Stone was joined this week by Montana State wide receiver Taco Dowler, who proudly represents Montana State in the nationwide fight to raise money and awareness for children and families battling cancer on behalf of Northwestern Mutual and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, along with Devin Coyle, District Director for Northwestern Mutual in Bozeman, Montana, for a special Honorary Captain of the Week episode of FCS Nation Radio.

A Billings, Montana native and one of the most dynamic all-around players in the FCS, Dowler joins the show just days before stepping onto the biggest stage in the subdivision, as Montana State prepares to compete for the FCS National Championship on Monday, January 5 in Nashville. The conversation centers on his journey from Billings to Bozeman, the growth that comes with becoming a leader, and the responsibility of representing both his program and a cause bigger than football.

Dowler reflects on how his role has evolved within Montana State’s offense, what leadership truly looks like inside a championship locker room, and how accountability, preparation, and belief have shaped this Bobcats team throughout the season. We dive into the depth and chemistry of the wide receiver room, the importance of embracing different skill sets, and why this group has taken a collective step forward at the right time.

Devin Coyle provides insight into the local impact behind the Northwestern Mutual x FCS Nation Radio x Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Challenge, explaining what it means for the Bozeman community to rally around Taco as an Honorary Captain. He discusses Northwestern Mutual’s long-standing commitment to fighting childhood cancer and how local leadership helps turn fan support into meaningful, nationwide impact.

The episode also explores why Taco was selected as an Honorary Captain of the Week, how he’s using his platform to support kids and families across the country facing cancer, and why this mission carries added weight as he prepares for a national championship opportunity.

An episode about leadership, purpose, and playing for something greater, on the field and beyond it.

Follow the championship journey and behind-the-scenes coverage from Nashville at @FCSNationRadio1 and @labanowitzstone.

The FCS National Championship has finally arrived, and FCS Nation Radio is on the ground in Nashville to preview the biggest night of the season. Stone and Kevin take a deep dive into how Illinois State and Montana State navigated one of the most unpredictable playoff paths in recent memory, starting with a breakdown of the semifinal matchups and the defining moments that punched each team’s ticket to the title game.

We examine Illinois State’s improbable postseason run, a team that refused to listen to projections, won four straight road games, and found its best football when the margin for error was razor thin. From the Redbirds’ offensive playmakers stepping up in clutch moments to a defense that transformed week by week, we discuss how belief, balance, and timely execution have carried them to the brink of a championship.

On the other side, Montana State arrives with championship expectations and unfinished business. We analyze how the Bobcats evolved over the course of the season, why their offensive rhythm has hit another level down the stretch, and how a physical, opportunistic defense has consistently flipped games in their favor. From quarterback play to the run game to the impact of defensive stars, we break down what makes Montana State so difficult to slow down, and where pressure could still show up under the bright lights.

Stone and Kevin go position by position, highlight the key matchups that could swing the outcome, and discuss which team controls the pace, the turnover battle, and the emotional edge in a championship environment. We also talk legacy, urgency, and what a national title would mean for two programs that have waited, and suffered, to get back to this stage.

We wrap the episode with our official picks and final score predictions as kickoff approaches.

The boys are live in Nashville all week, follow the journey, the analysis, and the championship coverage at @fcsnationradio1 and @labanowitzstone.

This week’s Honorary Captain of the Week is Jamal Mull, offensive lineman for Central Arkansas and one of the most impressive voices we’ve had on the show, on and off the field. An NFL-caliber talent, Jamal is preparing to move to Dallas ahead of the NFL Draft, but before taking that next step, he’s using his platform to fight for something bigger than football.

In this episode, Jamal joins us to talk about his journey with the Bears, competing in the Dream Bowl on January 11, and why giving back matters to him as a student-athlete. Representing Northwestern Mutual in partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Jamal is raising funds and awareness for children battling childhood cancer as part of A Season With Purpose.

You’ll also hear from Demi Mathis, Business Development Officer, as we dive into the impact of the Northwestern Mutual internship program and why Jamal was the obvious choice to represent Central Arkansas as an Honorary Captain this season.

💛 Donations close January 4, and it truly only takes a little effort to make a big difference. 🔗 Donate here: https://www.alexslemonade.org/2025/central-arkansas-x-meeks-network-office 💰 Amount raised so far: $128,409

This is more than football. It’s leadership, purpose, and using the spotlight to change lives. Tune in and do your part.

This week, FCS Nation welcomes Julian Fox, linebacker for the Mercer Bears, as our Honorary Captain of the Week! Julian joins John David Miller, financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual’s Macon (Goodwin-Wright Network Office), to discuss the impact of the Northwestern Mutual x Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Challenge, an initiative raising awareness and funds for children battling cancer.

From sharing his personal journey on and off the field to highlighting Mercer’s role in this nationwide effort, Julian shows how FCS athletes can stand for something bigger than the game. Learn how Northwestern Mutual supports youth, families facing adversity, and some of the nation’s best internship opportunities while empowering athletes to make a real difference.

Bears fans, it’s your turn to step up! Donations to the challenge are open now and will close January 4, let’s help Julian, Mercer, and the entire FCS community make a lasting impact for kids in need. AMOUNT RAISED: $4,304

Tune in for stories, stats, and the heart behind the jersey. https://www.alexslemonade.org/2025/goodwin-wright-network-office-x-mercer-university

This week’s episode is all about championship momentum and semifinal stakes in the FCS.

We open with a full playoff replay, breaking down a dominant weekend across the bracket. Montana State powered past Stephen F. Austin behind a physical, fast-paced attack, while Montana overwhelmed South Dakota to set up a long-awaited rivalry clash with everything on the line. Villanova continued its postseason surge by knocking off Tarleton State with a resilient, come-from-behind performance, and Illinois State proved its road toughness with an impressive win at UC Davis. We also recap an instant classic in the CELEBRATION BOWL, where South Carolina State completed a historic comeback over Prairie View A&M in a four-overtime thriller.

Thanks to GAMESTRAT, we move on to the semifinal preview, starting with one of the biggest games the subdivision can offer: Montana vs. Montana State, with rivalry, style contrast, and a trip to the title game at stake. We also break down Illinois State at Villanova, a matchup featuring two teams peaking at the right time with very different paths to the semifinals.

We wrap things up with Alex’s Honorary Captain of the Week Segment and close with our official picks for both semifinal games.

It’s wall-to-wall FCS playoff talk. Results, storylines, strategy, and what to watch as championship weekend approaches.

Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse joins the podcast fresh off one of the most shocking wins in FCS playoff history, a 29–28 road upset of No. 1 North Dakota State in the Fargodome.

Despite throwing five interceptions, Rittenhouse delivered when it mattered most, leading two late touchdown drives and completing the bold game-winning two-point conversion to silence one of the toughest environments in college football.

In this conversation, Tommy breaks down the week of preparation, the calm he felt in the middle of chaos, and the mindset behind the phrase, “You can’t score 14 in one drive.” He talks about trusting his teammates, embracing the scramble drill, and why there was no hesitation when it came time to go for two.

Tommy also reflects on his five-year journey at Illinois State, the influence of head coach Brock Spack, the bond inside the Redbirds locker room, and how Johnny Cash helps fuel his edge on game day.

Now quarterfinal bound, Rittenhouse looks ahead to the rematch out west at UC Davis, carrying belief, composure, and a team built for the moment.

The bracket is shrinking, the drama is rising, and the road to the national championship just got a whole lot wilder.

This week, we rewind an unforgettable Second Round! Upsets, blowouts, thrillers, and statement wins across the board. Illinois State stunned the nation with a one-point takedown of top-seeded North Dakota State. Montana State held off Yale to keep their title hopes alive. Montana put on an offensive show against South Dakota State, and Tarleton State powered their way into the quarterfinals. Villanova pulled off a gritty win at Lehigh, South Dakota pitched a dominant shutout over Mercer, SFA survived a shootout with ACU, and UC Davis rolled past Rhode Island to round out the final eight.

We break it all down, hit the key moments powered by GameStrat, and look ahead to the quarterfinal matchups: • SFA at Montana State • Villanova at Tarleton State • South Dakota at Montana • Illinois State at UC Davis Plus, a look at the Celebration Bowl between South Carolina State vs. Prairie View A&M.

And in Segment 4, Michael Barker of CFB Campus Tour joins the show to prove once again that he is, in fact, a lovable college-football-obsessed madman.

Another week. Another round. Another episode where the margins are razor thin and the stakes are sky high.

This is FCS Nation Radio, where every game matters.

Segment 1 – First Round Recap

• Recap of the key FCS first-round matchups and standout performances.

Segment 2 – Ivy League Spotlight

• Tom Barton joins to break down Yale’s thrilling 43-42 win over Youngstown State and the implications for the playoffs.

Segment 3 – FCS Second Round Preview

• Illinois State @ #1 North Dakota State
• Yale @ #2 Montana State
• #14 South Dakota State @ #3 Montana
• UND @ #4 Tarleton State
• #12 Villanova @ #5 Lehigh
• #11 South Dakota @ #6 Mercer
• #10 Abilene Christian @ #7 SFA
• #9 Rhode Island @ #8 UC Davis

Segment 4 – Honorary Captain of the Week

• South Dakota State quarterback Chase Mason joins as this week’s Honorary Captain, sharing his perspective on the playoffs and community impact.

Segment 5 – Second Round Picks

• Illinois State @ #1 North Dakota State
• Yale @ #2 Montana State
• #14 South Dakota State @ #3 Montana
• UND @ #4 Tarleton State
• #12 Villanova @ #5 Lehigh
• #11 South Dakota @ #6 Mercer
• #10 Abilene Christian @ #7 SFA
• #9 Rhode Island @ #8 UC Davis

Stone Labanowitz sits down with South Dakota State Jackrabbits quarterback Chase Mason and Jess Jasso, Chief Development Officer at Northwestern Mutual in Sioux Falls, for an inside look at this year’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation x Northwestern Mutual x FCS Nation Radio Challenge.

In this episode, they discuss Chase’s journey back from injury, last week’s dominant win over New Hampshire, and the Jackrabbits’ upcoming matchup in Missoula against the Montana Grizzlies. Chase also shares his personal fundraising efforts, he’s raised $32,057 so far toward the team’s total of $107,945, and what it means to compete both on the field and for a cause that impacts kids battling cancer nationwide.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, teamwork, and how FCS athletes are using their platform to make a real difference in the fight against childhood cancer.

In this episode, we break down the newly released FCS playoff bracket from top to bottom, starting with the full reveal of seeds 1 through 16. We react to the committee’s seeding decisions, highlight a few surprises, and dive into every first-round matchup, including:

• Illinois State at #16 Southeastern Louisiana (winner to #1 NDSU)
• Yale at #15 Youngstown State (winner to #2 Montana State)
• New Hampshire at #14 South Dakota State (winner to #3 Montana)
• North Dakota at #13 Tennessee Tech (winner to #4 Tarleton State)
• Harvard at #12 Villanova (winner to #5 Lehigh)
• Drake at #11 South Dakota (winner to #6 Mercer)
• Lamar at #10 Abilene Christian (winner to #7 Stephen F. Austin)
• CCSU at #9 Rhode Island (winner to #8 UC Davis)

We also bring you our Player of the Week and unveil our final regular-season Top 25.

Then it’s full-scale analysis as we preview every first-round matchup, breaking down key players, potential upsets, and which teams have the clearest path to the seeded powers waiting in round two.

ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND THANKSGIVING UPDATE!

followed by our full slate of game picks as we lock in predictions for all eight opening-round battles.

If you’re ready for bracket talk, matchup insight, and playoff-level energy, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.