FCS Kickoff

{{Infobox college football bowl game

| name = FCS Kickoff

| full_name =

| defunct =

| logo = FCS_Kickoff_logo.png

| image_size =

| caption =

| stadium = Cramton Bowl (2017–present)

| previous_stadiums = Campus sites (2014–2016)

| location = Montgomery, Alabama

| previous_locations =

| years = 2014–present

| previous_tie-ins =

| conference_tie-ins =

| payout =

| sponsors = Guardian Credit Union (2017–2020)

| former_names =

| prev_matchup_year = 2024

| prev_matchup_season = 2024

| prev_matchup_teams = Southeast Missouri State 37, North Alabama 15

| prev_matchup_score =

| next_matchup_year = 2025

| next_matchup_season = 2025

| next_matchup_teams = Mercer vs. UC Davis

}}

The FCS Kickoff is an annual college football game played on the Saturday before the opening weekend of the college football season. The game showcases teams from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). For the game's first three editions, it was played at campus sites; since 2017, the game has been played at a neutral site, the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. The game is televised nationally by ESPN.

History

In February 2013, ESPN announced that the 2014 college football season would begin at its earliest point in 11 years with the creation of the "FCS Kickoff", an annual game which would showcase two top-level teams from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. ESPN stated that during meetings with FCS conference commissioners there was an interest in creating a "tentpole type" event around FCS football{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2014/02/20/college-football-season-kickoff-espn/5640283/ |title=ESPN to give college football season an early start in 2014 |publisher=usatoday.com |access-date=February 20, 2014}} and to showcase the quality and depth of FCS football to a national audience.{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/college-football-season-kick-off-fcs-battle-between-213317929--ncaaf.html?pt=tAD1SCT8P72012-07-31.html?discipline_codearchery/ |title=College football season to kick off with FCS battle between Sam Houston State and Eastern Washington on August 23 |publisher=sports.yahoo.com |access-date=February 20, 2014}}

Under current NCAA rules, FCS teams are not allowed to play their first regular-season game until the Thursday preceding Labor Day. However, an exception to this rule has been carved out for nationally televised events (on either over-the-air or cable networks); teams may participate in such an event against an out-of-conference opponent on the Saturday or Sunday preceding the standard season start date. No more than one team from a conference can participate in such an event in a given season, and no team can appear in such a game in three consecutive seasons.{{cite web|url=http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/D119.pdf |title=Bylaw 17.10.3.2: First Contest, Exception—Nationally Televised Contest—Championship Subdivision |work=2018–19 NCAA Division I Manual |page=272 |publisher=NCAA |date=July 2018 |access-date=March 14, 2019}}

The 2017 edition marked several changes for the event. First, ESPN took ownership of the event through its ESPN Events division. The event was moved to a neutral site (the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama); received a name sponsorship by Guardian Credit Union, a small Montgomery-based credit union; was co-branded as the Montgomery Kickoff Classic; and also took on Alabama FCS member Jacksonville State University as a partner for the 2017 and 2018 editions. As such, JSU participated in both editions of the event.{{cite news|url=http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/rankinfile/2016/10/12/espn-announces-monrtgomery-kickoff-classic-2017/91939454/|title=ESPN announces Montgomery Kickoff Classic for 2017|first1=Duane|last1=Rankin|first2=Matthew|last2=Stevens|date=October 12, 2016|newspaper=Montgomery Advertiser|access-date=May 7, 2017}}{{cite press release|url=http://espnevents.com/blog/press/guardian-credit-union-joins-fcs-kickoff-title-sponsor/|title=Guardian Credit Union Joins FCS Kickoff as Title Sponsor|date=March 21, 2017 |publisher=ESPN|access-date=May 7, 2017}} With Jacksonville State barred from a third consecutive FCS Kickoff appearance by NCAA rule, ESPN chose another Alabama program, Samford, as the de facto home team for the 2019 edition.{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/samford-youngstown-state-meet-2019-fcs-kickoff-171227978--ncaaf.html |title=Samford, Youngstown State to meet in 2019 FCS Kickoff |first=Craig |last=Haley |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |date=September 25, 2018 |access-date=March 14, 2019}}

The 2020 edition, which saw Central Arkansas defeat Austin Peay, was the first since ESPN took ownership of the event that did not feature an Alabama school.{{cite press release|url=http://ovcsports.com/news/2020/1/29/austin-peay-football-to-open-2020-at-guardian-credit-union-fcs-kickoff.aspx |title=Austin Peay Football to Open 2020 at Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff |publisher=Ohio Valley Conference |date=January 29, 2020 |access-date=February 27, 2020}}

The game would not be held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |url=https://montgomerykickoffgames.com/fcskickoff/2024/03/01/north-alabama-and-southeast-missouri-state-to-meet-in-fcs-kickoff/ |title=North Alabama And Southeast Missouri State To Meet In FCS Kickoff |last= |first= |date=March 1, 2024 |website=montgomerykickoffgames.com |publisher=Montgomery Kickoff Games |access-date=August 25, 2024 |quote=The 2021 FCS Kickoff was cancelled due to COVID}} When the game returned in 2022, it would not be sponsored by Guardian Credit Union and would only be known as the FCS Kickoff.

2022 would feature Jacksonville State's third appearance in the Week 0 game as they took on the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. The Gamecocks would win 42-17 as the game ended prematurely with 13:18 left in the 4th quarter due to weather.{{cite news |last=Travis |first=Justin |date=August 27, 2022 |title=Gamecocks thrash the Lumberjacks, win 2022 FCS Kickoff Game |url=https://www.jsuchanticleer.com/sports/gamecocks-thrash-the-lumberjacks-win-2022-fcs-kickoff-game/article_eb97f038-267a-11ed-8632-bb91a0011d14.html |work=The Chanticleer|location=|access-date=August 25, 2024}}

The 2023 rendition would feature the Mercer Bears and the North Alabama Lions. The Bears would defeat the Lions 17-7. The game was also the second FCS Kickoff game to feature a weather delay as lightning would halt play for 76 minutes in the 3rd quarter.{{cite web |url=https://montgomerykickoffgames.com/fcskickoff/2023/08/28/mercer-defense-shines-in-fcs-kickoff/ |title=Mercer Defense Shines in FCS Kickoff |last= |first= |date=August 28, 2023 |website=montgomerykickoffgames.com |publisher=Montgomery Kickoff Games |access-date=August 25, 2024 |quote=}}

The Lions would return in 2024 to face off against Southeast Missouri State. The Lions would once again fall as they were defeated by the Redhawks 37-15.{{cite web |url=https://roarlions.com/news/2024/8/24/football-lions-slip-in-fourth-quarter-to-semo-at-fcs-kickoff.aspx|title=Lions slip in fourth quarter to SEMO at FCS Kickoff |last= |first= |date=August 24, 2024 |website=roarlions.com |publisher=North Alabama Athletics|access-date=August 25, 2024 |quote=}}

Game results

class="wikitable" ! style="background:#29347C; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #999A9B ;"\|Season ! style="background:#29347C; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #999A9B ;"\|Date ! style="background:#29347C; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #999A9B ;" colspan="2" \| Winning team ! style="background:#29347C; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #999A9B ;" colspan="2" \| Losing team ! style="background:#29347C; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #999A9B ;"\|Venue ! style="background:#29347C; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #999A9B ;"\|Attendance
2014	August 23	style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle\|Eastern Washington Eagles\|border=0}} \| 2014 Eastern Washington Eagles football team	56	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Sam Houston State Bearkats\|border=0\|color=white}}\| No. 17 2014 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team	35	Roos Field (Cheney, WA)	10,310{{cite web \|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400548974 \|title=Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. Eastern Washington Eagles Box Score \|work=ESPN.com \|access-date=August 23, 2014}}
2015	August 29	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Montana Grizzlies\|border=0\|color=white}}\| 2015 Montana Grizzlies football team	38	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|North Dakota State Bison\|border=0}}\| No. 1 2015 North Dakota State Bison football team	35	Washington–Grizzly Stadium (Missoula, MT)	26,472{{cite web \|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400795501 \|title=North Dakota State Bison vs. Montana Grizzlies Box Score \|work=ESPN.com \|access-date=August 29, 2015}}
2016	August 27	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|North Dakota State Bison\|border=0}}\| No. 1 2016 North Dakota State Bison football team	24	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Charleston Southern Buccaneers\|border=0}}\| No. 7 2016 Charleston Southern Buccaneers football team	17	Fargodome (Fargo, ND)	18,881{{cite web \|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400873307 \|title=Charleston Southern Buccaneers vs. North Dakota State Bison Box Score \|work=ESPN.com \|date=August 27, 2016 \|access-date=August 27, 2016}}
2017	August 26	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Jacksonville State Gamecocks\|border=0\|color=white}} \| No. 6 2017 Jacksonville State Gamecocks football team	27	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Chattanooga Mocs\|border=0}}\| No. 12 2017 Chattanooga Mocs football team	13	rowspan=7 \| Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, AL)	12,952{{cite web \|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400951507 \|title=Chattanooga Mocs vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks Box Score \|work=ESPN.com \|date=August 26, 2017 \|access-date=August 26, 2017}}
2018	August 25	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|North Carolina A&T Aggies\|border=0}} \| No. 14 2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team	20	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Jacksonville State Gamecocks\|border=0\|color=white}} \| No. 6 2018 Jacksonville State Gamecocks football team	17	13,500{{cite web \|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=401030241 \|title=North Carolina A&T Aggies vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks Box Score \|work=ESPN.com \|date=August 25, 2018 \|access-date=August 25, 2018}}
2019	August 24	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Youngstown State Penguins\|border=0\|color=white}} \| 2019 Youngstown State Penguins football team	45	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Samford Bulldogs\|border=0\|color=white}}\| 2019 Samford Bulldogs football team	22	12,560{{cite web\|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=401127303 \|title=Youngstown State Penguins vs. Samford Bulldogs Box Score \|website=ESPN.com \|date=August 24, 2019 \|access-date=August 24, 2019}}
2020	August 29	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Central Arkansas Bears\|border=0}} \| No. 11 2020 Central Arkansas Bears football team	24	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Austin Peay Governors\|border=0\|color=white}}\|2020 Austin Peay Governors football team	17	2,000{{cite web \|title=Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas - Game Summary - August 29, 2020 - ESPN \|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401218616 \|website=ESPN.com \|access-date=August 30, 2020 \|language=en}}
2022	August 27	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Jacksonville State Gamecocks\|border=0}} \| 2022 Jacksonville State Gamecocks football team	42	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks\|border=0}}\|{{color\|#613393\|No. 10}} 2022 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team	17	5,235
2023	August 26	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Mercer Bears\|border=0}} \| {{color\|#f76800\|No. 20}} 2023 Mercer Bears football team	17	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|North Alabama Lions\|border=0}}\|2023 North Alabama Lions football team	7	5,566{{cite web \|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401540199 \|title=Gamecase: FCS Kickoff \|website=ESPN.com \|date=August 26, 2023 \|access-date=August 26, 2023}}
2024	August 24	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Southeast Missouri State Redhawks\|border=0}} \| 2024 Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football team	37	style={{CollegePrimaryStyle\|North Alabama Lions\|border=0}}\|2024 North Alabama Lions football team	15	4,358{{cite news \|last1=Prather\|first1=Carl\|last2= \|first2= \|date=August 25, 2024 \|title=UNA falls to SEMO in FCS Kickoff at Cramton Bowl \|trans-title= \|url= https://www.waff.com/2024/08/25/una-falls-semo-fcs-kickoff-cramton-bowl/\|url-status= \|language= \|work=WAFF 48\|access-date=25 August 2024}}

Rankings are from the STATS FCS Poll.

Future games

class="wikitable"

! style="background:#29347C; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #999A9B ;" |Season

! style="background:#29347C; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #999A9B ;" |Date

! style="background:#29347C; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #999A9B ;"colspan="2" |Matchup

rowspan=1| 2025

|August 23, 2025

| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Mercer Bears}}" |Mercer Bears football

| style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|UC Davis Aggies}}" |UC Davis Aggies football

Records

=By team=

rowspan= 7 \| 1 \| align=left\|Central Arkansas \|\| 1 \|\| 1–0 \|\| {{Winning percentage\|1\|0}} \|\| 24 \|\| 17
class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" ! Rank !! Team !! Apps !! Record !! Win % !! PF !! PA
align=left\|Eastern Washington	1	1–0	{{Winning percentage\|1\|0}}	56	35
align=left \| Mercer	1	1–0	{{Winning percentage\|1\|0}}	17	7
align=left\|Montana	1	1–0	{{Winning percentage\|1\|0}}	38	35
align=left\|North Carolina A&T	1	1–0	{{Winning percentage\|1\|0}}	20	17
align=left\|Southeast Missouri State	1	1–0	{{Winning percentage\|1\|0}}	37	15
align=left\|Youngstown State	1	1–0	{{Winning percentage\|1\|0}}	45	22
rowspan=1 \| 7 \| align=left\|Jacksonville State{{efn\|group=rbt\|name=FBS\|Now playing in Division I FBS.}} \|\| 3 \|\| 2–1 \|\| {{Winning percentage\|2\|1}} \|\| 86 \|\| 50
rowspan=1 \| 8 \| align=left\|North Dakota State \|\| 2 \|\| 1–1 \|\| {{Winning percentage\|1\|1}} \|\| 59 \|\| 55
rowspan=7 \| 9 \| align=left\|Austin Peay \|\| 1 \|\| 0–1 \|\| {{Winning percentage\|0\|1}} \|\| 17 \|\| 24
align=left\|Charleston Southern	1	0–1	{{Winning percentage\|0\|1}}	17	24
align=left\|Chattanooga	1	0–1	{{Winning percentage\|0\|1}}	13	27
align=left \| North Alabama	2	0–2	{{Winning percentage\|0\|2}}	22	54
align=left\|Sam Houston{{efn\|group=rbt\|name=FBS}}{{efn\|group=rbt\|Sam Houston dropped "State" from its athletic branding in 2020.}}	1	0–1	{{Winning percentage\|0\|1}}	35	56
align=left\|Samford	1	0–1	{{Winning percentage\|0\|1}}	22	45
align=left\|Stephen F. Austin	1	0–1	{{Winning percentage\|0\|1}}	17	42

=By conference=

rowspan=4 \| 1 \| align=left\|Big Sky \|\| 2 \|\| 2–0 \|\| {{Winning percentage\|2\|0}} \|\| 94 \|\| 70
class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" ! Rank !! Conference !! Apps !! Record !! Win % !! PF !! PA
align=left\|ASUN	1	1–0	{{Winning percentage\|1\|0}}	42	17
align=left\|MEAC	1	1–0	{{Winning percentage\|1\|0}}	20	17
align=left \| OVC–BSC	1	1–0	{{Winning percentage\|1\|0}}	37	15
5 \| align=left\|MVFC \|\| 3 \|\| 2–1 \|\| {{Winning percentage\|2\|1}} \|\| 104 \|\| 77
6 \| align=left\|Southland \|\| 2 \|\| 1–1 \|\| {{Winning percentage\|1\|1}} \|\| 59 \|\| 73
rowspan=2 \| 7 \| align=left \| OVC \|\| 3 \|\| 1–2 \|\| {{Winning percentage\|1\|2}} \|\| 61 \|\| 57
align=left \| Southern	3	1–2	{{Winning percentage\|1\|2}}	52	79
rowspan=3 \| 9 \| align=left\|Big South \|\| 1 \|\| 0–1 \|\| {{Winning percentage\|0\|1}} \|\| 17 \|\| 24
align=left \| UAC	2	0–2	{{Winning percentage\|0\|2}}	22	54
align=left\|WAC	1	0–1	{{Winning percentage\|0\|1}}	17	42

References

Category:College football kickoff games

Category:NCAA Division I FCS football

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2014