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The Montana State Bobcats defeated the Illinois State Redbirds 35-34 in an overtime thriller to win the program’s first FCS championship since 1984 on Monday night.
Last season, the Bobcats lost the championship in a shootout. The previous season, they lost in the quarterfinals after blocking an extra point.
This season got off to an inauspicious start, as the Bobcats lost their first two games. However, the Bobcats reeled off 14 straight victories to capture the elusive national title.
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Montana State offensive lineman Titan Fleischmann (66) celebrates after winning the FCS championship game in overtime against Illinois State in Nashville, Tennessee on January 5, 2026. (Photo George Walker IV/AP)
Montana State beat in-state rivals Montana twice in four weeks by defeating them in the semifinals.
Head coach Brent Vigen is already focusing on next year, saying the team is preparing for more.
“To be able to get over that hurdle and know that yes, this group of 25 accomplished what hadn’t been done in a long time,” Vigen said. “You know, we’re building for more.”
The future looks bright for the Bobcats, as they had just nine seniors on their title-winning team.
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Montana State players celebrate after winning the FCS championship game against Illinois State in Nashville, Tennessee on January 5, 2026. (Photo George Walker IV/AP)
The Bobcats took a 21-7 lead into halftime and kept it a two-point game in the third quarter, leading 28-14, but the Redbirds came back strong.
Illinois State tied the game at 28-28 and had a chance to take the lead with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Redbirds kicker Michael Consentino attempted a 38-yard field goal, but it was blocked by Bobcats defensive back Jhase McMillan.
Illinois State scored first in overtime, as quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse connected with wide receiver Dylan Lord on a 10-yard touchdown run to go up 34-28, but ran into further kicking trouble. Bobcats defensive end Hunter Parsons blocked the extra point, keeping the score at 34-28.
Bobcats quarterback Justin Lamson tied the game with a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Taco Dowler to make the score 34-34, and kicker Myles Sanstead buried the extra point to give Montana State the victory.
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Montana State tight end Rylan Schlepp (88) and offensive tackle Tommy Nilson (60) celebrate after winning the FCS championship game against Illinois State in Nashville, Tennessee on January 5, 2026. (Photo George Walker IV/AP)
“Taco was wide open,” Lamson said. “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.”
Vigen, who was making his third title appearance in five seasons as head coach, said victories aren’t supposed to come easily.
“What a hard-fought game, and these things aren’t supposed to come easily, I guess,” Vigen said.
