The 2010 NCAA Division I FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) football season, part of the college football season, began in September 2010 and concluded with the national championship game on January 7, 2011 won by Eastern Washington. The Eagles defeated Delaware 20–19 to claim their first Division I national title in any team sport.
For the first time since 1997, the final game was played at a new location—Pizza Hut Park in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas.[1] Every title game since 1997 had been held at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but the NCAA opened the hosting rights for the 2010–2012 championship games for bids during the 2009 season, as the hosting contract between the NCAA and the Chattanooga organizers was set to expire.
In addition to Frisco and Chattanooga, three other cities submitted bids:[2]
The field of bidders was eventually cut to Chattanooga and Frisco, with Frisco being announced as the winner on February 26, 2010.[1]
The January finish to the season was the result of an expanded playoff schedule. The championship tournament expanded from 16 teams to 20, with the Big South and Northeast Conference earning automatic bids for the first time. Eight teams played first-round games, with the remaining participants receiving byes into the second round. The playoffs began at their normal time on Thanksgiving weekend, specifically on November 27. According to early reports, the championship game would be played sometime between December 29, 2010 and January 7, 2011,[3] and January 7 was ultimately chosen.
Conference and program changes
New FCS programs
Two FCS programs began play in the 2010 season, and a third officially launched its program but chose not to compete until 2011:
- Georgia State University fielded the first football team in its history. The Panthers play all home games at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, with the upper decks being covered so that the fans are restricted to the lower tier of the 71,000+ capacity stadium. Coached by Bill Curry, a former FBS head coach, they participate in the Colonial Athletic Association, although they will not play a full conference schedule until 2012.
- Lamar University revived its program after a 21-season absence. The Cardinals play their home games in Provost Umphrey Stadium, the same venue that hosted the Cardinals before their demise after the 1989 season but was extensively renovated for their FCS return. The Southland Conference members, coached by former NFL player Ray Woodard, did not play a full conference schedule until 2011.
- UTSA officially began its football program during this season, however all of its players were redshirted so that the season could be used for practice only.
Conference changes
FCS team wins over FBS teams
Conference standings
Playoff qualifiers
Automatic berths for conference champions
At large qualifiers
No teams from the conferences that do not have automatic bids—currently the Great West Conference and Pioneer Football League—received bids. In order for a team from a conference without an automatic bid to be eligible for the playoffs, it must have a minimum of seven Division I wins, with at least two against teams in automatic bid conferences. The team in question also must be ranked an average of 16 or better in the national rankings.
Abstains
(Overall Record, Conference Record)
Postseason
NCAA FCS Playoff bracket
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First Round November 27 Campus Sites |
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Second Round December 4 Campus Sites |
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Quarterfinals December 10 and 11 Campus Sites |
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Semifinals December 17 and 18 Campus Sites |
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National Championship Game
January 7 Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, Texas |
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Western Illinois |
14 |
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Western Illinois |
17 |
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1 |
Appalachian State* |
42 |
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Coastal Carolina* |
10 |
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1 |
Appalachian State* |
24 |
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Villanova |
42 |
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Villanova |
54 |
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Stephen F. Austin* |
24 |
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Villanova |
31 |
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5 |
Eastern Washington* |
41 |
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North Dakota State |
42 |
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Robert Morris |
17 |
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4 |
Montana State* |
17 |
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North Dakota State* |
43 |
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North Dakota State |
31 |
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5 |
Eastern Washington* |
38 |
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SE Missouri State |
17 |
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5 |
Eastern Washington* |
37 |
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5 |
Eastern Washington |
20 |
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3 |
Delaware |
19 |
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Georgia Southern |
31 |
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South Carolina State |
16 |
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2 |
William & Mary* |
15 |
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Georgia Southern* |
41 |
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Georgia Southern |
23 |
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Wofford* |
20 |
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Wofford |
17 |
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Jacksonville State* |
14 |
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Georgia Southern |
10 |
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3 |
Delaware* |
27 |
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Lehigh |
20 |
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Lehigh |
14 |
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3 |
Delaware* |
42 |
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Northern Iowa* |
7 |
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3 |
Delaware* |
16 |
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New Hampshire |
3 |
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New Hampshire |
45 |
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Bethune–Cookman* |
20 |
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* Host institution
SWAC Championship Game
Global Kilimanjaro Bowl
On September 1, 2010, Drake University announced it would participate in the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl, the first American football game played on the continent of Africa. The game will feature the Drake Bulldogs versus Mexican All-Star team CONADEIP. Due to the seasonal difference in Africa, the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl was played on May 21, 2011.[6]
Final poll standings
Standings are from The Sports Network final poll.
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Standings are from the FCS Coaches final poll.
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References
- 1 2 Caplan, Jeff (February 26, 2010). "20 teams to compete for FCS crown". ESPN. Archived from the original on February 28, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
- ↑ Coulson, David (October 19, 2009). "Around FCS: Serious competition for FCS title game". The Sports Network. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
- ↑ "Frisco, Texas Submits Bid To Host NCAA Division I Football Championship Game" (Press release). Southland Conference. October 14, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
- ↑ "Va. Tech suffers 2nd loss in 6 days as James Madison pulls off upset". ESPN. Associated Press. September 11, 2010. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
- ↑ "2009 Legion Field Schedule" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on August 1, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
- ↑ Drake University (September 1, 2010). "Drake To Play First American Football Game In Africa". GoDrakeBulldogs.com. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
External links