Montana State defeated Illinois State in an instant classic to win the FCS national championship game on Jan. 5.
Justin Lamson felt the pressure on fourth-and-10 in overtime before hitting Taco Dowler for a 14-yard, game-winning touchdown in overtime to give the Bobcats their first national title since 1984.
Watch FCS national championship game between Illinois State and Montana State live with Fubo (free trial)
It’s an absolute heartbreak for the Redbirds, who defied the odds by entering the postseason unseeded before winning four consecutive road games in the playoffs. Illinois State’s potential game-winning field goal was blocked with a minute left in regulation, then its point-after attempt after taking a 34-28 lead in overtime was also blocked.
Dowler and Lamson were outstanding, despite blowing a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. Lamson passed for 280 yards and scored four total touchdowns while Dowler caught eight passes for 111 yards with a touchdown, along with a 22-yard rushing score.
Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse left it all on the line in his final collegiate game, passing for 311 yards with four touchdowns in the loss.
Here are the highlights from Montana State’s national championship win over Illinois State:
Illinois State vs Montana State score
Illinois State vs Montana State highlights
Montana State wins it!
What a game. Justin Lamson hits Taco Dowler for a 14-yard touchdown, then Montana State makes the PAT to win it. The Bobcats block two kicks to win the game in the final minutes.
An absolute, instant classic.
Illinois State scores, but misses PAT
It takes Illinois State two plays to score, as Rittenhouse tosses his fourth touchdown of the game. Dylan Lord’s 10-yard touchdown catch puts him up to 13 receptions for 161 yards with two touchdowns.
Illinois State leads 34-28 after Montana State blocks the point-after attempt in what could be a game-changing play, should Montana State score here and make the PAT.
Illinois State loses toss
Illinois State loses the coin toss and will start with possession in the first overtime.
College football OT rules
FCS title game heading to overtime
Illinois State holds strong and recovers a Montana State punt with 12 seconds left deep in its own territory. The Redbirds run the ball, and the FCS national championship game is headed to overtime. Here we go.
Montana State blocks field goal!
Wow, Illinois State lines up for a 38-yard field goal with 1:03 left, but it’s blocked by Jhase McMillan, giving the ball back to Montana State.
The Bobcats could get into field-goal range here to win after looking like they were out of it. What a turn of events.
Montana State punts
Montana State punts, giving Illinois State back the ball with 3:09 left in the game. Can Illinois State win it here?
Illinois State ties it
Wow, Illinois State ties it on the touchdown catch by Dylan Lord, who bounces off a few defenders before diving into the end zone for the 25-yard touchdown.
The former walk-on has a career-high 11 receptions for 118 yards and a score so far, and the Redbirds have tied the game at 28-28 with 5:10 left in the game.
Illinois State scores on fourth down
Illinois State risks it on fourth-and-1, and it pays off. The Redbirds go for it on the 4-yard line and Tommy Rittenhouse throws to Daniel Sobkowicz, who hauls in the goal-line fade touchdown pass.
Montana State still leads with 10:13 left in the fourth quarter.
Montana State strikes back
Montana State gains 64 yards in six plays, ending in a 22-yard touchdown run by Taco Dowler. Dowler has six receptions for 96 yards, along with his 22-yard rush so far.
The Bobcats lead 28-14 with 3:18 left in the third quarter, taking back their two-possession lead.
Illinois State recovers fumble for touchdown
Illinois State’s Victor Dawson is stuffed on third-and-goal from the 1-yard line, but Dawson fumbles before the ball is recovered by offensive lineman Logan Brasfield for a touchdown.
Somehow, the Redbirds reduce their deficit to 21-14 after the friendly bounce. Illinois State traveled 85 yards in 16 plays.
Montana State receives second-half kickoff
The Bobcats open the second half on offense and have a chance to blow this game wide open with another score. Montana State already has a two-possession lead.
Halftime: Montana State 21, Illinois State 7
What a crazy sequence of events to end the first half of the FCS Championship. Illinois State left 54 seconds in the half for Montana State to potentially drive down the field for a score: The Bobcats only needed 36 to go down for the touchdown. Montana State has scored touchdowns on three of its four drives.
Montana State scores quick touchdown
Well, that’s one way to respond. Thirty-six seconds of game clock after giving up a touchdown, Montana State drives the field for a touchdown to lengthen its lead back to 21-7. The three-play drive saw Justin Lamson complete a 20-yard pass to Jabez Woods to the Montana State 45-yard line; a 22-yard pass to Chris Long to the Illinois State 33-yard line; and a 33-yard touchdown pass to Dane Steel, who hurdles a defender.
Illinois State scores first touchdown
Two plays after the fourth-down conversion, Tommy Rittenhouse completes a 6-yard touchdown to Scotty Presson Jr. on the underneath route for a walk-in touchdown. That cuts into Montana State’s lead, 14-7, with 54 seconds remaining in the half.
Illinois State converts fourth down
Illinois State opts to gamble on fourth-and-2 from the Montana State 15-yard line, and it pays off. The Redbirds, trailing 14-0 at the 2-minute timeout, complete a 7-yard pass between Tommy Rittenhouse and Dylan Lord to the 8-yard line. The drive stays alive.
Illinois State blows up Montana State third-down attempt
A heads-up play by Illinois State’s Tye Niekamp results in a sack of Justin Lamson on third-and-1, and forces Montana State’s first punt of the day. The Redbirds will take over at their own 20-yard line.
Illinois State punts
Illinois State continues to struggle offensively. Hayden Futch’s punt rolls into the end zone for a touchback, giving Montana State back possession on its own 20-yard line.
Montana State extends lead
Quarterback Justin Lamson rushes for his second touchdown of the game, giving Montana State a 14-0 lead on the 2-yard run.
Lamson is 8-of-8 passing for 143 yards already, along with 14 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He’s on pace for a huge game.
La’Shavion Brown ejected for targeting
Montana State regains possession before Illinois State’s La’Shavion Brown is ejected for targeting. It initially looked like Brown forced a fumble on a 33-yard pass to Chris Long before the penalty.
Montana State is looking to go up 14-0 early in the second quarter.
Illinois State drive stays alive after penalty
Montana State is flagged for running into the punter, and the penalty keeps Illinois State’s drive alive after lining up to punt on fourth-and-4. Potentially huge play for the Redbirds.
Montana State takes 7-0 lead
Montana State caps off a 10-play, 90-yard scoring drive with a 3-yard touchdown run by quarterback Justin Lamson.
The Bobcats were moving the ball with ease there. Leading receiver Taco Dowler caught three passes for 71 yards on the drive.
Illinois State punts
Illinois State’s drive stalls out after traveling 34 yards in eight plays. Hayden Futch punts 34 yards on fourth-and-15 to pin Montana State back at its own 10-yard line.
Montana State kicks off
Montana State kicks it off to Illinois State, and the FCS national championship game is underway. Here come Tommy Rittenhouse and the Redbirds.
Where is the FCS national championship game?
The FCS national championship game between Illinois State and Montana State is being held at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, where Vanderbilt plays its home games.
The title game was held in Frisco, Texas, from 2010-25, but was moved due to renovations at Toyota Stadium. It’s unclear where the FCS championship game will be held after 2027, when the renovations are complete.
Why is Taco Dowler named Taco?
‘My dad said, ‘What do you want for breakfast, McLean?’ That’s my real name,’ Dowler told MontanaSports.com in 2020. ‘And I said, ‘My name’s Taco.’ And Caden said, ‘My name’s Burrito.’ So Caden was Burrito for like six months and I was Taco.’
Tommy Rittenhouse stats
Illinois State fifth-year quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse ranks second in FCS in touchdown passes and has been one of the most prolific players in FCS this season. Here are his full stats for the 2025 season so far:
- Passing: 301-of-470 passing (64%) for 3,257 yards with 36 touchdowns to 12 interceptions
- Rushing: 101 carries for 408 yards with seven touchdowns
What time does Illinois State vs Montana State start?
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Date: Monday, Jan. 5
- Location: FirstBank Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
The FCS national championship game is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Monday, Jan. 5, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee
What TV channel is Illinois State vs Montana State on today?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN app, Fubo (free trial)
Illinois State vs. Montana State will air live on ESPN, with streaming options available on the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Illinois State vs Montana State predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Jan. 5
- Spread: Montana State (-10.5)
- Over/under: 57.5
- Moneyline: Montana State -450 | Illinois State +340
- Prediction: Montana State 38, Illinois State 20
Montana State puts an end to Illinois State’s impressive run to the FCS national championship game, avenging its loss in the title game from last season. The Bobcats rush for over 200 yards in the win.
