FCS Football: North Dakota State, Montana Headline Winningest FCS Programs This Century
While winning eight national titles, North Dakota State posted the best record in the FCS programs during the 2010s.
But considering the Bison didn't move into Division I until 2004, does a decade's worth of dominance allow for them to be the winningest FCS program since the turn of the century?
Yes and no.
North Dakota State has the FCS' best winning percentage over the first 20 years of the 21st century — a 181-35 (.838) record, including the absurd 137-13 (.913) mark in the 2010s. The .838 winning percentage also is best in Division I, edging Boise State and Ohio State, who are both 219-43 (.836).
But Montana, which has played in all 20 years of the century, has the most FCS wins — 198, or 17 more than NDSU. The Griz are 198-67 (.747) overall, also tying for the sixth-most wins in Division I.
Does your favorite FCS power make the top 25 lists this century?
Let’s find out:
FCS Most Wins (2000-19)
1. Montana, 198
2. North Dakota State, 181
3. James Madison, 170
4. Northern Iowa, 166
5. Eastern Washington, 164
6. Dayton, 162
7. San Diego, 160
8. Sam Houston State, 158
9. Jacksonville State, 156
T-10. Grambling State, McNeese and New Hampshire, 155
13. Wofford, 154
14. Bethune-Cookman, 151
15. Harvard, 150
16. Villanova, 148
17. Colgate, 146
18. Lehigh, 145
T-19. Delaware, Duquesne and South Carolina State, 142
22. Richmond, 139
23. Montana State, 138
T-24. Drake and Furman, 137
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FCS Highest Win Percentage (2000-19)
1. North Dakota State, 181-35 (.838)
2. Old Dominion*, 46-14 (.767)
3. Kennesaw State, 48-15 (.762)
4. Harvard, 150-49 (.754)
5. Troy State*, 9-3 (.750)
6. Montana, 198-67 (.747)
7. Dayton, 162-59 (.733)
8. San Diego, 160-63 (.717)
9. Appalachian State*, 131-52 (.716)
10. Western Kentucky*, 61-26 (.701)
11. Coastal Carolina*, 114-54 (.679)
12. Georgia Southern*, 119-57 (.676)
13. James Madison, 170-82 (.675)
14. McNeese, 155-76 (.671)
15. Bethune-Cookman, 151-75 (.668)
16. Jacksonville State, 156-79 (.664)
17. Grambling State, 155-79 (.662)
18. Eastern Washington, 164-84 (.661)
19. Central Arkansas, 109-57 (.657)
20. Northern Iowa, 166-87 (.656)
21. Duquesne, 142-78 (.645)
22. Wofford, 154-86 (.642)
23. Penn, 127-72 (.638)
24. South Florida*, 7-4 (.636)
25. Sam Houston State, 158-91 (.635)
*Currently an FBS member
— Written by Craig Haley, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network. Haley has covered the FCS level since 1999 and is the national writer for www.fcs.football. He appears frequently on radio shows and podcasts to discuss everything FCS. Follow him on Twitter @CraigHaley.
(Photo courtesy of North Dakota State Athletics)
