{"id":657741,"date":"2026-01-06T06:11:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T06:11:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/657741\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T06:11:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T06:11:21","slug":"montana-state-wins-the-2025-26-fcs-football-national-championship-in-overtime-thriller-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/657741\/","title":{"rendered":"Montana State wins the 2025-26 FCS football National Championship in overtime thriller"},"content":{"rendered":"

The drought is over! We repeat, the drought is over! Montana State has won the FCS Championship for the first time since 1984, breaking a 41-year drought.<\/p>\n

The Bobcats won the 2025-26 FCS Championship with a 35-34 win over Illinois State in overtime, holding off the Redbirds in the an overtime classic.<\/p>\n

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Walk-off overtime TD on 4th down to clinch 2026 FCS Championship<\/p>\n

After Illinois State scored two fourth quarter touchdowns, the Redbirds had a shot at a game-winning field goal with just over one minute to play. That’s when the kick was blocked! The game proceeded to overtime.<\/p>\n

MADNESS IN NASHVILLE, ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! \ud83e\udee8<\/p>\n

The field goal kick gets blocked by @MSUBobcats_FB<\/a>, scooped up, and returned back to the 45-yard line of Illinois State. #FCSChampionship<\/a> x \ud83c\udfa5 ESPN pic.twitter.com\/apXWzNehjH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

In overtime, Illinois State got the ball first and scored a touchdown to take the lead. That’s when the extra-point try was blocked as special teams miscues proved costly for Illinois State.<\/p>\n

REDBIRDS STRIKE FIRST IN OVERTIME \u26a1\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Dylan Lord scores his second touchdown of the game to give @RedbirdFB<\/a> the lead. #FCSChampionship<\/a> x \ud83c\udfa5 ESPN pic.twitter.com\/cE9621nX2Y<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

However, Montana State still had to respond with a touchdown of their own. Facing 4th-and-10, quarterback Justin Lamson hit wide receiver Taco Dowler for the game-tying score. To win the game, Colby Frokjer knocked in the game-winning PAT.<\/p>\n

TACO DOWLER TOUCHDOWN \ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n

Lamson connects with Dowler in the end zone for an overtime @MSUBobcats_FB<\/a> touchdown. #FCSChampionship<\/a> x \ud83c\udfa5 ESPN pic.twitter.com\/gBdNnha0PR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The game-winning touchdown earned Lamson Most Outstanding Player honors. He completed 67 percent of his passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 30 yards and two scores.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the first championship of the Brent Vigen era in Bozeman as the head coach lifts the trophy for the first in his third championship game appearance. The win is also the Big Sky\u2019s first over the MVFC in a championship game, bringing the all time record to 4-1.<\/p>\n

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Full finish: CHAOTIC Q4 ending, FIRST-EVER FCS title game overtime<\/p>\n