FCS Kickoff: Difference between revisions

FCS Kickoff
FCS Kickoff
Stadium	Cramton Bowl (2017–present)
Location	Montgomery, Alabama
Previous stadiums	Campus sites (2014–2016)
Operated	2014–present
Sponsors
	Guardian Credit Union (2017–2020)
2024 matchup
	Southeast Missouri State 37, North Alabama 15
2025 matchup
	TBA vs. TBA

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Latest revision as of 05:57, 11 January 2025

The FCS Kickoff is an annual college football game played on the Saturday before the opening weekend of the college football season. The game showcases teams from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). For the game's first three editions, it was played at campus sites; since 2017, the game has been played at a neutral site, the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. The game is televised nationally by ESPN.

History

In February 2013, ESPN announced that the 2014 college football season would begin at its earliest point in 11 years with the creation of the "FCS Kickoff", an annual game which would showcase two top-level teams from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. ESPN stated that during meetings with FCS conference commissioners there was an interest in creating a "tentpole type" event around FCS football^[1] and to showcase the quality and depth of FCS football to a national audience.^[2]

Under current NCAA rules, FCS teams are not allowed to play their first regular-season game until the Thursday preceding Labor Day. However, an exception to this rule has been carved out for nationally televised events (on either over-the-air or cable networks); teams may participate in such an event against an out-of-conference opponent on the Saturday or Sunday preceding the standard season start date. No more than one team from a conference can participate in such an event in a given season, and no team can appear in such a game in three consecutive seasons.^[3]

The 2017 edition marked several changes for the event. First, ESPN took ownership of the event through its ESPN Events division. The event was moved to a neutral site (the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama); received a name sponsorship by Guardian Credit Union, a small Montgomery-based credit union; was co-branded as the Montgomery Kickoff Classic; and also took on Alabama FCS member Jacksonville State University as a partner for the 2017 and 2018 editions. As such, JSU participated in both editions of the event.^[4]^[5] With Jacksonville State barred from a third consecutive FCS Kickoff appearance by NCAA rule, ESPN chose another Alabama program, Samford, as the de facto home team for the 2019 edition.^[6]

The 2020 edition, which saw Central Arkansas defeat Austin Peay, was the first since ESPN took ownership of the event that did not feature an Alabama school.^[7]

The game would not be held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[8] When the game returned in 2022, it would not be sponsored by Guardian Credit Union and would only be known as the FCS Kickoff.

2022 would feature Jacksonville State's third appearance in the Week 0 game as they took on the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. The Gamecocks would win 42-17 as the game ended prematurely with 13:18 left in the 4th quarter due to weather.^[9]

The 2023 rendition would feature the Mercer Bears and the North Alabama Lions. The Bears would defeat the Lions 17-7. The game was also the second FCS Kickoff game to feature a weather delay as lightning would halt play for 76 minutes in the 3rd quarter.^[10]

The Lions would return in 2024 to face off against Southeast Missouri State. The Lions would once again fall as they were defeated by the Redhawks 37-15.^[11]

Game results

Season	Date	Winning team		Losing team		Venue	Attendance
2014	August 23	No. 1 Eastern Washington	56	No. 17 Sam Houston State	35	Roos Field (Cheney, WA)	10,310^[12]
2015	August 29	No. 13 Montana	38	No. 1 North Dakota State	35	Washington–Grizzly Stadium (Missoula, MT)	26,472^[13]
2016	August 27	No. 1 North Dakota State	24	No. 7 Charleston Southern	17	Fargodome (Fargo, ND)	18,881^[14]
2017	August 26	No. 6 Jacksonville State	27	No. 12 Chattanooga	13	Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, AL)	12,952^[15]
2018	August 25	No. 14 North Carolina A&T	20	No. 6 Jacksonville State	17		13,500^[16]
2019	August 24	Youngstown State	45	Samford	22		12,560^[17]
2020	August 29	No. 11 Central Arkansas	24	No. 13 Austin Peay	17		2,000^[18]
2022	August 27	Jacksonville State	42	No. 10 Stephen F. Austin	17		5,235
2023	August 26	No. 20 Mercer	17	North Alabama	7		5,566^[19]
2024	August 24	Southeast Missouri State	37	North Alabama	15		4,358^[20]

Rankings are from the STATS FCS Poll.

Future games

Season	Date	Matchup
2025	August 23, 2025	Mercer	UC Davis

Records

By team

Rank	Team	Apps	Record	Win %	PF	PA
1	Central Arkansas	1	1–0	1.000	24	17
	Eastern Washington	1	1–0	1.000	56	35
	Mercer	1	1–0	1.000	17	7
	Montana	1	1–0	1.000	38	35
	North Carolina A&T	1	1–0	1.000	20	17
	Southeast Missouri State	1	1–0	1.000	37	15
	Youngstown State	1	1–0	1.000	45	22
7	Jacksonville State^[a]	3	2–1	.667	86	50
8	North Dakota State	2	1–1	.500	59	55
9	Austin Peay	1	0–1	.000	17	24
	Charleston Southern	1	0–1	.000	17	24
	Chattanooga	1	0–1	.000	13	27
	North Alabama	2	0–2	.000	22	54
	Sam Houston^[a]^[b]	1	0–1	.000	35	56
	Samford	1	0–1	.000	22	45
	Stephen F. Austin	1	0–1	.000	17	42

^ ^a ^b Now playing in Division I FBS.
^ Sam Houston dropped "State" from its athletic branding in 2020.

By conference

Rank	Conference	Apps	Record	Win %	PF	PA
1	Big Sky	2	2–0	1.000	94	70
	ASUN	1	1–0	1.000	42	17
	MEAC	1	1–0	1.000	20	17
4	MVFC	3	2–1	.667	104	77
5	OVC	4	2–2	.500	98	72
5	Southland	2	1–1	.500	59	73
6	Southern	3	1–2	.333	52	79
7	Big South	1	0–1	.000	17	24
	UAC	2	0–2	.000	22	54
	WAC	1	0–1	.000	17	42

References

^ "ESPN to give college football season an early start in 2014". usatoday.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
^ "College football season to kick off with FCS battle between Sam Houston State and Eastern Washington on August 23". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
^ "Bylaw 17.10.3.2: First Contest, Exception—Nationally Televised Contest—Championship Subdivision" (PDF). 2018–19 NCAA Division I Manual. NCAA. July 2018. p. 272. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
^ Rankin, Duane; Stevens, Matthew (October 12, 2016). "ESPN announces Montgomery Kickoff Classic for 2017". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
^ "Guardian Credit Union Joins FCS Kickoff as Title Sponsor" (Press release). ESPN. March 21, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
^ Haley, Craig (September 25, 2018). "Samford, Youngstown State to meet in 2019 FCS Kickoff". Yahoo! Sports. Associated Press. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
^ "Austin Peay Football to Open 2020 at Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff" (Press release). Ohio Valley Conference. January 29, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
^ "North Alabama And Southeast Missouri State To Meet In FCS Kickoff". montgomerykickoffgames.com. Montgomery Kickoff Games. March 1, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024. The 2021 FCS Kickoff was cancelled due to COVID
^ Travis, Justin (August 27, 2022). "Gamecocks thrash the Lumberjacks, win 2022 FCS Kickoff Game". The Chanticleer. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
^ "Mercer Defense Shines in FCS Kickoff". montgomerykickoffgames.com. Montgomery Kickoff Games. August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
^ "Lions slip in fourth quarter to SEMO at FCS Kickoff". roarlions.com. North Alabama Athletics. August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
^ "Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. Eastern Washington Eagles Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
^ "North Dakota State Bison vs. Montana Grizzlies Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
^ "Charleston Southern Buccaneers vs. North Dakota State Bison Box Score". ESPN.com. August 27, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
^ "Chattanooga Mocs vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
^ "North Carolina A&T Aggies vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
^ "Youngstown State Penguins vs. Samford Bulldogs Box Score". ESPN.com. August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
^ "Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas - Game Summary - August 29, 2020 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
^ "Gamecase: FCS Kickoff". ESPN.com. August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
^ Prather, Carl (August 25, 2024). "UNA falls to SEMO in FCS Kickoff at Cramton Bowl". WAFF 48. Retrieved August 25, 2024.

[FBS-21] Now playing in Division I FBS.

[22] Sam Houston dropped "State" from its athletic branding in 2020.

[1] "ESPN to give college football season an early start in 2014". usatoday.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014.

[2] "College football season to kick off with FCS battle between Sam Houston State and Eastern Washington on August 23". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014.

[3] "Bylaw 17.10.3.2: First Contest, Exception—Nationally Televised Contest—Championship Subdivision" (PDF). 2018–19 NCAA Division I Manual. NCAA. July 2018. p. 272. Retrieved March 14, 2019.

[4] Rankin, Duane; Stevens, Matthew (October 12, 2016). "ESPN announces Montgomery Kickoff Classic for 2017". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved May 7, 2017.

[5] "Guardian Credit Union Joins FCS Kickoff as Title Sponsor" (Press release). ESPN. March 21, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2017.

[6] Haley, Craig (September 25, 2018). "Samford, Youngstown State to meet in 2019 FCS Kickoff". Yahoo! Sports. Associated Press. Retrieved March 14, 2019.

[7] "Austin Peay Football to Open 2020 at Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff" (Press release). Ohio Valley Conference. January 29, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.

[8] "North Alabama And Southeast Missouri State To Meet In FCS Kickoff". montgomerykickoffgames.com. Montgomery Kickoff Games. March 1, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024. The 2021 FCS Kickoff was cancelled due to COVID

[9] Travis, Justin (August 27, 2022). "Gamecocks thrash the Lumberjacks, win 2022 FCS Kickoff Game". The Chanticleer. Retrieved August 25, 2024.

[10] "Mercer Defense Shines in FCS Kickoff". montgomerykickoffgames.com. Montgomery Kickoff Games. August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2024.

[11] "Lions slip in fourth quarter to SEMO at FCS Kickoff". roarlions.com. North Alabama Athletics. August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024.

[12] "Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. Eastern Washington Eagles Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 23, 2014.

[13] "North Dakota State Bison vs. Montana Grizzlies Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 29, 2015.

[14] "Charleston Southern Buccaneers vs. North Dakota State Bison Box Score". ESPN.com. August 27, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2016.

[15] "Chattanooga Mocs vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.

[16] "North Carolina A&T Aggies vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2018.

[17] "Youngstown State Penguins vs. Samford Bulldogs Box Score". ESPN.com. August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.

[18] "Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas - Game Summary - August 29, 2020 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 30, 2020.

[19] "Gamecase: FCS Kickoff". ESPN.com. August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.

[20] Prather, Carl (August 25, 2024). "UNA falls to SEMO in FCS Kickoff at Cramton Bowl". WAFF 48. Retrieved August 25, 2024.

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@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 {{Infobox college football bowl game
 | name = FCS Kickoff
-| full_name = Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff
+| full_name =
-| nickname =
 | defunct =
-| logo = Guardian_Credit_Union_FCS_Kickoff_logo.png
+| logo = FCS_Kickoff_logo.png
 | image_size =
 | caption =
@@ Line 17: / Line 16: @@
 | conference_tie-ins =
 | payout =
-| sponsors = Guardian Credit Union (2017–present)
+| sponsors = Guardian Credit Union (2017–2020)
 | former_names =
-| prev_matchup_year = 2023
+| prev_matchup_year = 2024
-| prev_matchup_season = 2023
+| prev_matchup_season = 2024
-| prev_matchup_teams = '''No. 20 [[2023 Mercer Bears football team|Mercer Bears]]''' '''17''', [[2023 North Alabama Lions football team|North Alabama]] 7
+| prev_matchup_teams = '''[[2024 Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football team|Southeast Missouri State]]''' '''37''', [[2024 North Alabama Lions football team|North Alabama]] 15
 | prev_matchup_score = <!--leave blank as there is no game page to link to-->
+| next_matchup_year = 2025
+| next_matchup_season = 2025
+| next_matchup_teams = TBA vs. TBA
 }}
-The '''FCS Kickoff''' is an annual [[college football]] game played on the Saturday before the opening weekend of the college football season. The game showcases teams from the [[NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision]] (FCS). For the game's first three editions, it was played at campus sites; since 2017, the game has been played at a neutral site, the [[Cramton Bowl]] in [[Montgomery, Alabama]]. The game is televised nationally by [[ESPN]], and for sponsorship reasons is officially the '''Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff'''.
+The '''FCS Kickoff''' is an annual [[college football]] game played on the Saturday before the opening weekend of the college football season. The game showcases teams from the [[NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision]] (FCS). For the game's first three editions, it was played at campus sites; since 2017, the game has been played at a neutral site, the [[Cramton Bowl]] in [[Montgomery, Alabama]]. The game is televised nationally by [[ESPN]].
 ==History==
@@ Line 34: / Line 36: @@
 The 2020 edition, which saw [[Central Arkansas Bears football|Central Arkansas]] defeat [[Austin Peay Governors football|Austin Peay]], was the first since ESPN took ownership of the event that did not feature an Alabama school.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://ovcsports.com/news/2020/1/29/austin-peay-football-to-open-2020-at-guardian-credit-union-fcs-kickoff.aspx |title=Austin Peay Football to Open 2020 at Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff |publisher=[[Ohio Valley Conference]] |date=January 29, 2020 |access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref>
+The game would not be held in 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://montgomerykickoffgames.com/fcskickoff/2024/03/01/north-alabama-and-southeast-missouri-state-to-meet-in-fcs-kickoff/ |title=North Alabama And Southeast Missouri State To Meet In FCS Kickoff |last= |first= |date=March 1, 2024 |website=montgomerykickoffgames.com |publisher=Montgomery Kickoff Games |access-date=August 25, 2024 |quote=The 2021 FCS Kickoff was cancelled due to COVID}}</ref> When the game returned in 2022, it would not be sponsored by Guardian Credit Union and would only be known as the FCS Kickoff.
+would feature Jacksonville State's third appearance in the Week 0 game as they took on the [[Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football|Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks]]. The Gamecocks would win 42-17 as the game ended prematurely with 13:18 left in the 4th quarter due to weather.<ref>{{cite news |last=Travis |first=Justin |date=August 27, 2022 |title=Gamecocks thrash the Lumberjacks, win 2022 FCS Kickoff Game |url=https://www.jsuchanticleer.com/sports/gamecocks-thrash-the-lumberjacks-win-2022-fcs-kickoff-game/article_eb97f038-267a-11ed-8632-bb91a0011d14.html |work=The Chanticleer|location=|access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref>
+The 2023 rendition would feature the [[Mercer Bears football|Mercer Bears]] and the [[North Alabama Lions football|North Alabama Lions]]. The Bears would defeat the Lions 17-7. The game was also the second FCS Kickoff game to feature a weather delay as lightning would halt play for 76 minutes in the 3rd quarter.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://montgomerykickoffgames.com/fcskickoff/2023/08/28/mercer-defense-shines-in-fcs-kickoff/ |title=Mercer Defense Shines in FCS Kickoff |last= |first= |date=August 28, 2023 |website=montgomerykickoffgames.com |publisher=Montgomery Kickoff Games |access-date=August 25, 2024 |quote=}}</ref>
+The Lions would return in 2024 to face off against [[Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football|Southeast Missouri State]]. The Lions would once again fall as they were defeated by the Redhawks 37-15.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://roarlions.com/news/2024/8/24/football-lions-slip-in-fourth-quarter-to-semo-at-fcs-kickoff.aspx|title=Lions slip in fourth quarter to SEMO at FCS Kickoff |last= |first= |date=August 24, 2024 |website=roarlions.com |publisher=North Alabama Athletics|access-date=August 25, 2024 |quote=}}</ref>
 ==Game results ==
@@ Line 44: / Line 54: @@
 ! style="background:#29347C; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #999A9B ;"|Attendance
 |-
-| [[2014 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2014]] || August 23 || style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Eastern Washington Eagles|border=0}} |''' [[2014 Eastern Washington Eagles football team|{{color|#a00021|<small>No. 1</small> Eastern Washington}}]]''' || '''56''' || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Sam Houston State Bearkats|border=0|color=white}}| <small>No. 17</small>''' [[2014 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team|{{color|#FFFFFF|Sam Houston State}}]]''' || 35 || [[Roos Field]] ([[Cheney, Washington|Cheney, WA]]) || 10,310<ref>{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=400548974 |title=Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. Eastern Washington Eagles Box Score |work=ESPN.com |access-date=August 23, 2014}}</ref>
+| [[2014 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2014]] || August 23 || style={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|Eastern Washington Eagles|border=0}} |''' [[2014 Eastern Washington Eagles football team|{{color|#a00021|<small>No. 1</small> Eastern Washington}}]]''' || '''56''' || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Sam Houston State Bearkats|border=0|color=white}}| <small>No. 17</small>''' [[2014 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team|{{color|#FFFFFF|Sam Houston State}}]]''' || 35 || [[Roos Field]] ([[Cheney, Washington|Cheney, WA]]) || 10,310<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400548974 |title=Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. Eastern Washington Eagles Box Score |work=ESPN.com |access-date=August 23, 2014}}</ref>
 |-
-| [[2015 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2015]] ||  August 29 || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Montana Grizzlies|border=0|color=white}}|''' [[2015 Montana Grizzlies football team|{{color|#999999|<small>No. 13</small> Montana}}]]''' || '''38''' || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Dakota State Bison|border=0}}| <small>No. 1</small> '''[[2015 North Dakota State Bison football team|{{color|#ffc72a|North Dakota State}}]]''' || 35 || [[Washington–Grizzly Stadium]] ([[Missoula, Montana|Missoula, MT]]) || 26,472<ref>{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/college-football/game?gameId=400795501 |title=North Dakota State Bison vs. Montana Grizzlies Box Score |work=ESPN.com |access-date=August 29, 2015}}</ref>
+| [[2015 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2015]] ||  August 29 || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Montana Grizzlies|border=0|color=white}}|''' [[2015 Montana Grizzlies football team|{{color|#999999|<small>No. 13</small> Montana}}]]''' || '''38''' || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Dakota State Bison|border=0}}| <small>No. 1</small> '''[[2015 North Dakota State Bison football team|{{color|#ffc72a|North Dakota State}}]]''' || 35 || [[Washington–Grizzly Stadium]] ([[Missoula, Montana|Missoula, MT]]) || 26,472<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400795501 |title=North Dakota State Bison vs. Montana Grizzlies Box Score |work=ESPN.com |access-date=August 29, 2015}}</ref>
 |-
-| [[2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2016]] || August 27 || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Dakota State Bison|border=0}}| <small>No. 1</small> ''' [[2016 North Dakota State Bison football team|{{color|#ffc72a|North Dakota State}}]]''' || '''24''' || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Charleston Southern Buccaneers|border=0}}| <small>No. 7</small> '''[[2016 Charleston Southern Buccaneers football team|{{color|#a89968|Charleston Southern}}]]''' || 17 || [[Fargodome]] ([[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo, ND]]) || 18,881<ref>{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/college-football/game?gameId=400873307 |title=Charleston Southern Buccaneers vs. North Dakota State Bison Box Score |work=ESPN.com |date=August 27, 2016 |access-date=August 27, 2016}}</ref>
+| [[2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2016]] || August 27 || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Dakota State Bison|border=0}}| <small>No. 1</small> ''' [[2016 North Dakota State Bison football team|{{color|#ffc72a|North Dakota State}}]]''' || '''24''' || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Charleston Southern Buccaneers|border=0}}| <small>No. 7</small> '''[[2016 Charleston Southern Buccaneers football team|{{color|#a89968|Charleston Southern}}]]''' || 17 || [[Fargodome]] ([[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo, ND]]) || 18,881<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400873307 |title=Charleston Southern Buccaneers vs. North Dakota State Bison Box Score |work=ESPN.com |date=August 27, 2016 |access-date=August 27, 2016}}</ref>
 |-
-| [[2017 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2017]] || August 26 || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Jacksonville State Gamecocks|border=0|color=white}} | <small>No. 6</small>''' [[2017 Jacksonville State Gamecocks football team|{{color|#FFFFFF|Jacksonville State}}]]''' || '''27''' || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Chattanooga Mocs|border=0}}| <small>No. 12</small> ''' [[2017 Chattanooga Mocs football team|{{color|#ffc72a|Chattanooga}}]]''' || 13 || rowspan=6 | [[Cramton Bowl]] ([[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery, AL]]) || 12,952<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400951507 |title=Chattanooga Mocs vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks Box Score |work=ESPN.com |date=August 26, 2017 |access-date=August 26, 2017}}</ref>
+| [[2017 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2017]] || August 26 || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Jacksonville State Gamecocks|border=0|color=white}} | <small>No. 6</small>''' [[2017 Jacksonville State Gamecocks football team|{{color|#FFFFFF|Jacksonville State}}]]''' || '''27''' || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Chattanooga Mocs|border=0}}| <small>No. 12</small> ''' [[2017 Chattanooga Mocs football team|{{color|#ffc72a|Chattanooga}}]]''' || 13 || rowspan=7 | [[Cramton Bowl]] ([[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery, AL]]) || 12,952<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400951507 |title=Chattanooga Mocs vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks Box Score |work=ESPN.com |date=August 26, 2017 |access-date=August 26, 2017}}</ref>
 |-
 | [[2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2018]] || August 25 || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Carolina A&T Aggies|border=0}} | <small>No. 14</small>''' [[2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team|{{color|#ffc72a|North Carolina A&T}}]]''' || '''20''' || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Jacksonville State Gamecocks|border=0|color=white}} | <small>No. 6</small>''' [[2018 Jacksonville State Gamecocks football team|{{color|#FFFFFF|Jacksonville State}}]]''' || 17 || 13,500<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=401030241 |title=North Carolina A&T Aggies vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks Box Score |work=ESPN.com |date=August 25, 2018 |access-date=August 25, 2018}}</ref>
@@ Line 61: / Line 71: @@
 Austin Lumberjacks|border=0}}|{{color|#613393|<small>No. 10</small>}} '''[[2022 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team|{{color|#613393|Stephen F. Austin}}]]''' || 17 || 5,235&nbsp;
 |-
-| [[2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2023]] || August 26 || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Mercer Bears|border=0}} | {{color|#f76800|<small>No. 20</small>}} '''[[2023 Mercer Bears football team| {{color|#cb5307|Mercer}}]]''' ||'''17'''|| style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|border=0}}|'''[[2023 North Alabama Lions football team|{{color|#feb92b|North Alabama}}]]''' || 7 || 5,566
+| [[2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2023]] || August 26 || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Mercer Bears|border=0}} | {{color|#f76800|<small>No. 20</small>}} '''[[2023 Mercer Bears football team| {{color|#cb5307|Mercer}}]]''' ||'''17'''|| style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|border=0}}|'''[[2023 North Alabama Lions football team|{{color|#feb92b|North Alabama}}]]''' || 7 || 5,566<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401540199 |title=Gamecase: FCS Kickoff |website=ESPN.com |date=August 26, 2023 |access-date=August 26, 2023}}</ref>
+|-
+| [[2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2024]] || August 24 || style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Southeast Missouri State Redhawks|border=0}} | '''[[2024 Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football team| {{color|#000000|Southeast Missouri State}}]]''' ||'''37'''|| style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|border=0}}|'''[[2024 North Alabama Lions football team|{{color|#feb92b|North Alabama}}]]''' || 15 || 4,358<ref>{{cite news |last1=Prather|first1=Carl|last2= |first2= |date=August 25, 2024 |title=UNA falls to SEMO in FCS Kickoff at Cramton Bowl |trans-title= |url= https://www.waff.com/2024/08/25/una-falls-semo-fcs-kickoff-cramton-bowl/|url-status= |language= |work=[[WAFF (TV)|WAFF 48]]|access-date=25 August 2024}}</ref>
 |}
@@ Line 77: / Line 89: @@
 |}
 -->
+==Future games==
+{| class="wikitable"
+! style="background:#29347C; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #999A9B ;" |Season
+! style="background:#29347C; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #999A9B ;" |Date
+! style="background:#29347C; color:#FFFFFF; border: 2px solid #999A9B ;"colspan="2" |Matchup
+|-
+|rowspan=1| 2025
+|August 23, 2025
+| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Mercer Bears}}" |'''[[Mercer Bears football|{{color|#ffffff|Mercer}}]]'''
+| style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|UC Davis Aggies}}" |'''[[UC Davis Aggies football|{{color|#F76900 |UC Davis}}]]'''
+|-
+|}
 ==Records==
@@ Line 83: / Line 107: @@
 ! Rank !! Team !! Apps !! Record !! Win % !! PF !! PA
 |-
- ! rowspan=5|1
+ ! rowspan= 7 | 1
  | align=left|[[Central Arkansas Bears football|Central Arkansas]] || 1 || 1–0 || {{Winning percentage|1|0}} || 24 || 17
 |-
  | align=left|[[Eastern Washington Eagles football|Eastern Washington]] || 1 || 1–0 || {{Winning percentage|1|0}} || 56 || 35
+|-
+ | align=left | [[Mercer Bears football|Mercer]] || 1 || 1–0 || {{Winning percentage|1|0}} || 17 || 7
 |-
  | align=left|[[Montana Grizzlies football|Montana]] || 1 || 1–0 || {{Winning percentage|1|0}} || 38 || 35
 |-
  | align=left|[[North Carolina A&T Aggies football|North Carolina A&T]] || 1 || 1–0 || {{Winning percentage|1|0}} || 20 || 17
+|-
+ | align=left|[[Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football|Southeast Missouri State]] || 1 || 1–0 || {{Winning percentage|1|0}} || 37 || 15
 |-
  | align=left|[[Youngstown State Penguins football|Youngstown State]] || 1 || 1–0 || {{Winning percentage|1|0}} || 45 || 22
 |-
- ! rowspan=1 | 6
+ ! rowspan=1 | 7
  | align=left|[[Jacksonville State Gamecocks football|Jacksonville State]]{{efn|group=rbt|name=FBS|Now playing in [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|Division I FBS]].}} || 3 || 2–1 || {{Winning percentage|2|1}} || 86 || 50
 |-
- ! rowspan=1 | 7
+ ! rowspan=1 | 8
  | align=left|[[North Dakota State Bison football|North Dakota State]] || 2 || 1–1 || {{Winning percentage|1|1}} || 59 || 55
 |-
- ! rowspan=6 | 8
+ ! rowspan=7 | 9
  | align=left|[[Austin Peay Governors football|Austin Peay]] || 1 || 0–1 || {{Winning percentage|0|1}} || 17 || 24
 |-
@@ Line 106: / Line 134: @@
 |-
  | align=left|[[Chattanooga Mocs football|Chattanooga]] || 1 || 0–1 || {{Winning percentage|0|1}} || 13 || 27
+|-
+ | align=left | [[North Alabama Lions football|North Alabama]] || 2 || 0–2 || {{Winning percentage|0|2}} || 22 || 54
 |-
  | align=left|[[Sam Houston Bearkats football|Sam Houston]]{{efn|group=rbt|name=FBS}}{{efn|group=rbt|Sam Houston dropped "State" from its athletic branding in 2020.}} || 1 || 0–1 || {{Winning percentage|0|1}} || 35 || 56
@@ Line 130: / Line 160: @@
  | align=left|[[Missouri Valley Football Conference|MVFC]] || 3 || 2–1 || {{Winning percentage|2|1}} || 104 || 77
 |-
- ! 5
+ ! rowspan=2 | 5
+ | align=left | [[Ohio Valley Conference|OVC]] || 4 || 2–2 || {{Winning percentage|2|2}} || 98 || 72
+|-
  | align=left|[[Southland Conference|Southland]] || 2 || 1–1 || {{Winning percentage|1|1}} || 59 || 73
 |-
- ! 6
+ ! rowspan=1| 6
- | align=left|[[Ohio Valley Conference|Ohio Valley]] || 3 || 1–2 || {{Winning percentage|1|2}} || 61 || 57
+ | align=left | [[Southern Conference|Southern]] || 3 || 1–2 || {{Winning percentage|1|2}} || 52 || 79
 |-
  ! rowspan=3|7
  | align=left|[[Big South Conference|Big South]] || 1 || 0–1 || {{Winning percentage|0|1}} || 17 || 24
 |-
- | align=left|[[Southern Conference|Southern]] || 2 || 0–2 || {{Winning percentage|0|2}} || 35 || 72
+ | align=left | [[United Athletic Conference|UAC]] || 2 || 0–2 || {{Winning percentage|0|2}} || 22 || 54
 |-
  | align=left|[[Western Athletic Conference|WAC]] || 1 || 0–1 || {{Winning percentage|0|1}} || 17 || 42

v t e College football kickoff games
Current	Aflac Kickoff Game (2008–present) Allstate Crossbar Classic (2023–present) Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic (2019–present) Camping World Kickoff (2016–present) College Football Ireland (1988–present) Duke's Mayo Classic (2015–present) FCS Kickoff (2014–present) MEAC/SWAC Challenge (2005–present) Vegas Kickoff Classic (2021–present)
Former	BCA Classic (1997–2004) Cowboys Kickoff Classic (2009–2021) Eddie Robinson Classic (1997–2002) First Down Classic (2007–2011) Hispanic College Fund Football Classic (2000–2002) Kickoff Classic (1983–2002) Nashville Kickoff Game (2014–2015) Patriot Bowl (2007–2009) Pigskin Classic (1990–2002) Texas Kickoff (2013–2021) Wheat Bowl (1997–2006)

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