Florida Traditional rout of Bethune-Cookman fails to carry FAMU into FCS playoffs – Orlando Sentinel

Florida A&M ended the season on a nine-game successful streak and coach Willie Simmons lobbied to be included within the 24-team Soccer Championship Subdivision playoffs after ending the common season on a excessive notice in Orlando.

He didn’t get his want Sunday. A former UCF coach, nonetheless, did.

The Rattlers (9-2), who beat Bethune-Cookman handily on Saturday at Camping World Stadium, had been overlooked of the sector.

Incarnate Phrase, led by G.J. Kinne, earned an at-large bid as co-champions, with Southeastern Louisiana, within the Southland Convention. Kinne spent last season at UCF as co-offensive coordinatior underneath Gus Malzahn and quarterbacks coach.

South Dakota State and Sacramento State earned the highest two seeds within the FCS playoffs when the 24-team area was introduced Sunday.

“Disappointing day for our program after getting phrase we didn’t get invited to the FCS playoffs,” Simmons mentioned by way of FAMU’s social media channel the day after their second consecutive win vs. B-CU in the Florida Classic. “My coronary heart simply goes out to those younger males. They fought for this program. They’ve carried out greater than we ever aksed. They did what they wanted to do on that soccer area to indicate that they had been deserving of a possibility to play for a nationwide championship.”

South Dakota State (10-1) might be making its eleventh consecutive look within the postseason. The Jackrabbits, who misplaced to Sam Houston within the 2020 championship sport, earned an automated bid as winners of the Missouri Valley Soccer Convention. Sacramento State (11-0) gained the Massive Sky Convention’s automated bid. Neither the Jackrabbits nor the Hornets have ever gained the FCS championship.

The highest eight seeds, which all earn a bye for the playoffs that start Saturday, additionally embrace No. 3 North Dakota State (9-2), No. 4 Montana State (10-1), No. 5 William & Mary (10-1), No. 6 Samford (10-1), No. 7 Incarnate Phrase (10-1) and No. 8 Holy Cross (11-0).

North Dakota State, the defending nationwide champion and winners of 9 of the final 11 titles, made the sector for the thirteenth consecutive season. The Bison have gained 41 playoff video games, probably the most of all time. They defeated Montana State 38-10 for final season’s title.

Montana State gained a share of the Massive Sky Convention title and might be making its twelfth playoff look and fourth within the final 5 years. The Bobcats gained the title in 1984.

William & Mary might be making its eleventh playoff look and first since 2015. The Tribe gained the Colonial Athletic Affiliation title Saturday, beating at-large entry Richmond 37-26. Samford, making its sixth look, gained the Southern Convention.

Southeastern Louisiana will host Idaho (7-4) on Saturday.

Holy Cross earned the automated bid from the Patriot League for a fourth consecutive postseason look.

This yr’s area contains seven packages which have gained nationwide championships and one staff, Gardner-Webb (6-5), that might be making its first look within the playoffs. The Runnin’ Bulldogs will play at Japanese Kentucky (7-4) on Saturday.

Different first-round video games embrace Saint Francis, Pa. (9-2) at Delaware (7-4), Fordham (9-2) at New Hampshire (8-3), North Dakota (7-4) at Weber State (9-2), Southeast Missouri State (9-2) at Montana (7-4), Elon (8-3) at Furman (9-2) and Davidson (8-3) at Richmond (8-3).

The playoffs conclude with the nationwide championship on Jan. 8 in Frisco, Texas.

“I hate it for the seniors,” Simmons mentioned. “However what higher strategy to ship these guys off than a powerful win within the Florida Traditional?

“That is the final time we need to see your younger males be short-changed. We need to management our personal future.”