Montana State tops Illinois State in OT for first FCS title since 1984

Field Level Media
06 Jan 2026, 10:25 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Montana State blew a 14-point second-half lead but came away with a 35-34 overtime win over Illinois State in the FCS national championship game Monday in Nashville, Tenn.

The Bobcats (14-2) led 14-0 late in the first half and 28-14 with little more than 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter before the Redbirds (12-5) scored 14 straight fourth-quarter points and lined up for a go-ahead field goal with 1:04 left. That was blocked by Jhase McMillan and the game went to overtime.

Illinois State got the ball to begin overtime and scored a touchdown before its extra point was blocked. On Montana State's possession, Justin Lamson found Taco Dowler for a 14-yard touchdown on fourth-and-10. The ensuing extra point clinched Montana State's second FCS title and first since 1984.

Lamson completed 18 of 27 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 30 yards and two more scores. Dowler had eight catches for 111 yards for the second-seeded Bobcats.

Tommy Rittenhouse was 33-of-46 passing for 311 yards and four touchdowns to lead the unseeded Redbirds, who became the first team in FCS playoff history to win four straight road games to reach the title game.

Victor Dawson had 29 carries for 162 yards to go with five catches for 33 yards. Dylan Lord caught 13 passes for 161 yards and two TDs in the loss.

--Field Level Media

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