FCS semifinals schedule set

(STATS) - The NCAA has announced the schedule for the FCS playoff semifinals next week. Third-seeded North Dakota State will host seventh-seeded Richmond at 8

(STATS) - The NCAA has announced the schedule for the FCS playoff semifinals next week.

Third-seeded North Dakota State will host seventh-seeded Richmond at 8 p.m. ET Friday (ESPN2) and top-seeded Jacksonville State will host Sam Houston State at 4 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPNU).

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The first semifinal is a first-ever meeting. North Dakota State (11-2), which needs two wins to claim a record fifth straight FCS title, beat Northern Iowa 23-13 in the quarterfinals. Richmond (10-3) eliminated No. 2 seed Illinois State 39-27.

Sam Houston State defeated Jacksonville State in last year's second round. The Bearkats (11-3), who are in the semifinals for the fourth time in five seasons, beat Colgate 48-21 in the quarterfinals. Jacksonville State (12-1) stopped Charleston Southern 58-38 for its FCS-best 11th straight win.

The national championship game will be played Jan. 9 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.