Montana State Wins First FCS National Championship Since 1984 in Historic Overtime Thriller

Bobcats end 41-year title drought with 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State in Nashville

Last Updated: January 6, 2026

Game Summary: First-Ever OT Finish Delivers Championship Glory

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Montana State football finally broke through on college football’s biggest FCS stage Monday night, ending a 41-year championship drought with a heart-stopping 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State at FirstBank Stadium.

When kicker Myles Sansted’s extra point sailed through the uprights in overtime, the Bobcats erupted in pure jubilation, hurling their helmets skyward as thousands of Montana State fans who had traveled over 1,700 miles to Nashville exploded in celebration. The moment marked sweet redemption for a program that had come agonizingly close to glory in recent years.

The game made history as the first overtime finish in the 48-year history of the FCS championship game, delivering one of the most thrilling endings in college football this season.

Final Score: Montana State 35, Illinois State 34 (OT)
Location: FirstBank Stadium, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
Attendance: 24,105 (largest FCS championship crowd since 1996 — 30 years ago!)
Broadcast: ESPN

How Montana State Won: The Dramatic Ending Explained

Regulation: Blocked Field Goal Sends Game to Overtime

With Montana State clinging to a 28-28 tie and just 57 seconds remaining in regulation, Illinois State lined up for what would have been a go-ahead 38-yard field goal. But Montana State’s Jhase McMillan burst through the line and blocked Michael Cosentino’s kick, keeping the Bobcats’ championship hopes alive and forcing the game into overtime — the first in FCS title game history.

Overtime: Two Teams, Two Touchdowns, Two Blocked Kicks

In college football overtime, each team gets a possession starting from the opponent’s 25-yard line.

Illinois State’s Possession:
Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse connected with Dylan Lord on a 10-yard touchdown pass, giving the Redbirds their first lead of the game at 34-28. But Montana State’s Hunter Parsons blocked the extra point attempt, leaving Illinois State up by just six points instead of seven — a critical difference.

Montana State’s Possession:
Facing fourth-and-10 from the 14-yard line with the season on the line, quarterback Justin Lamson delivered the play that will live forever in Bobcat lore. Under heavy pressure, Lamson lofted a high-arcing pass to receiver Taco Dowler in the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown, tying the game at 34-34.

“Taco was wide open,” explained Lamson, who didn’t join the program until last June. “I got hit, so I was just trying to give him a chance, and the rest is history — and Myles did his thing and that was the game.”

Sansted’s extra point proved to be the championship clincher, setting off a jubilant celebration that spanned from the field to the stands, where Montana State fans had created what observers described as a “wall of blue and gold.”

The Journey: From 0-2 to 14-2 and National Champions

Rocky Start Nearly Derailed Championship Dreams

The path to this championship was anything but straightforward for Montana State (14-2). The season started disastrously with back-to-back losses:

• Loss #1: Fell to FBS powerhouse Oregon in the season opener
• Loss #2: Lost in double overtime at home to South Dakota State

At 0-2, many observers wondered if the Bobcats’ championship window had closed, especially after heartbreaking near-misses in recent years.

Recent Heartbreak Made Victory Sweeter

This championship run carried extra emotional weight:

• 2024: Lost 35-32 to North Dakota State in the national title game
• 2023: Season ended on a blocked extra point in overtime against North Dakota State
• 2025: Finally broke through after winning 14 straight games

“If you followed our season, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It was rocky at times,” said star receiver Taco Dowler. “The game today is a testament to the good men in the program. I couldn’t be prouder of the guys.”

Historic Playoff Run

Montana State’s path to the championship included:

• Second Round: Narrow victory over Yale
• Quarterfinals: Defeated Stephen F. Austin by 16 points
• Semifinals: Beat in-state rival Montana 48-23 (completing the season sweep and marking the first-ever playoff meeting between the fierce rivals)
• Championship: Defeated Illinois State 35-34 in OT

Star Performances: Heroes of the Championship

Justin Lamson: The Transfer Who Delivered a Title

The Stanford transfer who arrived in Bozeman just seven months ago earned the game’s Most Outstanding Player award with a stellar performance that will be remembered for generations.

Lamson’s Final Stats:

• Passing: 18-of-27, 280 yards, 2 TDs (no interceptions)
• Rushing: 12 carries, 30 yards, 2 TDs
• Total: 4 touchdowns, 310 total yards, clutch game-winning TD pass

Lamson was nearly perfect in the first half, completing 12 of 13 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown. His only incompletion? A batted ball at the line of scrimmage.

“It doesn’t feel real right now,” Lamson said after the game. “I got here late. These guys accepted me, Coach Vigen took a chance on me when not a lot of other people did. I thought about this moment… now that it’s really happened, I’m trying to take it all in.”

Taco Dowler: The Clutch Playmaker

The versatile receiver had the biggest catch of his career when it mattered most.

Dowler’s Championship Performance:

• 8 catches for 111 yards
• Game-winning 14-yard TD reception in overtime
• 22-yard rushing TD on a jet sweep in the third quarter
• Finished season with 1,000+ receiving yards (7th player in MSU history)

In the first half alone, Dowler caught six passes for 96 yards, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark for the season.

His twin brother, All-American safety Caden Dowler — the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year — left the game in the first half with a right arm injury but watched his brother help secure the championship from the sideline.

The Blocked Kicks That Won a Championship

Jhase McMillan and Hunter Parsons became instant Montana State legends with their crucial blocks.

“What a hard-fought game, and these things aren’t supposed to come easily, I guess,” head coach Brent Vigen reflected after the victory.

Illinois State’s Valiant Effort: So Close to Glory

Record-Breaking Road Warriors Fall Just Short

Despite the loss, Illinois State’s performance was nothing short of remarkable. The Redbirds (12-5) made history as the first FCS team ever to win four consecutive road playoff games en route to the championship, including a stunning upset of top-seeded and previously undefeated North Dakota State — winners of 10 of the previous 14 FCS titles.

Redbirds Dominated Statistically

Illinois State actually outplayed Montana State by most statistical measures:

• Total Yards: 471 to 381 (90-yard advantage)
• Time of Possession: 39:41 to 20:19 (nearly 2-to-1)
• Fourth Quarter: Outscored Montana State 14-0 to force overtime
• Turnovers: Neither team committed one

Tommy Rittenhouse’s Stellar Performance

The Illinois State quarterback had an outstanding game in defeat:

• Passing: 33-of-46, 311 yards, 4 TDs
• Orchestrated a furious fourth-quarter comeback
• Connected with Dylan Lord for the overtime TD

Dylan Lord was particularly impressive with 13 catches for 161 yards and two scores. Running back Victor Dawson added 126 rushing yards on 29 carries.

“Just couldn’t find one more play,” Illinois State coach Brock Spack said afterward. “We needed to make one more play to win. When you look at a game that’s a one-point loss like that, there’s probably 10, 15, maybe 20 plays in the game if you make just one of them, you win. Wasn’t able to do that, and we came up short.”

Game Breakdown: How It Unfolded Quarter by Quarter

First Half: Montana State Dominates

First Quarter:

• Montana State struck first with a 4-yard touchdown run by Justin Lamson (7-0)
• The Bobcats extended their lead with another Lamson rushing TD (14-0)
• Illinois State finally got on the board (14-7)

Second Quarter:

• Lamson connected with Dane Steel for a 33-yard TD with just 18 seconds left in the half
• Montana State took a commanding 21-7 lead into halftime

Second Half: Illinois State Storms Back

Third Quarter:

• Illinois State’s Victor Dawson fumbled at the goal line, but lineman Logan Brasfield recovered it in the end zone for a TD (21-14)
• Taco Dowler’s 22-yard rushing TD on a jet sweep extended MSU’s lead to 28-14

Fourth Quarter: The Comeback

• Illinois State’s Daniel Sobkowicz caught a 4-yard fade TD (28-21)
• Tommy Rittenhouse led a methodical drive, connecting with Dylan Lord for a TD to tie the game 28-28 with five minutes remaining
• Montana State’s field goal attempt was blocked with 57 seconds left
• Game went to overtime — FIRST TIME EVER in FCS championship history

Historic Attendance: 30-Year Record Broken

The game drew 24,105 fans to FirstBank Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University, marking the largest crowd for an FCS championship game in 30 years (since 1996) and the seventh-largest in the event’s 48-year history.

Top 10 Most-Attended FCS Championship Games:

1. 32,106 — 1995-96 — Huntington, WV — Montana vs. Marshall
2. 31,304 — 1992-93 — Huntington, WV — Marshall vs. Youngstown State
3. 30,052 — 1996-97 — Huntington, WV — Marshall vs. Montana
4. 29,218 — 1993-94 — Huntington, WV — Youngstown State vs. Marshall
5. 27,674 — 1994-95 — Huntington, WV — Youngstown State vs. Boise State
6. 26,563 — 1991-92 — Huntington, WV — Youngstown State vs. Marshall
7. 24,105 — 2025-26 — Nashville, TN — Montana State vs. Illinois State ✅
8. 24,000 — 1989-90 — Statesboro, GA
9. 23,617 — 1998-99 — Chattanooga, TN
10. 23,527 — 2000-01 — Chattanooga, TN

The passionate Montana State fanbase made its presence felt despite the significant 1,700-mile distance from Bozeman, Montana.

“I want to give a ton of credit to Bobcat Nation, that was a scene,” said Coach Vigen. “And we’ve had some scenes back home, but to really take our fanbase down to Nashville here and take over, that was certainly impactful tonight.”

Montana State’s Championship Legacy

Second FCS Title, Fourth Overall

The championship marked Montana State’s second FCS/Division I-AA title, adding to their 1984 championship and cementing the program’s place among college football’s most storied smaller-school programs.

Montana State Football Championships:

• 1956: NAIA National Championship
• 1976: NCAA Division II National Championship
• 1984: NCAA Division I-AA (FCS) National Championship
• 2025: NCAA FCS National Championship ✅

The 41-Year Wait Is Over

For players, coaches, and fans who had suffered through decades of near-misses, the victory was particularly sweet.

“To be able to clear that hurdle and know that, yes, this ’25 group accomplished what hadn’t been done in a long time,” Coach Vigen said. “You know, we’re building for more.”

The Montana Rivalry: Season Sweep Complete

Montana State’s championship run included a notable subplot: the program’s first-ever playoff victory over in-state rival Montana.

2025 Season vs. Montana:

• Regular Season “Brawl of the Wild”: Won 31-28 in Missoula
• Semifinals: Won 48-23 (blowout)
• Season Sweep: First time ever meeting in playoffs

The semifinal victory marked the first time in the storied rivalry — one of college football’s most intense — that the two schools met in the playoffs, adding another chapter to the heated competition.

Several Montana State players, including running backs Julius Davis and Adam Jones, grew up in Missoula (Grizzly territory) but chose to play for the Bobcats.

“It means a whole lot, especially for us coming from Missoula,” Jones said after the championship. “This is such a special group of guys. We fought all year — all year round — 51 weeks. And we put it together when it mattered most.”

Building a Dynasty: Youth and Talent for Years to Come

Only Nine Seniors on Championship Team

Head coach Brent Vigen, who has led Montana State to the FCS title game three times in five years, already has his eyes on sustained success. With only nine seniors on this year’s roster — a young, predominantly Montana-grown team — the foundation appears solid for years to come.

Legacy Players and Hometown Heroes

The championship team featured several compelling stories:

Paul Brott: Legacy defensive lineman celebrating alongside his brothers Mitch and Wilson — all three having worn Montana State colors. “I’m so proud to represent this family and this team,” Brott said. “Thank you to God, I was praying the whole time we were out there. That’s the way we win, man.”

Kenneth Eiden IV: Hometown kid who grew up attending Bobcat games and dreaming of bringing a championship back to his community. “It’s unbelievable to bring a championship back to my community. My hometown means everything to me.”

Bryce Grebe: Sophomore linebacker from tiny Melstone, Montana, following in the footsteps of his brother Brody, who graduated last year.

The Future Is Bright in Bozeman

With the core of this championship team returning next season, Montana State appears positioned for sustained excellence. Key returners include:

• QB Justin Lamson (junior)
• WR Taco Dowler
• Talented underclassmen with championship experience
• Strong recruiting pipeline from Montana

“We’re building for more,” Coach Vigen emphasized, hinting at dynasty potential.

Coach Brent Vigen: The Architect of Success

Three Title Game Appearances in Five Years

Vigen’s track record speaks for itself:

• 2022: Lost to North Dakota State (blocked XP in OT)
• 2024: Lost 35-32 to North Dakota State
• 2025: WON 35-34 over Illinois State ✅

Building the Right Culture

“A long time coming,” Vigen said after the game. “41 years in the making. Our fourth national championship as a football program.”

The young coach has created a championship culture in Bozeman, emphasizing:

• Resilience (bounced back from 0-2 start)
• Home-grown talent (Montana kids)
• Transfer portal success (Lamson from Stanford)
• Family atmosphere (legacy players)
• Championship mentality

What’s Next: Celebration and 2026 Season

Championship Celebration

Montana State stayed in Nashville Monday night following the victory and returned to Bozeman on Tuesday afternoon.

Homecoming Details:

• Landing time: Shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
• Expected massive fan turnout
• Championship parade likely to be announced

2026 Season Preview

Montana State begins its 2026 season in August with championship expectations and most of its roster returning.

Key Questions for Next Season:

• Can they repeat as champions?
• Will Justin Lamson build on his MVP season?
• How will they handle the target on their backs as defending champions?
• Can they improve on 14-2 record?

Impact on FCS Football: What This Championship Means

Breaking North Dakota State’s Dominance

For years, North Dakota State has dominated FCS football, winning 10 of the previous 14 national championships. Montana State’s victory represents a potential changing of the guard in the FCS landscape.

Proof That Patience and Building Pay Off

Montana State’s journey shows that:

• Sticking with a coach through near-misses can pay off
• Building with home-grown talent creates sustained success
• The transfer portal can fill critical needs (Lamson)
• Young rosters can win championships

Setting Attendance Records

The 24,105 fans prove that FCS football can draw big crowds when the matchup is compelling and the storylines are rich.

Social Media Reaction: Bobcat Nation Celebrates

The championship sparked an outpouring of celebration on social media:

Montana State Football Official (@MSUBobcats_FB): “THE KICK IS GOOD FOR A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN OVERTIME!!!! 🏆 @MSUBobcats_FB win the 2026 FCS National Championship and their second one in program history. #FCSChampionship #BobcatBuilt”

Former QB Tommy Mellott: Mellott, who won the Walter Payton Award last season, was in Nashville as a fill-in reporter covering the game, adding another emotional layer to the story.

Fans: “41 years in the making! Blue and gold FOREVER! 🐱🏆” “From 0-2 to CHAMPIONS! Never gave up! #BobcatBuilt” “That’s how you end a drought! MONTANA STATE IS BACK!”

Final Thoughts: A Championship for the Ages

Monday night’s overtime thriller delivered everything college football fans could want:

• ✅ Historic first-ever OT finish
• ✅ Record-breaking attendance (30-year high)
• ✅ Underdog story (started 0-2)
• ✅ Redemption narrative (three title games, finally won)
• ✅ Two blocked kicks deciding the outcome
• ✅ Clutch fourth-down TD pass
• ✅ David vs. Goliath elements (breaking North Dakota State dominance)

For Montana State football and its devoted fanbase, the 41-year wait is finally over. The Bobcats are national champions once again, and with Coach Vigen’s young roster, this may be just the beginning of a new golden era in Bozeman.

As the team returns home to Montana on Tuesday, they bring with them not just a trophy, but proof that perseverance, belief, and a little bit of magic in Music City can make dreams come true.

Champions. Finally. Again.

Championship Game Box Score

Final Score

Montana State 35, Illinois State 34 (OT)

Team Stats

Individual Leaders

Montana State:

• Justin Lamson: 18-27, 280 yards, 2 TD passing; 12 carries, 30 yards, 2 TD rushing
• Taco Dowler: 8 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD
• Adam Jones: Key rushing contributions
• Julius Davis: Key rushing contributions

Illinois State:

• Tommy Rittenhouse: 33-46, 311 yards, 4 TD
• Dylan Lord: 13 catches, 161 yards, 2 TD
• Victor Dawson: 29 carries, 126 yards
• Daniel Sobkowicz: Multiple TD catches

Key Plays

1. Jhase McMillan’s blocked field goal (57 seconds left in regulation)
2. Hunter Parsons’ blocked extra point (overtime)
3. Justin Lamson’s 4th-and-10 TD pass to Taco Dowler (overtime)
4. Myles Sansted’s game-winning extra point (overtime)