10 FCS football midseason superlatives

We're at about the midseason point of the 2024 FCS football season. It's time to hand out some superlatives as we reflect on the season that's been and look forward to what's to come. Here are 10 superlatives — five for teams and five for individuals.

Bright lights star

This award goes to the player who stepped up under immense pressure. That player is Idaho quarterback Jack Wagner. Wagner became the starting quarterback after Jack Layne suffered an injury in a season-opening loss to Oregon where the Vandals pushed a top-five FBS team to the wire. Those were big shoes to fill.

Wagner not only filled those shoes, but he led Idaho to an FBS win over Wyoming in his first start of the year. Wagner stepped up in a high-pressure moment, leading the Vandals to the first of many wins.

Bounceback player of the year

This award goes to the player who bounced back after adversity. Stephen F. Austin quarterback Sam Vidlak takes this award after finding success in his new home. 

Stephen F. Austin is Vidlak's fourth school of his college career. Vidlak verbally committed to Montana out of high school before ultimately going to Oregon State as a freshman, transferring to Boise State the next year and then transferring to Montana in 2023. Vidlak transferred to the Grizzlies hoping to become the starter, but ended up the backup as Montana reached the title game. Vidlak entered the transfer portal one more time before finding a home at Stephen F. Austin.

Now a Lumberjack, Vidlak is fourth in the FCS in passing touchdowns and efficiency, and ninth in passing yards. He's bouncing back in a big way, most recently leading SFA to a ranked win over Lamar on Oct. 12.

Best individual play

Just watch this catch from Robert Morris' Rob Carter Jr.

In case you missed it, check out this acrobatic interception by Rob Carter Jr. to end the half. #BobbyMo pic.twitter.com/EwE9XxXmk9

— RMU Football (@RMU_Football) September 1, 2024

Most dependable player

The most dependable player in the FCS is Monmouth running back Sone Ntoh. He's almost a shoo-in for a touchdown when the football gets near the goal line. Of Ntoh's FCS-leading 13 rushing touchdowns, 10 have come from seven yards or closer to the endzone. He had four such touchdowns during a five-touchdown day against Fordham.

BRACKETOLOGY: 2024 FCS playoff bracket predictions after the first full month of the season

Breakout performance

This year's breakout performance of the year belongs to Montana State running back Adam Jones. In Week 0, Jones entered the spotlight as he ran for 167 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown was 93 yards and even without the long gain, he still averaged 4.6 yards per carry. His lone score was pivotal in Montana State landing the first FCS-over-FBS upset of the year.

The reason it's a breakout performance is that Jones wasn't supposed to be the impact player in a backfield that featured returning running back Scottre Humphrey — who had eight rushing touchdowns last year — and star dual-threat quarterback Tommy Mellott.

Most dominant performance

Most of the time, fans expect rivalry games to be close. That wasn't the case in this year's Aggie-Eagle Classic. North Carolina Central dominated North Carolina A&T 66-24, leading 40-12 by halftime. NCCU scored on special teams with a blocked punt and even had the backups playing by the third quarter. It's always sweet to beat your rival, and for NC Central the blowout was sweeter.

UPSET TRACKER: Every FCS-over-FBS upset in 2024

Team that lived up to the hype

The team that has lived up to the offseason hype this year has been Tarleton State. In its first year of FCS playoff eligibility, Tarleton State is 6-1, undefeated against the FCS. The Texans had preseason hype after finishing last year on a four-game win streak and with only two FCS losses. Since opening the season ranked 21st in both polls, Tarleton State has risen to No. 9 in the coaches poll and No. 10 in the STATS Perform poll. 

Upset of the Year

This year's upset of the year is Weber State's win over then No. 8/9 Montana. The game had it all; a road underdog, a kickoff returned for a touchdown, three 50-plus-yard touchdowns and more.

Weber State took a 28-10 lead before Montana retook the lead in the fourth quarter. In total, it was a game with nine ties or lead changes during regulation. Weber State forced overtime with a field goal as time expired adding to the theatrics. Then, after Weber State scored on its opening possession of overtime, the Wildcats forced a fumble on Montana's first play of overtime to win the game.

It was an instant classic in the Big Sky.

UPSET TRACKER: Every FCS-over-FBS upset in 2024

Top team unit

The top unit in FCS football is Mercer's defense. Just take a look at these numbers from the Bears on the defensive side of the ball.

Updating the @MercerFootball defensive dominance stats

Mercer's defense and special teams have scored 44 points.

The Bears have only allowed 34 points on the season. 3 punt returns, two pick sixes, 1 fumble return and 1 safety in six games.

ELITE! https://t.co/eXZDM9w89K

— Stan Becton (@stan_becton) October 12, 2024

You can't run on Mercer. The Bears have the No. 1 run defense.

You can't pass on Mercer. The Bears are No. 1 in defensive passing efficiency.

You can't score on Mercer. The Bears have the No. 1 scoring defense.

Mercer takes the ball away. The Bears lead the nation in turnovers gained and interceptions.

Mercer scores points defensively. The Bears lead the nation in defensive touchdowns.

The Mercer defense does it all.

NEXT UP: Bryce Lance continues family legacy at North Dakota State

Sleeper team

My sleeper team at the midseason mark is Chattanooga. You're probably thinking to yourself, "Did Stan just list a team that was ranked No. 8/9 in the preseason as a sleeper team?" Yes, I did.

Chattanooga is unranked currently in the FCS Coaches Poll and only ranked No. 19 in the STATS Perform Poll. The Mocs started the season 0-3, but only one of those losses was to an FCS team. In that FCS loss, Chattanooga only lost by one possession to a top-10 Mercer team. The Mocs have since won three straight games including a win over a then-ranked ETSU team.

Look ahead at the rest of the Chattanooga schedule and you'll notice that there's a chance they won't play another ranked opponent the rest of the season. The Mocs have a great shot to turn their season around and run the table, looking like the top-10 team they were projected to be to start the season.