FCS Nation

Football is the platform, but fighting childhood cancer is the mission. 🍋🍋🍋 This week's FCS Nation Radio Honorary Captain of the Week is Marist running back Lincoln Cardillo, who joins Stone Labanowitz alongside Kevin Caccomo, Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual's Poughkeepsie Network Office, for a powerful conversation about using the game of football to make a difference.With more than $5,200 raised in support of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, Lincoln is helping lead the charge in Season 4 of the Northwestern Mutual x FCS Nation Radio Fight Against Childhood Cancer Challenge.The conversation goes far beyond the football field, as Lincoln opens up about his family's personal experience with cancer, his passion for community service, the importance of giving back and why he believes the FCS represents one of the purest forms of college football.Plus, Lincoln previews Marist's pivotal matchup against Butler, discusses the brotherhood inside the Red Foxes' locker room and shares why this opportunity means so much more than wins and losses.Hear how Lincoln, Kevin and the Poughkeepsie community are turning football into a force for good, one donation and one Lemon Top Challenge at a time.Join the fight against childhood cancer! Participate in the Lemon Top Challenge by balancing a lemon on your head, posting a photo on social media and using #FoxholeGuys to support Lincoln's fundraising efforts.

November is delivering plenty of drama!On this week's episode of FCS Nation Radio, we're breaking down another wild weekend across the subdivision, including Montana State's triple-overtime escape against Idaho State, Lamar's statement victory over Stephen F. Austin and the latest developments involving South Dakota State, Tarleton State, Youngstown State and the rest of the national contenders.With Selection Sunday approaching, the conversations are getting tougher. Who deserves a top eight seed? Which teams have the strongest résumés? And how much should strength of schedule matter when comparing playoff hopefuls?We dive into the latest FCS Nation Top 25 rankings, spotlight standout performances from around the country and preview another loaded weekend featuring massive conference matchups, playoff implications and potential season-defining results.As always, we're bringing the analysis, debates and score predictions as the race for the FCS national championship intensifies.It's all happening right here on FCS Nation Radio!

Football is temporary. The impact you make can last forever. 🏈🍋Idaho Vandals defensive back Mika Roberson is making plays on the field and an even bigger impact off it! As the Vandals continue their late-season surge, Roberson joins Stone Labanowitz and FCS Nation Radio alongside Cami Hartz, Director of Campus Recruitment for Northwestern Mutual's Hanson Network Office, for a special Honorary Captain of the Week interview.Roberson takes us inside Idaho's remarkable turnaround, the unwavering belief instilled by head coach Thomas Ford Jr. and the mentality behind the Vandals' recent success, including their statement victories over Montana and Montana State.But this conversation goes wellllllll beyond football.As part of the Northwestern Mutual × Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation × FCS Nation Challenge, Roberson shares his personal connection to the fight against cancer, why this opportunity means more than a traditional NIL partnership and how the Vandal community is rallying behind a cause much bigger than the game.Plus, Hartz takes us behind the scenes of the partnership, the impact of the Lemon Top Challenge and how fans can join the fight against childhood cancer.🍋 VANDAL NATION, IT'S YOUR TURN! Join the #LemonTopChallenge! Balance a lemon on your head, snap a photo and post it using #LemonTopChallenge and #GoVandals, tagging Northwestern Mutual and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. The Northwestern Mutual Foundation will donate $10 for each qualifying post!You can also support Mika's fundraising efforts directly through the link: Northwestern Mutual & FCS Nation 2026 | Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer🎙️ Tune in for an inspiring conversation about football, family, community and using your platform to make a difference. V's UP!!!!!!!!

With just weeks remaining in the regular season, the debates are getting LOUDERRRRRR!This week on FCS Nation Radio, we're breaking down another wild weekend across the FCS, including Tarleton State's narrow escape against Eastern Kentucky, Montana State's dominant performance, South Dakota State's statement win over South Dakota and Youngstown State's thriller against North Dakota.Then, things get SPICY as Kev dives into the latest FCS Nation Top 25! Are undefeated records being rewarded too heavily? Does strength of schedule matter anymore? And are the Missouri Valley and Big Sky really getting preferential treatment, or have they earned their respect? (was laughing while typing this - Stone)Plus, we're handing out our Players of the Week, spotlighting standout performances and diving into a loaded Week 10 slate with major conference championship and playoff implications.🔥 On the docket:No. 1 Montana State looks to keep rolling against Idaho State.No. 2 South Dakota State faces Northern Iowa.No. 3 Tarleton State gets a massive test against Abilene Christian.Undefeated Stephen F. Austin travels to Lamar for a Southland showdown.Illinois State and North Dakota clash in a critical MVFC matchup.More marquee matchups, upset specials and our weekly score predictions!The playoff picture is taking shape, the pressure is mounting and nobody is safe from the FCS Nation crew!🍋 Get Involved: Northwestern Mutual & FCS Nation 2026 | Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

McNeese Cowboys quarterback Jake Strong joins Stone Labanowitz on FCS Nation Radio alongside Jonathan Conrad, Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual's Habetz Network Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana, for the latest Honorary Captain Interview in the Northwestern Mutual x Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation x FCS Nation Challenge.The conversation goes beyond football as Jake shares how his family's personal experiences with cancer have shaped his perspective on life and inspired him to use his platform to make a difference. Jonathan opens up about losing his mother to breast cancer at a young age, the importance of giving back and why Jake was the perfect choice to represent the Habetz Network Office.Together, they discuss how this unique partnership is turning college athletics into a powerful force in the fight against childhood cancer, the impact of the Lemon Top Challenge and how Cowboys fans can rally behind their quarterback to help fund lifesaving research.Support Jake Strong and the Habetz Network Office in the fight against childhood cancer!🍋 DONATE HERE: https://www.alexslemonade.org/2026/jake-strong-x-habetz-network-office-x-mcneese-state-university🎙️ More FCS coverage, interviews and updates at FCSNationRadio.com.

We're breaking down the biggest results from Week 8, the latest shakeup in the FCS Nation Top 25, and the teams making moves as the postseason race intensifies.From the Missouri Valley and Big Sky title races to Campbell's incredible turnaround, we take a look at who's rising, who's falling, and which contenders have the most to prove.Plus, our Players of the Week, the biggest storylines from around the FCS, and our picks for a loaded Week 9 slate featuring several ranked showdowns. 💰💰💰💰💰💰

🏈🍋 More Than Football: The Citadel's Braylon Knauth Named FCS Nation Honorary Captain of the Week!This week's FCS Nation Honorary Captain of the Week, presented by Northwestern Mutual and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, is The Citadel's do-it-all playmaker Braylon Knauth!FCS Nation's Kevin Marshall sits down with Knauth, a wide receiver, punt returner and kick returner for the Bulldogs, alongside Amanda Hall, Executive Director of Recruitment and Selection for Northwestern Mutual's Worrell Network Office, to discuss how college football, leadership and community partnerships are making an impact far beyond the field.Knauth shares what life is really like as a cadet-student-athlete at The Citadel, the demanding daily schedule that comes with attending a military college, and how his teammates and coaches have shaped his approach to leadership. Hall explains what made Knauth the perfect choice for this year's partnership, the incredible support from the Charleston community, and how Northwestern Mutual's ongoing efforts with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation are helping advance the fight against childhood cancer.The conversation also highlights the power of NIL to create meaningful change, a special team event at Charleston's '541 King', and an initiative that has helped raise more than $250,000 over three football seasons.Plus, Knauth talks football as the Bulldogs prepare for a major Southern Conference showdown against Tennessee Tech at 2 p.m. ET, with rivalry matchups against Furman and VMI still ahead.It's football with a purpose, and a reminder that the biggest impact an athlete can make doesn't always happen between the lines.🍋 Supporting Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and the fight against childhood cancer.

The FCS football playoff race is heating up, and Week 8 is probably bringing more chaos!This week on the show, we're breaking down another wild weekend, including North Dakota's stunning upset of No. 1 South Dakota State.We dive into the madness of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the latest shakeup in the FCS Nation Top 25, and the teams making moves as the race for the FCS Playoffs intensifies. Who's a legitimate national championship contender, and which highly ranked programs should be hitting the panic button?We preview the biggest matchups across the country, breaking down our Head Turners, highlighting key players to watch, and identifying the teams with the most to prove as conference championship races heat up.Plus, we've got our Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, standout performances, bold predictions, upset alerts, and picks for another loaded weekend of FCS football.With the playoff picture becoming more unpredictable by the week, every game matters. Who survives, who stumbles, and who's ready to make a statement?All that and more on this week's episode of FCS Nation Radio!Northwestern Mutual & FCS Nation 2026 | Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

The FCS landscape is heating up, and Week 7 delivered plenty of reasons to shake up the rankings. Kevin Marshall and Stone Labanowitz are back on FCS Nation Radio to break down the biggest results across the country, unveil the latest FCS Nation Top 25, spotlight standout performances and preview another loaded weekend of FCS football.Northern Arizona made one of the loudest statements of the season, knocking off No. 2 Montana in a 49-44 thriller behind a six-touchdown performance from quarterback Ty Pennington. The Lumberjacks are surging, and the guys discuss what the win means for the Big Sky race, Montana's outlook and Northern Arizona's emergence as a legitimate national contender.Meanwhile, Tarleton State kept its undefeated season rolling with a 40-32 road victory over Austin Peay. Quarterback Kaden Anderson continued to impress as the Texans strengthened their position near the top of the national rankings. The guys also revisit Northern Iowa's win over North Dakota, Youngstown State's offensive explosion, South Dakota's continued momentum and Lamar's dramatic victory over UIW.With South Dakota State holding the No. 1 spot in the latest FCS Nation Top 25, Kevin and Stone examine the movement throughout the rankings, the teams gaining ground and the programs facing questions as conference races intensify. Plus, a look at the week's top individual performances and the players making a name for themselves on the national stage.Special Guest: Lamar Head Coach Pete RossomandoLamar Cardinals head coach Pete Rossomando joins Kevin Marshall for an inside look at one of the FCS's most physical football teams. Rossomando discusses the Cardinals' downhill rushing attack, the development of quarterback Aiden McCown and why winning in the trenches remains central to Lamar's identity. He also shares his philosophy on tackling and physical practices, highlights key defensive contributors and gives some well-deserved recognition to the unsung heroes making an impact on special teams.The conversation comes as Lamar continues its push in the Southland Conference, with a pivotal matchup against Southeastern Louisiana on deck.Looking Ahead: Week 7 PreviewThe upcoming slate features major conference implications and several matchups that could reshape the national picture. South Dakota State travels to North Dakota, Northern Iowa faces a surging Youngstown State squad, and undefeated Tarleton State welcomes Central Arkansas. Out west, Montana looks to rebound against Idaho, Montana State visits Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona aims to build on its statement victory when it hosts Portland State.Kevin and Stone break down the matchups, identify key players to watch and discuss which teams have the most to prove as the FCS playoff picture begins to take shape.And, of course, the show wraps up with the weekly picks, upset specials and predictions as the guys put their football knowledge to the test.From statement wins and rising contenders to coaching insight and pivotal conference showdowns, it's another packed edition of FCS Nation Radio.Follow us at @FCSNationRadio1 for weekly analysis, interviews, rankings and coverage from across the Football Championship Subdivision.Visit FCSNationRadio.com for more FCS football coverage.

Lamar Cardinals head coach Pete Rossomando joins Kevin Marshall on FCS Nation Radio for an in-depth conversation about the Cardinals' rise in the FCS, their physical identity and the players helping establish Lamar as a legitimate contender this season.Ranked No. 10 in the FCS Nation Top 25, Lamar has quietly put together an impressive campaign behind a downhill rushing attack, a physical defense and a commitment to winning in the trenches. Rossomando explains why he's stayed true to an old-school approach in an era increasingly dominated by spread offenses and how the Cardinals' versatility allows them to create problems for opposing defenses.The conversation also dives into the development of quarterback Aiden McCown, whose football pedigree includes an 18-year NFL veteran father and a brother playing quarterback at UTSA. Rossomando discusses McCown's unconventional path to the position, his growth as a leader and the work behind his emergence as a dual-threat weapon for the Cardinals.On the defensive side, Rossomando shares his philosophy on teaching tackling in today's college football landscape, why full-contact practices remain an important part of Lamar's preparation and how players have helped set the tone defensively.Kevin also asks Rossomando to spotlight the players who rarely receive recognition but make a difference every week. From long snapper Jacob Hefner to special teams' contributors Nick Rossomando and Daike Yoshikawa, the head coach gives credit to the guys doing the dirty work that doesn't always show up in the box score.The interview wraps up with a look ahead to Lamar's upcoming Southland Conference showdown against Southeastern Louisiana as the Cardinals look to continue building momentum and proving they belong among the FCS elite.Catch the full conversation on FCS Nation Radio with Kevin Marshall.