Higher Division AT Lower Division

[∞∞∞]

With Georgia State (FCS) playing at West Alabama (D2) this weekend, does anyone remember some other times an FCS or FBS school travelled to play football at a lower division's home? So basically any instances of:

FCS @ D2/D3/NAIA
FBS @ FCS/D2/D3/NAIA

I'm particularly interested to know if any FBS schools have travelled to an FCS school, or if there are any scheduled to happen in the future? Thanks.

[griz8791]

We had a five-game series with Idaho after they moved up where they played in Missoula twice. I believe they were in the Sun Belt at the time. Now Idaho is in the WAC, which has some kind of bylaw that prohibits this. Further back I THINK I remember seeing Cal State Fullerton at Dornblaser in Missoula when Fullerton still had a football team and was theoretically Division I-A.

Edit: Long Beach State was at Dornblaser in 1983 and Fullerton was at Dornblaser in 1985. These were not exactly cream-of-the-crop I-As.

[guinzone]

Kent and Akron played here numerous times... Last meeting in Youngstown was in 1997 I believe vs. Kent. Akron stopped playing us in 1995 after we kicked their ass numerous times.

[ODUalum11]

That does a lot for GSU's recruiting, "hey come play for us...you'll have the life changing experience of playing at D-2 and NAIA schools"

[JayJ79]

technically, FBS and FCS are the same division, but different subdivision.
but yes, in the practical sense, they are different divisions.

[SuperHornet]

I still remember Oregon State losing a road game at a school that, while technically I-A, for Sagarin purposes was rated below the Big Sky, so they may as well have been I-AA....

[cpacmel]

Ball State is scheduled to play @ Illinois State in 2013.

It's a simple home and home with Illinois State traveling to Ball State the following year.

[danefan]

A couple NEC teams have travelled to DII and DIII schools over the years.

No longer though. In fact NEC teams are no longer allowed to even schedule non-DI home games starting in 2012. DI games only.

[SuperHornet]

A couple NEC teams have travelled to DII and DIII schools over the years.

No longer though. In fact NEC teams are no longer allowed to even schedule non-DI home games starting in 2012. DI games only.

What's the penalty for violating that? A fine? Ineligibility for the conference title? Forfeiture of conference playoff payouts?

[BlueHen86]

A couple NEC teams have travelled to DII and DIII schools over the years.

No longer though. In fact NEC teams are no longer allowed to even schedule non-DI home games starting in 2012. DI games only.

What's the penalty for violating that? A fine? Ineligibility for the conference title? Forfeiture of conference playoff payouts?

Chances are they would lose money playing a road game against a lower tier team. There probably isn't much incentive to break that rule.

[SuperHornet]

What's the penalty for violating that? A fine? Ineligibility for the conference title? Forfeiture of conference playoff payouts?

Chances are they would lose money playing a road game against a lower tier team. There probably isn't much incentive to break that rule.

That's true, 86. But danefan was quoting a new conference rule banning even drop-down home games. I'm just wondering if there's any "teeth" to that rule.

[BlueHen86]

Delaware used to play a home and home series with Temple, and has hosted Navy on occasion.

[kalm]

I'm almost certain we played Idaho at Albi Stadium in Spokane after they moved up.

[SuperHornet]

Delaware used to play a home and home series with Temple, and has hosted Navy on occasion.

I'm not so sure it's worth Delaware's time messing around with the likes of Temple. Navy, on the other hand, provides a challenge yet is still a winnable game. I don't remember if it was at Del or at Annapolis, but I seem to remember Delaware beating Navy not too long ago. Navy is smart enough to keep good rivalries going, even if they cross divisional lines. I like that.

[DukeJack]

Ball State is scheduled to play @ Illinois State in 2013.

It's a simple home and home with Illinois State traveling to Ball State the following year.

This was originally supposed to be our H/H with Ball State opening new Bridgeforth this year until UNH beat them in 2009. We had agreed to terms, the contract was signed by JMU, it was in Ball State's hands, and then they lost and refused to sign. A few months later, they announced the H/H with Illinois State.

And seriously - good job getting them to agree to play at, and actually sign with, Illinois State

[SuperHornet]

Ball State is scheduled to play @ Illinois State in 2013.

It's a simple home and home with Illinois State traveling to Ball State the following year.

This was originally supposed to be our H/H with Ball State opening new Bridgeforth this year until UNH beat them in 2009. We had agreed to terms, the contract was signed by JMU, it was in Ball State's hands, and then they lost and refused to sign. A few months later, they announced the H/H with Illinois State.

And seriously - good job getting them to agree to play at, and actually sign with, Illinois State

Well, the job isn't done until kickoff. Theoretically, Ball State could buy their way out of that. I don't like that lack of integrity, but it happens.

[danefan]

A couple NEC teams have travelled to DII and DIII schools over the years.

No longer though. In fact NEC teams are no longer allowed to even schedule non-DI home games starting in 2012. DI games only.

What's the penalty for violating that? A fine? Ineligibility for the conference title? Forfeiture of conference playoff payouts?

No clue what the penalty is. It was voted on and accepted by the conference members so I highly doubt anyone wants to break it.

[Gil Dobie]

Was Northern Arizona in I-AA in 1980, they played at NDSU DII.

[dbackjon]

Was Northern Arizona in I-AA in 1980, they played at NDSU DII.

Yes - NAU made the switch when I-AA started in 1978. Games were part of a four-year home and home agreed to before the NCAA split the college division. Joe Salem was coach at NAU at the time

NAU honored the contract

[andy7171]

Independant scheduling is a bitch. When I was at Towson, we traveled to IUP.

[bluehenbillk]

Delaware used to play a home and home series with Temple, and has hosted Navy on occasion.

I'm not so sure it's worth Delaware's time messing around with the likes of Temple. Navy, on the other hand, provides a challenge yet is still a winnable game. I don't remember if it was at Del or at Annapolis, but I seem to remember Delaware beating Navy not too long ago. Navy is smart enough to keep good rivalries going, even if they cross divisional lines. I like that.

UD is 2-3 at Navy since 2003.

UD played home & home with Temple up until about 1985. Navy played at UD twice in the mid to late 80's.

[Pwns]

Savannah State has played on the road against Sub-DI teams quite a few times since they joined the FCS.

[DetroitFlyer]

Dayton played at Division II Central State this year.... Last year in a series of 4 or 5 games. The first 3 or 4 were played at Dayton, this last one was played at CSU. Thank goodness the contract is up. No CSU next year. We get to go to Illinois State for a road win!

[Darell1976]

Last one to play at UND was Montana State in 1983 (also the last time these 2 teams played each other). UND won 21-3.

[pantherrob82]

Dayton played at Division II Central State this year.... Last year in a series of 4 or 5 games. The first 3 or 4 were played at Dayton, this last one was played at CSU. Thank goodness the contract is up. No CSU next year. We get to go to Illinois State for a road win!

Is Illinois State a home/home?