Courtesy of TarletonSports.com
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — The longest regular season in program history has turned into the longest season overall for Tarleton State Football as the Texans completed the near impossible this past weekend – win their FCS Playoff debut in their first season eligible.
The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990.
“This has been an incredible year for our football program and university,” Tarleton State University President Dr. James Hurley said. “The thing that makes our football experience so special is that it brings together so many Texans. Student organizations, performing arts, cadets, alumni, faculty, staff, and fans come to Stephenville each game day to pack Memorial Stadium and take part in a tailgate experience that is second to none. This outstanding atmosphere displays what is possible when our Tarleton State community works together to put our excellence on display for all to see. Our football program is just one of many examples across our university helping us reach our mission of achieving new heights in enrollment, research, and national prominence.
“What this team has done by reaching the second round of the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs in year one of eligibility is historic,” Hurley continued. “I’m so proud of everyone associated with this program, including our faculty, staff, students and fans who have created such an enjoyable game day experience in Stephenville. My hope is that everyone in Texan Nation can take a moment to enjoy this moment where Tarleton State football is one of the top 16 teams in all the NCAA FCS level in just our first year. It’s truly a remarkable accomplishment for everyone who calls themselves a proud defender of the purple and the white.”
The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs this season in just their first year of championship eligibility after a nearly unprecedented run during reclassification. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State), and they got to host Drake at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville this past Saturday. The Texans dispatched the Bulldogs 43-29 to win their playoff debut, improving to 10-3 overall this season.
Among the 129 active FCS programs, Tarleton State is already one of just 69 to earn an FCS Playoff victory. Of those 69, Tarleton is one of just 38 to win their playoff debut. And of the 38, Tarleton is the only team outside of the FCS Playoffs’ inaugural season in 1978 to win their FCS Playoff debut in their first year eligible after reclassifying up (Florida A&M). Colgate and Indiana State also won their playoff debut in their first year at the FCS level, moving from FBS in 1982.
Among all FCS Playoff teams across the 46-year history, Tarleton is one of 94 programs ever to earn a playoff win. Of those 94, Tarleton is one of just 54 to win their playoff debut. And of those 54, Tarleton is one of just five to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II, and the first since Troy in 1993. Louisiana Tech also won their FCS Playoff debut in its first year eligible, but moved from FBS to FCS.
“What a time this is in Tarleton Athletics history,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Steve Uryasz said. “To experience this level of success this quickly at this high a level is nearly unprecedented, and leave it to Tarleton State to be the ones to do so. Under Dr. Hurley, this university has done nothing but excel and set records across the landscape, and Tarleton Athletics has followed suit. Regarding the football program, we saw this nearly unprecedented level of success during reclassification as they became just the third team since 2004 to post a winning season each year, and they posted the third highest winning percentage in a reclassification period since 2004 at .610. Head coach Todd Whitten has done an amazing job with this program, and I am so proud of him, the rest of our coaches, staff, and student-athletes.”
Tarleton State Football will head to No. 4 South Dakota for a matchup in the second round of the FCS Playoffs on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT at The DakotaDome in Vermillion. Since at least 1975 when dates started being recorded by Tarleton, Dec. 7 marks the latest game the Texans will have ever played a game. The game will also be No. 14 on the season for Tarleton State, the most the Texans will have ever played in a single-season.
Tickets are available for Tarleton State fans to sit together in the same section, found here. Tickets are $30 apiece and will be assigned as purchased. Tickets must be picked up at will call at the USD Ticket Office Will Call on Saturday, there are no e-tickets. Tickets provided by Tarleton State must be purchased by Thursday at 12 p.m. CT.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.