College football shockers: Montana makes history upsetting No. 20 Washington, six FCS teams beat FBS opponents

All longtime school soccer followers bear in mind the place they had been when a plucky FCS (previously Division I-AA) squad known as Appalachian State walked into the Large Home at Michigan and have become the primary workforce from school soccer’s second division to ever beat a ranked opponent. On Saturday, the Mountaineers received some firm. 

Montana, ranked No. 9 within the preseason Stats Carry out FCS Prime 25 ballot, walked out of Husky Stadium with a dramatic 13-7 win over No. 20 Washington. Montana defender Gavin Robertson had a monster day with two picks off of Washington quarterback Dylan Morris, whereas linebacker Patrick O’Connell added three tackles for loss and a pair of sacks within the defensive battle. 

The win was a historic second for the FCS, however was just one a part of what has been an incredible begin to the 2021 season. East Tennessee State crushed SEC opponent Vanderbilt 23-3 in a troublesome debut for coach Clark Lea whereas Holy Cross beat UConn 38-28. On Friday evening, Dan Hawkins’ UC Davis workforce upset Tulsa 19-17 and 2021 FCS runner-up South Dakota State crushed Colorado State 42-23. On Thursday, Jap Washington beat UNLV, bringing the full variety of FCS-over-FBS upsets to 6.

Much more stunning, the numbers may have been even greater. Northern Iowa battled with No. 7 Iowa State and had one final likelihood to win the sport, however fell simply brief 16-10. Montana State gave Wyoming every thing it may deal with earlier than dropping 19-16. Missouri State competed exhausting with Oklahoma State, particularly because the Cowboys performed with out beginning quarterback Spencer Sanders, however could not fairly pull off comeback. Even Gardner-Webb challenged Georgia Southern. 

Whereas FCS groups play with fewer scholarship gamers, a lot nonetheless come to the desk with FBS-level expertise. Fordham linebacker Ryan Greenhagen, for instance, recorded more tackles than any player in FBS historical past towards Nebraska. After a yr away, the FCS seems able to make an announcement.