston and his staff challenged the 6-foot-4, 234-pound /defensive end to become a more cerebral player instead of one overly reliant on his natural physical gifts. Ankrah didn’t need much convincing, nor did he need to look far for inspiration. He’d seen his older brother, Jason, use hard work and dedication to beat the odds and make the ’ active roster as an undrafted free agent in 2014.

“When the staff got here, they saw how underdeveloped I was in terms of my football knowledge,” Ankrah said. “And not just me. Everybody has improved, everybody has become a better player. I’m so quick to give them so much credit.”

The numbers back that up. JMU ranked 78th in the FCS in both points and yards allowed in 2015. Two years later, the Dukes were first in those categories during the regular season, with Ankrah developing into an indispensable part of the nation’s consensus No. 1 team. The Maryland native also acknowledges the impact Jason, a former defensive end at Nebraska, has had on his career. “Before every game he makes sure he reaches out to me and makes sure my mind is in the right place,” said Ankrah, who’s already received his degree in sport and recreation management. “It’s so easy to get caught up in the outside noise.” - Scott Garbarini 14 15 When Darius Jackson stepped on to the Jacksonville State campus as a wide-eyed freshman in 2013, he was well shy of 200 pounds and had never played on the defensive line. Five years later, the bruising Gamecocks defensive end is among three finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, honoring the defensive player of the year in the FCS.

“I was like, ‘I can’t play (defensive end),” said Jackson, now in the neighborhood of 240 pounds, thinking back to his early college days. “I guess (the coaching staff) saw that I had some of the athleticism.”

Mild mannered and easy going by nature, Jackson seems the opposite on the football field. Whether it’s stonewalling oncoming ball-carriers or wreaking havoc on opposing , Jackson has been a defensive menace in the best possible way for a program that’s gone 43-8 over the last four seasons and was the 2015 national runner-up.

Jackson entered college as a safety/linebacker who redshirted his freshman year and ended his collegiate career as the first two-time Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year since Eastern Kentucky’s George Floyd in 1980 and ’81 – all while carrying a grade point average well above 3.0.

This season, Jackson broke his own school record with 20½ tackles for loss, and he’ll leave as Jacksonville State’s all-time leader in sacks (27½), tackles for loss (60½) and yards from tackles for loss (277).

“For Darius to come in here, he’d never played the position … he’s had a stellar career,” Jacksonville State coach John Grass said during the season. “I don’t think you can look back and say it couldn’t have been any better.”

- Jeff Mezydlo 16 17 While it’s certainly difficult to find offensive players who can match Brett Taylor’s athleticism and physicality, it has to be even more challenging to find an opponent who can outthink the Western Illinois linebacker.

After working behind the scenes as an intern in the Leathernecks football office over the summer, Taylor again led the program on the field in the fall. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Macomb native topped the FCS in tackles, tackles per game and assisted tackles while helping WIU finish 8-4 and return to the national playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

Taylor, who hopes to eventually coach high school football and become an athletic director, has been working toward a master’s degree in sports management after having already earned his bachelor’s in recreation park tourism administration. A year after claiming the MVFC’s highest academic achievement by capturing the 2016-17 President’s Council Academic Excellence Award, he was named to the Academic All-MVFC first team for the second consecutive year in November with a 3.9 GPA.

“He doesn’t just win with brawn. He wins with brains, too,” Leathernecks inside coach Deion Melvin said. “He’s that type of player.”

Taylor appeared to master both aspects of the game as a senior one year after grabbing STATS FCS All-America honors and finishing seventh in the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award voting. He wrapped up his illustrious career with 469 tackles and 266 solo stops, which are each the third-most in school history.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be a finalist, but I could not have done this without the best defensive line in the country, along with the best teammates and coaches,” Taylor said. “Also, I would like to thank my family, who has always supported me no matter what, and also extend a big thank you to the Macomb community for having my back.”

- Taylor Bechtold 18 19 Bryson Armstrong wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school, but even if he had been, it would have been hard for him to leave home-cooked meals behind.

Playing at Kennesaw State, just a 10-minute drive from where he grew up in Marietta, Georgia, Armstrong has a go-to kitchen for whenever he’s hungry. And the Owls, the first team to give Armstrong a scholarship offer, have one of the nation’s most promising young linebackers.

“I think it’s awesome that I get to play in my own backyard and see my friends and family every week,” Armstrong said. “Mom says I don’t come home enough, though.”

Spending a bit more time in the film room than diving into his favorite meal has paid off as Armstrong is the first defensive player to win the STATS FCS . Armstrong has tied for the national high with four recoveries; set a Big South record with 11 sacks; led KSU in total tackles (114), solo tackles (85) and tackles for loss (12.5); and added seven pass breakups, three and a blocked kick. Not bad for a kid who was ignored by more established FCS programs in the south.

A starter from day one in 2017 after redshirting a year earlier, Armstrong anchored a defense that ranked 11th in the FCS overall and led this third-year startup program to unprecedented heights. Kennesaw State lost its opener and then rattled off 12 straight wins, including in the program’s first two playoff games.

Just don’t tell Armstrong that he’s the driving force behind the Owls’ success.

“There’s several other guys on the defense who I consider the leaders,” Armstrong said. “I do work on my leadership skills, but I don’t know If I consider myself one.”

There’s always next year.

- Brett Huston 20 21 Will Healy remembers driving back from this past summer’s Ohio Valley Conference media day with Austin Peay players JaVaughn Craig and Malik Boynton. His guys spoke about their eagerness to beat the teams that mocked or laughed at a Governors program that entered this season with just one victory over the previous four years.

But the Governors were on to something – something Healy knew was possible the minute he accepted the Austin Peay job in December 2015, and still felt could happen even after an 0-11 debut in 2016.

So when the Governors snapped a 29-game losing streak with a 69-13 win over Morehead State on Sept. 16, then won the following week and the one after that, the rest of the nation began to realize what Healy and his players knew was possible from the start. And Healy was on his way to winning the 2017 STATS FCS Eddie Robinson Award as the national coach of the year.

“The amazing thing about this year was how the goals changed throughout the year,” said Healy, who turns 33 later this month. “The expectations changed as the wins came.”

The Governors finished 8-4, with three of those defeats to FBS schools. Though Austin Peay narrowly missed a postseason berth, the eight victories tied a school record while their seven conference wins became the most in the program’s history.

Through persistence and his good-natured, likeable approach, Healy managed to sell recruits on a program known for futility, then challenged them to change the culture in the weight room, the locker room and on the field.

“The more people tell me I can’t do something,” Healy said, “the more I’ll show you I can.”

- Jeff Mezydlo 22 23 South Dakota State’s Jake Wieneke is headed toward the NFL following one of the most productive careers ever by an FCS .

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound prospect holds the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s all-time records for receptions (288), receiving yards (5,147) and touchdown receptions (59) – also ranking among the highest in FCS history.

Yet how Wieneke has earned the 2017 STATS FCS Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award, which is presented to an FCS student-athlete who excels not only in the classroom, but in the community and beyond, suggests his true calling in life may come after his NFL career.

Wieneke, who has a 3.62 GPA in physical education/ teaching education, has volunteered on a number of church and school mission trips. He’s been to Jamaica four times to help build homes for the impoverished, to Kenya to work in schools and to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota to help lead sports clinics and spiritual groups.

He’s also mentored youth in church and school programs, and in between catching passes scoring as a redshirt senior, he was a student teacher in the Brookings area this past fall.

Wieneke calls his opportunities in college “a testament to my coaches and the people I’ve been surrounded with.”

He adds, “I think something that I’ve noticed from other countries is the sense of family and community, how they like to take care of one another. I think that’s something that I really do apply to my life here, even to the team here, is to take care of each other and always be there for each other no matter what we’re going through.” - Craig Haley 24 25 26 27 STATS FCS AWARDS NAMESAKES

WALTER PAYTON AWARD FCS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR At 6-foot-7, 287 pounds, Junious “Buck” Buchanan was the prototype for future NFL defensive linemen. He combined , 1971-74 size, speed and outstanding strength, along with an intense , 1975-87 work ethic, to become one of the great defensive tackles PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME, 1993 of all time. HALL OF FAME, 1996 He entered Grambling State on an “if” scholarship, which The Walter Payton Award, established by The Sports meant he would receive financial aid if he played well. After Network in 1987 and now presented by STATS LLC, honors a season of playing both varsity football and , he the outstanding offensive college football player on the FCS decided to concentrate on football. By the end of Buchanan’s level. The winner is chosen by a national panel of sports All-America career, Grambling coach Eddie Robinson called information and media relations directors, broadcasters, him “the finest I have ever seen.” writers and other dignitaries. The League’s Dallas Texans, who would When the Payton Award was established, it was the only become the , orchestrated a 1963 draft such award to be presented to an individual player in the day trade to select Buchanan with the No. 1 overall pick. FCS. Payton, who played collegiately at Jackson State, set The Chiefs went on to join the NFL in 1970, and Buchanan the NCAA record for points scored in a career with 464. He had a streak of eight straight selections to either the AFL scored 66 touchdowns and rushed for 3,563 yards at the All-Star Team or the NFL . His teams won two AFL championships and IV, and he missed only one Southwestern Athletic Conference school, also serving as a game due to injury in his 13-year career. place-kicker. He set nine school records during his career.

But Payton’s collegiate accomplishments pale in comparison JERRY RICE AWARD to the numbers he posted with the Chicago Bears. He set FCS FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR the NFL career rushing record with 16,726 yards (later bested by Emmitt Smith) and scored 750 points in his career. He MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE, 1981-84 was a two-time NFL MVP, a Super Bowl XX champion and 49ERS, RAIDERS, SEAHAWKS, 1985-2004 a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, and was named to the NFL’s COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME, 2006 prestigious 75th anniversary team. PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME, 2010

As dynamic as he was on the field, Payton was equally active The Jerry Rice Award, established by The Sports Network in charitable work off the field. He was honorary chairman in 2011 and now presented by STATS LLC, honors the for the 1983 Heart Association Jump Rope for Health, and for outstanding college football freshman on the FCS level. The the Illinois Mental Heath Association from 1978-80. He also winner is chosen by a national panel of sports information was involved with the Boy Scouts, March of Dimes, Brian and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and Piccolo Research Fund, United Way and Peace Corps. other dignitaries.

If you thought Jerry Rice’s style of play was different from BUCK BUCHANAN AWARD anything you had ever seen before, you weren’t alone. “Jerry FCS DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Rice is on a whole other planet,” said former NFL wide receiver Cris Carter. “We’re on earth; he’s somewhere else.” GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY, 1959-62 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, 1963-75 A “blue ribbon” panel assembled by the NFL Network in 2010 PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME, 1990 agreed with Carter, voting Rice as the greatest player of all COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME, 1996 time. But before he embarked on his Hall of Fame career, Rice refined his skills at Mississippi Valley State on the FCS The Buck Buchanan Award, established by The Sports (then Division I-AA) level. It was in the Southwestern Athletic Network in 1995 and now presented by STATS LLC, honors Conference that he was a two-time first-team All-American, the outstanding defensive college football player on the FCS finishing his career with 310 receptions for 4,851 yards and level. The winner is chosen by a national panel of sports 50 touchdowns. It included 27 TD receptions in 1984 – the information and media relations directors, broadcasters, record for all NCAA divisions. writers and other dignitaries. 28 The traded up in the first round of the each FCS conference. 1985 NFL Draft to select Rice and he rewarded them with a record-setting career while they won three Super Bowls Doris Robinson was the wife of legendary Grambling State (XXIII, XXIV and XXIX). He was a 13-time Pro Bowl selection, football coach Eddie Robinson, for whom the FCS coach two-time AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year and Super of the year award is named. Mrs. Robinson spent her life Bowl XXIII MVP. His many records include NFL career marks dedicated to educating young people. Known as the for receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895), touchdown “Eternal First Lady of GSU Football,” and called “Miss Doris” receptions (197) and touchdowns scored (208). by everyone on the Grambling campus, she was a former school teacher in the local Louisiana community. Eddie’s college sweetheart, she stood by his side throughout a career at Grambling that spanned 57 years from 1941 to 1997. EDDIE ROBINSON AWARD They were married for 66 years until Eddie died in 2007. She FCS COACH OF THE YEAR passed in 2015. GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY, 1941-77 FCS’ ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACH MICKEY CHARLES COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME FCS LEGACY AWARDS

Mickey Charles is the former CEO The Eddie Robinson Award, established by The Sports and President of The Sports Network Network in 1987 and now presented by STATS LLC, honors who created the FCS Awards, the outstanding college football coach on the FCS level. The starting with the Walter Payton winner is chosen by a national panel of sports information and Eddie Robinson awards in 1987. and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and He recognized a gap in national other dignitaries. coverage of the former Division I-AA level of college football, and his company also created a Coach Robinson’s 408 career victories are the most among weekly Top 25 media poll ranking the best teams across FCS schools and only one less than Joe Paterno’s Division the nation. I-record total at Penn State. In 1997, Robinson retired at Grambling State with a 408-164-15 record over 57 years (55 Raised in New York, Charles graduated high school when seasons). His teams won nine black college football national championships. he was 15 and went on to Columbia University for two years of studies and basketball before he transferred to He arrived at Grambling in 1941 and took the program from Division III Kalamazoo College, where he was a basketball an obscure level to international popularity, playing in many captain and earned an appreciation for the smaller levels major U.S. cities as well as in the first game in Japan to of college athletics. He went on to Brooklyn Law School. involve college teams (versus Morgan State in 1976). His background includes a wide range of interests and More than 200 of Robinson’s players went on to NFL careers. accomplishments, including newspaper syndication, They included Paul “Tank” Younger, the first player from a national sports talk shows, features writing, seminar predominantly black college to be taken by the NFL (Los speaking and consulting. He was a pioneer in the Angeles Rams, 1949), and Pro Football Hall-of-Famers such audiotex industry, forming a sports telecommunications as Willie Brown, Buck Buchanan, Willie Davis and Charlie group originally focused on telephonic-delivered sports Joiner. His pupils also included Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug information, which evolved into the Computer Information Williams, who succeeded Robinson as Grambling’s coach Network, the international wire service that came to be in 1998. known in the industry as The Sports Network.

STATS LLC purchased The Sports Network from Charles DORIS ROBINSON SCOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD in February 2015. FCS SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

The Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by STATS LLC since 2015, honors an FCS student-athlete who excels not only in the classroom, but in the community and beyond. He is selected from 13 finalists – one from

29 PAST FCS AWARDS WINNERS Walter Payton Award 2015 Norfolk State Linebacker (FCS Offensive Player of the Year) *2015 Tyrone Holmes Montana Defensive End Year Player School Position 2016 Karter Schult Northern Iowa Defensive End 1987 Kenny Gamble Colgate *- STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year 1988 Towson State Running Back 1989 Idaho Quarterback Jerry Rice Award 1990 Grambling State Running Back (FCS Freshman Player of the Year) 1991 Jamie Martin Weber State Quarterback Year Player School Position 1992 Marshall Quarterback 2011 Towson Running Back 1993 Idaho Quarterback 2012 John Robertson Villanova Quarterback 1994 Steve McNair Alcorn State Quarterback 2013 Eastern Washington Wide Receiver 1995 Montana Quarterback 2014 Fordham Running Back 1996 Northern Arizona Running Back 2015 Case Cookus Northern Arizona Quarterback 1997 Villanova Wide Receiver 2016 A.J. Hines Duquesne Running Back 1998 New Hampshire Running Back 1999 Adrian Peterson Georgia Southern Running Back Eddie Robinson Award 2000 Furman Running Back (FCS Coach of the Year) 2001 Villanova Running Back Year Coach School 2002 Eastern Illinois Quarterback 1987 Holy Cross 2003 Colgate Running Back 1988 Bill Russo Lafayette 2004 William & Mary Quarterback 1989 Georgia Southern 2005 Eastern Washington Quarterback 1990 Gene McDowell Central Florida 2006 New Hampshire Quarterback 1991 Nevada 2007 Georgia Southern Quarterback 1992 2008 Armanti Edwards Appalachian State Quarterback 1993 Dan Allen Boston University 2009 Armanti Edwards Appalachian State Quarterback 1994 Youngstown State 2010 Stephen F. Austin Quarterback 1995 Murray State 2011 Eastern Washington Quarterback 1996 Darren Barbier Nicholls State 2012 Old Dominion Quarterback 1997 Villanova 2013 Eastern Illinois Quarterback 1998 Paul Johnson Georgia Southern 2014 John Robertson Villanova Quarterback 1999 James Madison 2015 Cooper Kupp Eastern Washington Wide Receiver 2000 Joe Glenn Montana 2016 Jeremiah Briscoe Sam Houston State Quarterback 2001 Lehigh 2002 McNeese State Buck Buchanan Award 2003 Mike Ayers Wofford (FCS Defensive Player of the Year) 2004 Southern Illinois Year Player School Position 2005 Sean McDonnell New Hampshire 1995 Appalachian State Linebacker 2006 Jerry Moore Appalachian State 1996 Dexter Coakley Appalachian State Linebacker 2007 Northern Iowa 1997 Chris McNeil North Carolina A&T Defensive End 2008 Mickey Matthews James Madison 1998 James Milton Western Illinois Linebacker 2009 Henry Frazier III Prairie View A&M 1999 Al Lucas Troy State Defensive Tackle 2010 Southeast Missouri State 2000 Western Illinois Linebacker 2011 Towson 2001 Derrick Lloyd James Madison Linebacker 2012 North Dakota State 2002 Bethune-Cookman 2013 Craig Bohl North Dakota State 2003 Idaho State Defensive End 2014 Sean McDonnell New Hampshire 2004 Cal Poly Linebacker 2015 Coastal Carolina 2005 Cal Poly Defensive End *2015 Portland State 2006 Kyle Shotwell Cal Poly Linebacker 2016 K.C. Keeler Sam Houston State 2007 Montana Defensive End *- STATS FCS Coach of the Year 2008 Eastern Washington Defensive End 2009 James Madison Defensive End Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award 2010 J.C. Sherritt Eastern Washington Linebacker Year Player School Position 2011 Matt Evans New Hampshire Linebacker 2015 Dalton Screws Jacksonville State Wide Receiver 2012 Caleb Schreibeis Montana State Defensive End 2016 Tyler Swafford Eastern Kentucky Quarterback 2013 Brad Daly Montana State Defensive End 2014 North Dakota State Defensive End

30 2017 STATS FCS ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM

Nine finalists for the STATS FCS Walter Payton Award and 11 finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award were among the players selected for the 2017 STATS FCS All-America first team. The entire All-America team, announced on Dec. 19, went three units deep and included 20 players who repeated with honors from the 2016 season.

OFFENSE DL Darius Jackson, Jacksonville State, Sr. *To be determined by the winner of the STATS FCS DL Jonathan Petersen, San Diego, Sr. Walter Payton Award on Jan. 5. LB Nick DeLuca, North Dakota State, Sr. LB Darius Leonard, South Carolina State, Sr. *QB Jeremiah Briscoe, Sam Houston State, Sr., LB Brett Taylor, Western Illinois, Sr. or Chris Streveler, South Dakota, Sr. LB Sione Teuhema, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr. RB Dom Bragalone, Lehigh, Jr. DB Mike Basile, Monmouth, Sr. RB Josh Mack, Maine, Soph. DB Davontae Harris, Illinois State, Sr. FB Cal Daniels, Stony Brook, Jr. DB Taron Johnson, Weber State, Sr. WR Keelan Doss, UC Davis, Jr. DB Tremon Smith, Central Arkansas, Sr. WR Nathan Stewart, Sam Houston State, Soph. WR Justin Watson, Penn, Sr. SPECIAL TEAMS TE Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State, Sr. OL Austin Kuhnert, North Dakota State, Sr. PK Lorran Fonseca, Nicholls, Jr. OL Justin Lea, Jacksonville State, Sr. P Joe Zema, Incarnate Word, Grad OL Brandon Parker, North Carolina A&T, Sr. LS James Fisher, North Dakota State, Sr. OL Skyler Phillips, Idaho State, Sr. KR Juwan Petit-Frere, Southeastern Louisiana, Soph. OL Aaron Stinnie, James Madison, Sr. PR Justice Shelton-Mosley, Harvard, Jr. AP Detrez Newsome, Western Carolina, Sr. DEFENSE

DL Andrew Ankrah, James Madison, Sr. DL P.J. Hall, Sam Houston State, Sr.

31 NCAA DIVISION I FCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RESULTS

Year Champion Coach Runner-Up Score 2016 James Madison Mike Houston Youngstown State 28-14 2015 North Dakota State Chris Klieman Jacksonville State 37-10 2014 North Dakota State Chris Klieman Illinois State 29-27 2013 North Dakota State Craig Bohl Towson 35-7 2012 North Dakota State Craig Bohl Sam Houston St 39-13 2011 North Dakota State Craig Bohl Sam Houston St 17-6 2010 Eastern Washington Delaware 20-19 2009 Villanova Andy Talley Montana 23-21 2008 Richmond Mike London Montana 24-7 2007 Appalachian State Jerry Moore Delaware 49-21 2006 Appalachian State Jerry Moore Massachusetts 28-17 2005 Appalachian State Jerry Moore Northern Iowa 21-16 2004 James Madison Mickey Matthews Montana 31-21 2003 Delaware K.C. Keeler Colgate 40-0 2002 Western Kentucky McNeese State 34-14 2001 Montana Joe Glenn Furman 13-6 2000 Georgia Southern Paul Johnson Montana 27-25 1999 Georgia Southern Paul Johnson Youngstown State 59-24 1998 Massachusetts Georgia Southern 55-43 1997 Youngstown State Jim Tressel McNeese State 10-9 1996 Marshall Bob Pruett Montana 49-29 1995 Montana Marshall 22-20 1994 Youngstown State Jim Tressel Boise State 28-14 1993 Youngstown State Jim Tressel Marshall 17-5 1992 Marshall Youngstown State 31-28 1991 Youngstown State Jim Tressel Marshall 25-17 1990 Georgia Southern Nevada 36-13 1989 Georgia Southern Erk Russell Stephen F. Austin 37-34 1988 Furman Georgia Southern 17-12 1987 Louisiana-Monroe Pat Collins Marshall 43-42 1986 Georgia Southern Erk Russell Arkansas State 48-21 1985 Georgia Southern Erk Russell Furman 44-42 1984 Montana State Dave Arnold Louisiana Tech 19-6 1983 Southern Illinois Western Carolina 43-7 1982 Eastern Kentucky Roy Kidd Delaware 17-14 1981 Idaho State Dave Kragthorpe Eastern Kentucky 34-23 1980 Boise State Eastern Kentucky 31-29 1979 Eastern Kentucky Roy Kidd Lehigh 30-7 1978 Florida A&M Rudy Hubbard Massachusetts 35-28 32 2017 FCS PLAYOFFS

No. 1 Seed (14-0) No. 2 Seed North Dakota State Bison (13-1) Sept. 2, at East Carolina, W 34-14 Sept. 2, Mississippi Valley State, W 72-7 Sept. 9, ETSU, W 52-10 Sept. 9, at Eastern Washington, W 40-13 Sept. 16, Norfolk State, W 75-14 Sept. 23, Robert Morris, W 56-0 Sept. 23, Maine, W 28-10 Sept. 30, vs. Missouri State, W 38-11 Sept. 30, at Delaware, W 20-10 Oct. 7, at Indiana State, W 52-0 Oct. 14, Villanova, 30-8 Oct. 14, at Youngstown State, W 27-24 Oct. 21, at William & Mary, W 46-14 Oct. 21, Western Illinois, W 24-12 Oct. 28, New Hampshire, W 21-0 Oct. 28, Northern Iowa, W 30-14 Nov. 4, at Rhode Island, W 38-3 Nov. 4, at South Dakota State, L 21-33 Nov. 11, Richmond, W 20-13 Nov. 11, South Dakota, W 49-14 Nov. 18, at Elon, W 31-3 Nov. 18, at Illlinois State, W 20-7 Dec. 2, Stony Brook*, W 26-7 Dec. 2, San Diego*, W 38-3 Dec. 8, Weber State*, W 31-28 Dec. 9, Wofford*, W 42-10 Dec. 16, South Dakota State*, 51-16 Dec. 15, Sam Houston State*, W 55-13 Jan. 6, North Dakota State Jan. 6, James Madison * - FCS Playoffs * - FCS Playoffs

33 34 MASTER OF CEREMONIES • GARY REASONS

Master of Ceremonies school’s all-time tackles mark (394) from 1980-83. Gary Reasons was He also set the single-season mark of 172 tackles an FCS (then Division in his senior year. An honors student, the Crowley, I-AA) First Team All- Texas, native graduated with a degree in business America linebacker at administration. Northwestern State, the first player inDrafted into the NFL by the in NCAA history to gain the fourth round in 1984, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound the prestigious honor Reasons spent eight years with the club, helping it three consecutive win Super Bowls XXI and XXV under seasons (1981-83). . Reasons, , and comprised a linebacker A college football corps that is recognized as one of the greatest in television analyst NFL history. He finished his nine-year NFL career for FOX Sports, Reasons is in his 24th season with a one-year stint in Cincinnati. as a broadcaster. He also is President of Pro Athletes Team, which brings unique business Reasons served as the first head coach of the and healthcare value services to companies and of arenafootball2 hospital partners while also creating philanthropy and later spent one year as the team’s president. for hospital foundations, university athletics and In 2016, the Crowley Independent School District various non-profit organizations. voted unanimously to rename the field at Crowley High School’s Eagle Stadium after Reasons. Reasons was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996 as part of the inaugural He and his wife Terri have been married for 33 group of small college players. Northwestern years and have three children. The Reasons reside State retired his No. 34 jersey after he set the in McKinney, Texas.

FCS AWARDS VOTING PANEL

STATS: Craig Haley; Brett Huston; Brian Ryan McGinty; Matt Michalec; Dan Ryan; Kyle Cody Bush; Mike Ferraro; Ted Gosen; Doug Orefice. Big Sky Conference: Eric Bankston; Serba; Jay Walker; Maurice Williams. Missouri Hauschild; Jason Williams; Monyae Williams; Brian Berger; Brad Bugger; Eric Burdick; Paul Valley Football Conference: Bryan Boettcher, Ryan Wronkowicz. Southern Conference: Grua; Amelia Just; Jon Kasper; Doug Kelly; Bill John Bohnenkamp; Eric Doennig; Jeremy Zeke Beam; Jay Blackman; Kevin Brown; Lamberty; Mike Lund; Jon Oglesby; Ryan Powell; Hoeck; Jason Hove; Dom Izzo; Mike Kern; Daniel Hooker; Joey Mullins; Robbie Ross; Todd Steve Schaack; Randy Scovil; Mitch Strohman; Jeff Kolpack; John Lock; Colin McDonough; Shanesy; Dan Shirley; Gerrit W. Van Genderen; Eric Taber; Denise Thompson; Larry Weir. Big Patrick Osterman; Trevor Parks; Ryan Brent Williamson. Southland Conference: South Conference: John Bednarowski; Jake Perreault; Randy Reinhardt; Jeff Schwartz; Jason Barfield; Luke Bolanos; Matthew Dorow; Matt Harmon; Kevin O’Rourke; Marc Mike Williams. Northeast Conference: John Bonnette; Jamie Bustos; Zachary Carlton; Rabb; Davis Simpson; Mark Simpson; Damien Beisser; Brian Cleary; Tristan Hobbes; Paul Kemmler Chapple; James Dixon; Lance Sordelett; Greg Viscomi; Todd Wetmore. CAA Marboe; Tad Maurey; Chris O’Connor; Ralph Fleming; Doug Ireland; Bryant Johnson; Harold Football: Chris Brooks; John Brush; Scott Ventre. Ohio Valley Conference: Alex Boggis; Mann; David McCollum; Chris Mycoskie; Russ Day; Shane Donaldson; Glenn Frazer; Dean Neal Bradley; Kevin Britton; Thomas Corhern; Reneau; Teddy Renois. Southwestern Athletic Kenefick; Allen Lessels; Tim McDonnell; Tyson Jose’ Garcia; Parker Griffith; Rich Moser: Karl Conference: Brian Howard; Ronnie Johnson; McHatten; Mike Murphy; Chris Rash; Scott Park: Mike Parris; Justin Rust; Kyle Schwartz; Luke Johnson; Duane Lewis; Bud McLaughlin; Selheimer; Adam Smith; Kevin Tresolini; Rob Josh Underwood. Patriot League: Charles LaMonica Scott. Other Representatives: Josh Washburn. Ivy League: Chas Dorman; Gabe Bare; Joe DiBari; Joe Dobias; Keith Groller; Buchanan; Kris Kallem; Brandon Lawrence; Gilson; Chris Humm; Craig Larson; Dan Loney; Kevin Herr; Mike Joseph; Steve Lomangino; Kevin Marshall; Jon Passman; Jim Seman; Phil Trevor Rutledge-Leverenz; Craig Sachson; Tim Eric Malanowski; Matt Markus; John Painter, Sokol; Reggie Thomas. Williamson. Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference: Ryan Sakamoto; Brendan Thomas. Pioneer Bill Hamilton; Brian Holloway; Kendrick Lewis; Football League: Justin Bohn; Jake Brewer; 35 AUTOGRAPHS

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