The Lambert Trophy/Cup (Part III)

Part III of our look at the Lambert Trophy/Cup takes us to winners of the FCS Cup from 2000 onward. By this time the Lambert awards were becoming leisure suits or hair bands, but hey, when you get a piece of hardware, you can brag about in next year's media guide, right?

Part I has Lambert Trophy winners from teams covered by this site; Part II has FCS Cup winners pre-2000.

The Hens’ only regular-season loss was 45-44 in OT to New Hampshire (quarterbacked by Ryan Day) after they blew a 31-3 lead. 

Delaware’s first FCS national champ after several College Division/Division II titles. The Hens outscored their foes 149-23 in the postseason.

The pinnacle of the Santos-to-Ball era. The Wildcats probably could have gone to a bowl game if they were in FBS.

Current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen was the Minutemen's QB.

Joe Flacco (still active in the NFL in 2026? Really?!?) quarterbacked the Blue Hens to the FCS title game.

Head coach K.C. Keeler went to guide Sam Houston State to an FCS natty in the 2021 spring season and now guides Temple.

The Wildcats were No. 1 for much of the season and reached the FCS final four for the second straight year.

The three Ivy co-champs were the first Ancient Eight teams to taste any Lambert booty since 1970.

Maine reached the FCS semis for the first time but was passed over for Lambert loot. 

The Crusaders were undefeated until the quarterfinals. Coach Bob Chesney is now at UCLA after guiding James Madison to the College Football Playoff.

Rhody coach Jim Fleming is 42-19 since 2021.