The theme for the University of North Dakota Football program in 2016 was “Leave No Doubt“. In the eyes of the NCAA Selection Committee, they did just that.
UND was not only selected to be a one of 24 playoff teams, they were given the #7 overall seed. With the seed comes a bye week.
For a first-time playoff participant to jump all the way up to a seed shows how impressive UND’s nine game win streak was. The UND staff and players should be commended for how they fought through 11 straight games (no bye) to earn that seed and chance at a national championship.
*UND will play the winner of Richmond (CAA)/North Carolina A&T (MEAC) on December 3rd – 5pm at The Alerus Center. Tickets go on sale today (21st) at 10am.
We will have more on both teams later this week but have attached their schedules below.
Here is the full 2016 FCS Playoff Bracket:
Richmond Schedule (8-3)
Date | Opponent | Outcome |
---|---|---|
Sat Sep 3 | @Virginia (2-9) | W 37-20 |
Sat Sep 10 | Norfolk St (4-7) | W 34-0 |
Sat Sep 17 | @Stony Brook (5-6) | L 14-42 |
Sat Sep 24 | Colgate (5-5) | W 38-31 |
Sat Oct 1 | Towson (4-7) | W 31-28 |
Sat Oct 8 | @Albany NY (7-4) | W 36-30 |
Sat Oct 15 | Villanova (8-3) | W 23-0 |
Sat Oct 22 | @Elon (2-9) | W 35-7 |
Sat Nov 5 | James Madison (10-1) | L 43-47 |
Sat Nov 12 | Delaware (4-7) | W 31-17 |
Sat Nov 19 | @William & Mary (5-6) | L 13-34 |
North Carolina A&T Schedule (9-2)
Date | Opponent | Outcome |
---|---|---|
Sat Sep 3 | St Augustine’s (2-8) | W 62-0 |
Sat Sep 10 | @Kent St (3-8) | W 39-36 |
Sat Sep 17 | @Tulsa (8-3) | L 21-58 |
Thu Sep 29 | Hampton (5-5) | W 31-9 |
Thu Oct 6 | Norfolk St (4-7) | W 35-0 |
Sat Oct 15 | @Bethune-Cookman (4-5) | W 52-35 |
Sat Oct 22 | @Howard (2-9) | W 34-7 |
Sat Oct 29 | Florida A&M (4-7) | W 42-17 |
Sat Nov 5 | South Carolina St (4-6) | W 30-20 |
Sat Nov 12 | @Delaware St (0-11) | W 45-14 |
Sat Nov 19 | @North Carolina Central (9-2) | L 21-42 |
Not hard to tell who has played the tougher schedule. Conventional wisdom tells everyone that we should expect Richmond to come to The Alerus on December 3rd, but with their QB going down on Saturday and their 2nd string questionable with an injury as well, they might not be the same on offense. We know nothing about North Carolina A&T other than they have one of the best running backs in the country in Tarik Cohen. Should be an interesting game to watch on Saturday.
December football is back in Grand Forks. Feels great.
I love the 3 weeks off between games, it gives the team a great chance to heal and rest up. Hopefully they get guys back that they sorely need. I hate the three weeks off because of the rust that it can cause. This team plays rusty enough in first qtrs/halls even without bye weeks.Maybe their infamous slow starts were a result of being tired, no bye week till the regular season was over.
The power is in the upper north. What an incredible run by SDSU and all of the rest of you have risen to the challenge. I salute you (from the south…. Richmond)
Thank you. Should be an outstanding game this weekend in Grand Forks. Utmost respect for the Richmond program.
Question: How are game officials assigned for playoff matches?