FCS Nation

College football is BACK, and so is FCS Nation Radio! Kevin and Stone kick off the new season with a jam-packed Week 0 episode you won’t want to miss.

First up, we’re joined by the one and only Michael Barker (@CFBCampusTour), the craziest man in all of college athletics. Michael has already checked off 136/136 FBS stadiums and 93/129 FCS stadiums, and he’s nowhere near done. He gives us the inside scoop on his ambitious travel schedule for this season and what’s on his calendar as he makes serious progress through the FCS landscape.

Then, we dive into our Week 0 preview, breaking down everything you need to know about the first slate of games:

• Incarnate Word at Nicholls
• Idaho State at UNLV
• Tarleton State at Portland State
• UC Davis vs Mercer (Montgomery, AL – 7:00 PM on ESPN)
• NC Central vs Southern (Atlanta, GA – on ABC)

We’ll tell you why this season feels wide open with no clear-cut #1 team in the FCS, and what that means for fans.

Kevin and Stone break some big news: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Northwestern Mutual, and FCS Nation Radio are teaming up once again for Season 3 of the fundraising challenge. With 20+ athletes on board, the competition is on to see who can raise the most money for pediatric cancer. We’ll break down how it works, how you can get involved, and why this cause means so much to us.

And of course, it wouldn’t be FCS Nation without the picks segment. We’re giving you the scores and the reasoning behind them so you don’t have to stress, just sit back, enjoy, and let us handle the work.

It’s Week 0. It’s FCS Nation. It’s college football season again. Let’s go. 🏈

The Lemon Trophy Champion – Mark Gronowski

Join us for an unforgettable interview with Mark Gronowski, winner of the prestigious 2024-2025 Lemon Trophy, awarded to the top FCS athlete who raised the most money in the fight against childhood cancer. Representing South Dakota State University, Mark rallied the incredible support of #JackrabbitNation, raising over $30,000 for Northwestern Mutual and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. From the field to the fundraising front, Mark proved why he’s not just an exceptional athlete but also a compassionate leader. 🏆💛

Alongside Mark is Chris Schenkel, Managing Partner at Northwestern Mutual Sioux Falls, the visionary behind this initiative for the past two years. Together, they discuss the power of community, the passion that fueled their efforts, and the difference this campaign has made for families battling childhood cancer.

We also reflect on Mark’s legendary career ... 10,330 passing yards, 1,767 rushing yards, and 130 touchdowns, and his transition to Iowa City, where he’ll take the field as an Iowa Hawkeye. Mark shares his heartfelt farewell to #JackrabbitNation and his "WHY" for continuing to champion this cause, proving that his impact goes far beyond football.

After listening, show your support for Mark by connecting with us on X/Twitter @FCSNationRadio1. Let’s send him off with the love and pride of FCS Nation!

The stage is set for an epic showdown in Frisco, Texas, as the top-seeded Montana State Bobcats (15-0) take on the powerhouse North Dakota State Bison (13-2) in the FCS National Championship! In this special episode, Kevin and Stone gear up for the big game, breaking down all the key storylines and sharing their journey to Frisco.

Hear audio of Montana State Head Coach Brent Vigen and star quarterback Tommy Mellott, as they prepare to chase history with a perfect season on the line. We also hear from South Dakota Coyotes play-by-play announcer John Thayer to recap the semifinal action, and North Dakota State’s first-year Head Coach Tim Polasek and QB Cam Miller offer their insights as the Bison aim for another title during their press conferences.

Plus, we’re shining a spotlight on an incredible cause: a live auction featuring signed jerseys, helmets, and memorabilia from NFL legends, benefiting Northwestern Mutual’s partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand to fight childhood cancer.

And don’t miss the Picks Segment, where we give our score predictions for the chip game. Can't miss episode ... so don't miss it.

Kevin Marshall caught up with Eric Schmidt on FCS Nation Radio to talk about his return to the University of North Dakota as the new head coach of the Fighting Hawks. Eric’s coaching journey has taken him to some big programs—San Diego State, Washington, Fresno State, but UND has always held a special place in his heart.

During his time at SDSU and Washington, Eric helped build defenses that were among the best in the nation, coaching standout players and taking teams to major milestones like the College Football Playoff. Now, he’s bringing all that experience back to UND, where he’s no stranger to success. This is his third stint with the program, and he’s helped lead the Fighting Hawks to FCS playoff berths before.

Eric shared his vision for the program, his passion for developing players both on and off the field, and what it feels like to return to a place where his football journey really began. If you’re curious about what’s next for UND football, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

• RECAP of the SEMIFINAL ROUND
• FCS COACHING CAROUSEL
• ERIC SCHMIDT -- UND HEAD COACH INTERVIEW
• GREY ZABEL | Honorary Captain of the Week
• Championship Preview

• QUARTERFINAL RECAP
• JUCO RULING + NEW HEAD COACHING HIRES
• HONORARY CAPTAINS = South Dakota Coyote Quarterback Aidan Bouman and Northwestern Mutual's Chris Schenkel
• PREVIEW SEGMENT
• PICKS SEGMENT

In this episode, we sit down with Aidan Bouman, quarterback for the South Dakota Coyotes, who has led his team to the FCS semifinals. Aidan shares his inspiring journey this season, dedicating his play to the fight against childhood cancer. He takes us behind the scenes of the Coyote locker room and reveals what it took to reach this pivotal point in the season. Also joining the conversation is Chris Schenkel from Northwestern Mutual Sioux Falls, who has built a strong relationship with Aidan over the years. Aidan, the former Lemon Trophy winner for raising the most funds for childhood cancer, is back and determined to defend his title this year. Tune in for a heartwarming and inspiring conversation with Chris, Aidan, and Stone about football, philanthropy, and the power of giving back! Head to FCSNATIONRADIO.COM to DONATE TODAY!! #GoYotes

PLAYOFFS?! Yep ... WE COVER IT ALL!

This week, we’re thrilled to spotlight Bo Belquist, standout wide receiver for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, as our honorary captain of the week! Thanks to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and Northwestern Mutual, Bo is leading the charge in the fight against childhood cancer, showing leadership far beyond the field.

Tune in to hear how Bo’s impact in this national fundraising challenge is helping to change lives. Fighting Hawks fans, let’s rally behind Bo and show the strength of UND Nation!

This week, we’re honored to highlight North Dakota State’s standout offensive tackle, Grey Zabel, as our honorary captain of the week, thanks to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and Northwestern Mutual. Grey has dedicated his season to supporting the fight against childhood cancer, showing that leadership extends far beyond the football field.

Bison fans, you know the standard Grey and his team uphold both on and off the field. As a key member of NDSU’s 10-2 season and a projected first-round draft pick, Grey represents the very best of college football. With an impressive 91.8 grade as the highest-rated offensive tackle in the FCS, he’s not just a force on the gridiron but also an inspiration in the community.

Tune in as we discuss Grey’s impact through this national fundraising challenge, where 12 stars from 12 FCS schools aim to raise over six figures for childhood cancer research. You’ll hear from Grey about his experience with the challenge, how it’s prepared him for the future, and what this means for his legacy at NDSU.

Bison fans, this is your chance to rally behind Grey and help him make a difference. Let’s show the power of the Bison Nation in the fight against childhood cancer.

Don’t miss this episode. It’s about football, leadership, and changing lives! #PlayWith12