On a chilly Monday night in Nashville, the Montana State Bobcats finally broke through and captured their first Football Championship Subdivision national title since 1984.
In a heart-pounding 35-34 overtime victory over the Illinois State Redbirds at FirstBank Stadium on January 5, 2026, the Bobcats turned a season full of close calls and near-misses into pure celebration. Helmets flew into the air, fans rushed the field, and a long-awaited trophy made its way to Bozeman after more than four decades of waiting.
“These things aren’t supposed to come easily I guess.
This wasn't just any win. For Montana State, it felt like the end of a long, frustrating chapter. Coach Brent Vigen had led the team to the title game twice before—only to come up short each time.
End of a Long Drought for Montana State
This wasn't just any win. For Montana State, it felt like the end of a long, frustrating chapter. Coach Brent Vigen, who's been building this program since taking over in 2021, had led the team to the title game twice before—only to come up short each time. In 2021, they fell to North Dakota State. Last year, a slow start against the same powerhouse Bison cost them another shot. But this 2025-26 squad refused to let history repeat itself. They finished 14-2, riding a 14-game winning streak that started after a rocky 0-2 opening to the season.
The Bobcats kicked things off with losses to Oregon (an FBS team) and then a double-overtime heartbreaker at home against South Dakota State. A lot of folks wondered if the magic from previous deep playoff runs was gone. Instead, the team turned it around in a big way. They dominated the Big Sky Conference, won the title there, and then went on a tear in the postseason. The highlight before the championship? Sweeping in-state rival Montana twice in four weeks, including a convincing 48-23 semifinal win that sent them back to the big stage.
The game itself was an absolute rollercoaster, the first FCS championship to ever go to overtime in its 48-year history.
Montana State jumped out fast, leading 21-7 at halftime and stretching it to 28-14 in the third quarter.
They needed big plays late to stay alive and win it in overtime.
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Illinois State's Incredible Underdog Run
Illinois State, meanwhile, came in as the ultimate underdog story. The Redbirds (12-5) weren't even seeded in the 24-team playoff bracket. They scraped in as one of the last at-large teams after a tough regular season that included a big loss to rival Southern Illinois. But once the postseason started, they flipped the script completely. They became the first team in FCS history to win four straight road playoff games to reach the national title game, traveling thousands of miles and shocking higher-seeded opponents along the way.
Their biggest upset was knocking off top-seeded North Dakota State, the dynasty that had won 10 of the last 14 titles. That victory alone put Illinois State on the map as a team of destiny. They followed it up with more gritty road wins, showing incredible resilience and heart. Spack kept emphasizing that the tough Missouri Valley Conference schedule prepared them for anything, and it showed in how they handled the pressure of neutral and hostile environments.
They proved it all the way to Nashville, but fell just short of their first-ever national crown. Despite the heartbreaking one-point loss in overtime, the Redbirds left everything on the field. They forced Montana State into tough spots late, made huge defensive stands, and had moments where one more play could have flipped the script. Spack said afterward that in a game this close, there are 10 or 15 plays that could have changed the outcome, and they just couldn't find that final one.
Dramatic Overtime Finish
The Redbirds got the ball to start overtime, and Rittenhouse wasted no time, hitting Lord on the second play for the score, putting them ahead 34-28. Hunter Parsons blocked the extra point to keep it within reach, a massive special teams play that proved crucial.
On fourth-and-10, Justin Lamson found Taco Dowler wide open for the go-ahead touchdown. Facing intense pressure, Lamson scrambled and delivered a perfect loft to the corner where Dowler secured it for the tying score at 34-34. Myles Sansted nailed the extra point for the 35-34 win.
The sideline erupted. Players sprinted around, hugging, jumping. Helmets flew into the air as Montana State fans who made the trip joined the chaos on the field in Nashville. It was pure joy after years of close calls.
Key Performances and Special Teams Heroes
The Redbirds got the ball to start overtime, and Rittenhouse wasted no time, hitting Lord on the second play for the score, putting them ahead 34-28. Hunter Parsons blocked the extra point to keep it within reach, a massive special teams play that proved crucial.
On fourth-and-10, Justin Lamson found Taco Dowler wide open for the go-ahead touchdown. Facing intense pressure, Lamson scrambled and delivered a perfect loft to the corner where Dowler secured it for the tying score at 34-34. Myles Sansted nailed the extra point for the 35-34 win.
The sideline erupted. Players sprinted around, hugging, jumping. Helmets flew into the air as Montana State fans who made the trip joined the chaos on the field in Nashville. It was pure joy after years of close calls.
Looking Ahead for the Young Bobcats
Coach Brent Vigen is already thinking ahead with a young, Montana-laden team featuring only nine seniors. The core is loaded with local talent, and Vigen sees this as the foundation for sustained success.
The Bobcats overcame early setbacks, handled the pressure of the in-state rivalry, and now stand as champions. They turned a 0-2 start into a 14-game win streak and finally cleared the title hurdle.
This is Montana State's second FCS title (first since '84), adding to their 1976 Division II crown and 1956 NAIA championship. They're the only program with titles at all three levels.
They're the only program with titles at all three levels, a unique achievement in college football history.
With a young team hungry for more, this might just be the start of something even bigger. Vigen talked about building for the future, and with the experience gained, the Bobcats could become a dynasty in the making.
Emily Parker
Sports Reporter
Emily Parker is an expert sports journalist, covering major leagues like the NFL, NBA, and the Olympics. She focuses on athlete stories, sports culture, and global sports events, bringing a unique perspective to the world of sports reporting.
