Central Arkansas almost lived the dream this past Saturday night.
Clint Conque's Bears had their FBS opposition on the ropes in Ruston, LA. As Louisiana Tech, a member of the Western Athletic Conference of FBS, was deep in Central Arkansas territory in an attempt to break a 35-35 deadlock, senior safety Jerrel McKnight scooped up a fumble and took it to the house, giving the kids in white and purple a touchdown lead with just over two minutes to play.
It was a stirring sight for those who have followed FCS football for a long time. Central Arkansas, only recently having even become a full-fledged Division I program, giving Louisiana Tech, a team that once made the I-AA National Championship game (1984 in a 19-6 loss to Montana State), but now a part of a fringe FBS conference that may be in the process of falling apart, all they could handle. (more)
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE HISTORY LESSON
Central Arkansas' current conference, the Southland Conference, was originally the home of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, once upon a time.
But the Bulldogs were never big fans of competing at what is now called the FCS level.
In 1982, all the members of the Southland Conference, including Louisiana Tech, were downgraded to I-AA, along with the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Southern Conference and the Ivy League, among others.
Why did this happen?
You could say that the forced reorganization happened due to new attendance limits, imposed by the NCAA (average minimum: 17,000 fans per home game) or stadium sizes (minimum capacity: 30,000 seats).
But in reality, it was about — what else? — money.
Read the whole piece over at College Sporting News.
Clint Conque's Bears had their FBS opposition on the ropes in Ruston, LA. As Louisiana Tech, a member of the Western Athletic Conference of FBS, was deep in Central Arkansas territory in an attempt to break a 35-35 deadlock, senior safety Jerrel McKnight scooped up a fumble and took it to the house, giving the kids in white and purple a touchdown lead with just over two minutes to play.
It was a stirring sight for those who have followed FCS football for a long time. Central Arkansas, only recently having even become a full-fledged Division I program, giving Louisiana Tech, a team that once made the I-AA National Championship game (1984 in a 19-6 loss to Montana State), but now a part of a fringe FBS conference that may be in the process of falling apart, all they could handle. (more)
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE HISTORY LESSON
Central Arkansas' current conference, the Southland Conference, was originally the home of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, once upon a time.
But the Bulldogs were never big fans of competing at what is now called the FCS level.
In 1982, all the members of the Southland Conference, including Louisiana Tech, were downgraded to I-AA, along with the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Southern Conference and the Ivy League, among others.
Why did this happen?
You could say that the forced reorganization happened due to new attendance limits, imposed by the NCAA (average minimum: 17,000 fans per home game) or stadium sizes (minimum capacity: 30,000 seats).
But in reality, it was about — what else? — money.
Read the whole piece over at College Sporting News.
Comments