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Wagner College's football team celebrates its Northeast Conference championship Saturday in Smithfield, R.I., following a 23-20 win over Bryant.
(Wagner College/Mike Miller)
The NCAA released its 24-team Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff field Sunday, and it wasn't surprising that Northeast Conference co-champion Wagner wasn't included.
The 7-4 Seahawks did receive some votes for The Sports Network's Top 25 poll, however, after capturing a share of the NEC title with a stirring 23-20 victory at Bryant in the regular-season finale.
Sacred Heart (9-2) earned the NEC's automatic bid on the basis of its 24-7 win at Wagner earlier this month. The Pioneers will play Patriot League champion Fordham in a rematch of a 2013 first-round contest.
Wagner College's football coaching staff surrounds head coach Walt Hameline (holding championship trophy in back row) following Saturday's 23-20 win at Bryant. Hameline is flanked by defensive coordinator Malik Hall and offensive coordinator Jason Houghtaling.
Wagner's entrance would have been through one of the 13 at-large bids awarded Sunday. The NEC has never received an at-large bid.
Both teams finished atop the standings with 5-1 marks.
In case you missed it, read Cormac Gordon's column on the 34-year coaching career of Wagner's Walt Hameline, who is rumored to be considering retirement. The school has not confirmed those rumors.
And here's a recap of Saturday's game in Smithfield, R.I. Bryant entered the day with a 4-1 NEC record and had been mentioned as a possible candidate to grab one of the 13 at-large bids to the FCS playoffs. Instead, the Bulldogs finished the year 8-3.
MISSED BY A POINT
I almost hit the final score on the nose in Friday's Staten Island Advance.
My prediction? Wagner 24, Bryant 20.
The actual score? Wagner 23, Bryant 20.
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FCS PLAYOFFS
First round, Nov. 29
Fordham vs. Sacred Heart, 12 p.m., ESPN3
Eastern Kentucky vs. Indiana State, 1 p.m., ESPN3
Richmond vs. Morgan State, 1 p.m., ESPN3
Sam Houston State vs. Southeastern LA, 2 p.m., ESPN3
Montana vs. San Diego, 4 p.m., ESPN3
James Madison vs. Liberty, 4 p.m., ESPN3
Montana State vs. South Dakota State, 4 p.m., ESPN3
UNI vs. Stephen F. Austin, 8 p.m., ESPN3
Second round, Dec. 6
No. 1 New Hampshire vs. Fordham/Sacred Heart, 1 p.m., ESPN3
No. 8 Chattanooga vs. Eastern Kentucky/Indiana State, 1 p.m., ESPN3
No. 5 Illinois State vs. UNI/Stephen F. Austin, 2 p.m., ESPN3
No. 4 Eastern Washington vs. Montana/San Diego, 4:30 p.m., ESPN3
No.3 Jacksonville State vs. Sam Houston State/Southeastern Louisiana, 2 p.m., ESPN3
No. 6 Villanova vs. James Madison/Liberty, 4:30 p.m., ESPN3
No. 7 Coastal Carolina vs. Richmond/Morgan State, 1 p.m., ESPN3
No. 2 North Dakota State vs. Montana State/South Dakota State, 4 p.m., ESPN3
Quarterfinals, Dec. 12/13
Semifinals, Dec. 19-20
Championship, Jan. 10, 1 p.m., ESPN
Championship, Jan. 10, 1 p.m., ESPN2