Numbers Never Lie: Missouri Valley, Big Sky headline Week 2

Philadelphia, PA – In Week 2 of the 2012 FCS season, four teams took down FBS programs, matching the opening week of the season.

They were,Illinois State and North Dakota State from the Missouri Valley Football Conference and Sacramento State and Northern Arizona from the Big Sky Conference. FCS schools have now defeated a total of eight FBS schools.

Six teams from the FCS Top 25 found victory versus overmatched Division II schools, while only The Citadel upset a ranked team. Five Top 25-ranked teams lost this week, all coming in the hands of FBS schools, with the exception of No. 12 Montana losing at No. 11 Appalachian State.

Special teams played a key role in a handful of contests across the FCS, proving once again, for all the promise in its teams, some things can never be ignored.

Whether it be scores, statistics or standout performances, the numbers never lie.

Here are some important figures from Week 2 of the 2012 FCS season that should not be overlooked:

Stephen F. Austin committed 10 turnovers in its 52-0 loss versus Southern Methodist. The Lumberjacks lost four fumbles and threw six interceptions, but managed 466 yards of offense versus 328 for SMU.

South Dakota State running back Zach Zenner rushed for 279 yards and one touchdown in the Jackrabbits' 31-14 victory over Southeastern Louisiana. It was most yards by a South Dakota State running back in the Division I era.

Central Arkansas quarterback Wynrick Smothers threw touchdown passes to five different receivers in leading the Bears to a 42-20 victory over Murray State. The junior had career highs of 31 completions, 41 attempts, 358 yards and five touchdowns.

Two place-kickers, The Citadel's Thomas Warren and Jacksonville State's Griffin Thomas, kicked 37-yard game winning field goals in both of their teams' huge wins on Saturday. Warren kicked his field goal with 35 seconds left in the game to give the Bulldogs a 23-21 win over Georgia Southern, while Thomas nailed his field goal as time expired to help Jacksonville State defeat Chattanooga, 27-24.

Sam Houston State allowed 88 total yards in its season opening win versus Incarnate Word. The Bearkats' defense allowed 20 rushes for minus-46 yards.

The MVFC had 10 games this weekend and eight teams came away with victories. Only two teams, Southern Illinois and Missouri State, lost, both to FBS opponents. On the other hand, Illinois State and North Dakota State defeated FBS foes Eastern Michigan and Colorado State, respectively.

The Citadel was the only FCS team to upset an FCS Top 25 opponent. No. 9- ranked Eastern Washington lost to Washington State, No. 12-ranked Montana lost to Appalachian State, No. 14-ranked New Hampshire lost to Minnesota, No. 19-ranked Stephen F. Austin lost to Southern Methodist and No. 20-ranked Maine lost to Boston College.

In its 77-7 win over Pace, Stony Brook totaled 693 yards of offense. The Seawolves' running game finished with nine touchdowns and accounted for 521 yards.

Six FCS Top 25 teams defeated Division II opponents in Week 2. They were No. 1 Sam Houston State, No. 8 Northern Iowa, No. 10 Wofford, No. 17 Stony Brook, No. 22 McNeese State and No. 23 Indiana State. The six teams outscored their opponents by a combined score of 385-21.

There were 30,856 fans in attendance to watch Appalachian State defeat Montana, 35-27. Montana has now played in front of 55,982 spectators in the first two weeks of the season.