In the first overtime game in FCS championship history, the Montana State Bobcats outlasted the Illinois State Redbirds in a heart-pounding finish.
Score Summary
The Bobcats jumped out to a commanding 21-7 halftime lead and pushed it to 28-14 early in the second half before the Redbirds mounted a furious comeback to tie it at 28-28 by the end of regulation. In overtime, Illinois State struck first with a touchdown to lead 34-28 after a missed extra point, but Montana State responded with a touchdown of their own to tie it at 34-34 before nailing the game-winning extra point for a final score of 35-34.
Turning Points
Blocked Field Goal Forces OT: With 57 seconds left in regulation and the game tied at 28, Montana State’s Jhase McMillan blocked a 38-yard field goal attempt by Illinois State’s Michael Cosentino, sending the game to overtime.
Missed Extra Point in OT: After Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse scored to put the Redbirds up 34-28, Cosentino missed his second extra point of the game, keeping the door open for the Bobcats.
Fourth-and-10 Heroics: In Montana State’s overtime possession, quarterback Justin Lamson connected with receiver Taco Dowler on a 14-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-10 to tie the game at 34-34, setting up the decisive extra point by Myles Sansted.
Standout Performances
Justin Lamson (Montana State QB): Threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns while adding two rushing scores, showcasing dual-threat prowess in clutch moments.
Taco Dowler (Montana State WR): Hauled in eight receptions for 111 yards, including the game-tying touchdown in overtime that kept the Bobcats’ championship dreams alive.
Tommy Rittenhouse (Illinois State QB): Delivered 311 passing yards and four touchdowns, nearly engineering a Cinderella upset.
Dylan Lord (Illinois State WR): Dominated with 13 catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns, serving as Rittenhouse’s go-to target.
Victor Dawson (Illinois State RB): Rushed for 126 yards, providing balance to the Redbirds’ offense amid their comeback.
Implications for Playoff Chances
As the FCS national championship game, this result crowns Montana State (14-2) as the 2025 champions, ending a 41-year title drought and marking their first FCS crown since 1984—bolstering their program prestige and likely securing strong recruiting and seeding in future seasons. For Illinois State (12-5), the loss caps a remarkable unseeded run with four straight road playoff wins, including an upset over defending champ North Dakota State, but leaves them as runners-up without a title—positioning them as a rising threat with momentum heading into 2026 recruiting and preseason rankings.
