Hello Justin Berendzen from Draft Diamonds with my top FCS matchups from week 8 highlighting interesting matchups and players on the teams involved for week 8 below.
South Dakota State University at North Dakota State University
This might be one of the best FCS games of the year if not the best and it could be a championship game possibility. Battle in the trenches in this one for the Bison they have Grey Zabel on the offensive line leading the way for the offense in the trenches. Defensively for Jackrabbits they have Adam Bock senior linebacker who holds 43 tackles and 4 TFLs in the season. For South Dakota State’s offense they have senior Interior offensive lineman Gus Miller who dominates his opponents on a regular basis on the offensive line. North Dakota State’s defense has senior defensive end Dylan Hendricks who has 4 TFLs and 3 sacks in the year.
University of Rhode Island at University of New Hampshire
Rams versus the Wildcats in this one. New Hampshire’s offense is led by grad wide receiver Logan Tomlinson who has 448 receiving yards and 5 touchdown receptions this season. Defensively for Rhode Island they have junior linebacker AJ Pena who holds 40 tackles, 9 TFLs and 5 sacks in the year. Malik Grant grad running back leads the way for the Rams offense with 449 rushing yards and 5 touchdown rushes in 2024. The Wildcats defense is led by senior defensive end Josiah Silver who has 12 1/2 TFLs and 7 !/2 sacks this season.
Florida A&M University at Jackson State University
Really good HBCU FCS matchup here. Senior guard Kirk Ford Jr leads the way for Tigers grad running back Irv Mulligan who has 258 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns this year. Florida A&M’s defense contains grad defensive back Deco Wilson who has 32 tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception this season. The Rattlers offense has senior wide receiver Jamari Gassett who holds 344 receiving yards and 2 touchdown receptions this year. Defensively for Jackson State University they have grad defensive back Robert McDaniel who has 26 tackles, 5 1/2 TFLs, 3 PBUs and 2 1/2 sacks in 2024 games to this point.
University of Delaware at University of Richmond
Good CAA matchup. The Spiders have a great center in graduate student Tom Elia who is one of the best centers at the FCS level that anchors the offensive line. Delaware’s defense has grad defensive back Tyron Herring who has 15 tackles, 2 PBUs and 1 1/2 TFLs in 2024. The Blue Hens offense has grad offensive lineman Bradly Anyanwu who is an under the radar guard at the FCS level. Defensively for Richmond they have redshirt senior defensive lineman Jeremiah Grant who has 8 1/2 TFLs and 7 1/2 sacks in 2024.
Weber State University at Sacramento State
Good under the radar Big Sky matchup here. The Hornets offense is led by senior wide receiver Jared Gipson who has 428 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns this season. Weber State’s defense is led by Kemari Munier-Bailey who holds 11 1/2 TFLs and 6 sacks this year. The Wildcats offense contains senior running back Damon Bankston who has 692 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns this season. Defensively for Sacramento State they have senior defensive lineman Josh Cashiola who has 5 TFLS and 4 sacks in 2024.
Hula Bowl Contributor and Writer/Scout/Interviewer for Draft Diamonds since January 2020. You can find me on X at @jrberendzen and Instagram at justinberendzen
