Last night, at First Bank Stadium in Nashville, 24,105 highly charged college football faithful were treated to a game for the ages. The war-tested Montana State Bobcat football team overcame multiple blunders to defeat the Redbirds of Illinois State University 35-34, on the last play of the game in overtime. On fourth down and with heartbreaking defeat looming inevitable, Bobcat quarterback Justin Lamson heaved a fourteen-yard desperation pass over a wall of ISU defenders into the arms of 5’9″, 170 lb. junior wide receiver Taco Dowler running an out-route into the corner of the endzone to tie the game. Sophomore Myles Sansted them calmly kicked the game-winning extra point straight through the uprights to win it.
It was MSU’s first Nat’l. championship in 41 years. And well worth the wait.
Congratulations to coach Vigen and the Bobcats!
Watch game highlights here: Montana State Wins 2026 FCS National Championship in Overtime