Three DII teams stunned FCS foes on college football's opening night

Three Division II programs — Ohio Dominican, Concord and South Dakota Mines — stunned FCS football opponents on college football's opening night, August 28, 2026, with dramatic wins over Morehead State (42-40 in triple overtime), Davidson (41-35) and Drake (38-35). All three upsets landed on the season's first night and instantly put smaller-school programs on the national map.

Week Zero delivered immediate chaos for FCS football fans expecting comfortable home openers. Instead, three DII teams turned opening night into a headline-grabbing showcase of lower-division grit. If you follow the full slate of fall kickoff games, check our Streaming & TV Alerts hub for where to watch throughout the season.

Key Takeaways

• Ohio Dominican upset Morehead State 42-40 in triple overtime at Phil Simms Stadium on Thursday night.
• Concord won 41-35 at Davidson, its first-ever victory over a Division I program after going 0-10 previously.
• South Dakota Mines held off a Drake comeback to win 38-35 on the road.
• Panthers QB Carson Parker threw for 277 yards and four touchdowns while running for 84 yards and another score.
• Morehead State hosted one of the first three FCS games of 2026, with the matchup streaming on ESPN+.

Which DII team delivered the wildest upset on opening night?

Ohio Dominican's 42-40 triple-overtime win over Morehead State may go down as the night's most jaw-dropping result. The Panthers entered as a 5-5 DII program with roughly 1,200 students, facing an FCS Eagles squad that had won 14 straight games against non-Division I opponents.

After Morehead State rallied from a 34-12 deficit to tie the game at 34 with 1:07 left in regulation, overtime became a thriller. The Eagles took leads in the first two extra periods, but quarterback Carson Parker answered each time — including a 27-yard touchdown pass to Conner Campbell on fourth-and-12 in the second overtime to tie the game at 40.

Parker then converted the two-point try in the third overtime while Morehead State's attempt fell incomplete, sealing the upset. Parker finished with 361 yards of total offense and four passing touchdowns, and the Panthers defense grabbed four interceptions despite allowing 589 yards of total offense. The game was one of the first three FCS kickoffs of 2026, alongside Maine at Towson and West Florida at Southern Illinois, according to NCAA.com.

How did Concord and South Dakota Mines complete the upset sweep?

Concord's 41-35 road win at Davidson College Stadium was arguably just as significant historically. The Mountain Lions entered the night 0-10 all-time against Division I opponents, with their last three meetings against FCS schools ending in shutouts.

Quarterback Devin Kargman leaned heavily on receiver Dom Collins, who scored two touchdowns — including a 68-yard carry after hauling in a 53-yard catch. Concord struck first and never trailed despite three ties in a back-and-forth battle.

South Dakota Mines closed the night with a 38-35 win at Drake. The Hardrockers held a 31-13 lead entering the fourth quarter, but Drake stormed back to take a 35-31 advantage with 7:52 remaining. Running back Dawson Dunbar capped a 16-play, 79-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown at the two-minute mark, and linebacker Gabe Frerichs sealed the win with an interception at the Drake 35-yard line. Quarterback Gage Baker passed for 306 yards and three touchdowns.

Why do these DII-over-FCS upsets matter for the 2026 season?

Cross-division matchups are a staple of early-season college football, but three DII victories over FCS programs on the same night is rare. Ohio Dominican has two more FCS opponents on its schedule this season, making its opening statement especially meaningful.

Morehead State had won nine straight home openers before Thursday's loss, according to its athletics department, making the Panthers' comeback even more startling. For fans tracking future FCS football matchups and broadcast options, these results are an early reminder that Week Zero rarely goes according to script — and that smaller programs can steal the spotlight before Labor Day.