Weather Washes Away Highly-Anticipated FCS Showdown, Creates Playoff Complications
The highly-ranked matchup between #11 Mercer and #8 UC Davis in Montgomery, Alabama, delivered on its promise of excitement, but ultimately ended in a frustrating “no contest” due to a lengthy weather delay. UC Davis freshman quarterback Caden Pinnick led the Aggies to a dominant 23-3 advantage, only to watch Mercer mount a furious comeback, narrowing the gap to six points late in the game. Momentum appeared to be swinging towards the Bears after a crucial blocked field goal, setting them up with a promising drive near midfield.
However, just as the game reached a fever pitch, a lightning strike forced a halt to play. What began as a standard weather delay stretched on for hours, extending into the early hours of Sunday morning, before officials finally called the game, declaring it a no contest. The result? All statistics are nullified, and neither team receives a win or loss - a bizarre outcome for a game that very much was played.
The cancellation carries notable weight beyond the immediate disappointment. Both Mercer and UC Davis entered the season as legitimate contenders for their respective conference championships – the Southern Conference and Big Sky – and were widely projected to earn playoff berths. The absence of a completed result throws a wrench into the FCS playoff picture.
With the FCS regular season consisting of 12 games, both programs are now deprived of a crucial chance to bolster their postseason resumes. A win in this high-profile non-conference clash would have been a valuable asset for the playoff selection committee, providing a quality victory to weigh when evaluating at-large bids.
The impact could be especially acute for whichever team ultimately finds itself on the playoff bubble.Without a completed game,both Mercer and UC Davis will have one fewer division I win to showcase,potentially impacting their at-large chances. The selection committee heavily considers both the quantity and quality of victories when determining at-large selections.
Fortunately, the cancellation doesn’t affect either teamS pursuit of a conference title. The game had no bearing on league standings, and the path to the SoCon or big Sky championship remains unchanged. Both teams will enter Week 1 with a fresh start.
Despite this silver lining, the situation in Montgomery represents a significant disruption. It’s highly probable that this no contest will influence playoff seeding, potentially determining home-field advantage, bye weeks, or even which teams qualify for the postseason altogether. The outcome of a game that was so compellingly played may ultimately be felt throughout the FCS landscape.
