After knocking on the door for the last several years, Montana State finally broke through to win the school’s first FCS national championship since 1984. It was the first FCS/I-AA Championship Game to go to overtime and the Bobcats won 35-34 over Illinois State in one of the subdivision’s most thrilling games ever.
The game was tied at 28 late in the game when Illinois State had a chance to take a lead on a field goal. The Redbirds had trouble with the snap, the field goal attempt was blocked, and the Bobcats were set up inside ISU territory. With a chance to win, Montana State went backwards and the game went into overtime for the first time on the FCS’ biggest stage.
In overtime, ISU’s Dylan Lord tiptoed down the sideline to give them a 34-28 lead. Another bad snap led to a blocked extra point, leaving ISU in a precarious position. Montana State was pushed to the brink, facing a fourth and 10 with the title hanging in the balance. ISU sent the pressure, but it was Justin Lamson finding Taco Dowler for the touchdown. The ensuing extra point went through the uprights and the Bobcats that claimed the title.
It was heartbreak for an Illinois State team that rallied from a 28-14 fourth quarter deficit and sat on the precipice of its first FCS title. ISU had lost its previous FCS title game appearance in 2014 by two points. Then, it was North Dakota State that mounted the winning drive in the final minute. This time, it was the Bobcats that overcame a poor second half showing to claim the title.
Montana State’s victory gave the Big Sky Conference its first FCS title since 2010, when Eastern Washington defeated Delaware 20-19. The Big Sky had lost the national championship game in 2018 (Eastern Washington), 2021 (Montana State), 2023 (Montana), and 2024 (Montana State). It’s the Big Sky’s 7th FCS title since the creation of the subdivision in 1978.
The Bobcats’ first drive was full of negative plays, but it didn’t stop them from reaching the end zone. A 13-yard sack on first down was immediately followed by a 26-yard completion as Taco Dowler dashed through the secondary. A false start set up 2nd and 16, but that was immediately followed by another Dowler catch to the five. Justin Lamson finished the opening drive with a 3-yard touchdown to put Montana State up 7-0.
Montana State doubled the lead to 14-0 on its next drive as Lamson found Chris Long for a 33-yard strike on 1st and 15. Lamson would finish the drive rushing for the final 11 yards, including powering his way for a two-yard touchdown.
After three solid drives into MSU territory without any points, the Redbirds finally broke into the red zone in the final minute of the half. Illinois State converted a 4th and 2 to set up its first score of the game. Tommy Rittenhouse found a wide-open Scotty Presson on a crossing route to cut the deficit in half at 14-7.
With 54 seconds left in the half, Montana State responded quickly with a 3-play, 75-yard drive. Lamson hit Jabez Woods for 20 yards, followed by a 22-yard completion to Long. Then came the backbreaker for the Illinois State defense. Lamson found Dane Steel near the sideline, who broke a tackle, leaped over an ISU defender, and dove into the end zone for a 33-yard score and a 21-7 Montana State halftime lead.
The second half saw a strong start by Illinois State. The Redbirds forced a Montana State punt, followed by a long, methodical drive by the offense. ISU went 85 yards in 17 plays, while burning half the quarter (7:32) off the clock. The drive ended with Victor Dawson getting stopped at the 1, fumbling, and offensive lineman Logan Brasfield recovering for the touchdown to make it a 21-14 MSU lead.
Just like ISU’s first touchdown, Montana State was quick to respond with a score of its own. The Bobcats drove 64 yards in 6 plays to restore the lead to 14 points. Taco Dowler took the handoff, got a great block from Adam Jones, and cut it upfield to score from 22 yards out.
The ensuing drive for Illinois State was a carbon copy of its previous drive. The Redbirds went 81 yards in 15 plays, while burning another 8 minutes off the clock. Rittenhouse threw a fade to Daniel Sobkowicz on 4th and 1 to cut the deficit to 7 points at 28-21.
The Redbirds would force the first three-and-out of the game to get the ball back at its 40-yard line with 9 minutes left and needing a touchdown. ISU wouldn’t take as long, going 60 yards in 8 plays. The drive was capped in style as Dylan Lord knifed through the defense to score from 25 yards out to tie the game 28 apiece.
The Redbirds forced another punt and made another drive deep into Montana State territory. The drive stalled out just beyond the red zone, leaving the Redbirds with a decision: either attempt the field goal or go for it on fourth down. ISU opted for the field goal, but it was blocked and returned to the ISU 45-yard line. Fortunately for ISU, the Bobcats were unable to get anything going and ended up having to punt the ball after a sack and botched snap.
In a losing performance, the Redbirds had some fantastic showings. Victor Dawson ran for 126 yards on 29 carries. Tommy Rittenhouse threw for 311 yards and 4 touchdowns on 33 of 46 passing. With Daniel Sobkowicz blanketed by Montana State’s secondary, it was Dylan Lord who stepped up. He had 13 catches for 161 yards and 2 crucial touchdowns. Illinois State’s incredible run to the title game saw them become the first team to reach the final by winning four straight road games in the playoffs. The Redbirds finished 12-5 on the season.
For Montana State, it was a near disaster. The Bobcats committed 14 penalties for 93 yards, including 9 false start penalties. The defense had struggled mightily in the second half, but it was the special teams that won them the game to finish 14-2 and claim the school’s first title in more than four decades. Justin Lamson threw for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 18 of 27 passing. He added another 2 touchdowns on the ground. Taco Dowler had 8 catches for 111 yards, and the touchdown that won them the title.
Photo Credit to USA Today
