FCS Nation

🏈🍋 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.

This week's FCS Nation Honorary Captain spotlight takes us to Albany, New York, where University at Albany defensive back Donny Jones is making an impact that extends far beyond the football field.Jones joins FCS Nation's Stone Labanowitz alongside Alessandro Tronco, Managing Partner of Northwestern Mutual's Capital Region office, for a conversation about football, community, leadership and the opportunity to use his growing platform for something bigger than the game itself.A Capital Region native and former Christian Brothers Academy standout, Jones has deep roots in the Albany community. His reputation as both an athlete and a person made him a natural choice to represent Northwestern Mutual's Capital Region team in this season's FCS Nation Honorary Captain initiative, benefiting Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and its mission to fight childhood cancer.Donny discusses his initial reaction to being selected, what it means to represent his hometown on and off the field, and why the opportunity to support children and families battling cancer was one he couldn't pass up. From the sidelines at UAlbany football games to the community's involvement in the Lemon Top Challenge, the Capital Region has rallied around Jones and the mission behind his Honorary Captain campaign.Alessandro offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Donny was selected, the importance of finding athletes who embody the values of the initiative, and why this partnership represents a different side of the NIL landscape. While NIL continues to transform college athletics, the Honorary Captain program demonstrates how student-athletes can leverage their visibility to create meaningful change rather than simply pursue personal financial opportunities.The conversation also explores Northwestern Mutual's longstanding relationship with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, a partnership dating back to 2012 that has helped generate substantial support for childhood cancer research and families facing unimaginable challenges. Alessandro reflects on the foundation's origins, the extraordinary power of communities working together, and the impact that fundraising efforts of all sizes can have when united behind a common mission.Now in its fourth season, the FCS Nation Honorary Captain initiative brings together student-athletes from across the Football Championship Subdivision to raise awareness and funds for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Each athlete represents their school, their community and, most importantly, a cause that reaches far beyond the gridiron.From Donny's journey as a hometown standout to Alessandro's perspective on leadership, philanthropy and the future of NIL, this episode is a reminder that the influence of college football players isn't measured solely in tackles, touchdowns or wins.Football provides the platform. The Honorary Captain initiative provides the purpose. And together, we're working toward a future without childhood cancer. 🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋Tune in to hear Donny Jones and Alessandro Tronco discuss the people, partnerships and purpose behind this season's Honorary Captain campaign.Learn more about FCS Nation at FCSNationRadio.com and support the fight against childhood cancer through Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.