Over the hump: Montana State’s second FCS title has been a long time coming
- Nathan Swaffar
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
NASHVILLE – Recent history hadn’t been kind to Montana State.
Prior to this season, the Bobcats had made the FCS Playoff semifinals in four of the last five seasons, highlighted by two trips to the title game in 2021 and 2024. However, each campaign ended the same: empty-handed.
That was until Monday night.
In one of the most exciting college football championship games in recent memory – regardless of FBS, FCS, DII or DIII – the Bobcats finally reached the summit once again, defeating Illinois State 35-34 in overtime for their first FCS championship since 1984 and fourth title in program history.
“You look out there, the field is full, the stands still seem full, and just so grateful to be in a place that is so well supported and has so many people that care,” head coach Brent Vigen said.
“When you can truly say, yes, players and coaches are champions, but all Bobcats are champions. To be able to clear that hurdle, this ‘25 group accomplished what hadn't been done in a long time.”
To say that Monday’s title game was filled with unpredictable twists and turns at nearly every stage of the matchup would be a gross understatement. More than anything, Monday proved how magical the FCS can be.
As late as the fourth quarter, Montana State seemed to be in a relatively comfortable position. The Bobcats held a 28-14 lead with over 10 minutes to go as Illinois State struggled to get going. However, the Redbirds woke up, scoring 14 straight to tie things up before lining up for a 38-yard field goal attempt with just over a minute to go.
Then came one of two critical special teams plays in the fourth quarter and overtime. First, it was a blocked field goal from 38 yards out to prevent the Redbirds from going in front in the final minute.
Then, after Illinois State scored first in overtime with a touchdown on only two plays, the Bobcat special teams blocked the PAT attempt. That gave Montana State a chance to win with a touchdown and a successful point after.
Illinois State head coach Brock Spack said he thought that both blocked kicks were likely aided by errors from the Redbird special teams.
“It looked like there was a ball-handling issue on both of them, but it's hard to say without watching the tape,” Spack said. “But it looked like there was a little bit of ball handling and the ball was a little flat, and the ball didn't get up.”
After looking back at the film, it’s also evident that both kicks suffered from bad snaps. Critical mistakes and once again proving that special teams can’t be overlooked, especially in the biggest games of the season.
But even after giving themselves an opening, the Bobcats were still down on the canvas with the count at nine.
Facing 4th-and-10, it was do-or-die, and wide receiver Taco Dowler decided the title drought had lasted long enough. Justin Lamson lofted a ball into the corner of the endzone to Dowler, tying things up before Myles Sansted booted the extra point to give the Bobcats the title.
Dowler finished the day with 113 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown while also running in a 22-yard touchdown as well. Lamson, the most outstanding player of the game, finished with 280 yards through the air, 30 on the ground and accounted for four total touchdowns.
The same play that won the Bobcats the game was actually one they ran earlier. In fact, it was only two plays earlier on second down.
“We called the same play a couple of plays before that in maybe a little different formation, a little different presentation, but Coach [Pete] Sterbick saw Taco can win,” Vigen said.
When it mattered most, the Cats went right back to it.
“Taco was wide open, I got hit, so I just kind of gave him a chance and the rest is history,” Lamson said. “Myles did his thing and that’s the game. It was a great play call. Taco and I were just doing what we were supposed to do, what we were taught to do.”
“That was the piece we were looking for, Justin Lamson to Taco Dowler. I was all for it,” Vigen said. “In those moments as a coach, trusting your players and allowing them to go make plays, is really what this is all about. Couldn't be more happy for those two. It's pretty dang fitting it was those two making that connection.”
Many great players of the past that have walked through Bozeman – Tommy Mellot, Troy Anderson, Ty Okada, Daniel Hardy and many others – all came up short. Now, Lamson, Dowler, his brother Caden, Adam Jones, Titan Fleischmann and the rest of the 2025 team can boast something that they never will.
They were the team that finally brought the trophy back to Bozeman.
For Dowler, the game somewhat encapsulated the Bobcats’ season. The highest of highs, low moments and everything in between. But in the end, the culture, attitude and support behind the program made the title victory worth the wait.
“If you followed our season, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. It was rocky at times,” Dowler said. “Sticking to our roots and sticking to blue collar mentality and breathing … From top down, good men in this program. The game today is a testament to the good men in the program. I couldn't be prouder of the guys.”