Western Illinois trumps FBS foe, NDSU's Lance Dunn has stellar Saturday

There was a lot of action this week in FCS football. Here are some of the most noteworthy moments of Week 4: 

Elon and Albany shocked Top 10 opponents

Malcolm Summer was hungry for the football Saturday, churning out 294 yards on 40 carries in the upset of No. 6 Richmond. Summer led the Phoenix offense, but drives were capped on three touchdown passes from Davis Cheek, and a perfect day (3-3) from freshman field goal kicker Owen Johnson. The game was full of huge offensive performances as Richmond’s Kyle Lauletta tossed for nearly 500 yards and three touchdowns. An offensive battle capped a second straight upset for Elon, 36-33.

.@CAAFootball surprise @ElonFB is the @FCS_STATS Team of the Week.https://t.co/eQngmYy4Ni pic.twitter.com/pntyPsQz4t

— FCS Football (@FCS_STATS) September 24, 2017

Albany and No. 8 Villanova served the other side of the spectrum, tallying just three total points through three quarters. Villanova tied the game early in the fourth, but the tie was broken with two minutes remaining on a Karl Mofor touchdown for Albany. An offensively quiet regulation ended on a game-tying touchdown pass to Aaron Forbes as time expired. Ethan Stark added three points for Albany in the first half of overtime, giving Nova a shot to win. Not so, though, as Eli Mencer picked up a fumble and scampered 80 yards to seal the deal. Albany won 19-10 in overtime.

MORE: Samford's Devlin Hodges looks back on growth since 2015 debut

Western Illinois balled out against their FBS foe

No. 21 Western Illinois strolled into Coastal Carolina's home field looking to add to the list of FCS schools able to shock their FBS opponents this season. The Chanticleers of the Big South Conference jumped out to an early 10-7 lead after the first quarter. But the Bulldogs answered on both sides of the ball, notching 45 unanswered points in the final three quarters. Western Illinois’ quarterback Sean McGuire led the cause, completing 89.5 percent of his passes for three touchdowns. The offensive success was aided with dominant defense from all positions. Defensive back Justin Fitzpatrick tallied two interceptions. Western Illinois 52, Coastal Carolina 10.

D-O-M-I-N-A-T-I-O-N!

Western Illinois tops Coastal Carolina in 52-10 victory for the Leatherneck's 2nd straight #FearTheFCS win since 2002 pic.twitter.com/vEEvp1HQFj

— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) September 24, 2017

Lance Dunn went 4 for 4 on the day

Every time North Dakota State's Lance Dunn touched the football this weekend, he took it to the house. Dunn took his first of three carries Saturday 61 yards to the endzone. Just four minutes later, Dunn scampered in from 5 yards out for his second touchdown on his second touch. His first catch of the day closed an offensive outburst in the first quarter for the Bison, who led 35-0 after a quarter of play. For Dunn, three touches, three touchdowns. With a minute left in the second quarter, Dunn took his third and final handoff of the day 45 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game. Lance Dunn ended with 121 total yards and the game-winning touchdown. NDSU 56, Robert Morris 0.

RELATED: North Dakota State football's Lance Dunn scores four touchdowns on four touches

Survive and advance (EWU, JMU, Wofford)

Saturday proved troublesome for a few top 15 teams, but all were able to persevere.

No. 9 Wofford faced adversity from the start as Gardner-Webb answered Wofford’s every move. A pair of Andre Stoddard rushing touchdowns proved to be the difference for the Terriers. Wofford 27, Gardner-Webb 24.

Montana led No. 11 Eastern Washington 24-6 going into halftime after a first half full of different touchdown contributors. But Eastern Washington proved they had offensive firepower to answer. A second half full of Eagles points was sparked by Gage Gubrud, who threw 65 times for 549 yards and four touchdowns. EWU 48, Montana 41.

The physicality of Maine provided No. 1 James Madison with a tough test early on, leading 10-7 midway through the second quarter. But a beautiful David Eldridge touchdown catch from 22 yards out gave the Dukes the 14-10 lead and they never looked back. James Madison 28, Maine 10.

We fought together, and we prevailed! 16 straight! #DefendTheCrown pic.twitter.com/i6AsLRJigT

— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) September 24, 2017

Sam Houston State welcomed Nicholls State to the Top 25

No. 23 Nicholls State jumped into the top-25 this week only to be faced with a battle against No. 3 Sam Houston State. Nathan Stewart struck first for Sam Houston State on a 56-yard catch 30 seconds into the game, his first of two touchdowns. The wheels kept turning for the Bearkats, who led by 35 at halftime. Quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Javin Webb added two touchdowns. Damion Jeanpiere, Jr. had an impressive day for the Colonels of Nicholls State, but could not overcome the Bearkats offensive power. Sam Houston State 66, Nicholls State 17.

Other Notable Games:

No. 17 Samford fell to Western Carolina 38-34.

No. 20 Tennessee State lost to UT Martin 31-16.

No. 25 Holy Cross upset by Dartmouth 27-26.