FCS Championship thriller highlights new era of sideline analytics

Illinois State’s performance in the 2025 FCS National Championship highlighted the growing role of in-game video replay. Coaches used sideline iPads to review plays in real time and make immediate adjustments.

---

by Tunch Akkaya
CEO & Founder of GameStrat

Photo courtesy GameStrat

Top programs are constantly searching for ways to shorten the feedback loop between mistakes and corrections. In-game video does exactly that.

In today’s college football landscape, the smallest details often separate a win from a loss. For top programs competing deep into the postseason, preparation no longer stops when kickoff begins. It continues, play by play, on the sideline.

That reality was on full display during the 2025 FCS National Championship, where the Illinois State Redbirds and the Montana State Bobcats showcased how in-game video replay has become a competitive advantage for the sport’s top programs.

Seeing the game differently

On modern sidelines, coaches can now review every play almost instantly on iPads after the whistle. Instead of relying solely on memory, quick conversations with players, or what they were expecting from film study, staff can watch all the plays back, instantly after they happen, and make necessary adjustments before the next play/drive. This gives coaches the ability to:

• identify breakdowns in assignments or technique,
• confirm coverage or protection mistakes,
• and show players clear visual examples of what needs to be corrected.

For athletes, seeing themselves on video in real time helps turn abstract coaching points into immediate, practical adjustments. For coaches, it provides confirmation of what’s going on, so they can use that to make more informed decisions.

A new tool for the college game

Photo courtesy GameStrat

Illinois State using GameStrat on the sidelines to make adjustments during the 2026 FCSNational Championship.

While sideline replay systems have been widely used in high school football for more than a decade, the technology only became formally available for college football programs in 2024.

The impact of this technology was made evident in Illinois State’s performance in the 2025 FCS National Championship. Montana State led 21–7 at halftime and extended the advantage to 28–14 in the third quarter, but the Redbirds used in-game video review to identify breakdowns and make immediate adjustments.

Illinois State responded with a strong second-half surge, tightening execution and cleaning up mistakes that had hurt them earlier in the game. The Redbirds fought all the way back to tie the game at the end of regulation, forcing overtime in what became one of the most competitive championship games in recent FCS history.

Ultimately, Illinois State fell just short in a thrilling overtime finish, losing 35–34 to Montana State. But the comeback itself highlighted how modern sideline technology supports faster learning, sharper adjustments, and better decision-making under pressure.

Resilience that defined an entire postseason

The championship performance was consistent with how Illinois State reached the title game in the first place.

The Redbirds became the only team in FCS history to win four straight road games during a single postseason on the way to the national championship. Their playoff run included a landmark victory over the North Dakota State Bison, the tournament’s No. 1 seed and one of the most successful programs in the history of the subdivision – winners of 10 of the past 14 FCS national titles, including the previous season.

That stretch of road showcased a team capable of adapting quickly to hostile environments, different situations, and the ability to make precise in-game adjustments in the biggest moments. Real-time video feedback, coupled with a great coaching staff that knows how to adjust, is a big reason for the Redbirds success in 2025.

Why top programs are embracing in-game video

College football has always been built on preparation, film study, and detailed game planning. What has changed is when that film becomes available. Instead of waiting until halftime or the next day’s review session, coaches and players can now learn directly from the previous drive. For high-level teams, that speed matters.

As the college game continues to evolve, in-game video is quickly becoming a standard part of how elite programs think, teach, and adjust in real time. For Illinois State, the 2026 championship offered a clear example of how today’s sidelines are shaping today’s gam,e where seeing and adjusting faster than your opponent can be just as valuable as any play call.

About the author ~
Tunch Akkaya is the CEO & Founder of GameStrat, a leading provider of real-time sideline replay technology for football teams. With a background in Software Engineering and experience playing football throughout university, Tunch combines technical expertise with firsthand knowledge of the game.