Montana State wins first FCS national championship since 1984 after thrilling OT victory over Illinois State

The Montana State Bobcats defeated nan Illinois State Redbirds 35-34 successful an overtime thriller to triumph nan program's first FCS championship since 1984 connected Monday night.

Last season, nan Bobcats mislaid successful nan title successful a shootout. The play before, they mislaid successful nan quarterfinals aft they had an other constituent blocked.

This play had an inauspicious start, arsenic nan Bobcats mislaid their first 2 games. However, nan Bobcats rattled disconnected 14 consecutive wins to seizure nan elusive national title.

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Montana State violative lineman Titan Fleischmann (66) celebrates aft winning nan FCS title crippled successful overtime against Illinois State successful Nashville, Tennessee, connected Jan. 5, 2026. (George Walker IV/AP Photo)

Montana State hit their in-state rivals, Montana, doubly successful a four-week span arsenic they hit them successful nan semifinals.

Head coach Brent Vigen is already focused connected adjacent year, saying nan squad is building for more.

"To beryllium capable to clear that hurdle and cognize that yes, this ’25 group accomplished what hadn’t been done successful a agelong time," Vigen said. "You know, we’re building for more."

The early looks agleam for nan Bobcats, arsenic they had conscionable 9 seniors connected their title-winning team.

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Montana State players observe aft winning nan FCS title crippled against Illinois State successful Nashville, Tennessee, connected Jan. 5, 2026. (George Walker IV/AP Photo)

The Bobcats jumped retired to a 21-7 lead astatine halftime, and kept it a two-score crippled successful nan 3rd quarter, starring 28-14, but nan Redbirds stormed back.

Illinois State tied nan crippled astatine 28-28 and had a chance to return nan lead pinch 57 seconds near successful nan 4th quarter. Redbirds kicker Michael Consentino had a 38-yard section extremity attempt, but it was blocked by Bobcats protect backmost Jhase McMillan.

Illinois State scored first successful overtime, arsenic backmost Tommy Rittenhouse connected pinch wide receiver Dylan Lord connected a 10-yard touchdown to spell up 34-28, but ran into much kicking woes. Bobcats protect extremity Hunter Parsons blocked nan other point, keeping nan people astatine 34-28.

Bobcats backmost Justin Lamson tied nan crippled pinch a 14-yard touchdown walk to wide receiver Taco Dowler to make it 34-34, and kicker Myles Sanstead buried nan other constituent to springiness Montana State nan win.

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Montana State tight extremity Rylan Schlepp (88) and violative tackle Tommy Nilson (60) observe aft winning nan FCS title crippled against Illinois State successful Nashville, Tennessee, connected Jan. 5, 2026. (George Walker IV/AP Photo)

"Taco was wide open," Lamson said. "I sewage deed truthful I was conscionable trying to springiness him a chance and nan remainder is history, and Myles did his point and that was nan game."

Vigen, who was successful his 3rd title quality successful 5 seasons arsenic head coach, said that nan wins aren’t expected to travel easily.

"What a hard-fought game, and these things aren’t expected to travel easily, I guess," Vigen said.

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