FCS Nation

This week on the podcast, we’re diving deep into the biggest stories from FCS football. In Segment 1, we recap all the action, from dominant blowouts like #2 South Dakota State’s 37-21 win over Drake to last-second thrillers like Montana’s 24-23 upset of #11 North Dakota.

In Segment 2, we highlight the Player of the Week and the latest Top 25 rankings, breaking down who’s rising and who’s falling.

Segment 3 previews the biggest upcoming matchups, including top-ranked MSU hosting Mercyhurst, Tarleton State taking on Chattanooga, and Idaho challenging FBS foe San Jose State.

In Segment 5 we wrap up with our expert picks for all the key FCS games you don’t want to miss. 💰

Whether you’re a diehard FCS fan or just catching up on the week’s chaos, this episode has everything you need to stay ahead of the action.

Presbyterian football is off to a historic 3-0 start, and at the center of it all is quarterback Collin Hurst. From rallying the Blue Hose back from a 21-point deficit in an overtime thriller against Furman to slinging touchdowns all over the field, Hurst has quickly established himself as the leader of this undefeated squad.

In this episode, Collin opens up about his resiliency coming out of high school, the trust he’s built with head coach Steve Englehart, and the bond he shares with his teammates. We also dive into how he’s learned to live fully in the N.O.W. -- a mindset that’s fueling both his play and Presbyterian’s remarkable start.

If you want a closer look at the quarterback driving one of the most exciting storylines in FCS football, this is an interview you won’t want to miss.

This week’s episode takes us to Carbondale, where Southern Illinois linebacker Chris Presto has quickly become more than just a defensive leader for the Salukis, he’s stepped into a much bigger role as our latest Honorary Captain of the Week in the Northwestern Mutual x FCS Nation x Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Challenge. Presto opens up about why the fight against childhood cancer is deeply personal, how every dollar raised can change a family’s story, and why this season’s challenge is about far more than football.

Joining the conversation is Jenna Distler, Director of Campus Selection for the Gross Network Office of Northwestern Mutual, who has played an essential role in connecting Chris with this opportunity and helping him set the foundation to make a serious run at the 2025-2026 Lemon Trophy. Together, they talk about what it means to take on this challenge, the power of rallying an entire community behind a cause, and how Carbondale can step up to support Chris as he leads the charge both on and off the field.

At the end of the day, Presto reminds us that while football teaches resilience, the real battles are being fought by kids and families facing childhood cancer every single day — and that’s the team he’s proud to suit up for.

🍋 Want to help Chris in the fight? It’s simple: snap a pic with a lemon on your head, tag Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and Northwestern Mutual, and use the hashtags #GoDawgs and #LemonTopChallenge. Each post triggers a $10 donation from Northwestern Mutual directly in Chris’s name.

🎙️ This Week on FCS Nation Radio

We’ve got a jam-packed show recapping all the action from Week 2 in the FCS.

Segment 1 (10 min) – We start with the biggest storylines: Bryant and LIU both notch stunning FBS upsets, while North Dakota State and South Dakota State roll in very different ways. The Jacks’ double-overtime thriller over Montana State could already be the game of the year. We’ll also hit on Tarleton’s dominance, Idaho’s close call, Lamar shocking South Dakota, and more. (Replay segment brought to you by GameStrat.)

Segment 2 (7 min) – Players of the Week and a fresh look at the FCS Top 25.

Segment 3 (15 min) – Preview time. Here’s what’s ahead in Week 3:

• SEMO @ #1 North Dakota State
• Drake @ #2 South Dakota State
• San Diego @ #3 Montana State
• #4 Tarleton State @ Central Arkansas
• Utah Tech @ #5 Idaho
• #11 North Dakota @ #6 Montana
• #7 Illinois State @ Eastern Illinois
• #8 Villanova @ #2 FBS Penn State
• #9 Rhode Island @ Holy Cross
• #10 Southern Illinois @ #21 UT Martin
• Morehead State @ #12 Austin Peay
• #13 Lamar @ Texas Southern
• Northern Colorado @ #14 South Dakota
• #18 ETSU @ #22 West Georgia
• The Citadel @ #20 Gardner-Webb

Segment 4 (8 min) – Picks! We run through the board, giving our takes on the biggest games of the weekend.

This week on FCS Nation Radio, Richmond Spiders defensive lineman TJ Baldwin joins us ahead of the Spiders’ matchup with Wofford on Saturday, September 6 at 6 PM ET.

In this candid conversation, TJ opens up about life after injury, his role as a leader for Richmond, and what it means to return as an Honorary Captain for the second year in the Northwestern Mutual x FCS Nation x Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Challenge, a nationwide effort that has already raised over $100,000 to fight childhood cancer.

TJ also shares how his teammates are getting involved off the field, including their connection with the Northwestern Mutual Virginia Group internship program. Joining him in the Honorary Captain lineup this season is Jordan Stevenson, Financial Advisor and Development Officer with the Virginia office. Together, they’re helping bridge the gap between football, community, and a mission much bigger than the game.

From the brotherhood inside the Richmond locker room to his passion for making an impact off the field, TJ reminds us that football is about more than wins and losses, it’s about purpose, leadership, and giving back. FCSNATIONRADIO.COM

Week 1 of the 2025 college football season is officially in the books, and what a start it was. We kick things off recapping two big FBS scalps: Tarleton State’s dramatic 2OT upset of Army and Austin Peay’s win over Middle Tennessee. We also break down statement performances from the FCS powers, including North Dakota State’s shutout at The Citadel, South Dakota State’s defensive showcase against Sacramento State, and how Montana State and South Dakota fared in tough FBS matchups.

From there, we walk through the brand-new Top 25 poll, school by school, highlighting who rose, who fell, and why. Then it’s on to previews of the week ahead, with marquee matchups like #2 South Dakota State at #3 Montana State and #1 North Dakota State at Tennessee State headlining the slate.

This week’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand Honorary Captain is Richmond’s TJ Baldwin, joined by Northwestern Mutual’s Jordan Stevenson, who share their thoughts on season three of The Challenge.

We close things out with our weekly picks, breaking down the biggest games, key matchups, and where we see the early-season momentum swinging.

South Dakota quarterback Aidan Bouman is back on the mic with us, and back for one more season in Vermillion. Bouman, who’s been part of this Challenge since it launched in 2023, joins Northwestern Mutual Managing Partner Chris Schenkel to talk about leadership, legacy, and using his platform for something bigger than football.

Since stepping on the field for the Coyotes, Bouman has etched his name into the record book:

• 6,402 career passing yards (3rd in USD history)
• 481 completions (4th)
• 42 touchdowns (5th)
• 31 career starts with a 22–9 record as starting QB
• Three-time Team Captain, Honorable Mention All-Conference (2024), Walter Payton Award Watch List (2025)

He also made history off the field as the first-ever Lemon Trophy winner, raising the most funds in our inaugural season for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Now, in his senior season, Bouman has made the decision to return to USD for “one last ride”, chasing championships on the field while chasing Alex Scott’s mission off it.

Chris Schenkel, who helped create the Northwestern Mutual x FCS Nation x Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Challenge, shares why this movement matters and how FCS athletes across the country are rallying fans to fight childhood cancer. Together, they reflect on the past two years, the more than $100,000 raised, and what it means to build a season with purpose.

💛 With the Coyote fans behind him, Bouman knows this is bigger than football, and he’s ready to get it done.

Week 1 is here! We kick things off with a Week 0 recap, including Nicholls’ upset over UIW, Tarleton’s shutout win, and more. Then, we dive into early QB storylines before previewing a loaded slate of Week 1 matchups across FCS and FBS. Plus, a special conversation with South Dakota QB Aidan Bouman and Northwestern Mutual’s Chris Schenkel on the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Challenge, and of course, our game picks to close it out.

Segment 1

• Recap of Week 0 action:
  • Nicholls 20 – #11 UIW 6 (Recap)
  • #7 Tarleton St 42 – Portland St 0 (Recap)
  • UNLV 38 – Idaho St 31 (Recap)
  • NC Central 31 – Southern 14 (Recap)

Segment 2

• DAN JACKSON, BRENNAN MARION, TIMMY P, AND MAURICE DRAYTON

Segment 3

• Big Week 1 matchups preview:
  • #1 NDSU @ The Citadel
  • #17 Sac St @ #2 SDSU
  • #3 MSU @ #7 Oregon (FBS)
  • #4 USD @ Iowa State (FBS)
  • #5 Idaho @ Wazzu (FBS)
  • #8 Ill St @ #18 Oklahoma
  • PC @ #9 Mercer
  • #14 UC Davis @ Utah Tech
  • #15 Richmond @ #21 Lehigh
  • Gardner-Webb @ #16 WCU
  • #18 Chatt @ Memphis
  • Murray St @ #22 ETSU
  • Hampton @ #24 Jackson St

Segment 5

• Picks for the weekend slate, including:
  • #1 NDSU @ The Citadel
  • #17 Sac St @ #2 SDSU
  • #3 MSU @ #7 Oregon (FBS)
  • #4 USD @ Iowa State (FBS)
  • #5 Idaho @ Wazzu (FBS)
  • #8 Ill St @ #18 Oklahoma
  • PC @ #9 Mercer
  • #14 UC Davis @ Utah Tech
  • #15 Richmond @ #21 Lehigh
  • Gardner-Webb @ #16 WCU
  • #18 Chatt @ Memphis
  • Murray St @ #22 ETSU
  • Hampton @ #24 Jackson St

In this powerful episode of FCS Nation Radio, Stone Labanowitz sits down with Liz Scott, Executive Director of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and mother of Alex Scott, the little girl who inspired a movement that has now raised more than $300 million for childhood cancer research and family support.

Together, they dive into the story behind Alex’s mission, from that very first front yard lemonade stand to the nationwide foundation it has become and celebrate the launch of Season 3 of the Northwestern Mutual x FCS Nation x Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Challenge.

Over the past two years, the Challenge has raised more than $100,000 with the help of FCS athletes across the country. Liz shares why seeing student-athletes lead this effort is especially powerful, how the initiative has grown bigger and bolder this season, and why she believes it represents everything Alex would have wanted.

From Alex’s inspiring legacy to the athletes now carrying that torch, to the practical ways you can get involved in the fight against childhood cancer, this conversation is about purpose, passion, and the power of football fans rallying together for something bigger than the game.

Learn more, join the Challenge, and help make an impact at AlexsLemonade.org and by following @FCSNationRadio1.

There are college football fans… and then there’s Michael Barker.

Known as the Ambassador of College Football, Michael has already done what no one else his age has, he’s the youngest person in the world to see a game at every FBS stadium (136/136). And he’s not stopping there. With 93 of 129 FCS stadiums already checked off his list, Barker spends each football season crisscrossing the country, chasing games, traditions, and the people who make this sport unlike any other.

What began in 2017 as a simple desire to travel and honor his father’s playing days has evolved into the legendary College Football Campus Tour. Along the way, Michael has witnessed some of the most iconic venues, jaw-dropping backdrops, and unforgettable traditions in college football.

But at the heart of it all, Barker insists he’s just a regular guy.

“I travel to games, and the number one thing I want to do is meet people.”

In this episode, Michael shares his journey, his 2025 travel schedule, and why he believes FCS college football is the greatest sport in the world and a better version of football than the FBS.

His passion isn’t just about the stadiums, it’s about the fans and the community he discovers in every corner of the country.

Follow Michael’s journey on Twitter @CFBCampusTour, and step inside the life of college football’s ultimate road warrior.