2025 FCS Playoffs: Scores, Bracket, and Full Schedule
The NCAA Football Championship Series (FCS) playoffs are here, and things got rolling on Saturday, November 29, 2025. The first round already brought some wild games and a few surprises.
Let’s get into the scores, the bracket, and what’s coming up next. If you’re trying to keep up, you’ll want to bookmark ESPN+ for all the games.
Contents
First Round Results
The opening round was packed with energy. Teams came out swinging, and a few results caught folks off guard:
- Illinois State 21, Southeastern Louisiana 3
- Rhode Island 27, Central Connecticut State 19
- Villanova 52, Harvard 7
- North Dakota 31, Tennessee Tech 6
- Yale 43, Youngstown State 42
- Abilene Christian 38, Lamar 20
- South Dakota 38, Drake 17
- South Dakota State 41, New Hampshire 3
Key Highlights
Villanova absolutely steamrolled Harvard, putting up 52 points and barely breaking a sweat. Yale’s one-point win over Youngstown State? That was a nail-biter right to the end.
South Dakota State looked sharp, too, handling New Hampshire with ease. Some teams just weren’t messing around.
Upcoming Second Round Matchups
The second round is shaping up to be even better. There are some heavyweights clashing, and honestly, it’s tough to predict how a couple of these will go.
Here’s what’s on tap, and yep—all games will stream live on ESPN+:
- Illinois State (9-4) at North Dakota State (12-0), noon CT
- Rhode Island (11-2) at UC Davis (8-3), 2 p.m.
- Villanova (10-2) at Lehigh (12-0), 11 a.m. CT
- North Dakota (8-5) at Tarleton State (11-1), noon CT
- Yale (9-2) at Montana State (10-2), 1 p.m. CT
- Abilene Christian (9-4) at Stephen F. Austin (10-2), noon CT
- South Dakota (9-4) at Mercer (9-2), 11 a.m. CT
- South Dakota State (9-4) at Montana (11-1), 1 p.m. CT
Matchup Analysis
North Dakota State hasn’t lost yet this season, but Illinois State might have something to say about that. Villanova versus Lehigh? That’s a classic offense-versus-defense showdown.
Montana State and Yale could be a toss-up. Sometimes it just comes down to who wants it more.
Path to the Championship
The bracket is set up for some potentially epic finishes. Here’s how the rest of the playoffs look right now:
- Quarterfinals: Winners of games 9 & 10, 11 & 12, 13 & 14, and 15 & 16
- Semifinals: Set for January 5, 2026, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville
- Championship Game: Semifinal winners go head-to-head for the trophy
For more details—scores, brackets, all of it—check out the PJ Star website.
Conclusion
The 2025 NCAA Football Championship Series playoffs? They’re shaping up to be something special. There’s a wild mix this year—powerhouse teams everyone expects, plus a few underdog stories that might just surprise us all.
Honestly, the anticipation is real. You can catch the games on ESPN+ if you’re into that, or just keep an eye out for updates as things heat up.
Whether you’re the type who never misses a snap or you just tune in for the big moments, the FCS playoffs have a way of pulling you in. There’s just something about college football at this level that feels different, maybe even a bit electric.
