In this article we will explore List of NCAA Division I FCS playoff appearances by team and its impact in different areas. List of NCAA Division I FCS playoff appearances by team is a topic that has captured the attention of people of all ages and backgrounds. Over time, List of NCAA Division I FCS playoff appearances by team has generated great interest and has been the subject of discussion in various areas, from science to popular culture. In this sense, it is relevant to examine the influence of List of NCAA Division I FCS playoff appearances by team in society, as well as its evolution over the years. Through this article, we will seek to shed light on this topic and provide a detailed view of its implications in today's world.
The list of current Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) schools that have participated in the playoffs leading to the NCAA Division I Football Championship stands at 92. Known as Division I-AA from 1978 through 2005, it was renamed FCS prior to the 2006 season.
The playoffs began with four teams in 1978, then expanded to eight in 1981, twelve in 1982, and sixteen in 1986. The bracket went to five rounds with a field of twenty teams in 2010, and to 24 teams in 2013.
Years | Teams | Byes |
---|---|---|
1978–1980 | 4 | |
1981 | 8 | |
1982–1985 | 12 | 4 |
1986–2009 | 16 | 0 |
2010–2012 | 20 | 12 |
2013– | 24 | 8 |
Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Total | Pct. | Championships |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albany Great Danes | 3 | 2011 | 2023 | 2 | 2 | 4 | .500 | |
Alcorn State Braves | 3 | 1984 | 1994 | 0 | 3 | 3 | .000 | |
Austin Peay Governors | 2 | 2019 | 2023 | 2 | 2 | 4 | .500 | |
Bethune–Cookman Wildcats | 5 | 2002 | 2013 | 0 | 5 | 5 | .000 | |
Butler Bulldogs | 1 | 2013 | 2013 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
Cal Poly Mustangs | 4 | 2005 | 2016 | 1 | 4 | 5 | .200 | |
Central Arkansas Bears | 5 | 2011 | 2019 | 2 | 5 | 7 | .286 | |
Central Connecticut Blue Devils | 2 | 2017 | 2019 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .000 | |
Charleston Southern Buccaneers | 1 | 2015 | 2015 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .500 | |
Chattanooga Mocs | 5 | 1984 | 2023 | 4 | 5 | 9 | .444 | |
The Citadel Bulldogs | 5 | 1988 | 2016 | 2 | 5 | 6 | .286 | |
Colgate Raiders | 11 | 1982 | 2018 | 7 | 11 | 18 | .389 | |
Davidson Wildcats | 3 | 2020 | 2022 | 0 | 3 | 3 | .000 | |
Dayton Flyers | 1 | 2015 | 2015 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens | 19 | 1981 | 2023 | 26 | 18 | 44 | .591 | 2003 |
Delaware State Hornets | 1 | 2007 | 2007 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
Drake Bulldogs | 1 | 2023 | 2023 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
Duquesne Dukes | 3 | 2015 | 2023 | 1 | 3 | 4 | .250 | |
East Tennessee State Buccaneers | 3 | 1996 | 2021 | 2 | 3 | 3 | .400 | |
Eastern Illinois Panthers | 16 | 1982 | 2015 | 4 | 16 | 20 | .200 | |
Eastern Kentucky Colonels | 22 | 1979 | 2022 | 16 | 20 | 36 | .444 | 1979, 1982 |
Eastern Washington Eagles | 15 | 1985 | 2021 | 20 | 14 | 34 | .588 | 2010 |
Elon Phoenix | 4 | 2009 | 2022 | 0 | 4 | 4 | .000 | |
Florida A&M Rattlers | 8 | 1978 | 2021 | 5 | 7 | 12 | .417 | 1978 |
Fordham Rams | 6 | 2002 | 2022 | 3 | 6 | 9 | .333 | |
Furman Paladins | 20 | 1982 | 2023 | 21 | 18 | 39 | .538 | 1988 |
Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs | 2 | 2022 | 2023 | 1 | 2 | 3 | .333 | |
Grambling State Tigers | 3 | 1980 | 1989 | 0 | 3 | 3 | .000 | |
Hampton Pirates | 5 | 1997 | 2006 | 0 | 5 | 5 | .000 | |
Holy Cross Crusaders | 6 | 1983 | 2022 | 2 | 5 | 7 | .286 | |
Howard Bison | 1 | 1993 | 1993 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
Idaho Vandals | 13 | 1982 | 2023 | 7 | 12 | 19 | .368 | |
Idaho State Bengals | 2 | 1981 | 1983 | 3 | 1 | 4 | .750 | 1981 |
Illinois State Redbirds | 8 | 1998 | 2019 | 10 | 8 | 18 | .556 | |
Incarnate Word Cardinals | 3 | 2018 | 2022 | 2 | 2 | 4 | .500 | |
Indiana State Sycamores | 3 | 1983 | 2014 | 2 | 3 | 5 | .400 | |
Jackson State Tigers | 12 | 1978 | 1997 | 0 | 12 | 12 | .000 | |
Lafayette Leopards | 5 | 2004 | 2023 | 0 | 5 | 5 | .000 | |
Lamar Cardinals | 1 | 2018 | 2018 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
Lehigh Mountain Hawks | 11 | 1979 | 2017 | 6 | 11 | 17 | .353 | |
Maine Black Bears | 8 | 1987 | 2018 | 5 | 8 | 13 | .385 | |
McNeese Cowboys | 16 | 1991 | 2015 | 11 | 16 | 27 | .407 | |
Mercer Bears | 1 | 2023 | 2023 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .500 | |
Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils | 1 | 1984 | 1984 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
Missouri State Bears | 4 | 1989 | 2021 | 1 | 4 | 5 | .200 | |
Monmouth Hawks | 3 | 2017 | 2020 | 1 | 3 | 4 | .250 | |
Montana Grizzlies | 28 | 1982 | 2023 | 38 | 25 | 63 | .603 | 1995, 2001 |
Montana State Bobcats | 13 | 1984 | 2023 | 14 | 12 | 26 | .538 | 1984 |
Morgan State Bears | 1 | 2014 | 2014 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
Murray State Racers | 5 | 1979 | 2002 | 1 | 5 | 6 | .167 | |
New Hampshire Wildcats | 17 | 1991 | 2022 | 15 | 17 | 32 | .469 | |
Nicholls Colonels | 7 | 1986 | 2023 | 3 | 7 | 10 | .300 | |
Norfolk State Spartans | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
North Carolina A&T Aggies | 5 | 1986 | 2016 | 1 | 5 | 6 | .167 | |
North Carolina Central Eagles | 1 | 2023 | 2023 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
North Dakota Fighting Hawks | 5 | 2016 | 2023 | 1 | 5 | 6 | .167 | |
North Dakota State Bison | 14 | 2010 | 2023 | 47 | 4 | 51 | .922 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 |
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks | 5 | 1996 | 2017 | 1 | 5 | 6 | .167 | |
Northern Iowa Panthers | 22 | 1985 | 2021 | 26 | 22 | 48 | .542 | |
Northwestern State Demons | 6 | 1988 | 2004 | 4 | 6 | 10 | .400 | |
Portland State Vikings | 2 | 2000 | 2015 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .000 | |
Rhode Island Rams | 3 | 1981 | 1985 | 2 | 3 | 5 | .400 | |
Richmond Spiders | 13 | 1984 | 2023 | 17 | 12 | 29 | .586 | 2008 |
Robert Morris Colonials | 1 | 2010 | 2010 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
Sacramento State Hornets | 4 | 2019 | 2023 | 2 | 4 | 6 | .333 | |
Sacred Heart Pioneers | 4 | 2013 | 2021 | 0 | 4 | 4 | .000 | |
Saint Francis Red Flash | 2 | 2016 | 2022 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .000 | |
Samford Bulldogs | 6 | 1991 | 2022 | 3 | 5 | 8 | .375 | |
San Diego Toreros | 5 | 2014 | 2019 | 2 | 5 | 7 | .286 | |
South Carolina State Bulldogs | 6 | 1981 | 2013 | 2 | 6 | 8 | .250 | |
South Dakota Coyotes | 3 | 2017 | 2023 | 2 | 2 | 4 | .500 | |
South Dakota State Jackrabbits | 13 | 2009 | 2023 | 22 | 11 | 33 | .667 | 2022, 2023 |
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks | 4 | 2010 | 2022 | 1 | 4 | 5 | .200 | |
Southeastern Louisiana Lions | 5 | 2013 | 2022 | 4 | 5 | 9 | .444 | |
Southern Illinois Salukis | 11 | 1983 | 2023 | 11 | 10 | 21 | .524 | 1983 |
Southern Utah Thunderbirds | 3 | 2013 | 2017 | 0 | 3 | 3 | .000 | |
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks | 8 | 1988 | 2021 | 7 | 8 | 15 | .467 | |
Stony Brook Seawolves | 4 | 2011 | 2018 | 3 | 4 | 7 | .429 | |
Tennessee State Tigers | 4 | 1986 | 2013 | 1 | 4 | 5 | .200 | |
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
Towson Tigers | 3 | 2011 | 2018 | 3 | 3 | 6 | .500 | |
UC Davis Aggies | 2 | 2018 | 2021 | 1 | 2 | 3 | .333 | |
UT Martin Skyhawks | 2 | 2006 | 2021 | 1 | 2 | 3 | .333 | |
Villanova Wildcats | 15 | 1989 | 2023 | 13 | 13 | 26 | .500 | 2009 |
VMI Keydets | 1 | 2020 | 2020 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
Wagner Seahawks | 1 | 2012 | 2012 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .500 | |
Weber State Wildcats | 10 | 1987 | 2022 | 8 | 10 | 18 | .444 | |
Western Carolina Catamounts | 1 | 1983 | 1983 | 3 | 1 | 4 | .750 | |
Western Illinois Leathernecks | 11 | 1988 | 2017 | 7 | 11 | 18 | .389 | |
William & Mary Tribe | 11 | 1986 | 2022 | 8 | 10 | 18 | .444 | |
Wofford Terriers | 10 | 2003 | 2019 | 9 | 10 | 19 | .474 | |
Youngstown State Penguins | 13 | 1987 | 2023 | 30 | 9 | 39 | .769 | 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997 |
Conference alignments are current for the upcoming 2024 season.
† Ivy League teams do not participate in any postseason in football, citing academic concerns.
Twenty-eight former FCS schools have participated in the playoffs. Of these, 25 have moved up to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), while the other three no longer sponsor football.
Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Total | Pct. | Championships |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Akron Zips | 1 | 1985 | 1985 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
Arkansas State Red Wolves | 4 | 1984 | 1987 | 6 | 4 | 10 | .600 | |
Appalachian State Mountaineers | 20 | 1986 | 2012 | 24 | 17 | 41 | .585 | 2005, 2006, 2007 |
Boise State Broncos | 5 | 1980 | 1994 | 8 | 4 | 12 | .667 | 1980 |
Boston University Terriers | 5 | 1982 | 1994 | 2 | 5 | 7 | .286 | |
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers | 6 | 2006 | 2015 | 4 | 6 | 10 | .400 | |
Florida Atlantic Owls | 1 | 2003 | 2003 | 2 | 1 | 3 | .667 | |
Georgia Southern Eagles | 19 | 1985 | 2012 | 45 | 13 | 58 | .776 | 1985, 1986, 1989 1990, 1999, 2000 |
Hofstra Pride | 5 | 1995 | 2001 | 2 | 5 | 7 | .286 | |
Jacksonville State Gamecocks | 10 | 2003 | 2020 | 7 | 10 | 17 | .412 | |
James Madison Dukes | 18 | 1987 | 2021 | 24 | 16 | 40 | .600 | 2004, 2016 |
Kennesaw State Owls | 4 | 2017 | 2021 | 5 | 4 | 9 | .556 | |
Liberty Flames | 1 | 2014 | 2014 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .500 | |
Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks | 4 | 1987 | 1993 | 5 | 3 | 8 | .625 | 1987 |
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs | 2 | 1982 | 1984 | 4 | 2 | 6 | .667 | |
Marshall Thundering Herd | 8 | 1987 | 1996 | 23 | 6 | 29 | .793 | 1992, 1996 |
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders | 7 | 1984 | 1994 | 6 | 7 | 13 | .462 | |
Nevada Wolf Pack | 7 | 1978 | 1991 | 9 | 7 | 16 | .563 | |
North Texas Mean Green | 4 | 1983 | 1994 | 0 | 4 | 4 | .000 | |
Northeastern Huskies | 1 | 2002 | 2002 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | |
Old Dominion Monarchs | 2 | 2011 | 2012 | 2 | 2 | 4 | .500 | |
Sam Houston Bearkats | 13 | 1986 | 2021 | 24 | 12 | 36 | .667 | 2020 |
Texas State Bobcats | 2 | 2005 | 2008 | 2 | 2 | 4 | .500 | |
Troy Trojans | 7 | 1993 | 2000 | 5 | 7 | 12 | .417 | |
UCF Knights | 2 | 1990 | 1993 | 2 | 2 | 4 | .500 | |
UConn Huskies | 1 | 1998 | 1998 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .500 | |
UMass Minutemen | 8 | 1978 | 2007 | 10 | 7 | 17 | .588 | 1998 |
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers | 8 | 1987 | 2004 | 8 | 7 | 15 | .533 | 2002 |