South Dakota St.31
Holy Cross3
April 24, 2021
Winner advances →Division I Football Championship
Division I FCS · National playoff
Final: May 16, 2021
Final site: Frisco, TX
Rounds and bracket
Follow the winner’s link to the next round.
First Round
Southern Ill.34
Weber St.31
April 24, 2021
Winner advances →Delaware19
Sacred Heart10
April 24, 2021
Winner advances →Jacksonville St.49
Davidson14
April 24, 2021
Winner advances →James Madison31
VMI24
April 24, 2021
Winner advances →North Dakota44
Missouri St.10
April 24, 2021
Winner advances →North Dakota St.42
Eastern Wash.20
April 24, 2021
Winner advances →Sam Houston21
Monmouth15
April 24, 2021
Winner advances →Quarterfinals
South Dakota St.31
Southern Ill.26
May 2, 2021
Winner advances →Delaware20
Jacksonville St.14
May 2, 2021
Winner advances →James Madison34
North Dakota21
May 2, 2021
Winner advances →Sam Houston24
North Dakota St.20
May 2, 2021
Winner advances →Semifinals
South Dakota St.33
Delaware3
May 8, 2021
Winner advances →Sam Houston38
James Madison35
May 8, 2021
Winner advances →Championship
Sam Houston23
South Dakota St.21
May 16, 2021
Format and selection
NCAA championship selection
16 teams in a single-elimination playoff. Recorded games are organized by round.
- The NCAA championship committee selected and placed the field under that season’s championship regulations.
- The recorded bracket documents the participants and advancement. Earlier field sizes, automatic qualifiers and seeding arrangements should not be inferred from the current format.
These are documented selection procedures. They do not explain why a particular participant was chosen unless the source expressly records that decision.
History
The NCAA has organized this national championship since 1978.
A single-elimination bracket determines the champion. The field size and qualifying arrangements changed over time.
Sources and coverage
Previous editions
2019Division I Football Championship2018Division I Football Championship2017Division I Football Championship2016Division I Football Championship2015Division I Football Championship2014Division I Football Championship2013Division I Football Championship2012Division I Football Championship2011Division I Football Championship2010Division I Football Championship2009Division I Football Championship2008Division I Football Championship2007Division I Football Championship2006Division I Football Championship2005Division I Football Championship2004Division I Football Championship2003Division I Football Championship2002Division I Football Championship2001Division I Football Championship2000Division I Football Championship1999Division I Football Championship1998Division I Football Championship1997Division I Football Championship1996Division I Football Championship1995Division I Football Championship1994Division I Football Championship1993Division I Football Championship1992Division I Football Championship1991Division I Football Championship1990Division I Football Championship1989Division I Football Championship1988Division I Football Championship1987Division I Football Championship1986Division I Football Championship1985Division I Football Championship1984Division I Football Championship1983Division I Football Championship1982Division I Football Championship1981Division I Football Championship1980Division I Football Championship1979Division I Football Championship1978Division I Football Championship