CFB-FCS: Pioneer Football League Week 4 Release & Preview

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NCAAFB Editor
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THIS WEEKS GAMES

Ave Maria at DaytonNoon
Stetson at HarvardNoon
San Diego at #10/9 North Dakota2 PM
St. Thomas at Lindenwood2 PM
Drake at #6/6 South Dakota2 PM
Roosevelt at Valparaiso2 PM
Morehead State at Eastern Kentucky6 PM
Marist at Bucknell6 PM
Gardner-Webb at Presbyterian7 PM


PFL Notes

  • Week 3 was another winning week for the PFL with the league posting a 5-4 record. Butler, Davidson, Presbyterian, St. Thomas, and Valparaiso each won home games for the league’s five victories.  
  • The PFL is 4-10 against nonconference FCS opponents in the season’s first three weeks. The four PFL wins against FCS foes are its most since the 2019 season, when the league scored five such wins.  The league has seven games against FCS nonconference foes remaining – all this weekend.
  • Drake and San Diego take on nationally-ranked FCS opposition in Week 4. The Bulldogs travel to No. 6 South Dakota seeking to build on their overtime win at Eastern Washington in Week 2. The Toreros face No. 9 North Dakota also seeking a second win against an FCS opponent after defeating Cal Poly in Week 1.  
  • Davidson senior defensive end Julian Rawlins was one of 22 student-atheltes named to the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, announced Sept. 17.
  • The PFL’s coaches picked Drake to win the 2024 PFL title after winning the 2023 title, their seventh PFL championship and first since 2012. The Bulldogs received eight of the 11 first-place votes from the league’s coaches. St. Thomas was second in the preseason poll, followed by Butler and San Diego.
  • Drake defensive end Finn Claypool, the reigning PFL Defensive Player of the Year, was named to the Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List presented by Stats Perform. He also was named to the Stats PerformPerform’sson All-America Team.
  • Davidson running back Mari Adams and Drake quarterback Luke Bailey were named to the 35-player Walter Payton Watch Award Watch List, also presented by Stats Perform.
  • Seven PFL alumni began the 2024 NFL season on active rosters. A complete list of PFL alumni in professional football can be found on page 11 on the weekly report.
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NCAAFB Editor
NCAAFB Editor
https://sportsgamingjournal.com/category/ncaa-fb/
Profile: A dedicated college football analyst with a deep understanding of the sport’s tactical complexity, recruiting landscape, and conference‑wide dynamics. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage of the NCAA football season, blending film study, statistical insight, and historical context to explain how programs evolve from Week 1 through bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Background: With extensive experience covering Division I football, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on coaching trends, roster construction, and player development. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term program trajectories across all major conferences. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and tactical matchups Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Recruiting analysis, transfer‑portal movement, and roster‑building strategy Coaching philosophies, scheme evolution, and conference‑wide trends Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes, advanced metrics, and recruiting data into insights that resonate with both long‑time college football fans and new followers of the sport. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the tradition, passion, and unpredictability that define NCAA football.