Sacramento State so badly wants to play college football on the FBS level but the NCAA is likely going to deny the Hornets that opportunity. South Dakota athletic director Jon Schemmel made sure to dance on their hypothetical grave as soon as the expected outcome was announced, which led to a butthurt response from Dr. Luke Wood that has since been deleted.
Unfortunately, these two programs will not play each other in the fall so it is a moot battle of words!
As the entire landscape of college football continues to change, Sacramento State continues to lobby for a promotion. Dr. Wood, the university president, has been talking for months like it is a done deal. The official adoption of the Hornets as an FBS independent was just a formality. They supposedly raised as much as $50 million in NIL money. They are actively recruiting high school players and transfers as though they will soon be able to play on the highest level of the sport.
Well…
The Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee has different plans. It chose not to recommend Sacramento State for reclassification.
The committee reviewed the application and waiver submitted by California State University, Sacramento, to enter the FCS to FBS reclassification process for the 2025-26 academic year. The committee recommends the NCAA Division I Council deny the institution’s request to waive the required bona fide invitation from an active FBS conference. The committee noted a conference invitation is of paramount importance for entering into the reclassification process because the invitation signals an institution’s readiness to enter the process.
Although a waiver of the bona fide invitation requirement was granted in 2017, that decision was made in a different era, under a different set of facts and rules. The Division I membership adopted the current legislation to affirm the importance of the nature and purpose of the subdivision reclassification process, choosing to place that decision-making authority with the council. Due to the significance of the bona fide invitation from an FBS conference requirement and the lack of compelling mitigation explaining why that requirement, one that several other FCS institutions have met in recent years, has not been met, the committee does not support relief.
— FBS Oversight Committee official recommendation
The Division-I Council will likely adhere to the recommendation. We’ll see. It meets on June 24.
In the meantime, Sacramento State’s rivals are enjoying the downfall. South Dakota athletic director Jon Schemmel took a direct shot at the Hornets with his tongue in cheek.
All of us JV programs are excited to compete against a varsity program!
— @SchemmelJon / X
Dr. Wood responded to Schemmel with a petty jab about the Coyotes’ standing in the Missouri Valley Conference. It has since been deleted.
We’d put up 50 points on you all this year. Best of luck with your conference.
— @DrLukeWood / X
For Dr. Wood to claim such a dominant victory in a game that will not be played is such a weak move. He might as well have cried, “No… my d— is bigger!” To then delete the post is even more pathetic. If you’re going to make such a bold claim, you should be willing to stand by your words. Super lame.