As FCS football took center stage in Nashville, Montana State held off Illinois State to claim the national championship. Here’s a review of the Bobcats’ title win.
Nashville, Tennessee, wasn’t just dressed in navy blue and gold Monday night, destiny also favored those colors in FCS football.
It was a jaw-dropping look.
Montana State fulfilled the mission of claiming its first national championship in 41 years by outlasting Illinois State 35-34 in overtime before 24,105 mesmerized fans at Vanderbilt University’s FirstBank Stadium.
The Bobcats (14-2) fell behind 34-28 to begin overtime but blocked the extra-point attempt. Then facing 4th-and-10 on their possession, quarterback Justin Lamson connected with wide receiver Taco Dowler along the left side of the end zone for a 14-yard, tying TD. Myles Sansted followed with a championship-winning extra point.
The Big Sky champions, seeded second in a 24-team field, had lost in two of the previous four title games, but the third time proved to be the charm in coach Brent Vigen’s fifth season. The Bobcats had previously captured the 1984 FCS national championship as well as 1956 NAIA and 1976 Division II titles.
Here’s a review of the Montana State win:
2025 FCS Championship Game
No. 2 Seed Montana State (14-2) 35, Illinois State (12-5) 34, OT
How It Happened – Lamson had a dominating first half with two touchdown runs and a scoring pass as Montana State built a 21-7 lead. Despite trailing by 14 points three different times, Illinois State remained resilient, forcing the first overtime in the 48-year history of the championship game and going ahead for the first time on Dylan Lord’s 10-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Rittenhouse.
But just as Montana State’s Jhase McMillian blocked a field-goal attempt in the final minute of regulation, Hunter Parsons did so on the Redbirds’ PAT attempt in overtime.
On MSU’s possession, the Bobcats gained a first down before the game nearly ended with a Redbirds’ pass breakup that almost resulted in an interception. That led to fourth down, where Dowler – long a big-game player – hauled in his clutch TD. Sansted, who’s led FCS kickers in points for two straight seasons, then delivered the biggest of his career.
Game Balls – Lamson, selected as the game’s outstanding player, had 310 yards of total offense with two touchdown runs and two more scores through the air. But Redbirds wide receiver Dylan Lord was sensational as well with 13 catches for 161 yards and TDs that both tied the game 28-28 and put the Redbirds ahead in OT.
Key Stats – Montana State persevered as well because Illinois State had a 19-minute, 22-second advantage in time of possession, leading to 31 more offensive plays (84-51) and 90 more yards (471-381). … Illinois State allowed eight blocked kicks this season, with low snaps playing into Montana State’s big pair. … The four players with the most tackles in the game were Bobcats, led by linebacker Cole Taylor with 16.
The Takeaway – Montana State was undeterred after opening 0-2 this season, winning its final 14 games to become the best team in the 129-team FCS (it gained from playoff nemesis North Dakota State being out of the picture a month ago).
Nashville also scored a big win with the thriller and a crowd that was the seventh-largest crowd in the game’s history (and the second largest at a neutral site). Considering the FCS programs that have larger fan bases keep making it to the championship, a larger venue such as FirstBank Stadium appears warranted.
Up Next – The Bobcats will sit atop the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll on Tuesday. To open the 2026 season, they’ll visit Utah Tech. Meanwhile, Illinois State is still seeking an opponent for a likely home opener to the season, followed by a scheduled game at Western Illinois.
For more FCS football coverage, follow on social media at X, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.
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