FCS Chaos Saturday: Wild Upsets, DakotaDome Thrillers, and Defenses Holding the Line

NORMAL, Ill. — Week 8 of the 2026 FCS college football season delivered non-stop drama across the AFCA Top 25 landscape. From classic Dakota rivalry thrillers to shocking HBCU upsets and tight red-zone defensive battles, Saturday’s action reshaped playoff contention and conference title races nationwide. The race for the FCS playoffs begins, and the top teams are positioning themselves for the finish.

Here is how the biggest matchups across the country went down on an unforgettable autumn afternoon.

#6 South Dakota Outlasts #8 North Dakota 26-23 in DakotaDome Thriller

In one of the most anticipated Missouri Valley Football Conference battles of the year, No. 6 South Dakota edged out No. 8 North Dakota 26-23 in front of a raucous crowd inside the DakotaDome.

The Coyotes relied on balance and timely field goal execution. Running back Charles Pierre Jr. anchored the South Dakota ground game, rushing 21 times for 128 hard-fought yards, while backup quarterback Jackson Proctor punched in a critical short-yardage touchdown. Under center, Austyn Modrzewski threw two touchdown passes—including a strike to wideout Brayden White, who hauled in 6 catches for 101 yards and a score.

North Dakota fought back behind quarterback Jerry Kaminski, who threw for 251 yards, and kicker Kenten Laughman, who drilled three field goals (including a 46-yarder). However, the Coyotes’ defense sealed the victory by sacking Kaminski five times—led by sacks from Samuel Samè and Chris Dixon—and forcing two fumbles to maintain their grip on the upper echelon of the MVFC.

𝐘𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐍 ‼️

BRAYDEN WHITE TOUCHDOWN!

OVERTIME TOP-10 WIN!!!

#GoYotes https://t.co/XeT6fP8KJf

— South Dakota Football (@SDCoyotesFB) October 24, 2026

Upset of the Day: Bethune-Cookman Stuns Jackson State 24-21

The biggest shockwave of Week 8 came from Daytona Stadium, where Bethune-Cookman pulled off the ultimate upset of the day by edging out Jackson State 24-21.

The Wildcats relied on dual-threat quarterback Tyler Jefferson, who managed the game expertly with 113 passing yards, 3 touchdown passes, and a team-high 68 rushing yards on 19 carries. Jefferson spread the wealth, finding Rashon Brown, Joseph Evans, and Rickie Shaw II for touchdown grabs. Meanwhile, running back Deanwar Johnson provided extra punch on the ground with 81 yards on just 9 carries.

Jackson State attempted to rally behind running back Li’Darius Pryor (61 rushing yards, 1 TD) and wideout Nate Rembert (5 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD). But Bethune-Cookman’s defense came through in key moments, bringing down Tigers quarterback Jared Lockhart for four sacks and forcing a critical fumble to secure the monumental victory.

Villanova Takes Down #12 Lehigh 24-18

In a gritty non-conference matchup, Villanova held off No. 12 Lehigh 24-18 at Villanova Stadium.

Villanova’s backfield duo of Ja’briel Mace and Isaiah Ragland proved to be the difference-maker. Mace rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown while adding a 12-yard reception. Ragland added 44 rushing yards, 16 receiving yards, and scored a touchdown of his own. Wildcats quarterback Pat McQuaide chipped in 194 passing yards and scored on a quarterback keeper.

Lehigh made a valiant second-half push behind running back Luke Yoder, who accumulated 132 rushing yards on 20 carries and scored a touchdown. Quarterback Derek Morgan added 94 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown while throwing for 134 yards. However, Villanova’s defense, anchored by sacks from Omari Bursey and Garrett Rogan, forced turnover-on-downs inside the final minutes to deny the Mountain Hawks.

No. 10 Illinois State Redbirds Survive Indiana State 17-10 on Homecoming

Illinois State survived a heavy scare on Homecoming at Hancock Stadium, leaning on a relentless red-zone defense to hold off Indiana State 17-10.

Despite being outgained 359 to 285 in total yardage, the Redbirds made plays when it mattered most. Running back Victor Dawson carried the offense with 57 rushing yards and the game’s decisive touchdown, while quarterback Beckham Pellant threw for 174 yards. Indiana State pushed the Redbirds to the brink behind quarterback Brady Allen (279 passing yards, 1 TD) and receiver Jayden Reed (9 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD). However, three Sycamore turnovers—including an interception by Key Crowell and forced fumbles by Dexter Niekamp and Ben Harman—allowed Illinois State to preserve the tight victory.