FCS Football Talk

Episode 22: The Bracket Is Here And We Look Ahead to Saturday & Turkey

November 19, 2018 23:16 - 1 hour - 56.4 MB

Sam and Brian analyze the bracket and look forward to potential matchups down the line in the FCS Playoffs. How tough is NDSU's side of the bracket? Will a Big Sky team finally make it back to Frisco, or will somebody else mess that up? In many ways, we talked turkey, FCS style. Or maybe that it is that we are turkeys. Or maybe I should wrap up this description before I lose listeners.

COACHES CORNER: NDSU's Chris Klieman (Nov. 14)

November 15, 2018 16:56 - 15 minutes - 4.25 MB

North Dakota State head football coach Chris Klieman climbs on board with The FCS Coaches Corner with HERO Sports' Brian McLaughlin. We talked perfection, efficiency, Easton Stick and Greg Menard in their 17th years of eligibility, and what a tough S*B Klieman's famous dad was in Waterloo, Iowa when NDSU's coach was a kid.

Episode 21: How big is this bubble? How many "play-in" games are there this weekend?

November 14, 2018 01:29 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MB

The FCS Playoffs are upon us, the conference title scenarios are nutty, and there are bubble teams all over the place -- but by Sunday afternoon we'll have endured Selection Sunday and all of that will be behind us. How much craziness do we have ahead of us in the next week?

COACHES CORNER: SEMO's Tom Matukewicz (11-7-18)

November 08, 2018 16:06 - 16 minutes - 4.32 MB

SEMO head coach Tom Matukewicz joins the FCS Coaches Corner and talks about the Redhawks' rise to prominence in the OVC and FCS, what it was like to get his first head coaching win -- in a bowl game -- and how nice it was to stop Jacksonville State's OVC win streak.

COACHES CORNER: Colgate's Dan Hunt (11-7-18)

November 08, 2018 13:53 - 23 minutes - 6.1 MB

Colgate head coach Dan Hunt talks about an undefeated season (so far), the history on the campus in Hamilton (N.Y.), and has anybody tried to clone star defensive player Nick Wheeler yet ... and if not, why not?

Episode 20: When will the craziness end? Can the CAA get six teams into the playoffs? Which games matter most this weekend?

November 07, 2018 03:57 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MB

When it comes to the FCS Playoff pictures, bring the Windex because the window for viewing might need a little bit of cleaning so you can make out the details on the other side. The FCS has been nuts, folks, and it's about to get nuttier. Where does JMU fit in now after a loss? Can a league get 6 teams in the FCS Playoffs for the first time? We talk about it all.

COACHES CORNER: UC Davis' Dan Hawkins

November 06, 2018 20:24 - 25 minutes - 6.8 MB

UC Davis head coach Dan Hawkins comes on the FCS Coaches Corner and talks about the key upcoming game at Eastern Washington, the culture at his alma mater and what it was like to coach at Boise State and Colorado.

FCS COACHES CORNER: JMU coach Mike Houston (Oct 2018)

October 31, 2018 20:36 - 13 minutes - 3.65 MB

In this FCS Coaches Corner episode, Mike Houston talks about the scenic trip to New Hampshire this weekend, CAA super depth, whether teaching chemistry can help create chemistry on a Division I team -- and Halloween with the Houstons, with Daddy getting the final inspection of all Peanut Butter Cups.

Coaches Corner: Samford Coach Chris Hatcher

October 25, 2018 13:18 - 19 minutes - 5.46 MB

HERO Sports FCS Coordinator Brian McLaughlin dials up Samford head coach Chris Hatcher, as All-Americans Devlin Hodges and Kelvin McKnight prepare for a stretch run at the FCS Playoffs.

Episode 19: Which Upsets were Actually Upsets? Plus a Big Week 9 Preview and the Great Debate for No. 2

October 24, 2018 12:35 - 1 hour - 70.4 MB

When will the upsets stop?! Brian McLaughlin, Sam Herder and Chase Kiddy sit down to discuss a tumultuous Week 8 schedule were there were more than a dozen upsets with FCS Football playoff implications. The guys go around the country and play a game of "Upset or No Upset?" They also discuss North Dakota State's Upset Alert fatigue and debate who the real No. 2 team in the country is before previewing a big Week 9 slate. Seeds should be decided this week! Mailbag: Which conference has the best...

The Extra Point: JMU QB Ben DiNucci, RB Cardon Johnson Assess JMU Offense

October 24, 2018 02:59 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MB

HERO Sports' CAA writer Chase Kiddy catches up with three key figures surrounding the James Madison football team -- quarterback Ben DiNucci, sixth-year senior tailback Cardon Johnson and head coach Mike Houston -- ahead of a critical conference game with Stony Brook. DiNucci and Johnson cover what's going well, and what can still be improved on, with JMU's (39.7 ppg) top-10 offense. Coach Houston believes Stony Brook will provide one of the stiffest challenges of the season.

Coaches Corner: Wofford Coach Josh Conklin

October 18, 2018 15:49 - 18 minutes - 4.9 MB

HERO Sports FCS Coordinator Brian McLaughlin talks with Wofford head coach Josh Conklin two days before a major SoCon showdown with first-place East Tennessee State.

Coaches Corner: Murray State Coach Mitch Stewart

October 18, 2018 11:56 - 30 minutes - 8.43 MB

HERO Sports FCS Coordinator Brian McLaughlin interviews Murray State football coach Mitch Stewart, whose Racers team is undefeated in OVC play so far this season.

Episode 18: Upset City! Four Top-10 teams Go Down; Is Montana Done?

October 17, 2018 12:12 - 1 hour - 58.8 MB

Brian McLaughlin, Sam Herder and Chase Kiddy tackle the toughest week of the season, as No. 4 Eastern Washington, No. 5 Elon, No. 6 Wofford and No. 10 North Carolina A&T all lost last weekend. Should Eastern Washington be forgiven because All-American Gage Gubrud didn't play? And after a blowout loss at the hands of North Dakota, does Montana have any shot at getting back in the playoff conversation? Plus more ETSU debate, a Mailbag question on NCAT's updated playoff odds and the second waive...

Coaches Corner: Illinois State Coach Brock Spack

October 17, 2018 01:24 - 22 minutes - 6.02 MB

HERO Sports FCS Coordinator Brian McLaughlin chats with Illinois State head coach Brock Spack, who is preparing for a huge game against No. 1 North Dakota State in Fargo this weekend.

Coaches Corner: East Tennessee State Coach Randy Sanders

October 15, 2018 16:25 - 15 minutes - 4.23 MB

HERO Sports FCS Coordinator Brian McLaughlin dials up East Tennessee State head coach Randy Sanders, who is fresh off securing the Bucs' first winning season since the program was restarted in 2015. ETSU is currently 6-1 and in first place in the Southern Conference.

Coaches Corner: Portland State Coach Bruce Barnum

October 10, 2018 20:42 - 18 minutes - 4.71 MB

HERO Sports FCS Coordinator talks with Portland State head coach Bruce Barnum following a massive upset win over Big Sky rival Montana in Missoula.

Episode 17: JMU, Montana Suffer Shocking Losses; Hurricane Matthew Threatens HBCU Game of the Year

October 10, 2018 16:38 - 1 hour - 74.3 MB

Brian, Sam and Chase reconvene for a lengthy, surprise-filled episode of the HERO Sports FCS Podcast. Week 6 of the FCS College Football Season featured plenty of shocking road warrior upsets; Elon and Portland State got most of the headlines, but Bryant, Georgetown and Dartmouth also scored big road wins as underdogs. The guys also revisit preseason predictions and admit where they were wrong. Mailbag: when and where is the next upset going to happen? Storytime: Chase explains exactly where ...

Coaches Corner: Jacksonville State Coach John Grass

October 08, 2018 19:11 - 17 minutes - 4.57 MB

HERO Sports FCS Coordinator Brian McLaughlin dials up Gamecocks coach John Grass on the heels of a blowout road win at Eastern Kentucky.

Coaches Corner: Nicholls Coach Tim Rebowe

October 04, 2018 13:36 - 21 minutes - 5.89 MB

HERO Sports FCS Coordinator talks with Nicholls head coach Tim Rebowe about what had made the Colonels program so successful over the last four years.

Episode 16: How Good is JMU? Plus Poll Beef, Princeton and Missouri State

October 03, 2018 12:54 - 1 hour - 73.3 MB

Brian, Sam and Chase reconvene for another episode of the HERO Sports FCS Podcast in the wake of some big rivalry games. After Brian starts the pod with an update on Christion Abercrombie, the guys talk about Missouri Valley Football and craziness on the coasts. They also clarify how they approach building a poll in the wake of South Dakota State's loss to NDSU. Mailbag: who would be ranked in the top 2 if the Bison lost a conference game? Plus: Sam asks Chase how this year's JMU team compare...

Coaches Corner: Kennesaw State Coach Brian Bohannon

September 26, 2018 17:34 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MB

HERO Sports FCS Coordinator Brian McLaughlin jumps on the phone with Kennesaw State head coach Brian Bohannon for a wide-ranging discussion about FCS football.

Episode 15: North Dakota State, James Madison Face Huge Rivalry Tests

September 26, 2018 11:50 - 1 hour - 68.7 MB

Brian, Sam and Chase are finally starting to see a clear top level to this year's FCS hierarchy. They discuss that and more in this episode of the HERO Sports FCS Podcast, including Samford's playoff hopes and Illinois State's place in the Missouri Valley pecking order. They also play the first of three waiver rounds in the 2018 FCS Fantasy Playoff game. Mailbag: Will JMU win every CAA game by three scores? Brian and Sam disagree.

Coaches Corner: JMU Coach Mike Houston

September 25, 2018 16:07 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MB

James Madison head coach Mike Houston joins the FCS Podcast to discuss the season so far and more with Brian McLaughlin.

Episode 14: Could All Four Dakota Teams Make the FCS Playoffs?

September 19, 2018 14:15 - 1 hour - 74.7 MB

Brian, Sam and Chase get ready for conference play by recapping what they learned from some notable Week 3 upsets. Mailbag: Could all four Dakota schools really make the FCS Playoffs? What would be a more impressive conference run -- undefeated North Dakota State or undefeated James Madison? Also: South Dakota State apologized for scoring 90 points in a game. Mercer is the Pod's "Don't Sleep" Team of the Week.

Episode 13: Southland Showdown, Ivy League Kickoff and Hurricane Florence

September 12, 2018 03:36 - 1 hour - 69.4 MB

Chase might have a serious problem, with Hurricane Florence bearing down on Virginia and the Carolinas. Either way, he uses the electricity he has for now to link up with Brian & Sam and talk about the upcoming Week 3 of the FCS Season. Sam breaks down the latest results in the MVFC-Big Sky Challenge, and all three guys pick their No. 3 team between Eastern Washington and South Dakota State. Brian explains why this week's Nicholls-McNeese showdown might actually be a playoff elimination game....

Episode 12: Big Sky Rising, CAA Drama and NC State Frat Boys

September 05, 2018 21:23 - 1 hour - 67 MB

Welcome to Week 2 of the 2018 Season! Brian, Sam and Chase react to a crazy Week 1 that featured plenty of meaningful upsets. The guys play Buy or Sell, debate whether NDSU deserves an FBS Top 25 vote and warn against overlooking UC Davis. Storytime: Chase reviews NC State's press box food and recaps his encounter with some drunk frat boys in Raleigh.

The Extra Point: JMU Coach Mike Houston, QB DiNucci, WR Stapleton React to Close Loss at NC State

September 02, 2018 18:18 - 11 minutes - 10.1 MB

Following No. 2 James Madison's close loss at NC State, Head Coach Mike Houston discusses the four critical errors that led to the result. Starting quarterback Ben DiNucci and receiver Riley Stapleton offer thoughts, too.

Episode 11: JSU-NCAT Drama, Exciting Week One Matchups, #FearTheFCS Upsets

August 29, 2018 19:16 - 1 hour - 60 MB

Brian, Sam and Chase finally have games to talk about! The guys tackle the ugly (and not-so-ugly) parts of last Saturday's Kickoff Classic before looking ahead to an exciting Week 1. Closing segments: Sam asks the first mailbag question of 2018; Brian opines about the lack of an HBCU band in Montgomery; Chase's prop bet involves FCS-over-FBS upsets.

The Extra Point: North Dakota State LB Jabril Cox Talks about NDSU Mentality and Cal Poly

August 29, 2018 00:55 - 6 minutes - 6.01 MB

Our first "Extra Point" Interview! HERO Sports Lead Writer Sam Herder catches up with North Dakota State sophomore Jabril Cox, just days before the Bison begin their 2018 campaign against Cal Poly.

Montana State Head Coach Jeff Choate Talks 2018, Western Illinois

August 25, 2018 22:47 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MB

Montana State head coach Jeff Choate spoke to the media as his Bobcats prepare for Western Illinois next week.

Episode 10: Kickoff Preview & Awards Predictions

August 22, 2018 19:11 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MB

There's college football on Saturday! Brian, Sam and Chase preview the Kickoff Classic between North Carolina A&T and Jacksonville State. The guys also offer guesses at who will win the Walter Payton Award, the Buck Buchanan Award and the Eddie Robinson Award. Ending Segment: Chase offers the podcast's first prop bet.

Bonus Pod: 125 Previews Are Done!

August 18, 2018 22:18 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MB

Brian, Sam and Chase have finished writing 125 team previews, so it's time for a bonus episode of the HERO Sports FCS Podcast. What did they learn, what will they remember and what's coming next? The guys offer answers while enjoying a celebratory drink (or three).

Episode 9: 15 Questions About the 2018 FCS Season

August 15, 2018 17:58 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MB

Brian, Sam and Chase ask 15 questions This-Or-That style questions about the upcoming FCS season.

Former Stetson Star Donald Payne Talks Jacksonville Jaguars and More

August 10, 2018 17:03 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MB

Brian McLaughlin catches up with Donald Payne, formerly of the Stetson Hatters, now in the preseason of his second year in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Episode 8: The 2018 FCS Fantasy Draft

August 08, 2018 21:00 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MB

Brian, Sam and Chase each draft teams they think could win their conference or make the playoffs. The loser could be buying a lot of beer in Frisco. Also: Thoughts on Jimmye Laycock's retirement and the HERO Sports Mascot Rankings. Storytime: Chase gets dragged by a beer vendor at a Nationals game.

Former St. Francis (PA) DB Lorenzo Jerome talks opportunity with Seattle Seahawks and more

August 01, 2018 20:09 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MB

Former St. Francis (PA) defensive back Lorenzo Jerome talks with Brian McLaughlin about his opportunity with the Seattle Seahawks and more.

Episode 7: CAA Media Day Recap, Patriot League Thoughts, More FCS Previews

July 30, 2018 18:58 - 1 hour - 61.1 MB

Chase fields questions from Brian and Sam about his time in Baltimore at CAA Media Day. Plus: Brian offers his thoughts from the Patriot League teleconference, and all three guys look back on the last month of FCS Previews. Off-Topic: Brian doesn't understand the appeal of Fortnite.

Episode 6: Breaking Down the Top Storylines During FCS Media Days

July 19, 2018 23:30 - 59 minutes - 54.9 MB

Brian, Chase and Sam discuss the No. 1 storyline in each FCS conference as media days are underway. The guys also debate how many Southland Conference teams will make the 2018 playoffs and discuss Sam's article on the best traditions in the subdivision.

Episode 5: Dad's Out of Town II

July 12, 2018 21:20 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MB

While Brian sips Mai Tais in an exotic, faraway land, Sam and Chase discuss huge roster news out of Bozeman. Plus: the FCS games we most want to attend in 2018, and more thoughts on being a media member.

Ep 4: Who are the Lakers of FCS Football?

July 03, 2018 21:56 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MB

Brian, Chase & Sam react to massive news at the start of NBA Free Agency. What program compares most closely with the LA Lakers? Plus: Brian talks recruiting and offers his thoughts on our first Debate Club article; Chase teases his new segment, "really good advice".

Offseason Previews, FCS vs. FBS Atmospheres and More

June 27, 2018 21:32 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MB

Chase, Sam and Brian talk about what has jumped out when writing the early FCS "Two A Days" previews, how Brian would contrast his days being around Florida and Florida State football and how it compares to an FCS atmosphere, and what's coming up in Chase and Sam's FCS Point/Counterpoint ... and much more.

Episode 2: Dad is Out of Town

June 22, 2018 19:40 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MB

While Brian is on vacation, Sam and Chase wonder -- can you be a fan of a program and still cover the team objectively? That, plus amusing stories from the guys' time covering the two best teams in FCS Football, like the NDSU game that caused one of Sam's peers to rage quit before a post-game press conference, and the JMU game that led to people lighting stuff on fire in the streets of Harrisonburg.

Preseason Top 25 and All-Americans, HERO Sports FCS Additions

June 13, 2018 14:34 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MB

Brian, Sam and Chase debut the soon-to-be-named new FCS Podcast following the recent additions to the HERO Sports FCS Staff. They also talk off-season FCS ball, discuss their daily by-the-numbers FCS player jersey countdown and breakdown their preseason Top 25 poll and All-American teams

Episodes